Syria threatens retaliation if Israel strikes again: report

[Whoa_Nelly]

Syria threatens retaliation if Israel strikes again: report


Syria has threatened to attack Israeli settlements in the Golan Heights if Israel launches another attack on its territory, Syria's Foreign Minister has warned.

In an interview with the Sunday Telegraph, Faruq al-Shara said: "If we are attacked again our people will not stand for it and we have to carry out the will of the people."

He added: "We have many cards that we have not played. Don't forget there are many Israeli settlements in the Golan. I am not exaggerating but I am describing things as they might happen."

<snip>
Faruq al-Shara also told the London-based Sunday Telegraph that Syria could not control its entire border and had failed to stop Palestinians, Iraqis and Syrians crossing to fight United States forces in Iraq.

more...
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s975272.htm

[Nay]

1. Here we go.

Anybody want to bet that if Israel attacks Syria, and then Syria retaliates, then the U.S. will of course have to go to the aid of an ally? And then we are in Syria. Lovely.

[Whoa_Nelly]

3. Syria has been on

"The List" as stated so many times by CondoSleaza and Rummy.

[lyonn]

19. President Assad

I recently read an article, can't remember where or who, that indicated Pres. Assad was quite helpful to the U.S. after 9-11 and was helping find and eliminate the terrorist in his country, with the idea there would be benefits for his country from the U.S. As I recall we really screwed them by accusing them of not backing us. Anyone remember reading such?

[ewagner]

23. Yup!

I remember that and I'm sorry I didn't bookmark the thread........

[saskatoon]

37. It all fits sooo nicely

But a lotta nuts are going to be gung ho to go after Syria over this. I've just been on the forum here where people were swallowing the Jessica Lynch staged rescue hook, line and sinker. Makes you pretty discouraged.

[blackjack]

4. Syria retaliates?

With what? Their air force is abysmal, their troops are second rate at best. Israel won't need U.S. help. Now, if you add in a second or third Muslim country into the mix then maybe we get involved. Syria's saber rattling.

[bemildred]

10. One possibility:

Syria has at least 100 long-range ballistic nerve-gas missiles aimed at central Israel, Jane's Foreign
Affairs reported this week.

A senior Israeli defense source told Foreign Affairs that the missiles are equipped with VX, the most lethal
nerve gas, and that the Syrians have now achieved their aim of balancing Israel's nuclear advantage.

Meanwhile, a senior U.S. official told Prime Minister Ariel Sharon that Syria today is incapable of stopping
the activities of terror organizations operating in south Lebanon or the flow of money and military supplies
from Iran to the area, Israel Radio reported Thursday morning.

The same source said that the U.S. has detected that Syrian President Bashar Assad is experiencing
difficulty in controlling the advisors of his late father, former president Hafez Assad.

LFP

[InkAddict]

13. Wonder if Rummy, in a past life, brokered the export

of VX directly from the US manufacturer in Newport, IN?

Scenario: Hey Syria, you can be our partners getting rid of this crap! It's perfectly harmless when properly processed and dumped into your water supply and we can supply the very best technicians and security to help you with this start-up chemical business that will help your economy grow.

No? maybe (wink-wink) some of our FEARLESS leaders and their corporate bedpartners assured 'em that this crap might be one day be useful for profit as is?

Heads up state/local governments - the skunk-like odor and contaminating by-products could come to your nation/community's ground water next!

But wait - there might be a way to get rid of it without all that business-mumbo-jumbo and contracts. How about we just "bring it on?"

These slugs would send it all out on the next USA Express transport for the right price. Gee, great idea, dump it in the desert or on some folks we don't like, no wait - we like them, no, we don't....WHO CARES WHO IT'S DUMPED ON - We'll finally get a contract!

Insanity!!!

[durutti]

33. Another Possibility

Other Arab countries enter the fray.

They're still no match for Israel, of course.

[RuB]

35. Syria would be a smoldering pool of glass if they attacked

Israel with nerve-gas missiles! Do you think the Syrian's are that insane? I don't think so.

[bemildred]

38. I don't think that is the idea.

The idea is that if Israel attacks Syria, then Syria could retaliate with the nerve gas.
Is Israel that insane? Well, apparently so, they already attacked them once because
a Palestinian lawyer from the West Bank blew herself up in Tel Aviv.

[Sagan]

11. with space, if nothing else..

We can't even hold Iraq.. How would be occupy Syria? With Israelis?

Look beyond the Jane's analysis.

[Zhade]

20. "Israel won't need U.S. help."

Excellent! Then we can stop sending Israel billions of dollars in military aid to use on defenseless civilians!

Thanks for reminding us that we shouldn't fund Israel!

(Anti-semitic accusation in three...two...one...)

[Bandit]

31. Haven't you been paying attention?

All of Saddam's WMD are being stored in Syria. :crazy: So they have all those thousands of tons of toxic gases and biological terrors. Not to mention all the Nukes they got after buying the yellowcake from Niger.

[NickB79]

39. Any sources for that info?

From previous discussions here on DU, several sources of info show Syria to be pretty close to Israel in troop numbers and anti-aircraft defense systems. Retaliation could be as simple as launching a few missiles in defense against the next Israeli air strike. If a war broke out and Israel invaded Syria, they would be fighting the uphill battle against a dug-in opponent. In a case such as this, you don't need massive overwhelming firepower if you have your positions fortified well enough.

Look at the US for an example of what happens when you believe you can win a war based solely on overwhelming technology. If Israel were to attack and invade Syria, they would be faced with street-to-street/guerrilla fighting just like we see in Iraq where advanced weapons are of little use. Can Israel afford to activate its entire military reserves for much more than a few days to pacify a country the size of Syria? The Israeli economy would crumble with all their workers doing foot patrols in downtown Damascus on military duty. Israel cannot afford to pacify and rebuild Syria if they invaded, but if they didn't then Syria would become an even greater source of suicide attacks against Israelis.

Attacking Syria would destroy Israel, nuclear warheads or no.

[Blitz]

40. Here is an article that you may find interesting

http://www.meforum.org/article/441

I don't think Syria will do anything except, perhaps, shoot at Israeli jets if and when Israel attacks again. And Israel would never invade & occupy Syria. It simply lacks the manpower ... which is potentially bad news for Syria since, in any conflict, Israel would be left with no alternative but to obliterate its enemy, lacking the means or inclination to pacify & control it.

[radfringe]

26. Syria is in a damned if they do - damned if they don't position

if they retailiate - yep we'll be in there too

if they don't - we'll be in there before the 2004 sElection, just in time to boost the whistleass's chances

I heard this bandied about on a PBS talkinghead show - the opinions as to WHEN (not if) we invade Syria differed on timing. A couple of the talkingheads thought it would be before the sElection, the others said it will be after, and that from their sources, Rove isn't planning on a Syrian invasion until after the sElection

[Tippy]

28. But Rove is not directing this....

It's Cheney....

[joeybee12]

2. Dumbo's Left Behind Theory of Foreign Policy is working!

Pretty soon we'll all go up in smoke!!!!!!!!!!

[Whoa_Nelly]

5. Time to dust off those bomb shelter building plans

How to Build a Bomb Shelter
Some good suggestions that'll make your job an easier one




http://www.plansfordummies.com/shelter.htm

[Minstrel Boy]

6. Does anyone doubt

that Syrian retaliation is precisely what Sharon wants?

[blackjack]

8. I'd be surprised

if Syria does anything except letting Hamas or whoever keep operating. They won't attack Israel as there's too much downside economically, politically, and not too mention another military humiliation.

[homelandpunk]

18. Yeah, humiliating...Israel is good at humiliating people aren't they?

It's a hobbie for them.
Kind of similar to how our soldiers end up humiliating decent Iraqi civilians day after day. You mean that kind of humiliating?
Humiliation ALWAYS creates less terorists, doesn't it?

[Zhade]

21. Yeah, attacking a defunct 'training camp' recently sure humiliated Syria..

:eyes:

[Bandit]

32. Syria has a lot of money

They could easily earmark that money for terrorist activities. They may not be an equal force military wise to Israel but they are not without means.

[Tippy]

16. No Doubt in my mind

retaliation is precisely what Sharon and Cheney wants......

Cheney Behind New Mideast War Drive: Return of 'Clean Break'

by Jeffrey Steinberg

This article appears in the October 17, 2003 issue of Executive Intelligence Review.



With very little fanfare, in September David Wurmser moved over from the State Department office of arms control chief and leading war-party agitator John Bolton, to the Old Executive Office Building, working directly under Vice President Dick Cheney and his chief of staff Lewis "Scooter" Libby. Wurmser's move was highly significant, given that the former American Enterprise Institute and Washington Institute for Near East Policy neo-conservatives was one of the primary authors of the now-infamous 1996 "A Clean Break" document, which spelled out the current joint Mideast war strategy of the Ariel Sharon government in Israel and the Cheney cabal inside the Bush Administration in the United States.

Just days after Wurmser joined the Vice President's "shadow national security council," the Bush Administration—at Cheney's urging—made an abrupt shift in policy towards Syria, a shift that has now brought the entire Mideast region to the brink of war and chaos—worse, even, than the fiasco of the American occupation of Iraq, which military experts are increasingly describing as "our new Vietnam" (see page 60).

< http://www.aljazeerah.info/Opinion%20editorials/2003%20Opinion%20Editorials/October/16%20o/Cheney%20Behind%20New%20Mideast%20War%20Drive%20Return%20of%20'Clean%20Break'%20by%20Jeffrey%20Steinberg.htm >

[truth2power]

41. I can't get that link to work. n/t

[mmm]

7. This would be a great time for Syria to carry out a nuclear test

We need a strong power in that area to counter balance
US-Bush and Sharon. A country with the desire to forge peace on one hand backed up by the capability and expressed willingness to use nuclear if pushed too far on the other hand. Syria works for me.

[blackjack]

9. Syria has nukes?

Since when?

[Whoa_Nelly]

12. Nukes in "elemental" stage

Syria has a small nuclear program that can be described, at best, as "elemental" to a nuclear fuel cycle program. Most of the program has revolved around research and the production of isotopes for use in medical and agricultural applications. Although Syria does not appear to have ever pursued nuclear weapons, there have been rumors that it considered doing so in the early 1980s. These rumors are mainly based on statements made by high-level Syrian officials and would-be arms suppliers. However, no nuclear weapons program has ever materialized or been initiated. It appears that the Syrian nuclear program continues to be focused solely on civilian nuclear research, based on international cooperation, and set to support a continued domestic aspiration for a nuclear power program.

<snip>
Syria's nuclear program remains in the fundamental stages of development, with virtually no fuel cycle facilities in operation. However, there are a number of operating research facilities in Syria, including the Der Al-Hadjar Nuclear Research Center near Damascus, a nuclear analysis laboratory, and the Scientific Research Institute (SRI) in Damascus.
Updated July 2003


more...
http://www.nti.org/e_research/profiles/Syria/Nuclear/

[matcom]

14. according to your boy Bush

they do.

read the PNAC doctrine so you can get 'edumacated'

[He loved Big Brother]

29. LOL

Well said, Matcom.

[Nottingham]

15. I think Syria is the target and will be invaded soon

They Know they are a target and they know Bush and Sharon aren't kidding and have totally control of their countries

Its getting down to Syria's Prez's survival just like Saddam's

Its going to be how hard is he gonna fight before Israel takes over
Syria.

Its coming just a matter of time :bounce:

[rusk2003]

24. I don't think Israel is looking to expand their Country

they seem to have their hands full ruleing what they have now. But I would not be surprised if this Administration and Republican Congress starts to beat the drumbs of war and march to Syria. Just the other day

I was watching the News and Senator Saxby Chambliss a republican from Georgia. said the weapons had been moved possibly to Syria. Only catche a few moments of it. Only I would expect it around the end of 2004 or early 2005. The Republicans are going to play it moderate and safe in 2004 election year.

:cry: ( I long to live in California where the people have sence to oppose a war for profit and oil) They have nice weather all year too.

[Tommy_Douglas]

36. Israel wouldn't be interested in seizing Syrian Terrority

As much as they might be interested in pounding Syria to seize parts of or all of Lebanon. There are those that believe Lebanon really isn't a country anyways.

[Tippy]

30. SOON...as in

Nov..... or Dec....I really feel this is the last big push they want Syria to use it's nukes....<"Israel takes over[br />Syria."] the US will see to it they do....

[atreides1]

17. Here's Some News

This story was dated 5/19/03, and was found in Middle East Newsline.

"Iran and Saudi Arabia are said to have agreed to finance an
ambitious program to modernize Syria's military."

And guess who is going to help the Iranians and Saudis with the modernization. None other then Shrub's pal Vladimir Putin, or more
correctly the Russian Federation.

They will upgrade land-based systems of the Syrian military, as well
as finance advanced Russian anti-aircraft systems.

"Since 1997, the regime of President Bashar Asad has pressed Saudi Arabia for financial aid to modernize Syria's military. But for most of that time Riyad, plagued by a severe budget shortfall, refused to commit it self."

"Russian sources said Saudi Arabia changed its tune earlier this year. They said Iran and Saudi Arabia discussed a joint investment to help Syria purchase Russian upgrades and new equipment."

So if true when did Saudi Arabia change its mind, and how much has been done. Kuwait just announced that OPEC was cutting production of oil by 900,000 barrels per day beginning November 1st.

A good way to increase funding, also a group of Saudi officials have recently met with members of the Russian government, none of the Saudi officials were members of the pro-Western clique.

So for blackjack, you better start to deal with reality, and do your research before you make arbitrary statements.

[rusk2003]

25. No Surprise there

The Bush Administation should have knew a war on Iraq would just make all the other countries in the world build up their millatary power.

[rusk2003]

22. Bad Situation but hopefully just a war of words

President Bush should urge the two countries to sit down and talk things over or atleast hold their fire. But that is doubtful so maybe President Carter and the Carter Center could do somethig. even if it is just calling or writing or inviting them to the Carter Center.

[RapidCreek]

27. Hmmm I thought the US was a Super Power....

Are they not able to control the borders of Iraq?

RC

[The Stranger]

34. An odd "threat," is it not?

To defend oneself if attacked?

Are they "threatening" to preserve themselves and their people from attack -- a right any person, nation or community on Earth has?

Odd the way ABC News reports such a statement.