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http://www.dawn.com/2002/06/27/ed.htm#1 DAWN (Pakistan) June 27, 2002 Editorial An attack on Syria? Reports say that the Bush administration has given the green signal for Ariel Sharon to attack Hezbollah bases in Syria. More important, stories in the American media would have the world believe that Hezbollah's "arsenal" has of late increased because of constant supplies from Syria and Iran. For that reason, the Bush administration would lift the restraint which previous American governments had exercised on Tel Aviv and give the 'go ahead' for an attack on Syria. In any case, the reports suggest, Damascus is considered by Washington "a junior partner" in the "axis of evil." Together with reports of a possible US attack on Iraq for allegedly possessing, or trying to develop, weapons of mass destruction, the feelers about Syria must send shivers across the world. Already, the situation in the Middle East is grim because of what appears to be an Israeli decision to reoccupy parts of the West Bank and stay there indefinitely. This reoccupation is a continuation of the Israeli blitz that began in April and has continued to this day. These "incursions" have destroyed all symbols of Palestinian statehood besides involving murder of civilians, including the massacre in Jenin. All along these atrocities and violations of laws of war, Israel has enjoyed the Bush administration's full backing. The greatest victory for Sharon came on Monday when President Bush announced his long-awaited new initiative on the Middle East. The speech fully endorsed the Israeli line and focused not on the question of self-determination for the people of Palestine but on the personality of Yasser Arafat - his fitness to rule. No wonder, with his policy of reoccupation of Palestinian territories receiving full American backing, Sharon should look for greater glory elsewhere. Syria has always been a thorn in Sharon's side because of its refusal to surrender the Golan Heights, which Israel has annexed illegally. Sharon also cannot forget the reverses Israel suffered at the hands of Hezbollah, forcing its humiliating retreat from southern Lebanon. Syria played a crucial role in hastening that pull-out. Now, however, Sharon thinks time is opportune for him, for he can turn America's war on terrorism into a campaign for advancing Israel's expansionist aims. One hopes saner counsel will yet prevail and the US will not let Israel trigger another war in the Middle East. The issue in the Middle East is not Syria, nor Iraq, but an end to Israel's continued occupation of Palestinian land. The Syrian-Iraqi bogey merely serves as a decoy for Israel to turn the world's attention away from its renunciation of the Oslo peace process and its arrogant denial of the political and territorial rights of the Palestinians. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! - Official partner of 2002 FIFA World Cup http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com --------------------------- ANTI-NATO INFORMATION LIST ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: [email protected] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a84x2u.bacIlu Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
