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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| Syrians bolstered by visit of 'good American' Pelosi |
| 2007-05-02 |
| The second most popular politician in Syria these days may be an American: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The California Democrat warmed Syrian hearts with her trip last month to Damascus, an event that people still share with visiting Americans as conversational currency. "Nancy Pelosi is good, yes?" asked a Damascus laborer who found himself sitting next to an American at a greasy gyro stand this week. "Nancy Pelosi, good American." Pictures of Mrs. Pelosi and Syrian President Bashar Assad -- officially Syria's most popular citizen -- still turn up on the local news channels, especially during coverage of the dispute between President Bush and Congress over the Iraq war spending bill. Mrs. Pelosi's two-day visit to Damascus was a major news event here. Camera crews trailed her as she bought sweets in the ancient Hamadieh souk, made the sign of the cross at what is thought to be the tomb of John the Baptist and donned a black abaya to visit the historic Omayyad Mosque. Mrs. Pelosi, 67, is praised as "a friend of Syria," and that makes her more influential than Oprah Winfrey and more appealing than the old Hollywood movies shown on satellite television. Many Damascus residents say her private visit with Mr. Assad and senior ministers shattered Washington's attempt to isolate the regime. "She was enormously popular here, a hero," said one such resident, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. "This is the best thing that has happened here, if it proves [Mr. Assad] was right not to give concessions." Along with recent visits by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and officials from the European Union, the resident added, Mrs. Pelosi's trip "bolsters the regime with the Syrian people, and it shows that isolating Syria won't work." More than burnishing the regime's image in Syria, Mrs. Pelosi is seen as the well-dressed woman who stood up to President Bush, possibly the most unpopular figure in the Arab world after former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. The White House criticized her visit, both on the constitutional grounds that she was usurping executive powers and on policy grounds that she was undermining months of diplomatic efforts. Mrs. Pelosi said she raised substantive issues with Syrian leaders, urging them to stop insurgents from entering Iraq, help win the release of Israeli soldiers thought to be held captive by Lebanese and Palestinian militias, and end Syria's support for terrorist groups. But nobody talks about that now. "I love her," said an Iraqi woman who has emigrated to Syria. "She's a grandmother, so handsome, so cute. I see myself, my old self, in her." Despite the lingering personal affection, few expect U.S. policy to change as a result of Mrs. Pelosi's visit. "She is a different face of America, but she does not have ideas, any solutions," the Iraqi woman said. "I watch TV all day, and I know that only the faces change." |
| Posted by:ryuge |
| #8 When the American people start paying attention, this pro-enemy foreign policy is going to fail. Negotiating with Syria is one thing. Rehabilitating a dicatorship we are trying to isolate is another. The bad part is that Pelosi has access to secret briefings. If she really has staked the Dems' political future vested in Assad she may act to derail covert ops against him. This is one of the many reasons why politics need to stay at the water's edge. It sickens me just as much as when Kerry and Co. went down to Latin America to support the Sandinistas. After the 2006 election Rahm Emmanuel, the architect of the Dem House victory, stated that the Republicans have officially lost the National Security issue since Iraq is percieved to be such a failure. I was worried he was correct. However, the Dems have way too many people who actively support our enemies for that to happen. A sad commentary. I wish both parties wanted to defeat our enemies and we could limit our debate to 'how' to do so, not 'whether' we should. Simply disgraceful behavior. |
| Posted by: JAB 2007-05-02 20:26 |
| #7 Is Speaker Ms.Pelosi and Neville Chamberlain cousins, by chance?. I don't think so - Chamberlain was naive but had principles. |
| Posted by: xbalanke 2007-05-02 12:23 |
| #6 Is Speaker Ms.Pelosi and Neville Chamberlain cousins, by chance? |
| Posted by: Delphi2005 2007-05-02 10:01 |
| #5 "She is a different face of America, but she does not have ideas, any solutions," the Iraqi woman said. Jeesuz, Nancy. Even they see it. |
| Posted by: tu3031 2007-05-02 09:55 |
| #4 The second most popular politician in Syria these days may be an American: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Who's the first? Don't tell me, it must be Harry Reid! |
| Posted by: JohnQC 2007-05-02 08:49 |
| #3 Good American = dhimmi, boot-licking slave |
| Posted by: Spot 2007-05-02 07:59 |
| #2 Mrs. Pelosi said she raised substantive issues with Syrian leaders, urging them to stop insurgents from entering Iraq, help win the release of Israeli soldiers thought to be held captive by Lebanese and Palestinian militias, and end Syria's support for terrorist groups. Anybody can talk to anybody about this stuff. It takes no brains whatsoever. As for making progress in these areas, that's a different matter entirely. Got a progress report for us on these substantive issues, Nancy? |
| Posted by: gorb 2007-05-02 07:01 |
| #1 Congratulations, Madame Speaker. You are more successful in undermining my country than you are in leading yours. |
| Posted by: Bobby 2007-05-02 05:54 |