On to Damascus?

[Timber Loftis]

Today's NY Times:
Powell Says U.S. Is Considering Sanctions Against Syria
By DAVID STOUT

WASHINGTON, April 14 — The United States is considering stern measures against Syria, which it suspects of developing weapons of mass destruction and offering refuge to fugitives from Saddam Hussein's regime, Secretary of State Colin L. Powell said today.

"With respect to Syria, of course we will examine possible measures of a diplomatic, economic or other nature," Mr. Powell told reporters at the State Department after conferring with the Kuwaiti foreign minister, Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah.

Mr. Powell and his Kuwaiti counterpart discussed the future of postwar Iraq a day before a conference there on setting up a new political system. "We also talked about Syria," Mr. Powell said, adding pointedly that they were "hopeful that Syria will understand its obligations in this new environment."

Relations between the United States and Syria have been tense for years. Syria opposes the American-led military campaign in Iraq, and as the regime of Saddam Hussein has been routed there has been increasing concern in Washington that Syria may be harboring suspected war criminals from the Baghdad regime.

"I can't quantify how many might be slipping across the border," Mr. Powell said in response to a question. "These are the kinds of individuals who should not be allowed to find safe haven in Syria. And this is a point that we have made to the Syrians directly and we'll continue to make to the Syrians."

Similar accusations against Syria were made today by the British foreign minister, Jack Straw. "There is much evidence of considerable cooperation between the Syrian government and the Saddam regime in recent months," he said at a news conference in Kuwait.

He called for undertakings from Damascus not to assist fugitives from Mr. Hussein's government, a claim Syria denies.

But Britain's prime minister, Tony Blair, said he had spoken to President Bashir Assad of Syria over the weekend and said he accepted assurances that Damascus was not harboring Iraqi fugitives and that it would stop anyone who was trying to cross over the border.

He added: "Some of the wilder surmises that are in the media at the moment are simply not correct. There are no plans whatever to invade Syria."

With hostilities in Iraq winding down, the sharp back-and-forth between Damascus and Washington could herald a new period of tension between the United States and Syria. Relations between the two countries are high on the White House agenda, as remarks of the past few days have signaled.

Secretary Powell reiterated concerns expressed over the weekend by President Bush that Syria has been developing weapons of mass destruction, particularly chemical weapons. "And we believe, in light of this new environment, they should review their actions and their behavior, not only with respect to who gets haven in Syria and weapons of mass destruction, but especially the support of terrorist activity," Mr. Powell said.

Even before Mr. Powell's statement, Syria denied that it had chemical weapons and said it had never cooperated with Saddam Hussein's administration. "Syria has no chemical weapons," a Syrian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Buthaina Shaaban, said in Damascus. "The only chemical, biological and nuclear weapons in the region are in Israel, which is threatening its neighbors and occupying their land."

"There was never any cooperation between Damascus and Baghdad," the spokeswoman added. "Our support was for the Iraqi people who have suffered the plights of wars."

Secretary Powell made it clear that Washington is not convinced that Syria has indeed closed its border to suspected war criminals, as it has asserted. "We're told the border is closed, but as you know, it's a rather porous border," he said. "And so when you say it's closed, it might mean the main roads are closed, but whether or not others are able to get across the border is something that I can't speak to."

[pritchke]

So Syria has WoMD now as well. (Hilarious)

Now while I am not going to fall for WoMD paranoia it is a possibility that Iraqi officials have fled to Syria.

These officials would be much better off turning themselves in.

[Djinn Raffo]

Who will be a member of the Coalition of the Willing if the US decided to go into Syria?

I'm guessing the British won't be. Just a humble guess.

[Bardan the Slayer]

Originally posted by Djinn Raffo: Who will be a member of the Coalition of the Willing if the US decided to go into Syria? I'm guessing the British won't be. Just a humble guess.

We keep hearing on the BBC that Blair says Syria will not be the next target. He seems to have pulled off a coup with a short and successful war in Iraq, but I don't think he would be willing to risk it all again by taking pot-shots at Syria without exceptionally good cause, and going because "George wants us to" simply won't cut it.

[Grojlach]

Ah yes, "weapons of mass destruction", the magic words. Rumours indicate the Vatican will be next in line for stern measures under the suspicion of WoMD.

[Night Stalker]

The Vatican has WMD? Are those Words of Mass Dissemination?

[Djinn Raffo]

[Ar-Cunin]

I wonder when it became 'illigal' to have WoMD.

Reminds me of the Indian Forign Minister who wanted to launch a pre-emtive strike on Pakistan - after all the aren't a democracy, has WoMD and supports terrorist (which attack India). For some reason USA didn't like the idea.

[Night Stalker]

Ar-Cunin .... numerous treaties and UN resolutions since the 60's and 70's restrict and prohibit the proliferation of WMD.

[john]

AHH the elusive WMD maybe if ol George took his head out of his ass he,oh hell George just stick your back in maybe will all be better off...