Posted on 12/13/2006 9:54:16 AM PST by Sub-Driver
Fla. senator defies Bush, visits Syria
By ANNE PLUMMER FLAHERTY, Associated Press Writer 14 minutes ago
In a direct affront to the Bush administration, a Democratic senator spent an hour Wednesday with Syrian President Bashar Assad in Damascus, asking him to do more to stabilize Iraq.
Sen. Bill Nelson (news, bio, voting record) of Florida, a member of the Armed Services and Foreign Relations committees, met with Assad after the State Department said that it disapproved of his trip. The United States has limited diplomatic ties with Syria because of its support of Hezbollah and Hamas, which the U.S. deems terrorist organizations, and President Bush has expressed reluctance to seek help from Damascus on Iraq until the Syrians curb that support and reduce their influence in Lebanon.
Assad "clearly indicated a willingness to cooperate" in controlling its border with Iraq, Nelson told reporters in a conference call following the meeting. The U.S. says foreign fighters often enter Iraq across that boundary.
Nelson said he reported the information to embassy officials and will brief his congressional committees on the trip. He said he expects Sens. John Kerry, D-Mass., Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., and Arlen Specter, R-Pa., to also visit Syria.
The diplomatic push from Congress comes on the heels of a recommendation by a bipartisan panel that the U.S. engage Iran and Syria on the war in Iraq. Bush has remained cool to the proposal by the Iraq Study Group, which was led by former Secretary of State James A. Baker III and former Rep. Lee Hamilton, D-Ind.
Nelson said he ultimately received logistical support from the State Department in what he called a "fact-finding trip" across the Middle East, being transported by embassy officials from Jordan's capital city of Amman to Damascus.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
I was on my way to Cancun and the guy sitting next to me had a girlfriend in Cuba . He had press credentials and the only way he could get into the country was from Mexico or another country without sanctions . The Cuban airlines use old Soviet jets which were not pressurized very well. He said all you could smell was kerosine and when you were in flight the water bottle would collapse from the pressure changes within the aircraft .On top of that, his girlfriend could not leave the country .
Its a shame the place is falling apart .But, what do you expect under the rule of that nutjob . When Castro s death is made public, maybe Steve Wynn and his buddies will began the transforamtion to a better infrastructure .IMHO the cigars are way over rated also . Matter of fact some of the Dominicans have a better taste than the Cubans .
The enemy within identifies themselves.
WFLA podcast of Nelson's interview is midway down page on the right here:
http://www.970wfla.com/cc-common/podcast.html
The dems are stirring the pot around the world to disrupt the foreign policy of this administration.
This is a violation of the Foreign Relations Act (I believe). The swine should be arrested immediately upon his return.
Glad to see Specter in that bunch: reaffirms that natural law that once a RINO always a RINO.
I hear you: I was going to say something much more coarse but restrained myself.
I am fairly sure that a US Embassy rep sat in on the meeting, which was probably set up by the Embassy. If no Embassy rep was present, Nelson will be debriefed.
you must have more self control than I do
We have diplomatic relations with Syria including a functioning embassy in Damascus sans ambassador. Any Amcit can visit Syria as long as they get a visa.
'...what bothers me is that he's coming back.'
Exactly. Nelson and his lib buddies...whether Dim or RINO's...should stay in Syria. Or maybe when Jimmah runs for Pres of Cuba, they can be part of his lib idiot cabinet.
Thanks for the ping! I'll be calling Mr. Nelson, as well as, Rino Specter (1-866-220-0044 toll free to US Capitol).
Perhaps, Mr. Nelson doesn't realize he is not President....and never will be!
Account transfer
Assad $$$$$$$--------> Nelson offshore account.
Transfer Complete.
No answer at Nelson's Capitol office. Staff probably home for holidays.
I called Nelson's Tampa office..813-225-7040. His web site has toll free number for Fla 1-888-671-4091..but, got busy signal. HOPE LOTS OF PEOPLE ARE CALLING TO COMPLAIN.
Called Specter's Philly office too. Specter is one of reasons R's lost last election. RINO's ! Divided we fell.
"Jim Wright and his cohorts with Ortega."
Yep, just like the refusal to charge Fonda threw a monkey wrench into future treason violations.
BTW, good to see another Sooner in Georgia! Boomer!
It's truly shocking how ready the Dems actually are to be a fifth column. And these countries are not only enemies of ours, they are Israel's enemies.
Dem's take the Jewish vote for granted, and with good reason, but they'll lose it eventually with this kind of arrogance. It's commonly supposed by many Freepers that only religious or Orthodox Jews are supporters of Israel, but that really isn't so. Sooner or later even "secular" Jews will have to open their eyes.
Great photo of the smarmy, socialist senior senator from FL giving a big thumbs up to the equally vile Michael Moore!
I sent Nelson, my senator, an email expressing my displeasure with him and other rats working against the interests of the these United States. The guy just coasted to reelection, my email will not have an effect, but it felt good to let him know that some believe he has no business undermining the President.
He is the darling of the people of the State of Florida.
I hope that they get a belly full of him.
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