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Syria
Apr 14, 2003 9:54:18 GMT -5
Post by Henrik on Apr 14, 2003 9:54:18 GMT -5
In reading the most recent comments made by Bush and Rumsfeld with regards to Syria, I am beginning to wonder if perhaps I was wrong in suggesting that Iran would be the next country on the US hit-list. However, the more I think about it, the more it actually makes sense (well that is in the line of thinking employed by the current US administration). Syria has always been considered a “bad” country, and that also does not have any particular natural resources. However, the government could be considered stable, and its influence on the other Arab countries has also tended to assist in moderating reactions. The big problem however has been its confrontational relationship with Israel, and also Lebanon.
Anyway, the question I wanted to ask pertains to the claims that Bush made that Syria has chemical weapons. Now it is my understanding that a number of countries have chemical weapons, the US being among these countries, but this is acceptable. Iraq was special in the sense that after the last war the UN made sanctions demanding them to disarm. I am not aware of any such sanctions against Syria, and so I really can’t see why Bush would bring that up, other than he would want to influence the public opinion that Syria is another “bad guy”. I really hope they are not preparing another war….
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Syria
Apr 14, 2003 10:53:59 GMT -5
Post by pabs on Apr 14, 2003 10:53:59 GMT -5
Henrik,
I've only seen the headlines since I was out of town this weekend, but could it be that Bush is suggesting that perhaps Syria us hiding Iraqui chemical weapons?
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Syria
Apr 14, 2003 12:13:30 GMT -5
Post by Topcontender on Apr 14, 2003 12:13:30 GMT -5
Syria has been on the terrorist list for years.
Now we are getting reports of Iraqi leadership making a run for Syria.
We are seeing a ton of Syrians going to Iraq to fight the US.
Many of the other arabs suicide bombers are getting into Iraq through Syria.
And finally the weapons are getting in throught Syria.
I doubt we will go after Syria, it is our way of saying "cut it out" or you will pay. Syria knows better then to piss us off. The USA has the arab world into thinking that we are gungho and will not take any crap from anyone. If Syria does have leadership like Saddam or his kids, then yes you could see some trouble.
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Syria
Apr 14, 2003 12:33:35 GMT -5
Post by TeeHee on Apr 14, 2003 12:33:35 GMT -5
If we went to war with Syria after defeating Afghanistan and Iraq- would that make us "Syrial" killers... TEE HEE
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Syria
Apr 14, 2003 12:47:29 GMT -5
Post by BrainFade on Apr 14, 2003 12:47:29 GMT -5
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Syria
Apr 14, 2003 13:18:49 GMT -5
Post by Henrik on Apr 14, 2003 13:18:49 GMT -5
I hear what you are saying, but just like there is still to be some evidence of WMD in Iraq, I can't see why Bush can "accuse" Syria of having chemical weapons.
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Syria
Apr 14, 2003 15:00:31 GMT -5
Post by Topcontender on Apr 14, 2003 15:00:31 GMT -5
even if we know syria has WMD's it does not give us a greenlight to go after them. However if they give Iraq some stuff that can be trouble.
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Syria
Apr 14, 2003 18:48:53 GMT -5
Post by WMD on Apr 14, 2003 18:48:53 GMT -5
I believe that those kinds of weapons are illegal. Chemical and biological. Nuclear is legal for those countries that already have them, but no more. So long as you already owned them before the laws were made, then you were grandfathered into the program, after that, you needed to just develop them in secret and test them, once tested, you're safe and can keep them. Thats how the law works.
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Syria
Apr 15, 2003 1:15:47 GMT -5
Post by Henrik on Apr 15, 2003 1:15:47 GMT -5
Looks like this is gaining momentum. The US is continuing their criticism of Syria, making clear threats towards them. Not good....
I'm wondering if this is being done in order to put pressure on Syria in order to work out some sort of "peace plan" with regards to Israel and Palestine. The US and Israel would obviously want to keep Syria out of such a discussion as much as possible.
I don't like it one bit, especially since the behaviour we now see is that the war just waged on Iraq justifies any action the US might now want to take. Well at least in their minds....
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Syria
Apr 15, 2003 9:11:33 GMT -5
Post by JWK on Apr 15, 2003 9:11:33 GMT -5
I think that, as you say Henrik that this is just talk to dissuade Syria from thinking to influence the roadmap to peace that Mahmoud Abbas(New prime minister of Palestine) is due to present. Syria has a lasting grudge with Israel that started when they took military control (as a part of the fight back by Israeli forces in the 6 day war i believe) of the Golan heights. Israel still claims it as a part of their sovereign territory, but the Syrians do not recognise this. Though i don't see what base some of the claims are being made on, i do believe that Syria did, does and will pose more of a threat then iraq has for the last 12 years, as they are well known to house what are well known as intra-national terrorists, that base themselves in Syrian soil and make attacks against Israel...Of course these palestinians know themselves as freedom fighters. For the life of me i hope this is just another bucket of rhetoric being dumped on us by the US and not a legitimate(or legitimizing, depends upon where you stand) prelude to yet more military action. Whatever the case... it dosen't look pretty.
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Syria
Apr 15, 2003 9:54:19 GMT -5
Post by justan on Apr 15, 2003 9:54:19 GMT -5
think you are right JWK, not that I have any inside info.
They have 200,000 + troops to the east of them and high tech troops from Israel to the south. This could be a signal for Syria to rein in the "terrorist/freedom fighters" so that some sort of peace can be worked out between the two factions in Palestine.
Of course some other Arab governments won't be too happy if Palestine gets their own State so those American troops will probably stay for a long while, let alone to stop any potential outside interference in Iraq. Did I mention civil war?
War is the easy part, now the hard part begins.
Personally I think that Iran is actually the next target, if indeed there is a next target. Iran is working earnestly on becoming a member of the Nuclear club, with a 9th century fanatical religious mentality. That must send shivers through the White House.
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Syria
Apr 15, 2003 10:33:44 GMT -5
Post by Danny Boy on Apr 15, 2003 10:33:44 GMT -5
JWK you wrote; (as a part of the fight back by Israeli forces in the 6 day war i believe) of the Golan heights. Israel still claims it as a part of their sovereign territory, but the Syrians do not recognise this.
There is a UN resolution that supports Syria’s claim and the UN have demanded that israel give it back, this was 20 years ago. There is as much chance of the Golan going back to Syria, as there is of the "road map" ever being accepted by either side.
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Syria
Apr 15, 2003 20:20:28 GMT -5
Post by question on Apr 15, 2003 20:20:28 GMT -5
what would be the right thing to do?
Give the Golan and by virtue the citizens - mostly Arab and Druze community back to an Authoritarian and undemocratic and harsh regime or let the people that live there decide? Most inhabitants of the golan would and do fear syrian rule and are quite happy with their current freedoms.
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Syria
Apr 15, 2003 22:01:05 GMT -5
Post by Danny Boy on Apr 15, 2003 22:01:05 GMT -5
The Golan Heights are a source of much needed water for israel. The people who live there will never be allowed to choose it's destiny, as israel would not give them the chance of a free vote. Also, there is “never” justification for anyone to keep land that does not belong to them.
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propaganda
Minnow
I dont believe a word they say.
Posts: 9
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Syria
Apr 16, 2003 5:47:39 GMT -5
Post by propaganda on Apr 16, 2003 5:47:39 GMT -5
For Fuck Sake America isnt going to stop. Let's help Israel supress the region. Have you thought of this: Geographically, Israel/Syria/Iraq are neighbours. Controlling these countries creates a military wall that splits the region into 2. Americans are the criminals. They just have a smart marketing strategy, a good lawyer, lots of guns, and a 24 hour cable news network to make them look good. They have been selling trash, hyping it up and selling it as treasure for decades.
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