War (of Words) with Syria
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Friday, Apr 18, 2003
Reuters -- April 18
Mideast States Mull Post-War Iraq as US Warns Syria
By Andrew Hammond
RIYADH - Middle East nations began debating post-Saddam Hussein Iraq on Friday as the United States forged ahead with its own plans for a nation crushed by war.
Among eight countries at the first postwar regional forum was Syria, accused by Washington of sheltering Saddam aides and developing chemical weapons. Syria denies both charges.
The Riyadh meeting was hosted by Saudi Arabia to discuss the implications for the region of the crushing U.S. victory. Foreign ministers of Iraq's neighbors Turkey, Iran, Syria, Kuwait and Jordan as well as Egypt and Bahrain attended.
An opening statement read at the talks criticized what it said were U.S. threats against Syria and called for the U.S.-led occupation of Iraq to be as brief as possible.
"We absolutely refuse the recent threat against Syria which can only increase the likelihood of a new circle of war and hatred, especially in light of the continuing deterioration of the Palestinian situation," said the statement read out by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal.
"We call on the United States to use dialogue with Syria and to activate the (Middle East) peace process," it said, welcoming a possible visit to Syria by Secretary of State Colin Powell.
AP via Hindustan Times -- April 18
Syria may expel some Iraqis: US officials
Washington -
Syria may be preparing to quietly expel some members of the Iraqi government who have sought refuge inside its borders, US officials have said.
[Political discussion from Australia.]
Australian Broadcast Corporation, The 7:30 Report -- April 17
US ramps up Syria rhetoric
JEREMY THOMPSON: So what's happening?
Is the United States softening up the world for another invasion in the Middle East?
ALAN BEHM, FORMER DEFENCE OFFICIAL: I think what they're doing is warning Syria of the consequences of its possession of weapons of mass destruction and perhaps just testing the waters a bit to see how the international community might respond.
DR GLEN BARCLAY, INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, ANU: We have to assume now that when the Americans start threatening anybody they're at least very seriously considering attacking them.
Secondly, the only reason for attacking Syria that makes sense would be to remove the only possible external threat to Israel.
[Opinion.]
Los Angelese TImes -- April 15
via Monkey Media Report
Next, Turn the Screws on Syria
By Yossi Klein Halevi
Syria arms and protects the Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah. Until Sept. 11, Hezbollah held the world record in the number of Americans killed through terrorism. In two suicide bombings in the 1980s, Hezbollah murdered 260 American soldiers stationed in Lebanon and Saudi Arabia. No terror organization maintains greater global reach than Hezbollah, whose cells and fund-raising network extend to six continents. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage recently noted that Hezbollah "may be the [terrorists'] A-team, while Al Qaeda may be actually the B-team."
The Daily Star -- April 18
Lahoud slams American threats against Syria
Other parties lash out at Washington
Elie Hourani
President Emile Lahoud condemned on Thursday the recent US threats against both Syria and Lebanon, “especially those that recently focused on Syria,” calling it “unfair to punish both the Lebanese and the Syrians for standing by Iraq and insisting on a peaceful solution.”
[Analysis and opinion.]
Washington Post -- April 18
Syrian Power Play
By Charles Krauthammer
Syria does not act out of sentimentality. Its harboring of high officials from Saddam Hussein's government is not an act of Baath Party brotherhood. It's a form of realpolitik, a postwar continuation of Syria's prewar opposition to America's aim to democratize Iraq.
[Report on a suspected missile facility.]
Christian Broadcast Network -- April 17
Syria’s Weapons of Terror Aimed at Israel
By Chris Mitchell
JERUSALEM — Secretary of State Colin Powell says he will travel to Damascus to meet Syria's President Bashar Assad. The meeting comes in the face of Syrian denials that it has weapons of mass destruction. But in the past six years, CBN News shown exclusive evidence that Syria does have such weapons, and the missiles to deliver them.
PakTribune -- April 18
Syria says no to arms inspection
CAIRO - Syria's foreign minister said on Thursday his country would not accept arms inspections, but would join forces with the world to rid the entire West Asia of weapons of mass destruction in line with its recent proposal to the United Nations.
[Retargeting?]
NewsMax -- April 17
Hezbollah: ‘Death to America’
Sheik Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah, in a speech before 150,000 supporters in a Beirut suburb said the U.S. will be made to suffer greatly as a result of its presence in Iraq, according to a report in the L.A. Times:
Daily KOS -- April 17
Syria countermoves, scores against US
The US continues its bizarre on-again, off-again war of words against Syria. Seriously, do a Google News search for "Syria" and "US", and get headlines like:
No Plans for war on Syria: US
US renews its attack on Syria
US 'would enter Syria for Saddam'
US will not cross Syrian border to hunt Saddam
So who the hell knows who will come out ahead what is obviously a power-struggle at the top of the Bush Administration.