Legislation was presented today in the foriegn relations commitee headed by Rep Henry Hide R IL. This bill would isolate Syria with economic sanctions and end diplomtic relations by refusing to appoint an ambasador to Syria and removing the current Syrian ambassador from the U.S. The Bush administration lifted it's opposition to the legislation clearing the way for a vote in the house . The bill, which was delayed for two years durring the invasion of Iraq, enjoys Bi Partisan support in both the house and the Sennate.

Syria is accused of allowing the Palastian terroist group Hamass to cross the northern border into Isreal to commite suicide attacks, and undermining coaliton efforts in Iraq. They were also accused by the bills author, Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.) , of developing and distribuitng weapons of mass destruction. The legislation makes demands of Syria to stop this activity or face tough sanctions and isolation.

Repeating the post 9-11 redarick of Bush's state of the union address, legislators proclaimed , "Syria is on the wrong side of terror and countries are either with us or with the terrorist". What was shocking is that this propoganda is comming from democrats like Rep. Eliot L. Engel (D-N.Y.)

In fact the lone disenter in the commitee was a Texas Republican, Rep Ron Paul (R-Texas).

This is just one more example of the Pro Israelie lobby and Neo Con influence in our middle east foriegn policy.

One has to ask does the Syrian government really have conrol of all of its borders? And why don't we have any threatening legislation twoard Pakistan or Saudi Arabia?

This is so predictable, another war designed by Karl Rove and the Neo Cons right around the election next year. You watch we will go to war , Bush will get elected for another term, protesting will be illegal under the new Patriot Act, and Clear Channel will own all the radio stations in Bagdahd.

Oh and Bush Admirer will be the new Press Minister in Iraq for his fair and balanced reporting on IMC.



http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A58746-2003Oct7.html