Syria tells US to leave Iraq to end violence

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_6-11-2003_pg4_4

* Says violence erupted directly after American occupation

DUBAI: A Syrian official called in remarks published on Wednesday for the United States to withdraw from Iraq, saying the problem of terror attacks had arisen only since US-led forces occupied the country.

Syrian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Bushra Kanfani told the London-based Asharq al-Awsat newspaper that Damascus was not optimistic about US-Syrian ties in the short term and urged Washington to engage in dialogue instead of making demands.

“The problem is America, not Syria. America must be more objective, because when it entered Iraq there was no terrorism and now there is the problem of terrorism and of Al Qaeda and the matter has changed from one of weapons of mass destruction and toppling a regime to a new one of terrorism,” Kanfani said. “America must accept the reality that it is no longer in its interest to continue this way in Iraq. They must hand over power to other parties whose behaviour is more acceptable to Iraqis and bring Iraq closer to regaining its sovereignty and holding free elections and then the problems will end,” she said.

“We are doing what we can (to stop militants crossing the border) and I think there are many claims which are incorrect and which serve as a political cover for the instability inside Iraq and lack of control. The occupation power has electronic devices and satellites which offer more than we have, so why don’t they guard their borders?”

“The problem is there is no objective and fruitful dialogue... The issue is not for America to come with a list of demands, but for us to sit and talk objectively far away from dictates to reach common grounds. This is what we ask for.”
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Cheerleader Given A 'D'
Cheese Spill Cleaned Up With Nacho
War led to an increase in violence

Will wonders never cease?

We might exit Iraq and visit your country next.

If they denounce him, carpet-bomb his lands, invade and occupy Syria for simply speaking out like this ... who's next? Me?