Syrian president defends anti-U.S. attacks in Iraq as legitimate 'resistance'

CBS 47 ^ | 4/28/2004 | AP

[yonif]

BEIRUT, Lebanon (AP) - Syrian President Bashar Assad described armed attacks against U.S.-led troops in neighboring Iraq as legitimate "resistance" against foreign occupation.

His remarks, aired Wednesday on the Qatar-based pan-Arab al-Jazeera satellite station, are likely to strain already tense U.S.-Syrian relations.

Assad, whose country strongly opposed the U.S.-led war on Iraq, said anti-American resistance was widespread in Iraq, where most people opposed the U.S. occupation.

"The public reaction (in Iraq to the U.S. occupation) ... gives legitimacy to the resistance," Assad said, adding that Iraqi opposition stems from the killing of Iraqi civilians by American-led soldiers.

Al-Jazeera did not say when the interview was conducted, but it was apparently before Tuesday's terrorist attack in Damascus, Syria, since Assad was not asked about it. Four gunmen detonated a bomb placed under a car before firing bullets and grenades at Syrian security forces, an Interior Ministry official told the state-controlled SANA news agency.

The government said two attackers, a policeman and a civilian were killed.

Assad also compared militant Palestinian factions fighting Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands to the Iraqi insurgents seeking to end the U.S.-led occupation of Iraq.

"Is it logical that all these hundreds of thousands and millions (of people) who are resisting occupations in different forms ... are all al-Qaida ... or all supporters of the Saddam Hussein regime, as they (U.S. forces) say?" Assad asked in the interview, monitored by The Associated Press in Lebanon.

Since early April, U.S. forces have been locked in fierce battles with Sunni fighters in Fallujah, near Baghdad, and with militiamen of a radical anti-U.S. Shiite cleric in southern Iraq.

More than 115 U.S. soldiers have been killed in combat this month, the bloodiest of the conflict to date. At least 725 U.S. troops have died in Iraq since the war began in March 2003. Up to 1,200 Iraqis also have been killed this month.

Assad's defense of anti-U.S. attacks in Iraq comes at a time when Syrian ties with America are strained over Iraq and Washington's view that Damascus supports regional terrorism.

Syria has been on the State Department's list of terror-sponsoring nations for supporting anti-Israel groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.

Damascus says such groups are legitimate resistance fighters and not terrorist, and it has an interest in fighting Islamic extremist groups like Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida network.

Washington also accuses Syria of allowing foreign fighters cross its borders into Iraq and hindering the war on terror.

In December, President Bush approved the Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act, which accuses Syria of hosting militant Palestinian groups and seeking biological and chemical weapons. Syria denies the weapons claims.

In his TV interview, Assad also blamed some unidentified Arab and Western states for the spread of terrorism by "nurturing terrorist groups."

"They are now paying the price," he said in an apparent reference to terror attacks in various countries.

[yonif]

"nurturing terrorist groups."

Like you do with Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and Hizbullah?

Syria is a terrorist murderous state.

[MNJohnnie]

Prime Minster Sharon? This is Dubya. Season is now open on all Syrian Leaders. What? No, no limit. Good hunting.

[68skylark]

This guy should get together with Michael Moore and John Kerry -- they'd get along great!

[uncbob]

Bush should have taken out Syria while the iron was hot just after Iraq fell and before all the latest BS started

Let's hope doesn't wecome another untpuchable Cambodia type refuge

It is time to get serious woth Syria and Iraq even if it means obliteraing certain areas

The fanatics in Germany and Japan din't get the message right away either

[Texas Eagle]

Yo, Bashar. This MOAB's for you.

[MegaSilver]

We have two options.

We can install nuclear power plants, cut off all diplomatic ties to the Middle East (including and especially immigration) and declare Islam a political force.

OR, we can invade their countries, kill their leaders, and convert them to Christianity.

Take your pick.

[RightWhale]

Was the attack yesterday on the unoccupied building a Syrian diversion?

[Redcoat LI]

Can't we do both?

[MegaSilver]

Can't we do both?

Doing the former would neutralize the need for the latter. Although, developing nuclear power plants might not be too bad an idea either way...

[Blue Highway]

Well since Assad thinks the terrorists are "legitimate" attacks, then since he is harboring terrorists, his country is now a "legitimate" target in the WOT.

[JudgemAll]

Maybe Syria should clean up its own trash first.

[yonif]

OPEC and the Arab world only produce 35% of the world's oil. For starters, we should isolate the Arab and Islamic world, not trade with them, and buy oil from other countries that do not support militant Islam.

[Viking2002]

Assad needs a bullet between his beady eyes.

[TheDon]

The Middle East is the new Demorat Party echo chamber.

[GottaLuvAkitas1]

"Prime Minster Sharon? This is Dubya. Season is now open on all Syrian Leaders. What? No, no limit. Good hunting."

LOL!

Yup, keep talking little big man.

It's SMACK DOWN BUSH STYLE!

[Keith]

What does it mean that Assad sounds just like Michael Moore...or is it the other way around.

[bushfamfan]

I'm of the opinion we should attack Syria. Bomb the hell out of them. They are a legitimate target with sending terrorists over their border to this punk's threats toward our country and taking in Iraq's WMD. Bomb him. Go for the kill. Syria is a major problem and if Bush wins reelection I hope he goes after this punk and takes him out.