Stepping up rhetoric against Syria

Brotha · Post by **Brotha** » April 13, 2003, 10:33 pm

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0, ... 11,00.html

“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.”

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.

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.”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/ar ... Apr13.html

Asked if the charges, a regular theme in recent weeks from hard-line members of the U.S. administration, could lead to war, Bush told reporters: "I think that we believe there are chemical weapons in Syria, for example. And we will -- each situation will require a different response and, of course, we're -- first things first.

"The (Syrian) government is making a lot of bad mistakes, a lot of bad judgments in my view," Rumsfeld said in an interview on CBS's "Face the Nation."

"There are a number of non-Iraqis who are in the country, particularly in Baghdad we find ... A lot from Syria, most from Syria it appears," he said.

Asked if they were involved in fighting, Rumsfeld said, "Absolutely. In firefights, a lot of them got killed last night."

Hopefully from our actions in Iraq, Syria and Iran will know not to fuck with us and will cooperate. I really can't see this escalating, unless Syria deliberately tries to pick a fight with us...which would be suicide for them and they know it now. Also, as one of the articles mentions, elections will be coming up not before too long, and it would be political suicide for Bush if we attacked Syria under these conditions.

I can see several people here shuddering now lol. Chemical weapons and Syria in the same sentence! US imperialism continues!!

Krimson Klaw · Post by **Krimson Klaw** » April 13, 2003, 10:49 pm

I know where you are coming from, but I can't believe we honestly expect these muslim countries to bow at our every demand while we make war in their back yard. If that's the case, we are in for a very long "with us or against us" campaign. We are basically drawing a line in the sand by these statements, with our gun cocked. This is a very dangerous stance to take. Expecting them to do everything we say is not realistic, and making war on them when they don't comply is nothing more than oppression.

It's just too damn aggressive, even for me.

Fairweather Pure · Post by **Fairweather Pure** » April 13, 2003, 11:02 pm

I think we'll keep going until casualties are so bad that even more people speak up.

Syria is next.

Xzion · Post by **Xzion** » April 13, 2003, 11:35 pm

After the Iraq situation specially with syria right next door, if there is a war declared on them, i have a feeling theyl get some allies on there side who also oppose the US government with the fear that they are next, no doubt a war with Syria will loose at least 25% more american support and sure as fuck piss of the non agressive countrys

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » April 13, 2003, 11:56 pm

I agree. If we stayed in the region and just swept into Syria from Iraq using the bases captured there rather than (or including) the other coutries letting us use them now, it would appear to be more of an invasion of a region than "defense/liberation." Whether people think that is what is going on now or not, I think this *would* do more harm than "good."

Spangaloid_PE · Post by **Spangaloid_PE** » April 14, 2003, 12:19 am

imo, and only my opinon, the coalition will send in special ops guys and we won't hear anything about it.

Metanis · Post by **Metanis** » April 14, 2003, 1:29 am

I doubt the American people will support war with Syria.

However Syria has been a sponsor of terrorism for years. I think we are merely trying some tough-sounding rhetoric to see if they will moderate their position and quit supporting Saddam's old regime.

You have to admit that our rhetoric is much harsher when we have a quarter million battle-tested troops right next to Syria. And we have a President with a reputation as a cowboy

Finally, remember that Syria can publicly condemn us while privately meeting our demands out of view of their citizens.

Voronwë · Post by **Voronwë** » April 14, 2003, 3:11 am

Going into Syria would be a disaster.

Keverian FireCry · Post by **Keverian FireCry** » April 14, 2003, 4:50 am

will be

kyoukan · Post by **kyoukan** » April 14, 2003, 5:23 am

It would take at least 3 whole months of constant white house media updates linking syria to al'qeada, saddam hussein and communists until the majority of the country starts blabbering about how syria is the ultimate evil in the world and must be bathed in the cleansing fire of jesus-approved american bombs.

so it probably won't happen till late summer in the earliest.

Kelshara · Post by **Kelshara** » April 14, 2003, 7:51 am

However Syria has been a sponsor of terrorism for years. I think we are merely trying some tough-sounding rhetoric to see if they will moderate their position and quit supporting Saddam's old regime.

Heh so Saudi is next?

Xzion · Post by **Xzion** » April 14, 2003, 8:08 am

there might already be special ops in Syria, my cousins in the special forces and he got shipped off to iraq for some "training" or something 2 months before even a discussion about a probable war with iraq was introduced, you can never. trust the media or what you are told, anywhere

Kelshara · Post by **Kelshara** » April 14, 2003, 8:56 am

2 months before even a discussion about a probable war with iraq was introduced

Rumsfeld started the work on war with Iraq on 9/11. That was proven in an article that was linked in some thread here, with direct quotes from him etc.

Fairweather Pure · Post by **Fairweather Pure** » April 14, 2003, 10:07 am

I doubt the American people will support war with Syria.

I would've assumed the same thing about Iraq. I currently think anything is possible.

Gurugurumaki · Post by **Gurugurumaki** » April 14, 2003, 12:47 pm

Fairweather Pure wrote:
I doubt the American people will support war with Syria.
I would've assumed the same thing about Iraq. I currently think anything is possible.

Anything is possible with God~

Animalor · Post by **Animalor** » April 14, 2003, 12:50 pm

Anyone wanna re-read that article comparing Bush to Hitler?

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » April 14, 2003, 12:53 pm

Not really Animalor...it was a piece of doody the first two times I read it.