Israel warns Syria over Hezbollah support

TONY EASTLEY: One of Israel's top military commanders is warning that his country could use force against Syria, if it keeps up its support for the Islamic guerrilla group, Hezbollah.

Israel says the Lebanon-based militia has now taken delivery of missiles capable of hitting its cities.

In the United States, the Bush administration is preparing to announce sanctions against Syria over its alleged support for terrorist groups.

Middle East Correspondent Mark Willacy reports from the Israel-Lebanon border.

(Sound of hydraulics, people talking)

MARK WILLACY: High up in the mountainous border region of northern Israel, soldiers swivel their heavy guns towards a potential target.

Just a few hundred metres away is Lebanon, and the positions of one of Israel's most formidable enemies.

AVITAL LIEBOVICH: Hezbollah is no longer a guerrilla organisation.

Major Avital Liebovich is with Israel's northern command.

AVITAL LIEBOVICH: We're talking about a semi-military terror organisation. It has ranks, it has commanders, it has weapons, it has missiles that can reach well inside Israel – I'm talking the central part of Israel.

cut

http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2004/s1069321.htm

Encouraging to see the Israeli / American alliance dealing with Syria.

why I was just saying the other day, we aren't blowing the crap out of nearly as many nations as we could be. Buncha slackers.

The Kurds will be used as a wedge in an attempt to destabilize
the Syrian state. A "reward" to the Kurds for their support.
A most dangerous game, but time is running out. I don't think
anything like an invasion is in the offing at present though,
Syria still has too many teeth.

The Bush admin might be imposing sanctions to mollify Israel... like he's doing something about Syria. Hizbullah doesn't give a F***'n S***.

And it appears to me that Shrub is reluctant to apply them. They
have been making the threat loudly while doing nothing for quite
a while now. In any case I don't expect they would have any
useful effect. Sometimes threatening something is more useful than
doing it. If you do it, it may be seen that the threat was empty.
The ethnic disorder in the NE on the other hand could have serious
consequences for Syria, both in substance and in the propaganda arena.
They already have a bad name for repression, this could make it worse.