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Syria-Lebanon-Iran
US running out of patience with Syria
2005-09-13
The Bush administration yesterday warned Syria that its patience was "running out" because of its alleged support for Iraqi insurgents, while a UN investigation into the assassination of Lebanon's former prime minister extended its probe to Damascus.

Zalmay Khalilzad, US ambassador to Baghdad, told reporters in Washington Syria had to close down "training camps" and prevent Arabs sent by al-Qaeda from flying into Damascus international airport on their way to Iraq.

"Our patience is running out with Syria," the envoy said, as US forces in Iraq continued operations along the border with Syria. Asked if the US was considering military force, he said all options were on the table.

The US State Department also directly accused the Syrian government of "supporting groups and individuals who are killing Iraqis".

Separately, Reuters reported from Damascus that Syria had agreed to allow Detlev Mehlis, the chief UN investigator, to question Syrian "witnesses" in connection with the murder in Beirut of Rafiq al-Hariri, the former Lebanese prime minister. The US suspects Syrian involvement in the killing.
Posted by:Dan Darling

#10  What does the patience meter read for Iran?
Posted by: RWV   2005-09-13 22:50  

#9  Patience is also wearing thin within Syria. At the onset of the war in Iraq, Syria decided to freely issue Iraqis visas. The ones with suitcases full of cash will eventually move on to Lebanon and beyond. Whats left will be mostly poor families. With no incentive to return to a violent Iraq, the refugee camps will continue to grow. Charity for fellow Muslims usually ends up with a "not in my backyard" attitude.
Posted by: DepotGuy   2005-09-13 10:53  

#8  I'm running out of patience with the US and its fawning treatment of the Saudis. These people murder 3000 Americans, then hike the price of oil in an attempt to murder the US economy, and what do they get? Kisses and hand-holding.
Posted by: John Lemmon   2005-09-13 10:48  

#7  Might be kinda interesting to kick over the Latakia sandbox and see what comes crawling out.

They have builded their house by the sea...
Posted by: mojo   2005-09-13 10:45  

#6  I'd read this in light of Talibani's comments. I suspect it will be the Iraqi's who run out of patience first, with us happy to help.
Posted by: Mrs. Davis   2005-09-13 09:16  

#5  send a fleet of 10 B1 bombers over Syria at full afterburner

Given the cost of a B1 divided by the expected life length of its cell, a B1 flying to Syria costs a million dollars a pop and that before we factor fuel consumption, spare parts, pilot salary and last but not least the (cost of B1*probability of losing the bomber through accident or enemy action). Sounds quite silly to me to use B1s for such kind of bravado (or for knocking the Taliban air defences, ie fourth world air defences, as it was done.
Posted by: JFM   2005-09-13 09:01  

#4  Asked if the US was considering military force, he said all options were on the table that sometimes happens when diplomacy clearly isn't working. Ask Saddam.
Posted by: GK   2005-09-13 05:32  

#3  send a fleet of 10 B1 bombers over Syria at full afterburner on the deck straight over Assads house to give him a warning.
Posted by: Glavins Glereting2921   2005-09-13 05:09  

#2  Yes. They need a "we don't make these anymore, but we have quite a few in stock" type message...
Posted by: M. Murcek   2005-09-13 03:37  

#1  I am running out of patience with the US and its position vis a vis Syrian meddling and enabling of terrorists in Iraq. Rumsfeld, et al have made it clear how the US feels. Syria needs a stick-type message to understand the consequences of playing their dirty little game. If the US does not do this, there will be no credibility.
Posted by: Alaska Paul   2005-09-13 02:15  

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