Author Topic: Anyone else worried about Syria?  (Read 2680 times)

Offline Hangtime

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Anyone else worried about Syria?
« Reply #75 on: April 12, 2003, 08:56:12 PM »
some nations, like syria will not require 'occupation'.

we simply pound their armor and air force out of existence, and go home.
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Offline Rockstar

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Anyone else worried about Syria?
« Reply #76 on: April 13, 2003, 10:20:49 PM »
Iraq
 
 
 
April 14, 2003

US tells Syria to co-operate or risk conflict

From Tim Reid in Washington

Bush accuses Damascus of developing chemical weapons

 
 
 
PRESIDENT BUSH yesterday accused Syria of having chemical weapons. In the clearest sign yet that Washington is turning its sights on Damascus’ links to terrorism, two of his most senior Cabinet members also warned the country against harbouring Iraqi officials.
Mr Bush told Syria that it “must co-operate” with Washington as it continues its effort to overthrow Saddam Hussein’s regime in Iraq.

He also repeated earlier warnings from Donald Rumsfeld, the US Defence Secretary, and Colin Powell, the Secretary of State, that Damascus must not harbour fleeing members of Saddam’s regime.

“We believe there are chemical weapons in Syria,” Mr Bush said. “We expect co-operation and I’m hopeful that we will receive co-operation.”

He did not threaten Syria with military action, but told it, along with Iran and North Korea — who, with Iraq, form his “axis of evil” — that the example of Iraq shows “we’re serious about stopping weapons of mass destruction”.

General Tommy Franks, commander of coalition troops in Iraq, said that it could take a year to search every site in Iraq where weapons of mass destruction might be hidden. He said that up to 3,000 locations are earmarked for visits which are progressing at the rate of five to 15 a day. He added that Syrian fighters had joined Iraqi soldiers to fight inside Iraq.

US Intelligence has given warnings that Damascus has a nascent chemical and biological weapons programme, but the accusation has never before been made publicly by the Bush Administration.

Imad Moustaphi, Syria’s deputy ambassador to the US, denied the claims, calling them “a campaign of disinformation” to distract attention from civil disorder in Iraq.

However the accusation, coming from the President himself, marks a significant increase in Washington’s aggressive rhetoric toward the regime of President Assad.

Mr Rumsfeld, who last month accused Syria of channelling military equipment including night-vision goggles to Iraq, said yesterday: “Being on the terrorist list is not some place I’d want to be. The (Syrian Government is making a lot of bad mistakes, a lot of bad judgment calls, in my view, and they’re associating with the wrong people.”

He added that there was “no question” that some senior Iraqi leaders had fled to Syria.

His comments came as the Pentagon announced that a half-brother of Saddam, Watban Ibrahim Hassan, had been captured in northern Iraq, apparently trying to reach Syria.

Watban, apprehended near the northern city of Mosul, was the “five of spades” in the Americans’ 55-name most wanted list, issued in the form of a deck of cards.

General Franks also said that several senior members of the regime had been captured in western Iraq. Meanwhile Yemen granted political asylum to Mohsen Khalil, Iraq’s permanent ambassador to the Arab League in Cairo.

General Powell also told Syria not to offer shelter to Iraqi officials fleeing Baghdad.

He said: “We think it would be very unwise if suddenly Syria becomes a haven for all these people who should be brought to justice who are trying to get out of Baghdad. Syria has been a concern for a long period of time. We have designated Syria for years as a state sponsor of terrorism.”

The US stance towards Syria has become markedly more aggressive since the start of the Iraqi campaign. Yesterday’s comments were Washington’s latest move to increase the pressure on Damascus, which also gives shelter to the leaders of the Palestinian groups Hamas and Hezbollah.

The rhetoric is part of a new phase of muscular US diplomacy in the region which has been given added force by the demonstration of US military might in Iraq. But the targeting of Damascus has raised fears that Washington plans to turn its attention to a military assault on Syria.

However it is unlikely that the Administration would entertain the idea of another pre-emptive military campaign so soon, particularly with a presidential election next year.

There is also recognition in Washington that military action against Syria, or even the overt threat of it, would confirm fears that the US is intent on subjugating the Arab world.

President Assad has voiced concern that Syria is next on the US “war on terrorism” list.

The White House and the State Department have denied that President Bush plans any more “regime changes” in the region. But Washington hopes to use the leverage gained from its overwhelming military victory to exert uncompromising diplomatic and economic pressure on regimes to change their behaviour.

Offline Otto

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Anyone else worried about Syria?
« Reply #77 on: April 13, 2003, 11:01:14 PM »
I tell you this truly..  We are nowhere near Syria.  And if Syria should provoke us we hit them with our shoes and they will die in the desert.  God willing....

Offline OZkansas

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Anyone else worried about Syria?
« Reply #78 on: April 14, 2003, 12:01:08 AM »
What do you do if Syria allows Iraqi leadership to hide there and what do you do if Syria has allowed Saddam to hide WMD in Syria?

Offline Steve

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« Reply #79 on: April 14, 2003, 12:21:49 AM »
then... buh bye Syrian govt.
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Offline GRUNHERZ

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« Reply #80 on: April 14, 2003, 12:49:30 AM »
I wouldnt be too happy if we went after syria right now, its not like the 12 years of circumstances that forced our hand to deal with saddam. I do hope that they got the message and behave... I think our focus now should be in ensuring Iraq is a viable democratic and free state in the next few years and remains so for a long time. We should welcome the iraqis back to the world and hope they set an example for the region. Nothing would make me happier than to see Iraq and also especially Iran return the world with its large number of educated young people who seem to be genuinely interseted in the west and democracy.
« Last Edit: April 14, 2003, 12:53:17 AM by GRUNHERZ »

Offline Sixpence

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Anyone else worried about Syria?
« Reply #81 on: April 14, 2003, 01:23:18 AM »
Quote
Originally posted by GRUNHERZ
I wouldnt be too happy if we went after syria right now, its not like the 12 years of circumstances that forced our hand to deal with saddam. I do hope that they got the message and behave... I think our focus now should be in ensuring Iraq is a viable democratic and free state in the next few years and remains so for a long time. We should welcome the iraqis back to the world and hope they set an example for the region. Nothing would make me happier than to see Iraq and also especially Iran return the world with its large number of educated young people who seem to be genuinely interseted in the west and democracy.


Agreed.  You hit the nail on the head. There is still alot to do in Iraq.I think if Iraq begins to prosper(and it will) it can start to change the face of the middle east. People in surrounding countries will want the freedom Iraqi people have and bring the change themselves. There are alot of good people in the middle east who have alot more in common with us than you think.Plus logistics come into play too. Those troops need to be replaced with fresh ones, and alot are looking forward to coming home. AC's need to be serviced, aircraft, tanks, etc. As always, war should be your last option, not your first.
"My grandaddy always told me, "There are three things that'll put a good man down: Losin' a good woman, eatin' bad possum, or eatin' good possum."" - Holden McGroin

(and I still say he wasn't trying to spell possum!)

Offline AKIron

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« Reply #82 on: April 14, 2003, 01:23:53 AM »
Quote
Originally posted by miko2d
How quickly language changes... Up till a few weeks ago "liberation" was never used by an outsider in the sense of "liberating people form their own government". Overthrow of an oppressive regime or changing the government, ets, but "liberation" always ment presence of an outside force.

 miko


Call it whatever you like. Semantics don't change the fact that the Iraqis are being liberated from an oppresive dictator.

France, along with Germany and Russia, were very happy with the status quo. They stood much to lose with Saddam out of power, unlike the Iraqi people.
Here we put salt on Margaritas, not sidewalks.

Offline Sixpence

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Anyone else worried about Syria?
« Reply #83 on: April 14, 2003, 01:55:22 AM »
Quote
Originally posted by BGBMAW
i was always pissed when my sister would grab the toy from the cereal first...


So waht i woul ddo ..as soon as my mom wne tshopping..I opend up the Cpat Crunch Berries..poured it itno a bowl ..got the prize...And showed my sister....


She would then pin me down...and would do the old..hanging lougy trick...

when i turned 12..she was 5 years older..i socked her in belly..it all ended aftyer that,,,



Yes..I too am worried about my cereal

Love
BiGB


Interesting analogy
"My grandaddy always told me, "There are three things that'll put a good man down: Losin' a good woman, eatin' bad possum, or eatin' good possum."" - Holden McGroin

(and I still say he wasn't trying to spell possum!)

Offline Steve

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Anyone else worried about Syria?
« Reply #84 on: April 14, 2003, 03:22:08 AM »
G, he could have exported them there to shield them from inspector's eyes, sir.
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Offline Rude

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« Reply #85 on: April 14, 2003, 09:24:02 AM »
Quote
Originally posted by Dowding
You just realizing that? Just check out the number of resolutions vetoed by the US. Especially in conjunction with those concerning Israel.

No-one has vetoed more resolutions than the US.


We do what we feel is best for the US....if that would involve the rest of the world or only us, our focus won't and should not change....you have a problem with this?

Are you implying that we should compromise ourselves in the interest of the global community?

Where you comin from these days Dowding? Please explain yourself.

Offline Toad

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Anyone else worried about Syria?
« Reply #86 on: April 14, 2003, 09:26:41 AM »
I AM worried about Frosted Mini-Wheats.

I mean, which side of those shows the REAL personality of the Mini-Wheat? Is it that "whole grain goodness" polite smart side or that "sugary coated" grains-just-wanna-have fun side?










..... OH, wait.. you said SYRIA.


NM.
« Last Edit: April 14, 2003, 09:33:40 AM by Toad »
If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animated contest of freedom, go from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen!

Offline Dowding

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Anyone else worried about Syria?
« Reply #87 on: April 14, 2003, 09:48:04 AM »
Simply pointing out that slamming France for looking after its own interests, while hanging on to some illusion that the US hasn't done the same is a little daft.

You ought to read some of the resolutions the US had vetoed in relation to Israel - they make interesting reading.
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Offline Martlet

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« Reply #88 on: April 14, 2003, 09:54:33 AM »
Quote
Originally posted by Dowding
Simply pointing out that slamming France for looking after its own interests, while hanging on to some illusion that the US hasn't done the same is a little daft.

You ought to read some of the resolutions the US had vetoed in relation to Israel - they make interesting reading.


Also, bear in mind that a no vote is recorded as a veto if you are a permanent member.  One can't neccessarily conclude that a vetoed resolution implies that the resolution had passed previous to the veto.

Offline Frogm4n

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Anyone else worried about Syria?
« Reply #89 on: April 14, 2003, 10:26:34 AM »
these syrians are hard core you better watch out or glock glock, know what im saying squeak