- DAMASCUS (Reuters) - Syrian
citizens expressed anger on Saturday over U.S. "lies" that Syria
was sending military supplies to Iraq but did not think Washington was
considering military action against their country.
-
- "I know they (the U.S. administration) are crazy
people, but I don't think they will do it (attack Syria). Our leadership
is clever and will not let this happen," said Salma, a housewife.
-
- "If they do, I will fight them with my nails,"
she said.
-
- Ahmad Samir al-Taqi, a Syrian political analyst, said:
"The Americans are in a state of panic and confusion...but it would
be a grave mistake to spread the war across the region."
-
- Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said on Friday that
shipments of equipment, such as night-vision goggles, had been crossing
into Iraq from Syria and that Damascus would be held accountable for such
"hostile acts."
-
- Syria dismissed the accusation as an attempt by Washington
to cover up for "ugly war crimes" against Iraqi civilians.
-
- Rumsfeld dodged a question on whether the United States
was threatening military action against Syria. He only said that the shipments
"vastly complicates" the military operation in Iraq.
-
- Syria, on a U.S. list of states sponsoring terrorism
for supporting Lebanon's Hizbollah guerrilla group and Palestinian groups
fighting Israel, has led Arab opposition to the Iraq war.
-
- It has faced U.S. pressure to back down in its opposition
to the war on its neighbor, economic partner and former foe.
-
- Syria, currently the only Arab member of the U.N. Security
Council, joined the U.S.-led forces in the 1991 Gulf conflict, but has
since improved ties with Iraq despite years of bitter rivalry between the
ruling Baathists in Damascus and Baghdad.
-
- "Syria is the only country in the Arab world whose
position is a thorn in their side. They want us to be like the others;
lambs...that is why they are throwing accusations," said Kamal Jaber,
a civil servant.
-
- Many said the United States was trying to divert attention
for the hardship its forces were facing in Iraq, which has shown a level
of resistance that U.S. and British officials have said was not expected.
-
- "Can you tell this Rumsfeld one thing for me? 'I
know it's hard for you to admit that the Iraqis are defeating you, but
try to keep your mouth shut and cry at home instead of trying to blame
it on Syria'," said Mohammad Badran, a university student.
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