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Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Syria, Hezbollah, Amr Moussa decidedly unhappy with USS Cole visit
2008-03-02
"There is a history of American fleet intervention in Lebanon. I think these experiences were not at all useful," [Syrian Foreign Minister] al-Moallem said.
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem said Saturday that a U.S. Navy deployment off the coast of Lebanon threatens security in the region and warned the United States it cannot impose its own solution to the long-running political crisis in Lebanon. "There is a history of American fleet intervention in Lebanon. I think these experiences were not at all useful," al-Moallem said.

The planned deployment of at least three warships, announced Thursday, appeared to be aimed at making an American show of strength at a time of increasing international frustration at the volatile political deadlock in Lebanon between the U.S.-backed government of Prime Minister Fuad Saniora and the Syria and Iran-backed opposition, led by Hezbollah.

State Department spokesman Tom Casey told reporters Friday that the warships are an important sign of U.S. commitment to security in the region. "It should provide comfort to our friends" and, for U.S. adversaries, "a reminder that we are there."
Posted by:Seafarious

#4  "Syria, Hezbollah, Amr Moussa decidedly unhappy with USS Cole visit."

We feel your pain> humiliation. Allow me to make a suggestion: Get all your friends from the mosque and pack them into as many boats with outborard engines as you can find. Drive and steer those boats as fast as you can toward the USS Cole. Raise your fists and voices in muzzie anger to underscore your unhappiness. Repeat as necessary. Trust me: you're all gonna meet your allah in due course. Win-Win for everyone.
Posted by: MarkZ   2008-03-02 19:52  

#3  I wish we still had a half-dozen WWII battleships to parade up and down the coast of Lebanon. I'm sure THAT would really get Assad's knickers in a twist. There's usually a carrier in the Med as well, so they SHOULD have their knickers in a twist.

Nuking Damascus would end a lot of worries, and give Hezbollox a HUGE headache. If the Arabs and Persians don't stop their constant aggravation, Israel may decide they have no other choice.
Posted by: Old Patriot   2008-03-02 15:26  

#2  I suspect the real reason they're upset is because the Cole is probably packing some PAC-3 anti-missile missiles. Since the Syrians can't keep the good stuff too near the border with Israel, this would seriously extend the umbrella for them.

Ironically, it would also protect Beirut if the Syrians decided to lob one on them.
Posted by: Anonymoose   2008-03-02 12:37  

#1  Syria, Hezbollah, Amr Moussa decidedly unhappy with USS Cole visit

I have the mental picture of Lee Emry, saying through clenched teeth
"AND.....YOU....WILL....LIKE... IT"

"There is a history of American fleet intervention in Lebanon. I think these experiences were not at all useful,"

Depends on who's speaking, frankly I find YOU "Not useful", the Cole, on the other hand, is a serious bitch slap, you didn't sink it, and "Sheeeee's BAAAAACK", armed and ready, get close next time, and get ventilated.
(First deck guard, Can they swim?
Second deck guard, not full of holes like that.)
Posted by: Redneck Jim   2008-03-02 01:08  

00:00