What Syria's Ambassador Says About the U.S. Military Raid
Claims attack killed civilians, not senior Al Qaeda in Iraq operative
On Wednesday, Syria's ambassador to the United States, Imad Moustapha, fired back against the reported U.S. commando raid into Syria on Sunday that is said to have left eight dead, calling it a "criminal, terrorist attack." He said the attack has derailed what had been delicate diplomatic moves to improve relations between Washington and Damascus.
U.S. officials, speaking on background, have said that American special forces killed a senior Al Qaeda in Iraq operative in a cross-border raid intended to disrupt a network of foreign fighters moving through Syria to fight in Iraq.
However, in an interview, Moustapha disputed that account and called the raid a "coldblooded, terrorist, criminal attack for no reason whatsoever." He said the eight killed were all civilians and not connected with AQI.
"We are still analyzing what has happened and evaluating the motive behind it. There are many theories," Moustapha said, adding, "What pushed this administration to do this...at the very end of its days?"
Moustapha then cited what he regards as some possible explanations: "Is this administration trying to jeopardize any possibility of improvement in relations between Syria and any new U.S. administration, because all the signs were pointing in that direction?"
He added, "Or is it trying to pressurize the Iraqi government so that the Iraqi government will have to agree to an imposed security agreement without any negotiations?" And Moustapha offered one other theory: "Or is it actually trying to serve the domestic electoral campaign right now in the United States, saying, 'Look at the situation . . . Iraq is still a very dangerous place. We need to be in Iraq because the neighboring countries of Iraq are still a threat and a danger, and we need to attack them."
Moustapha sought to separate the moves of the Bush administration from American public opinion.
"We need to make a distinction between the last desperate deeds of an administration that is in its twilight and the United States of America."
He also said that recent high-level diplomatic contacts between Syria and the U.S. in New York—which he earlier called a "tentative opening"—could not move into a more general improvement in relations at this point. "I don't think the context will allow this," he said.
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Reader Comments
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I agree fully with Doris, but we shall be able to reach peace with people who speak the same language and especially play according to the same rules. The day has not come yet. If you mention the Bible, don't forget the tower of Babel. All the people who had a common goal were sent away and one could understand the others. We have all the same dream, peace in the world. But it is impossible, most of the governements especially in the Middle East, Africa are so corrupt that no solution is at sight for many centuries to come. Yes we should pray and hope for the providence to help. It is a hard point to make because it is nearly hopeless and pesimistic but ask in private your people whatever polictical side they are and have some positions in organisation such as the UN what is happening there and how billions are spent to keep horrible people in power, and I assure you this is not only an american game, but all the European are very strong at that type of action.If it continues like this Gd. should have mercy with us all.
PRAY for PEACE on EARTH GOODWILL TOWARD MEN as our Heavenly Father wants and really can make it happen at his will.Beware of the Almighty God that brings WRATH upon his children.Pray for Pakistan.There's NOTHING HIDDEN from his eyesight.He's looking down upon us,his earthly children.Find Noah,Isaiah,Pharoeph,the 3 in the fiery furnace and a 4th like the son of God/Jesus among them.He doesn't like what he sees earthly people.Wake up and see things that have already happened.Katrina (rain) water etc.I believe he is in CONTROL and everyone will have to ANSWER him eventually.BEWARE!I've seen some things happen for real.
WE need to get out of the Middle East and Stop the ongoing frustrations and evilness that exist between Earthly MEN.Should try to Bring about PEACE without fights and deaths.The Curtain needs to CLOSE for intermission sometimes along the scenes,don't you think.Peace needs to come between the earthly people and SOME needs to think PEACE now! How many more years of this fighting and killing humans?The entire WORLD is in an UPROAR everyday.Is this enjoyment to some at the LIVES of others or what?The 2 that started this needs to be in the ARENA together and they fight it out.It's the living DEVIL at work.The Bible said this was going to happen.The great DECEIVERS and DEVOURS.(Revelation).He's right about the BEASTS.Here we are.
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