Posted on 05/12/2004 12:40:28 PM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) - Syria denounced U.S. economic sanctions on Wednesday and other Arab countries - including close U.S. allies - joined in the criticism. Europe ignored the penalties by dispatching a trade delegation to Damascus.
Some Arabs questioned the validity of the measures and the motives behind them, saying they serve Israeli - not American - interests and could further antagonize Arab feelings toward the United States, already soured by the war in Iraq, the prisoner-abuse scandal and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Neighboring Lebanon may prove to be a major loophole in the sanctions, which ban all U.S. exports to Syria except food and medicine and forbids flights between Syria and the United States. Goods have traditionally flowed across the border from Lebanon to Syria.
Trade between the United States and Syria amounts to only $300 million a year and there are currently no flights between Syrian and U.S. airports. But the political effect of the measures could surpass the economic impact.
Syrian Prime Minister Naji al-Otari said the sanctions were "unjust and unjustified," and played down their effects while expressing hope for continued dialogue with Washington.
Damascus Radio, which reflects government thinking, took a harder line, saying sanctions would complicate matters in a region where stability is needed.
"If Washington expects that the penalties will lead to Syria's isolation or marginalizing its role, this role is not a matter for compromise or blackmail," the radio said.
The United States imposed the embargo on Tuesday as a response to allegations that Syria was supporting terrorism and undermining U.S. efforts in neighboring Iraq.
The 22-member Arab League said Wednesday the embargo would harden Arab opinion against the United States. In a statement, the organization said the sanctions would "add to the sour feelings in the region and will raise more questions among Arab people" about U.S. plans for the region.
"The imposition of sanctions does not serve the interests of stability and peace, to which all Arab states aspire," the statement said.
Egypt and Kuwait, the United States' closest Arab allies, criticized the measures.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher said in Cairo that "sanctions and threats are not beneficial and they will not work."
"I don't think the U.S. decision is a useful decision," Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheik Mohammed al-Sabah said.
President Emile Lahoud of Lebanon, where Syria dominates with thousands of troops, said the sanctions were "wrong in content and timing" and were influenced by Israel. His foreign minister, Jean Obeid, said the sanctions will harm America's image in the region and "will send very bad signals serving the extremist team in Israel and will not serve American or Arab interests."
The sanctions authorize the U.S. Treasury Department to freeze the assets of Syrian nationals and entities involved in terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, the occupation of Lebanon and terrorism in Iraq. They also restrict relations between U.S. banks and the Syrian national bank.
The United States has long complained Damascus is supporting militant groups such as the Palestinian Hamas and the Lebanese Hezbollah. It also accuses Syria of failing to stop guerrillas from crossing the border into Iraq. Syria has been on the State Department's list of terror-sponsoring countries.
Syria regards Hamas and Hezbollah as legitimate groups fighting the Israeli occupation of Arab lands. It maintains it is trying to stop fighters from crossing into Iraq but cannot completely control its long border with its southeastern neighbor.
Europeans took a different stand from Washington. Spain extended an invitation to President Bashar Assad to visit in early June, and a high-level EU trade delegation will travel to Syria this weekend in an attempt to improve cooperation on exporting oil and gas to Europe.
Britain, America's closest European ally which has good relations with Syria, said it shares America's concerns. But Prime Minister Tony Blair will continue a policy of "critical and constructive engagement" with Syria, his office said Wednesday. Blair and Assad have exchanged visits in the past.
Our true friends
The fleece that President Bush laid out to God before he took us to war in Iraq confirmed that that was the course he was to take. I do not think the President makes a decision without much prayer and seeking God's will.
He should ask those Christian soldiers in Iraq(and their families and those Christians here at home)to kneel to the One True God and cry out to Him for the destruction of those who hate His people. Then, like Joshua in the Battle of Jericho, they should march around those stronghold cities 7 times and with a mighty shout to Jehovah for His mercy and the show of His Mighty Hand bring down those walls.
On the other hand, we should consider skipping the sanctions _game_ entirely (cause it _is_ a game whereby they continue to hide their production and support of WMD and terrorism), and smash this evil regime !?
Hmmm, the brother Muslims have a point.
Overwhelming Force is a much better option. Bombing commences in 10 minutes.
Who says we don't listen to our allies ?
I don't think so. The Syrians have been strong supporters of terror. As soon as the Arabs are willing to absolutely renounce violence against Israel, stop teaching Jew-hatred, and clearly and publicly acknowledge, in Arabic as well as in English, the right of Israel and its citizens to exist, and gives up its goal of driving the Jews into the sea, or subjecting them to Islamic rule, then I'll think about reining in the Israelis.
Before the Arab rejection of the deal Clinton brokered via the Oslo process, I was a believer that the Arabs were willing to reconcile themselves to a two state solution, and would have been willing to force the Israelis to give up a great deal, if not all, of what they took in 1967. I'm not Jewish, and frankly have no special ties to or brief for, Israel. Except that it is a relatively democratic (if rather socialist) republic with more liberty than any other country in that godforsaken part of the world. But, it's not as if the Arabs even acknowledge the legitimacy of those borders, the Arabs would like to see Israel destroyed. Before 9/11, it was easy to laugh off Palestinian rejectionism. Looking back on it, it's all of a piece with Islamofascism.
Had the Arabs absorbed the Palestinians in 1948, as Pakistan and India absorbed the refugees displaced by the fighting after independence, there would be no Palestinian problem today. The arabs, including our "buddies" the Saudis, created the problem. I'm not sympathtic to them anymore.
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