Bush warns Syria, claims it has chemical weapons

[renata]

http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/04/13/sprj.irq.bush.syria/index.html


WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Bush administration and the Syrian government over the weekend traded allegations on whether Syria possesses weapon of mass destruction, and whether Syria is harboring fleeing members of Saddam Hussein's regime.

President Bush, in remarks to reporters, said "We believe there are chemical weapons in Syria" and that the Iraqi neighbor "needs to cooperate" with the United States and its coalition partners.

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said in a TV interview that Syria had been busing fighters into Iraq for a while, but coalition forces turned them away.

He also said "there's no question" that members of Saddam's regime fled to Syria.


"Syria's been on the terrorist list for years," Rumsfeld said.

Meanwhile, Secretary of State Colin Powell said in an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation that, "Syria has been a concern for a long period of time. We have designated Syria for years as a state that sponsors terrorism.

Powell warns Syria over terror support
"Now that the regime is gone in Baghdad, we hope that Syria will understand there is an opportunity for a better way for them if they would stop supporting terrorist activities and make sure they are not a source of weaponry of mass destruction ... for terrorist organizations or anyone else."

.....


Bush said Syria should not "harbor" any "Baathists" and military officials or others "who need to account for their tenure" in Iraq.


.....

The remarks from Bush and Rumsfeld come as some Democrats have expressed concern that some conservatives in the administration have plans for further regime change in the region.

"I think that Syria's in their cross hairs, as well as Iran and, quite frankly, our Arab 'friends'," Delaware Democratic Sen. Joseph Biden said.





I am getting a very bad feeling about this. Shouldn't we finish our mission in Iraq before we start shaking our fist at Syria? These statements make it sound like US is about to invade Syria. This may confirm the darkest fears about aims of the US. Next thing Powell and Rumsfield will be producing "proof" that Syria harbors or supports Al Queda- which, to be frank, they probably do. However are we going after all countries which may harbor or support Al Queda? If yes, Middle East will be pretty empty when we are done.

[Cleopatra]

Originally posted by renata
http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/04/13/sprj.irq.bush.syria/index.html

I am getting a very bad feeling about this. Shouldn't we finish our mission in Iraq before we start shaking our fist at Syria? These statements make it sound like US is about to invade Syria. This may confirm the darkest fears about aims of the US. Next thing Powell and Rumsfield will be producing "proof" that Syria harbors or supports Al Queda- which, to be frank, they probably do. However are we going after all countries which may harbor or support Al Queda? If yes, Middle East will be pretty empty when we are done.

Ditto.

[crackmonkey]

I think they're trying to rattle young Bashar. He's pretty young and politically inexperienced, and may be manipulated by this kind of thing. I seriously doubt if the US has any plans to continue into SYria.

[corplinx]

Of course we aren't gearing up for Syria, right now we are just trying the "scared straight" approach.

[Jedi Knight]

Originally posted by renata
http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/04/13/sprj.irq.bush.syria/index.html




I am getting a very bad feeling about this. Shouldn't we finish our mission in Iraq before we start shaking our fist at Syria? These statements make it sound like US is about to invade Syria. This may confirm the darkest fears about aims of the US. Next thing Powell and Rumsfield will be producing "proof" that Syria harbors or supports Al Queda- which, to be frank, they probably do. However are we going after all countries which may harbor or support Al Queda? If yes, Middle East will be pretty empty when we are done.

We have to find Saddam's Anthrax that he produced but is unaccounted for, his tons of Sarin, his development locations for weaponized Smallpox, etc. We also have to find the regime. We have yet to find them. They have disappeared like the WMD's. It was all prearranged by Saddam and his henchmen. Syria is one logical location for the above.

This war is just beginning and the fate of the world hangs in the balance.

[The Fool]

Originally posted by Jedi Knight


We have to find Saddam's Anthrax that he produced but is unaccounted for, his tons of Sarin, his development locations for weaponized Smallpox, etc. We also have to find the regime. We have yet to find them. They have disappeared like the WMD's. It was all prearranged by Saddam and his henchmen. Syria is one logical location for the above.

This war is just beginning and the fate of the world hangs in the balance.

Lol.
The invisible weapons have now been transfered to Syria, on invisible trucks. Thet will then be stored in invisible bunkers so that when we invade Syria we can not find them yet again. Then we can claim they have been secretly transfered to Iran...... Just before the next US election they will be briefly in the possesion of the Democrats who, apon losing the election, will hide them in Cuba.

[Megalodon]

Originally posted by renata

"We believe there are chemical weapons in Syria"
"Syria's been on the terrorist list for years"
"We have designated Syria for years as a state that sponsors terrorism."


I'm having this deja vu sensation...

[Incitatus]

Originally posted by Megalodon


I'm having this deja vu sensation...

again?

[aerocontrols]

Possessing chemical weapons is not illegal.

Saddam Hussein having chemical weapons is a violation of UN Sec. Council resolutions.

MattJ

[Tricky]

Originally posted by Jedi Knight


We have to find Saddam's Anthrax that he produced but is unaccounted for, his tons of Sarin, his development locations for weaponized Smallpox, etc. We also have to find the regime. We have yet to find them. They have disappeared like the WMD's. It was all prearranged by Saddam and his henchmen. Syria is one logical location for the above.

Don't forget the Death Star. We have evidence that they have been working on it in top secret underground bunkers. (No you can't see the evidence. National security, you know.) Also we have proof that they have transferred to Syria the genetic code for the Predator Beast that the secret Iraqi bioterrorism team has been developing for years.

[richardm]

I see that the 4th Infantry has arrived in Kuwait now. It was originally expected to head North up towards Tikrit, but is now expected to go West instead, to help with "Mopping Up". It will also, by coincidence I'm sure, place them handily close to the Syrian border. Judging by the noises our government is making, if this isn't just sabre-rattling then the US will be on their own this time, I think...

[PygmyPlaidGiraffe]

Originally posted by Tricky

Don't forget the Death Star. We have evidence that they have been working on it in top secret underground bunkers. (No you can't see the evidence. National security, you know.) Also we have proof that they have transferred to Syria the genetic code for the Predator Beast that the secret Iraqi bioterrorism team has been developing for years.


Look very carefully at what we all presume to be earth's only natural satellite!

"That's no moon."

[Richard G]

However are we going after all countries which may harbor or support Al Queda?

Yes.

[Aardvark_DK]

Originally posted by Richard G
Yes.
Yep, they don't even have to harbour them, they only have to potentially harbour them. So... any countries that's not on the list? Why, the US, of course. :p

[arcticpenguin]

Antarctica is not harboring terrorists, although it's not officially a "country".

[DrBenway]

Let's play "Piss off the Planet."

I had a passing thought about moving to some nice place in Europe. But then I realized that if the US goes down the crapper, the European economy would likely follow suit.

Iceland. Maybe a nice cottage in Iceland... Wouldn't mind seeing Bjork in concert.

[Cleopatra]

Originally posted by DrBenway
Let's play "Piss off the Planet."

I had a passing thought about moving to some nice place in Europe.

Yes but you will be living in our classy Europe! In times of depression, living in style is essential!! :)

edited to correct: recession of course not depression!!!!

[Mel]

Originally posted by Jedi Knight


This war is just beginning and the fate of the world hangs in the balance.

I agree. An eterminator doesn't kill HALF the vermin that infests your home & then hope that the other half will drop dead on their own.

Bush very clearly stated after 9/11 that the "war on terrorism" would take us ANY place that harbors terrorists.

Every country on earth was given the same choice..... clean up your own backyard or we'll do it for you.

Of course, it's highly doubtful that even the Brits will have the energy or desire to stick with the original plan.

[DrChinese]

Originally posted by Jedi Knight


We have to find Saddam's Anthrax that he produced but is unaccounted for, his tons of Sarin, his development locations for weaponized Smallpox, etc. We also have to find the regime. We have yet to find them. They have disappeared like the WMD's. It was all prearranged by Saddam and his henchmen. Syria is one logical location for the above.

This war is just beginning and the fate of the world hangs in the balance.

I thought I would be clever and make some comment about the reason there are no WMD in Iraq is that they have been moved to Syria. Ha ha ha.

But then I saw JK's post. If you could take him seriously, he'd probably be serious about it.

By the way: theoretically, Saddam could have had plastic surgery and be living comfortably on the coast of France by now with all the money has stole. I smell another D-Day!

[Richard G]

I smell another D-Day!

And its long overdue! Onward.

[Jedi Knight]

Originally posted by DrChinese


I thought I would be clever and make some comment about the reason there are no WMD in Iraq is that they have been moved to Syria. Ha ha ha.

But then I saw JK's post. If you could take him seriously, he'd probably be serious about it.

By the way: theoretically, Saddam could have had plastic surgery and be living comfortably on the coast of France by now with all the money has stole. I smell another D-Day!

Yes, it is a shame France gave itself away to communists and has now become the new radical Islamic capital of the world.

JK

[DrChinese]

President Bush gave a press conference today after hearing reports that stockpiles of chemical and biological weapons were found in the city of Falun. Bush commented, "that weapons of this type were found at all is despicable, and it is doubly despicable that they were being stored near a populated area."

When told by a reporter that Falun was located in Minnesota, outside St. Paul, and that the weapons were in fact American, Bush replied, "never mind."

[max]

JK
Yea totally agree about France

[Vorticity]

Originally posted by DrChinese
President Bush gave a press conference today after hearing reports that stockpiles of chemical and biological weapons were found in the city of Falun. Bush commented, "that weapons of this type were found at all is despicable, and it is doubly despicable that they were being stored near a populated area."

When told by a reporter that Falun was located in Minnesota, outside St. Paul, and that the weapons were in fact American, Bush replied, "never mind."
As much as I dislike Bush, I'm going to have to go out on a limb and call bullsh!t on this one. It just sounds too damn convenient. A quick Google search reveals your very own site as the sole reference to this, as far as I can tell...

Or is there some other source?

[tamiO]

http://debka.com/article.php?aid=456

DEBKAfile’s Exclusive Middle East sources have tracked down the top Iraqi leadership’s bolt-hole. It is a large 1,600-room luxury resort with 600 meters of private sandy beach in the Mediterranean coastal town of Latakiya called Cote d’Azur De Cham Resort, prepaid and chartered in toto by Baghdad.

The group may include Saddam Hussein or his sons, but this is not confirmed.

The hotel is located close to the Assad family villa.

Top Iraqi officials are reported hiding there since March 23, four days after the US-led coalition invaded Iraq. They are guarded by a Syrian commando unit armed with anti-air missiles while Syrian naval missile boats secure the port.

Yes, I know... it's Debka....
but they are right half the time.;)

[DrChinese]

Originally posted by Vorticity

As much as I dislike Bush, I'm going to have to go out on a limb and call bullsh!t on this one. It just sounds too damn convenient. A quick Google search reveals your very own site as the sole reference to this, as far as I can tell...

Or is there some other source?

Sorry, I thought everyone would recognize its satirical nature. It is not real. However, there is a town called Falun outside St. Paul.

[Vorticity]

Originally posted by DrChinese
Sorry, I thought everyone would recognize its satirical nature. It is not real. However, there is a town called Falun outside St. Paul.
I see very clearly what the difficulty is here:
I'm an idiot. :D

[DrChinese]

Originally posted by Vorticity

I see very clearly what the difficulty is here:
I'm an idiot. :D

No, I should have made it clearer. It was too close to reality, and anyone could fall victim to it.

After all, Bush is the guy who once said that Japan has been our ally for a century and a half (really). You can't expect a guy like him - he of the "vision thing" - to be too good with details.

[Agammamon]

Originally posted by arcticpenguin
Antarctica is not harboring terrorists, although it's not officially a "country".

Ha! That's what Iraq said. Anyway we know you've got tons of oil locked under the ice. Your time is coming penguin.

[crackmonkey]

An update...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,937105,00.html

[peptoabysmal]

Originally posted by renata
http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/04/13/sprj.irq.bush.syria/index.html

I am getting a very bad feeling about this. Shouldn't we finish our mission in Iraq before we start shaking our fist at Syria? These statements make it sound like US is about to invade Syria. This may confirm the darkest fears about aims of the US. Next thing Powell and Rumsfield will be producing "proof" that Syria harbors or supports Al Queda- which, to be frank, they probably do. However are we going after all countries which may harbor or support Al Queda? If yes, Middle East will be pretty empty when we are done.

Nope, while they are reeling from the sting of that left jab, you give 'em the right cross or an uppercut. After years of watching the world cower from crazy religious zealots from the mid east, maybe the world has finally had enough.

[a_unique_person]

Originally posted by peptoabysmal


Nope, while they are reeling from the sting of that left jab, you give 'em the right cross or an uppercut. After years of watching the world cower from crazy religious zealots from the mid east, maybe the world has finally had enough.

"the world"? Once again, the perceptions of the US are used to represent the experience of the world.

[pgwenthold]

Originally posted by peptoabysmal


Nope, while they are reeling from the sting of that left jab, you give 'em the right cross or an uppercut. After years of watching the world cower from crazy religious zealots from the mid east, maybe the world has finally had enough.

In addition to AUP's response, I should just note that if we really have had enough of crazy religious zealots from the middle east oppressing their citizens and supporting terrorists, the first place to look is Saudi Arabia, not Syria.

But Saudi Arabia is run by crazy religious zealots who oppress their citizens and support terrorists and also give us a lot of oil, so they are safe.

[Vorticity]

Originally posted by pgwenthold
But Saudi Arabia is run by crazy religious zealots who oppress their citizens and support terrorists and also give us a lot of oil, so they are safe.
...and more to the point, Saudi Arabia has Mecca, which means that we can never, ever raise a finger against them unless we want to fight nearly a billion Muslims worldwide...