U.S. takes swipe at 'rogue nation'

New York Daily News ^ | 4/15/03 | HELEN KENNEDY

[kattracks]

WASHINGTON - In a fresh round of ominous warnings, the Bush administration branded Syria a "rogue nation" yesterday and accused it of harboring fugitive Iraqi leaders.

Weeks of growing tension reached new heights as the White House and Defense and State departments leveled charges and threatened punishment - pointedly leaving open the possibility of new military action.

"They should review their actions and their behavior," said Secretary of State Powell. "We will examine possible measures of a diplomatic, economic or other nature."

White House spokesman Ari Fleischer called Syria a "rogue nation" and a "terrorist state." He made it clear President Bush expects Damascus to shape up - or face the consequences.

"Syria needs to cooperate and not harbor Iraqi leaders," Fleischer said. "We shall see what Syria decides to do."

While not named as a member of Bush's "axis of evil," Syria is a state sponsor of terrorism, long backing Palestinian terrorists such as Hamas and the Lebanese militia Hezbollah.

Syria offered Iraq moral support in the war and allegedly sent some military equipment. It also allowed hundreds of volunteers to cross the border and enter the battle against the Americans.

On Sunday, Bush accused Damascus of the crime that led to the invasion of Iraq: stockpiling chemical weapons. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld accused Syria yesterday of testing chemical weapons "over the past 12, 15 months."

Syria denies the charges.

Military muscle

Most diplomatic analysts believe the administration is flexing its muscle, counting on the stunning display of American military might in Iraq to cow Syria into falling in line with U.S. policies.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair assured the House of Commons that a new coalition attack was not in the cards.

"There are no plans whatsoever at the moment to invade Syria," he said.

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said that while Syria is not "next on the list," Damascus should realize that things have changed. "It's very important for Syria to appreciate that there is a new reality now," he said.

Syrian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Bouthayna Shaaban told Al Jazeera TV that Israel was behind the new belligerence from Washington.

"All the accusations against Syria come from Israel," she said. "Israel is the primary instigator to undermine Syrian-American relations."

Fueling such conspiracy theories, Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz said Israel has "a long list of issues we are thinking of demanding of the Syrians, and it would be best done through the Americans."

Meanwhile, Lawrence Eagleburger, secretary of state for Bush's father, predicted the President would be drummed out of office if he attacked Syria.

"If President Bush were to try it now, even I would feel that he ought be impeached," Eagleburger told BBC radio in remarkably strong language.

Russia and Germany scolded Washington and urged officials to roll back the rhetoric.

Originally published on April 15, 2003