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Powell voices concerns about Syria, no plans for military
Washington, Apr 15: Secretary of State Colin Powell,seeking to tone down hawkish rhetoric toward Syria, today said the United States has expressed concerns about Syrian actions, but has no plan for a military move against the Damascus government.
Washington, Apr 15: Secretary of State Colin Powell,
seeking to tone down hawkish rhetoric toward Syria, today said the United States has expressed concerns about Syrian actions, but has no plan for a military move against the Damascus government.
In an appearance at the Foreign Press Center, Powell said
Iraq was ``a unique case`` that required US military action.
He rejected the suggestion that the administration
as a list of countries against whom it might also retaliate
militarily.
``There is no list, there is no war plan,`` he said
Powell acknowledged that the administration has informed both Syria and Iran that their actions during the Iraq war were
not helpful. He specifically cited reports that Syria has
given sanctuary to Iraqis wanted for human rights crimes.
The administration accused Syria of sponsoring terrorism
and harboring remnants of Saddam Hussein`s Iraqi regime and
told Damascus to stop it or face diplomatic or economic
sanctions.
``It is time to sign on to a different kind of middle
east,`` National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice said
yesterday as Syria took another public pasting from the
administration.
In New York, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said he was ``concerned that recent statements directed at Syria should
not contribute to a wider destabilization in a region already
affected heavily by the war in Iraq.``
Bureau Report