Syrians 'smuggling arms to Baghdad'

The Sunday Telegraph ^ | December 15, 2002 | Con Coughlin

[MadIvan]

Well well, bloody well - you want to explain yourself Mr. Assad? You're damn lucky it isn't Mrs. Thatcher you're going to meet with - she'd hit you so bloody hard with her handback, it'd leave a dent in your skull.

Looks like we got another country wanting to join the Axis of Evil. Axis of Stupidity, more like. Or Axis of Suicide.

Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

Bump!

[RightWhale]

It's always been Damascus, not Mecca. They never reached Damascus last time, but this time . . .

[Semper Paratus]

Western intelligence officials have discovered that at least 52 crates containing new air-defence systems and spare parts have been smuggled into Iraq from Syria since the start of December.

Cutting edge Syrian technology will serve Iraq well - (barely supressed snicker)

[Davea]

The Syrians have been busy little bees this month....

21:12 13/12/2002 Last update - 23:04 13/12/2002

Syria moves troops on border, experts say steps defensive

By Amos Harel, Ha'aretz Correspondent

The Syrian army has recently made several changes in its deployment of troops along the border with Israel.

After an analysis of the troops movements, however, members of the security establishment believe the changes are designed to boost defenses in the area and eliminate weaknesses in Syrian troop positions.

Security sources said that at this stage, there is no change in the basic assessment that Syria poses no concrete threat to the Golan Heights.

In contrast, Israel is more troubled by the possibility of a deterioration on the northern frontier, at the initiative of Hezbollah, which has a strong presence along the Israel-Lebanon border.

[Dog Gone]

Maybe we should farm out the "Syrian Problem" to the Israelis.

[Robert_Paulson2]

What do you make of this from Drudge ole buddy?

" PAPER: Osama bin Laden has bought nuclear firepower from renegade KGB agents, Tony Blair and George Bush have been warned... Developing... "

[Stultis]

Good find, MadIvan.

"Syria Choosing" Bump.

[MadIvan]

Possibly a Syrian connection - Syria was an ally of the Soviets.

Regards, Ivan

[Mr. Mojo]

The more Syria smuggles arms to Iraq, the more quickly easily the Israeli Army will annihilate Syria when that time comes .....and I'm pretty sure that time is close. The giraffe-necked Assad Jr. might not be as evil as his dad, but he's far crazier and not nearly as intelligent.

[PoisedWoman]

And yet, Syria voted with the security council to stick it to Iraq. They're obvoiusly playing both sides of the fence, which may be as good as it gets for us in that area.

[Dog Gone]

Perhaps, but their vote hardly mattered. The important thing is what they do on the ground.

They've been the unofficial outlet for illegal Iraqi oil exports for years. They sponsor Hezbollah. Now this.

Right now, I'm not too fond of these guys.

[Davea]

"Maybe we should farm out the "Syrian Problem" to the Israelis."

That's the plan. We strike on the east side of town in Iraq they strike from the west. Bakaa Valley, Damascus etc. A pincer move.

[Stultis]

I'm not expert enough in Middle East politics to speak authoritatively, but I suspect that ASSad Jr. is not exactly held in high esteem, or much respected, by fellow Arab despots: i.e. viewed as an easy mark, readily manipulated, and out of his depth.

Is he really stupid enough to be getting himself tied up in this? Is he getting anything in exchange? If so, what? Has he already been paid?

[PoisedWoman]

Assad getting the money is a safe bet.

[Thinkin' Gal]

Ruinous heap bump.

[montag813]

Tell that Arab ass-kissing bastard James Baker, who was Hafez Assad's lover for 8 years. I'm sure he will be shocked, SHOCKED!

[cardinal4]

Ive always thought Syria was a bigger threat than Iran. I still hold out hope for a Western revolution in Iran within the next two years.

[Thinkin' Gal]

[VOA]

Syrians 'smuggling arms to Baghdad'

Probably prosthetics, as a contingency plan.

Some Iraquis probably recall a shortage on replacement arms, legs, etc. following
the dust-up in 1991.