Article

2005-03-05 Syria-Lebanon-Iran

Syria Vows Troops to Quit Lebanon 'As Soon as Possible'

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Posted by Fred 2005-03-05 5:08:16 PM|| || Front Page|| [7 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 Just watched Assad's speech on CSPAN. He is definitely headed out the door. Some of the money quotes: "Going to war against the UN can cause you to lose a lot." "Removing our troops from Lebanon is in Syria's interest." The man was weak, rambling, and almost unhinged. The interpreter was very nervous. This speech was obviously not well thought out and was apparently given in response to intolerable pressure by a panicked man. I think that Bashir Assad had best watch his back lest his followers send him back to private practice.

Posted by RWV 2005-03-05 6:08:28 PM|| 2005-03-05 6:08:28 PM|| Front Page Top

#2 Some events that transpired before Assad's speach:

Washington takes steps for Syria's isolation after Assadâs rejection of Lebanon pull-out. White House official Hadley notified Europeans that decision covers cutoff of Damascusâ international banking ties and the flow of international funds to and from Syria through Lebanese banks.

UN Middle East envoy Terje Roed-Larsen travels Sunday to Europe, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Gulf emirates to finalize the US-Arab-European consensus on international sanctions against Syria.

March 17 he will give Assad last chance for total pull-out from Lebanon or face up to UN sanctions. Chirac has already ordered French ties with Damascus severed at all government levels.

"Syria's strength and its role in Lebanon is not dependent on the presence of its forces in Lebanon."

Well, it was the part of the parcel. According to Debka, Assad has deployed Iranian military and intelligence units across Lebanon alongside Syrian secret agents and Hizballah. They also man early warning stations on Lebanese-Syrian and Lebanese-Israeli borders and Syrian-Iraqi borders.

It would be tough to support the intelligence units without military and it may be quite possibly unworkable in the present scale.

Hizbullah bosses may have to switch sides, and fast, else they would splinter and find themselves commanding much smaller force as lower ranks seem to be less enthusiastic about loyalty to Syrians.

Bashar is between anvil and hammer.

Posted by Sobiesky 2005-03-05 6:58:53 PM|| 2005-03-05 6:58:53 PM|| Front Page Top

Posted by .com 2005-03-05 8:05:49 PM|| 2005-03-05 8:05:49 PM|| Front Page Top

#4 Cirque Du Soleil's next act, I presume.

Posted by Poison Reverse 2005-03-05 10:27:52 PM|| 2005-03-05 10:27:52 PM|| Front Page Top

#5 PD - that's Awesome!

Posted by Frank G 2005-03-05 10:55:52 PM|| 2005-03-05 10:55:52 PM|| Front Page Top

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