Syria says cannot stop militants entering Iraq - "If America cannot stop Mexicans..."

msnbc ^ | 10/26/03 | reuters

[Mark Felton]

LONDON, Oct. 25 — Syria cannot stop militants entering Iraq to attack U.S. forces, Syrian Foreign Minister Farouq al-Shara said in an interview with a British Sunday newspaper.

-- snip --

''They are very determined and many of them dream of seeing an American tank,'' Shara said of militants who cross the border into Iraq.

''We are doing everything we can,'' he told the Sunday Telegraph. ''We have tightened our checkpoints and are turning people back. But the border is long and we cannot cover it all.

''If America, a rich superpower cannot stop Mexicans crossing into the United States, then how can we, a poor country, be expected to stop Palestinians getting into Iraq.''

[rintense]

That's gonna leave a mark.

[salmon76]

"If America cannot stop Mexicans..."

Major difference:

Mexicans crossing the border into the U.S. want more freedom and a better way of life.

Syrians and Palestinians crossing the border into Iraq want to kill people who want to give others more freedom and a better way of life.

[Liberty Valance]

Bienvenidos a Tejas! It's a whole other country ;o)

[af_vet_1981]

'If America, a rich superpower cannot stop Mexicans crossing into the United States, then how can we, a poor country, be expected to stop Palestinians getting into Iraq.''

The Mexicans are coming to work for Americans for better futures. The palestinian terrorists are coming to Iraq kill Americans out of religious/idealogical hatred. Those who don't understand the significant difference have forgotten the meaning of September 11th.

[af_vet_1981]

Damn, I agree with the Syrians on this one, they are right.

The Syrians sponsor terrorism against Americans. Are you sure you want to "agree with the Syrians on this one?"

[TomHarkinIsNotFromIowa]

Translated - Or stop Syrians that look like Mexicans.

[Gritty]

This was such a good retort by the Syrians... are we sure there are no FReepers in Damascus!!??

[af_vet_1981]

This was such a good retort by the Syrians... are we sure there are no FReepers in Damascus!!??

Yes I'm sure there are no FReepers as you describe in Damascus. Syria is a sponsor of state terrorism for which many Americans have died. I can hardly believe the ease with which some voice support the Syrian regime. How can anyone be so morally blind ? For those who remember Beirut it is sickening.

[Paul C. Jesup]

Low blow, but true.

[grania]

Why single out Bush's on this issue?

Maybe because he's the Commander in Chief now, and is asking Syria to do something he can't or won't do that the Syrians can't or won't do.

Syria 1, US 0 in the clever quips category

[Brian Allen]

That's it.

You picked up on my take on this death-wishin' Syrian dullard pretty smartly.

Move to the top of the class.

[Publius6961]

Syria cannot stop militants entering Iraq to attack U.S. forces, Syrian Foreign Minister Farouq al-Shara said in an interview with a British Sunday newspaper.

Well, then no problem.

Wait.
Since there is no way to distinguish if this "inability" is accidental or deliberate...

THERE WILL BE CONSEQUENCES!

[Naspino]

There is a big difference. We cannot racially profile. Palis look just like Syrians.

[PISANO]

Truth HURTS!!

[Mixer]

Mexicans are trying to cross into America to find a better life then the one they have. Arabs are coming trough Syria with hopes of killing Americans.

While both are wrong I prefer the former.

[Bobsat]

You can thank the 1986 amnesty for that one.

Wrong. It's been that way since long before that. I remember going to school with first generation English speaking descendents of illegal Mexican immigrants in the 1940s. That was just 1 state south of Canada, too.

[Travis McGee]

We can stop criminal invaders from crossing the Mexican border in one week. Stop them cold, 100%, and all it will take is a single order from the White House to the Border Patrol.

[1Old Pro]

''If America, a rich superpower cannot stop Mexicans crossing into the United States, then how can we, a poor country, be expected to stop Palestinians getting into Iraq.''

We could but we don't. Thank the dems for that.

[HennepinPrisoner]

IMO, our immigration policy under Bush represents willful neglect

True, and I agree 100%.

But then the Bush administration would never actually come out and admit that....which puts them in a political quagmire when statements like this one from Syria are released.

[Manic_Episode]

So it would seem that our intentional domestic "failings" are coming home to roost, and in fact, not only costing americans jobs, but lives as well.