Assad Says Air Strike Will Enhance Syria

[DuctapeFatwa]

"There is no doubt that the role Syria plays in the various issues in our region is painful to this (Israeli) government. What happened was a failed Israeli attempt to undercut this role," Assad told the London-based paper. "We can, with full confidence, say that what happened will only make Syria's role more effective and influential in events in the region contrary to what this government wants," Assad said.

Assad defended the fact that his government has given sanctuary to Palestinian groups such as Islamic Jihad and Hamas, which the European Union and the United States list as terrorist.

"It is not important to call them terrorist or not terrorist. There are existing forces that you must deal with," Assad said. He added he did not regard such groups as terrorist and their members in Syria had not broken the law.

Turning to U.S. accusations on Iraq, Assad implied his government could not have total control over Syria's long desert border with Iraq. "There is big chaos" in Iraq, Assad said. "There is arms smuggling and persons (crossing the border) and we don't know who they are. Of course, the Americans say that they are terrorists ... Maybe, for them, any Arab is a terrorist."

http://abcnews.go.com/wire/World/ap20031007_399.html

[jmcgowanjm]

1. When at a loss, escalate

http://www.yellowtimes.org/article.php?sid=1608

[Dhalgren]

2. I think Assad hit the nail on the head.

"Maybe, for them (US), any Arab is a terrorist." This is the way it is shaping up. All Arabs are divided into two groups - puppets controlled by US (Israel), and "terrorists". This US/Israeli crusade is going to be the death of us (US).