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Syria-Lebanon
U.S. probe focuses on Syria weapons
2003-09-17
Followup to yesterday’s NYT article, this is by Gertz at the Wash Times. EFL.
The U.S. government is investigating intelligence reports that Iraq sent weapons to Syria to hide them from U.N. inspectors and coalition troops in Iraq. John Bolton, the undersecretary of state for arms control, also told a House International Relations subcommittee that Syria is developing medium-range missiles with help from North Korea and Iran that could be fired in nerve gas attacks hundreds of miles from Syria’s borders. He testified in open and closed sessions that Syria continues to take hostile actions against U.S. and coalition troops in Iraq by permitting sympathizers of Saddam Hussein to enter Iraq to kill Americans. "Syria permitted volunteers to pass into Iraq to attack and kill our service members during the war, and is still doing so," Mr. Bolton said.
The Boy President has ideologued himself into a corner. He can't not support the gunnies and snuffies or they'll turn on him. The best he can do is emulate Musharraf and deny that it's happening. Musharraf has the advantage in that we need him — for now. We're still in the first stages of an incremental build-up of pressure that Assad can stop at any time by going out of the terror business. My guess is that he's too scared of the consequences to do it.
Mr. Bolton said that "we cannot allow the world’s most dangerous weapons to fall into the hands of the world’s most dangerous regimes, and will work tirelessly to ensure this is not the case for Syria." Syria has purchased nuclear goods that indicate it may use a Chinese-made reactor to build nuclear arms, he said. Also, the Syrians are working on offensive biological weapons, he said. Mr. Bolton stated that Syria has several hundred Scud and SS-21 short-range missiles and has built a longer-range Scud D with help from North Korea. The Scud D has a range of some 310 miles and Syria test-fired one in 2000.
Wonder if some came via Yemen?
During a closed-door session, Mr. Bolton showed the committee a map highlighting the ranges of Syrian missiles and future missiles, including a version of the North Korean Nodong that has a range of 620 miles, enough to hit targets throughout the Middle East. Syria has one of the most advanced chemical weapons programs in the Arab world that includes the nerve agent sarin and the more deadly nerve gas known as VX, Mr. Bolton said. "Damascus is pursuing both solid- and liquid-propellant missile programs and relies extensively on foreign assistance in these endeavors," he said.
Any ’made in Iraq’ stickers on the stuff?
Asked whether he favored changing the regime of Syrian leader Bashar Assad, Mr. Bolton said "our preference is to solve these problems by peaceful and diplomatic means."
"Then again, we could just smack the s__t out of them. Does that answer your question, Congresswoman?"
Regarding reports that Iraq hid weapons in Syria, Mr. Bolton said: "We have seen these reports, reviewed them carefully, and see them as cause for concern... Thus far, we have been unable to confirm that such transfers occurred." Other U.S. officials said numerous intelligence reports from a variety of sources indicate that the transfers of Iraqi weapons took place. Some of the reports have been in recent weeks. However, many intelligence analysts are reluctant to make judgments on the intelligence because of the recent controversy over Iraq’s purported attempts to buy uranium ore from Niger, the officials said. Syria’s government continues to deny that any weapons were transferred.
"Nope, not us, wudn’t be us, nope, nope."
Syria's also being careful not to wave any weapons it has, not even toward Israel. No doubt they're saving them as s surprise — but a low profile in that area indicates Assad's brighter than Sammy was...
Rep. Gary L. Ackerman, New York Democrat, said the testimony appeared to be a warning to Syria. "I think the administration is sending a trial balloon to the Syrians to take a look over the border and see what happens to the people who don’t listen to us," Mr. Ackerman said in an interview.
Hey, a Democrat who gets it! This guy should run for President!
Posted by:Steve White

#7  Hey, a Democrat who gets it! This guy should run for President!

He'd never make it past the first primary, unfortunately...
Posted by: Pappy   2003-9-17 11:38:54 PM  

#6  Charles, by depending on international support, you mean, like if there is none, then we pick some day when the rest of the world is distracted, and take them both out at the same time before anyone notices ?

Okay, I'm on board with that...perhaps we can settle on May Day, when the Workers of the World are busy fellating Castro and other communist pets.

Soccer World Cup is a good time also...
Posted by: Carl in NH   2003-9-17 4:59:30 PM  

#5  We're also recruiting more troops and are in a military build-up. I think we might take out Iran and Syria at the same time, depending on international support.
Posted by: Charles   2003-9-17 12:49:02 PM  

#4  We're still in the early stages. Syria might even be on the list following Iran, rather than being just ahead of it...
Posted by: Fred   2003-9-17 11:03:45 AM  

#3  If Assad knew much about the U.S., he'd know that he's pretty safe, at least for the time being, or until after the election next year. As long as he keeps relatively quiet, that is.
Posted by: Tokyo Taro   2003-9-17 9:35:57 AM  

#2  Knocking down Syria would go a long way towards relieving pressure on Israel. It might also send a message to Tehran, although with these people, the only message they seem to understand is the shadow of 500 pound bomb just prior to their esit from the land of the living.
Posted by: Douglas De Bono   2003-9-17 7:32:42 AM  

#1  Push... push... push...

Anyone doubt that the Occulist of the Orient (aka, Baby Doc Assad) is leaving little s**t streaks in his u-trows nowadays?

Push... push... PUSH!

Posted by: TPF   2003-9-17 2:23:46 AM  

00:00