.Syria: U.S. Mideast Plan an 'Illusion'
DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) - Syrian President Bashar Assad said Tuesday that the U.S. plan for a "new Middle East" has collapsed following Hezbollah's successes in fighting against Israel. Israel's foreign minister, meanwhile, warned Syria not to intervene in Lebanese affairs or use the Hezbollah militia to influence the Beirut government.
Assad, speaking to a journalists' conference in Syria, said the region has changed "because of the achievements of the resistance (by Hezbollah)."
"The Middle East they (the Americans) aspire to ... has become an illusion," he said.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said early in the war between Hezbollah and Israel that any settlement should be durable and lead to a "new Middle East" where extremists have no influence.
Assad said the fighting in Lebanon had been planned by Israel for some time, but the endeavor had failed and revealed the limitations of Israeli military power. "The result was more failure for Israel, its allies and masters," Assad said.
In a 1982 invasion of Lebanon, Israeli forces surrounded Beirut within seven days, he said. But after nearly five weeks in the latest conflict, he said, Israel "was still struggling to occupy a few hundred meters."
He warned Israel to seek peace or risk defeat in the future.
"We tell them that after tasting humiliation in the latest battles, your weapons are not going to protect you - not your planes, or missiles or even your nuclear bombs," Assad said. "The future generations in the Arab world will find a way to defeat Israel."
Syria ended a 29-year occupation of its smaller neighbor last year under international pressure following the killing of a former Lebanese premier in an attack in which Syria was implicated.
Israel and the United States accuse Syria and Iran of supporting and arming Hezbollah, a group on the State Department's list of terrorist organizations.
Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, speaking in northern Israel shortly after the Syrian president's remarks, said Syria must "understand that Lebanon is taking off, or is at least meant to take off, in a different direction without them."
She said Syria would no longer be able "to influence (Lebanon) through such groups like Hezbollah.
"There is international agreement regarding the role Syria played until today and the change it has to make in order to be accepted by the international community and to play a more positive role," Livni said.
Assad also denounced Arab regimes that have criticized Hezbollah for seizing two Israeli soldiers on July 12 and provoking the war. He did not name them, but Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan - all allies of the United States - criticized Hezbollah's actions at the start of the conflict.
"We do not ask anyone to fight with us or for us ... But he should at least not adopt the enemy's views," Assad said.
The Syrian leader said U.S. participation was needed for a peace settlement in the Middle East, but added that peace cannot be achieved under the Bush administration.
"This is an administration that adopts the principle of pre-emptive war that is absolutely contradictory to the principle of peace," he said. "Consequently, we don't expect peace soon or in the foreseeable future."
Midway through Assad's speech, members of the audience who said they were Lebanese stood up loudly thanked Assad.
"Without the support of our sister country Syria, we would not be able to achieve what we have achieved," one woman screamed. The audience then broke into applause and shouts of "With our blood, with our soul, we redeem you, Oh Bashar!"
MyWay
You see, Khalid, Truth, Bruno, they admit it openly. They were after a collapse of the democratic process to protect their tyrant asses. Right out of their mouth, or ass, whichever orifice you prefer.
Assad, speaking to a journalists' conference in Syria, said the region has changed "because of the achievements of the resistance (by Hezbollah)."
"The Middle East they (the Americans) aspire to ... has become an illusion," he said.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said early in the war between Hezbollah and Israel that any settlement should be durable and lead to a "new Middle East" where extremists have no influence.
Assad said the fighting in Lebanon had been planned by Israel for some time, but the endeavor had failed and revealed the limitations of Israeli military power. "The result was more failure for Israel, its allies and masters," Assad said.
In a 1982 invasion of Lebanon, Israeli forces surrounded Beirut within seven days, he said. But after nearly five weeks in the latest conflict, he said, Israel "was still struggling to occupy a few hundred meters."
He warned Israel to seek peace or risk defeat in the future.
"We tell them that after tasting humiliation in the latest battles, your weapons are not going to protect you - not your planes, or missiles or even your nuclear bombs," Assad said. "The future generations in the Arab world will find a way to defeat Israel."
Syria ended a 29-year occupation of its smaller neighbor last year under international pressure following the killing of a former Lebanese premier in an attack in which Syria was implicated.
Israel and the United States accuse Syria and Iran of supporting and arming Hezbollah, a group on the State Department's list of terrorist organizations.
Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, speaking in northern Israel shortly after the Syrian president's remarks, said Syria must "understand that Lebanon is taking off, or is at least meant to take off, in a different direction without them."
She said Syria would no longer be able "to influence (Lebanon) through such groups like Hezbollah.
"There is international agreement regarding the role Syria played until today and the change it has to make in order to be accepted by the international community and to play a more positive role," Livni said.
Assad also denounced Arab regimes that have criticized Hezbollah for seizing two Israeli soldiers on July 12 and provoking the war. He did not name them, but Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan - all allies of the United States - criticized Hezbollah's actions at the start of the conflict.
"We do not ask anyone to fight with us or for us ... But he should at least not adopt the enemy's views," Assad said.
The Syrian leader said U.S. participation was needed for a peace settlement in the Middle East, but added that peace cannot be achieved under the Bush administration.
"This is an administration that adopts the principle of pre-emptive war that is absolutely contradictory to the principle of peace," he said. "Consequently, we don't expect peace soon or in the foreseeable future."
Midway through Assad's speech, members of the audience who said they were Lebanese stood up loudly thanked Assad.
"Without the support of our sister country Syria, we would not be able to achieve what we have achieved," one woman screamed. The audience then broke into applause and shouts of "With our blood, with our soul, we redeem you, Oh Bashar!"
MyWay
You see, Khalid, Truth, Bruno, they admit it openly. They were after a collapse of the democratic process to protect their tyrant asses. Right out of their mouth, or ass, whichever orifice you prefer.
posted by madtom at 11:27 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home