Syria on the dock

http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2003/661/in6.htm

Congress boldly responded to the Israeli attack by moving forward with unilateral sanctions on Syria, writes David Dumke from Washington

On 8 October, the House International Relations Committee passed the Syrian Accountability Act by a vote of 33-2. The debate held by the committee and repeated on the House floor a week later, resembled more of a show trial in which the accused could offer no defence and the outcome was never in question, rather than a critical legislative process.

Members used the occasion to jump on their soapboxes, repeat a litany of tired accusations, and in some cases vocally reaffirm their support of the Israeli bombing. "It will send a message to Damascus and the world that the United States will hold accountable nations that support deadly terrorist groups," said Representative Eliot Engel, a New York Democrat who co-wrote the legislation.

"I fully support Israel's decision to bomb a terrorist camp in Syria," said New Jersey Democrat Bob Menendez. "How much terror can take until it responds with a massive military campaign," added Joseph Hoeffel, a Democrat from Pennsylvania.

Opponents of the legislation, such as Democrat Nick Rahall of West Virginia, one of only four legislators to oppose the bill on the House floor, point out that Syria has cooperated in the war against Al-Qa'eda. "Here's a country that has been an ally of America against the real terrorists -- Al-Qa'eda ... and we want to punch them in the stomach like this? It's absolutely absurd," said Rahall.

So why was the legislation finally pushed through the House at this critical juncture? Some feel it is the result of pressure from Republican Majority Leader Tom DeLay, considered the most powerful man in the House. DeLay, who recently spoke at the Knesset, has been an increasingly vocal supporter of Israel.

(snipped sections out)

Quote:

"When I was in Judea/Samaria, I did not see any 'occupation', all I saw was Israel!"

(cue rapturous applause, desperate offers for fellatio etc)

it was in Juan Cole's blog using a piece on al-Sharq al-Awsat, with regards to the IAF bombing raid outside Damascus that Democrats and Republicans unhesitatingly celebrated. Syria was planning on supplying electricity to Iraq, but the IAF bombing raid and the Bush regime's unflinching support of it nixxed that. As Prof. Cole concluded it with--"thanks again, Arik".