Rumsfeld Warns Syria

[Ned]

Yeah, but GePap, what if we catch the Syrians inside Iraq?

Second, what kind of sanctions would really hurt Syria?

Cut of their access to the World Bank?

[GePap]

We already sanctions Syria, and I fail to see how many other states would go along with this, specially since Rumsfeld has accused them but can show little proof. If we catch people, we can confiscate their contaband and then either send them back to Syria or detain them.

[Ned]

Originally posted by MichaeltheGreat


To establish a Shiite dominance over the gulf and gain market power wrt oil. For a start.

At the risk of going to war with the US? I find this implausible. They cannot possibly want to grab Iraqi territory for themselves.

The only thing I can think of that makes sense is to see that the Shi'ites do not cooperate with the US. They may try to do this by assuring that pro-US Shi'ites do not gain power in a post-Saddam Iraq.

[Ned]

Then, GePap, we can use carrots. We can offer to end the sanctions if they cooperate.

[GePap]

Why would they go to war with the US? This admin. keeps saying they want to get out of Dodge as fast as they can: so if the Iranians set up contacts and operatives, they can wait out till the US leaves, and then make a play for power.

Then, GePap, we can use carrots. We can offer to end the sanctions if they cooperate.

Politically impossible, given Syria's support of Hezbollah and its troops in Lebanon. That would never get through congress, nor would this amdin. ever think of doing it.

[Guynemer]

Oh lord, who pissed in Rummy's cornflakes this morning?



Say what you want, at least Syria actually has substantial ties to terrorism, as opposed to the current opponent.

But, of course, if this were actually about terrorism, we would've gone after Saudi Arabia.

[Az]

Politically impossible, given Syria's support of Hezbollah and its troops in Lebanon. That would never get through congress, nor would this amdin. ever think of doing it.

Which reminds me, how about a sec. Council resolution against THAT?

[GePap]

If the governemnt of Lebanon does not complain about Syrian troops there, what can the UN do? and since Hezbollah is also part of the Lebanese government..well, how can you try to ban a political party by UN action?

Hezbollah is politically savvy: they know how the system works.

[Az]

Let's say the entire country is overrun by foreign invaders, that install a puppet government ( totally hypothetical, of course, and has nothing to do with the Lebanon case. ), cannot the UN make a resolution against the occupier?

[GePap]

Not if the puppet governemnt has the UN seat and says "what occupation do you speak of?". Its the same as in life: you can't without a complaint form the victim, there is little case to be made.

Besides, are you guys still sore that the syrians beat you to the whole "make Lebanon a puppet neighbor" aim?

[Az]

Yes.

Actually, we are sore because of the double standard applied against us.

[Kontiki]

Originally posted by Azazel
Yes.

Actually, we are sore because of the double standard applied against us.

That's one of the funniest things I've heard in a while!

[Ned]

Kissinger said tonight that if Syria does not stop, the US will do what is necessary to make them stop.

Of course, Kissinger is a raving lunatic moron just like Bush and Sharon.

[Guynemer]

A moron, no; a cold-hearted bastard, yes.

[el freako]

Originally posted by Azazel
Yes.

Actually, we are sore because of the double standard applied against us.

Well Israel claims to be a liberal westernized democracy.

So shouldn't we hold you to a higher standard than the tin-pot dictatorships that surround you?