War (of Words) with Syria
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Saturday, Apr 19, 2003
CNN - April 19
Iraq neighbors urge U.S. to leave
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia -- The U.S.-led coalition must bring stability and security to Iraq and then remove its "occupying" forces from the country as quickly as possible, foreign ministers from neighboring countries have said.
Represented at the meeting were six countries that border Iraq -- Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, Iran, Kuwait and Jordan -- as well as Egypt and Bahrain.
The ministers meeting in Riyadh Friday also endorsed a proposal floated this week by Syria to make the Middle East a region free of weapons of mass destruction. They also criticized recent comments by Bush administration officials accusing Syria of giving refuge to members of the deposed Iraqi regime.
[An old story, but worth repeating.]
Ha'aretz -- February 18, 2003
Sharon says U.S. should also disarm Iran, Libya and Syria
By Aluf Benn
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said yesterday that Iran, Libya and Syria should be stripped of weapons of mass destruction after Iraq. "These are irresponsible states, which must be disarmed of weapons mass destruction, and a successful American move in Iraq as a model will make that easier to achieve," Sharon said to a visiting delegation of American congressmen.
Sharon told the congressmen that Israel was not involved in the war with Iraq "but the American action is of vital importance."
via antiwar.com
Ha'aretz -- April 19
Analysis / Assad begins to fold as the U.S. demands Damascus behave appropriately
By Zvi Bar'el
The verbal missiles cruising in recent days between Washington and Damascus obscured an even more interesting statement made this week. Iranian President Mohammed Khatami said in public that "Iran won't defend Syria if it comes under attack by the United States,"and that "if the U.S. changes its behavior toward Iran, it is possible to consider a change in Iran's policy toward the U.S."
Khatami's statements have a special significance in light of the tensions between the U.S. and Syria, even though they do not have an immediate practical implication.
Islam Online -- April 17
U.S. Presses Syria To Kill Anti-Israel Resistance: DFLP
By Abdul Raheem Ali
CAIRO - The current American and Zionist pressures on Syria are aimed at bringing to a cessation all forms of support rendered by Syria to Arab movements resisting the Israeli occupation, particularly Hezbollah, Secretary General of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) Nayeef Hawatma told IslamOnline.net Thursday, April 17.
[Non-information.]
White House -- April 16
Press Gaggle with Scott McClelland, spokesman
Q Any indication that Syria is cooperating?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, Syria knows our views. And they know what they need to do. I think there are people closer to the situation there that would be in a better position to brief you on the exact specifics of it -- of the current situation.
[Non-information.]
White House -- April 17
Press Gaggle with Claire Buchan, Deputy Press Secretary, at Crawford Elementary School
Q Syria's proposal that there's a weapons-free zone within the Middle East, including Israel, as well? Is that something that the administration is even listening to or considering? And d you know where that is?
MS. BUCHAN: Well, Syria -- we have made clear what Syria needs to do. They know our views and I will leave it at that.
[Release from US about Powell's Thursday night interview on PBS, followed by transcript.]
US Department of State -- April 18
Powell Urges Syria to Reconsider Its Policies
Says Middle East would be better off without WMD
"As I have said previously, and the President has certainly indicated
in his own remarks, there is no war plan on anyone's desk right now to
go marching on Syria," Powell said.
Powell said the reason why Syria is being highlighted now is that
there is a "changed situation" and "a new dynamic" in the Middle East
following the liberation of Iraq.
---
MR. LEHRER: Well, as you know, this has been read in the Arab world,
and also in some places in Europe and elsewhere, the United States as
saying, "Hey, Syria, look next door at what happened to Iraq. If you
don't get your act together, the same thing could happen to you."
Is that a correct message? Is that the message the U.S. wanted to
send?
SECRETARY POWELL: It's not a message the United States has delivered.
The President hasn't spoken in those terms. Neither have I, and, for
that matter, neither has Don Rumsfeld or Condi Rice.
[We take a break from our usual content for a story from the far eastern front. North Korea drops its defiant stance in reaction to US success in Iraq. But ... doh!]
U.S. official: N. Korea move 'insulting'
Upcoming talks in doubt
CNN -- April 18
From Elise Labott
WASHINGTON -- A senior Bush administration official said Friday the United States is reconsidering whether to hold talks with North Korea after the East Asian nation said it is again reprocessing nuclear fuel rods.
[An overview of recent developments.]
Ha'aretz -- April 18
Powell may visit Mideast, will focus on peace process
U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell said Thursday that he may soon visit the Middle East, including Syria, to push for Israeli-Palestinian peace and to press Damascus on its suspected weapons programs and support for Saddam Hussein's dying regime.
CBS News -- April 17
Hezbollah Turns Up The Volume
They were once considered the baddest of the bad, at the top of the pecking order of Middle East terrorist organizations. Until Sept. 11, Hezbollah - the so-called "Party of God" - had killed more Americans than any other group, starting with 241 Marines in a suicide bombing of their Beirut barracks in 1983.
Lately, however, Hezbollah had been relatively quiet, letting groups like Hamas and Islamic Jihad take the lead in suicide bombing attacks against Israel and leaving al Qaeda to press the attack against America.
But, as CBS News Correspondent Jim Stewart reports, Hezbollah has suddenly started talking loud again. Even before U.S. forces invaded Iraq, the group began calling for suicide attacks against American forces. And U.S. officials have left no doubt they now consider the Party of God as dangerous as al Qaeda ever was.
"I'll tell you that Hezbollah, as an organization with capability and worldwide presence, is its equal, if not a far more capable organization," CIA Director George Tenet told Congress on Feb. 12.