Posted on 04/05/2007 7:42:12 AM PDT by West Coast Conservative
A visiting U.S. congressman held talks with President Bashar Assad Thursday, a day after a congressional delegation headed by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi sparked controversy by meeting the Syrian leader.
U.S. President George W. Bush has rejected direct talks with Damascus and criticized Pelosi for her visit.
Commenting on Bush's criticism, California Republican Darrell Issa said the president had failed to promote the necessary dialogue to resolve disagreements between the U.S. and Syria.
"That's an important message to realize: We have tensions, but we have two functioning embassies," Issa told reporters after separate meetings with Assad and his foreign minister, Walid al-Moallem.
Issa, a Lebanese-American who frequently travels to the region, said he and other members of Congress would continue to encourage the Bush administration to engage Syria.
"I have no illusions. We have serious problems to be resolved but we will resolve them," he said.
(Excerpt) Read more at iht.com ...
What the hell! They may as well invite Assad for a sleepover.
*****Issa, a Lebanese-American who frequently travels to the region, said he and other members of Congress would continue to encourage the Bush administration to engage Syria.*****
Engage them with F-15 Eagles and A-10 Thunderbolts.
POS...
Assad has had more visits from congress in one week than Bush has had in 6 years ( and that is NOT a knock on Bush). The President of the US has more important things to do than provide photo ops for pompous politicians. Assad, it seems, has lots of time to waste.
This is really starting to anger me. Assad is no different than Ahmanutjob— he just is smart enough not to use a megaphone.
This flurry is probably a reflection of what will inevitably be an action by Israel against Iran. Preferably we would work mightily to internally overthrow the Mullahs and preclude Israel’s actions. I’d like to think we are.
Anyway if this is smog to hopefully provide Israel some maneuvering room to act without fear of immediate Syrian reprisal I can swallow it. In which case, the Dem’s and stupid Repub’s going over their are fools in a larger play.
Nah, God has a better plan - Isaish 17:1 - The burden of Damascus. It has been taken away from being a city, it has become a ruinous heap.
What with the US Congressional traffic traipsing through his office, Assad will scarcely have time to sign the checks going to Hezbolah this week. Let’s shut down the State Dept. because it is obviously not needed with all these foreign policy experts circling the mid-east like buzzards.
I’m surprised at this—Issa is usually pretty good on most issues.
Too bad there isn’t a way to ground Congresscritters from the Middle East. Can’t the Administration just refuse to fund their trips, or refuse to provide the obviously expensive security measures, or refuse to allow the embassies to assist the critters by withholding traveling papers? I know it would lead to pillorying by the DBM but this is getting ridiculous.
Don’t these politicians realize how foolish they look in the eyes of the Middle Easterners? They know it’s just publicity the politicians want, and they are going to collect on giving them publicity in one way or another. These critters are babes in the wood in terms of negotiations and strategy compared to Middle Easterners.
Assad must not have very much to do these days.
Can you imagine Pres. Bush meeting with every Tom, Dick and Nancy who traipses in from abroad?
I'll be curious to see how many calls we get on FR to prosecute Issa for treason, as opposed to the same for Pelosi.
I'm guessing less than 10% as many.
I think all the Liberals and RINOs in Congress should go to Syria. In fact, it would be great for the country if they all stayed there.
Well hey, what the heck, why don’t we do away with those old rules contained in the constitution and just let California run the world.
But of course NO one will say anything or do anything as they whole bunch is committed to screwing the people and helping the terrorist.
This is dangerous in my opinion. Just what would happen if a Republican congressman did this in a Democrat administration as President?
Well, that is exactly what we must do now.
If this stands, we will have taxpayer funds spent on representatives newly elected for a one time term traveling all over meddling in the affairs of state, undercutting a sitting administration, and ignoring their elected jobs while they seek to be the shadow president determining policy.
Smart brains need to ponder this development and bring about a solution quick. Remember, we now have at least one muslim in the government.
issa made his millions from the “viper” car security.
Issa is a moron, just like Pelosi.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.