Posted on 10/26/2003 10:14:12 AM PST by anotherview
Oct. 26, 2003
Assad accuses Israel of causing 'regional turbulence'
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Syrian President Bashar Assad on Sunday accused Israel of causing "turbulence" in the region and said it was the only country benefiting from the unrest, particularly in Iraq and the Palestinian territories.
Assad was speaking in Damascus to a visiting Iraqi delegation of political, tribal and religious representatives opposed to the U.S.-led occupation of Iraq.
Assad distressed the need to "preserve Iraq's national unity" as a way to end the crisis in that country, according to the official Syrian news agency, SANA.
"Israel, which tries to plant turbulence and divisions (among Arabs), is the only country which benefits from what is going on in the region, especially in Palestine and Iraq," SANA quoted Assad as saying.
Saleh Metleg, spokesman of the delegation, said in comments made Saturday following the meeting with Khaddam that the delegation opposed the U.S.-led occupation of Iraq and the American-appointed Iraqi Governing Council, saying it had compromised itself by "joining hands with the occupiers."
Syria was a staunch opponent of the U.S.-British invasion of Iraq and has been accused by Washington of supplying military equipment to the Saddam regime and allowing fighters to enter Iraq to attack the U.S. forces. Syria denies the charges.
By constantly getting its women and children blown up? Is this the benefit Assad is thinking of?
Now that was one hell of a target rich environment.
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