Posted on 07/17/2006 12:54:43 PM PDT by sonsofliberty2000
The Syrian embassy said it was offering "safe haven" to Americans and other citizens wishing to flee Lebanon, where nearly 200 civilians have been killed during a massive Israeli military bombardment.
"Now, while thousands of United States citizens are stranded in Lebanon attempting to flee the ongoing massacre there, Syria has opened its borders to US citizens as well as citizens of other nationalities," the embassy said in a statement.
"In Syria, US and citizens of other nations find a safe haven from the barbaric and atrocious acts of the Israeli army in Lebanon," it said, adding that already a "huge influx of US and foreign nationals" have entered Syria.
Syria was waiving visa requirements for entry and offering "all sorts of humane assistance to the thousands of refugees coming from Lebanon including medical attention," it said.
"From Syria, US citizens can return safely home."
US military helicopters flew 43 people out of Lebanon Monday and preparations were underway to evacuate potentially thousands of US nationals by air and by sea, officials said.
Other foreign capitals also rushed to evacuate frightened nationals from the escalating conflict, as Israel indicated it may provide windows in its six-day-old aerial bombardment to facilitate safe passage.
But is anyone getting out of Damascus?
And Syria is not Iran. No sign of mental illness in Syria as there is with Ahmadinnerjacket.
I'd like to support the contrarian view that Syria is offering help out of fear of US involvement, rather than looking for hostages.
Clergy of my Archdiocese travel to both Lebanon and Syria regularly (the Patriarch of Antioch having his office and cathedral in Damascus now, thanks to the 'model' Muslims, the Turks, not letting any Christian clergy function in Asia Minor, where his proper cathedral is located). Also, the Assad regime has been cooperating through back channels with some aspects of the WOT.
Quite frankly, if I were in Lebanon, I'd rather take my chances on getting a flight out of Damascus than on a cruise ship, with Hezbollah having proved its antiship capacity. Assad knows perfectly well that taking US citizens hostage would open Syria to US attack, and that we have a forward base for such an attack--Iraq--and that removing him would also serve our interests in cutting off a supply route for the Sunni terrorists in Iraq, so that we'd take the excuse.
Why would Hezbollah attack a ship carrying US refugees? Well, they're the pawns of the Iranian lunatics who want to bring the 12th Imam out of hiding by provoking a war between Islam and the rest of the world, that's why.
I'll bet they do. The more the merrier. There's safety (for Hizbollah) in numbers migrating across the country.
Lebanon is a failed democracy. They want to nightlife and business activity without the security. Hizbollah is the government. Syria, while not a democracy is more of the same - titular leadership backed by the real muscle. The real muscle tries to avoid accountability at all costs.
The Danish Foreign Ministry has said that it expects to evacuate 1,700 people with a Danish passport or residence permit, through Syria. The Foreign Ministry estimated that 1,000 Danes could be trapped in southern Lebanon.
IMO, they're too stupid NOT to do something to provoke the US. All it takes is one trigger-happy goon with an AK or an RPG to fire on a helicopter or other US asset, and we're off to the races. And Hezbollah is full of trigger-happy goons.
We shall see what we shall see.
Ummm...wasn't it a Danish newspaper with the Allah cartoons? And Syria wants the Danes to come there?
"Ummm...wasn't it a Danish newspaper with the Allah cartoons? And Syria wants the Danes to come there?"
I don't think its a question of what Syria wants, its a question of the Danish Embassy negotiating an exit strategy for its citizens and Syria getting some good PR from it.
In the mean time today, Iran's Hizbollah says they are ready to attack US and Israel's intersts worldwide. How convenient for Syria to offer the invitation.
See drudge headlines...
Exactly, I cannot see any western country taking Syria up on their offer - except maybe France.
"Exactly, I cannot see any western country taking Syria up on their offer - except maybe France."
It is Denmark who took them up on it. France evacuated its citizens by sea, by way of Cyprus.
That was not an insult. You haven't been here long enough to know what an insult is.
I responded to your assertion that Syrians were trying to be good guys. Appeared naive to me.
So chill out before you get in a huff again.
I can think of a few Americans that would make great human shields and I would contribute to sending them to Syria ...Murfa, Streisand, Kennedy, Biden, etc
Ooooo that's the place to go, and while I am there I think I get out my shopping catr and head over to the Iran-Mart and pickup some bundles of weapons. Thanks but no thanks, I'll take my chances in the stresst of lebanon.
They're adopting the Democrat line...ha ha ha
Interesting.If i were stuck over there i'd be very hesitant to take Assad up on his offer.
Have you seen this thread? Ivy League, yet...
Close enough!
...or else Brown is recruiting for Hezbollah now that Yale was forced to disinvite its Taliban student...
Cheers!
I think you are being naive to think that Syria and Iran not only try to be seen as good guys but ARE seen as good guys by hundreds of millions and probably more.
Not everything is directed at America.
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