Post by Hussar on Oct 8, 2003 2:38:12 GMT -5
Back when America first invaded Iraq on the idea that a nation can launch a preemptive strike against another sovereign nation, I argued that other countries would step up and use the same justifications. Well, now it has. For the first time in three decades, Israel has launched an attack within the borders of a sovereign state, Syria. And what has Mr. Bush done? Has he decried the instability that this act has created? Well, read for yourself: (From The Toronto GLobe and Mail)
Although senior U.S. officials said Mr. Sharon had neither asked for, nor been given, a green light by Washington for the air strikes, Mr. Bush has often stressed that pre-emptive military action to forestall attacks is central to his campaign against terrorism.
"We have repeatedly told Syria that they need to stop harbouring terrorists," White House spokesman Scott McClelland said. "Let's not lose sight of what happened over the weekend in Haifa, . . . that was a horrific attack on innocent men, women and children, and terrorism must not be allowed to stand."
The day before the raid, a Palestinian suicide bomber killed 19 people, including children, in a restaurant in the city of Haifa.
Tensions in the region did not subside yesterday as the Israeli army faced fire from Lebanon that killed an Israeli soldier. The army said Syria was behind the incident.
"The shooting is an attack which is another dimension in the terror policy dictated and supported by the government of Lebanon and fully backed by Syria," the army said.
The soldier died when Lebanese Hezbollah guerrillas began firing on a patrol, army sources were quoted as saying. Hezbollah, which is backed by Syria and Iran, denied any involvement.
The views put forward by the White House suggest Washington's tough anti-Syrian stand has extended to Israel the so-called Bush doctrine, which allows for military attacks against sovereign states that support terrorists.
Islamic Jihad, one of the Palestinian groups with offices in Damascus, claimed responsibility for the Haifa attack, and Israel said it used the targeted camp.
But Syria continued to deny accusations that it actively supports and shelters terrorists, asserting that the only organizations it allows to operate on its soil are engaged in lawful resistance to Israel's occupation of Palestinian lands.
European countries voiced unease over the spread of unilateral military action in the name of fighting terrorism. "The fight against terrorism, in which the EU is fully engaged, has to take place within the rules of international law," said Javier Solana, head of foreign policy for the 15-member European Union.
Syria again tried to press its case at the United Nations Security Council but met U.S. resistance. The United States has indicated it would veto any resolution, such as the one pushed by Syria after Sunday's strike, that condemns Israel.
And now it starts. Nations will begin unilaterally attacking other nations because they are threatened. Thank you Mr. Bush. You've just set back international relations about 100 years. We're back to Colonial Era politics where it's every man for himself and bugger the rest. Well done him.
Although senior U.S. officials said Mr. Sharon had neither asked for, nor been given, a green light by Washington for the air strikes, Mr. Bush has often stressed that pre-emptive military action to forestall attacks is central to his campaign against terrorism.
"We have repeatedly told Syria that they need to stop harbouring terrorists," White House spokesman Scott McClelland said. "Let's not lose sight of what happened over the weekend in Haifa, . . . that was a horrific attack on innocent men, women and children, and terrorism must not be allowed to stand."
The day before the raid, a Palestinian suicide bomber killed 19 people, including children, in a restaurant in the city of Haifa.
Tensions in the region did not subside yesterday as the Israeli army faced fire from Lebanon that killed an Israeli soldier. The army said Syria was behind the incident.
"The shooting is an attack which is another dimension in the terror policy dictated and supported by the government of Lebanon and fully backed by Syria," the army said.
The soldier died when Lebanese Hezbollah guerrillas began firing on a patrol, army sources were quoted as saying. Hezbollah, which is backed by Syria and Iran, denied any involvement.
The views put forward by the White House suggest Washington's tough anti-Syrian stand has extended to Israel the so-called Bush doctrine, which allows for military attacks against sovereign states that support terrorists.
Islamic Jihad, one of the Palestinian groups with offices in Damascus, claimed responsibility for the Haifa attack, and Israel said it used the targeted camp.
But Syria continued to deny accusations that it actively supports and shelters terrorists, asserting that the only organizations it allows to operate on its soil are engaged in lawful resistance to Israel's occupation of Palestinian lands.
European countries voiced unease over the spread of unilateral military action in the name of fighting terrorism. "The fight against terrorism, in which the EU is fully engaged, has to take place within the rules of international law," said Javier Solana, head of foreign policy for the 15-member European Union.
Syria again tried to press its case at the United Nations Security Council but met U.S. resistance. The United States has indicated it would veto any resolution, such as the one pushed by Syria after Sunday's strike, that condemns Israel.
And now it starts. Nations will begin unilaterally attacking other nations because they are threatened. Thank you Mr. Bush. You've just set back international relations about 100 years. We're back to Colonial Era politics where it's every man for himself and bugger the rest. Well done him.