Bush warns Syria, Iran on terrorism ( 2003-07-22 16:19) (Washington Post)
US President Bush warned Syria and Iran today that they "will be held
accountable" if they fail to cooperate more with the administration's campaign
against terrorism.
US President George W. Bush and
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi (L) confer after a joint news
conference at his central Texas ranch outside of Crawford, July 21, 2003.
The prime minister spent the night at the ranch to discuss regional
security and military options in Iraq with
Bush. [Reuters]
Bush, heading into White House meetings
over the next week with the Palestinian and Israeli prime ministers, said it "is
time for governments across the Middle East to support the efforts of these two
men by fighting terror in all its forms."
"This includes the governments of Syria and Iran," he said, appearing at his
ranch with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. "Syria and Iran continue to
harbor and assist terrorists. This behavior is completely unacceptable, and
states that support terror will be held accountable."
Bush has been persistently critical of Iran, encouraging dissent against the
clerics who control the government and insisting that Tehran give up efforts to
acquire a nuclear weapon.
Bush had praised Syria in April as "beginning to get the message" to
cooperate against terrorists, reflecting Syrian vows to seal its border with
Iraq and work to locate fugitives from Saddam Hussein's government. But after
his Middle East peace summit in Jordan in early June, Bush said Syria needed to
do more in the war on terrorism, and in recent weeks administration officials
have expressed disappointment that Syria has not carried through on its pledges.
White House press secretary Scott McClellan said Syria and Iran "are
continuing to do things that are unhelpful." Another administration official
said that neither country "has made the fundamental, irrevocable choice of which
side they are going to be on in the war on terror."
Jon B. Alterman, director of the Middle East Program at the Center for
Strategic and International Studies, said the timing of the comments appeared to
be designed to call attention to Bush's vision for the region at a time when
violence against U.S. troops continues in Iraq and his justification for the war
is being questioned on Capitol Hill. "This administration has been very
successful about managing its message, but that has been getting away from them
on Iraq," Alterman said. "There has been very little positive in recent weeks."
Syria and Iran have long been on the State Department's list of nations
supporting terrorism, and the United States has accused both of supporting
violent Palestinian groups. The administration called on Iran in June to stop
enriching nuclear fuel and to provide full access to U.N. inspectors.
Administration officials complain that Syria has condoned the smuggling of
people and goods in support of terrorism. The officials also said the
administration wants Syria to use its influence over Lebanon to help dislodge
terrorist groups operating there.
US President George W. Bush and Italian Prime
Minister Silvio Berlusconi (in cowboy boots) after a joint news conference
on his Central Texas ranch outside of Crawford, July 20, 2003.
[Reuters]
Bush is to meet Friday with Palestinian Prime Minster Mahmoud Abbas and next
Tuesday with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon as the White House continues to
prod the two sides to take steps along the administration-backed "road map"
toward peace. Bush reiterated his support for Abbas, whose political standing is
shaky. "All leaders who . . . are interested in a peaceful solution in the
Middle East must support the efforts of Prime Minister Abbas to build a
democratic Palestine," Bush said.
Bush and Berlusconi wore open-collared shirts and black cowboy boots as they
stood at lecterns before flags of Italy and the United States. Bush thanked
Berlusconi, who is president of the European Union and has been hurt politically
at home by his support of the Iraq war.
"Radicalism and ideologies of hatred are a threat to America, to Italy and to
all peaceful nations," Bush said.
Just hours after a mortar round struck the U.S. Embassy in Liberia, Bush said
he is continuing to work with nations in the region to determine "when they will
be prepared to move in the peacekeeper troops that I have said we'll be willing
to help move into Liberia."
Administration officials said he had not made his long-delayed decision about
whether to answer the call of U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan and send in
combat troops to help stabilize the capital, Monrovia. The administration said
one reason for the delay is the difficulty of negotiating with representatives
of rebel groups.
"We're working with the United Nations to affect policy necessary to get the
cease-fire back in place," Bush said. "We're monitoring the situation very
carefully."
Bush also addressed the chaos and violence in Iraq, saying it is important to
understand that "this extension of hostility is really a part of the war to
liberate Iraq."
Administration officials said they intend to remain in control of Iraq and
have no immediate plans to cede more control to the United Nations. These
officials said some governments have said that they want to provide more
assistance and that a resolution on reconstruction from the United Nations would
help them build support for that domestically. Bush did not rule that out today,
but U.S. officials said they do not have immediate plans to seek such a
resolution.
"The reconstruction effort shouldn't be viewed as a political exercise," Bush
said. "It shouldn't be viewed as an international grab bag." Bush said he talked
with Berlusconi about "how to broaden the coalition to bring more security to
Iraq." He added, "Obviously, the more help we can get, the more we appreciate
it. And we are continuing to work with other nations to ask their help and
advice."