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Syria would be unwise to protect Iraqi leaders: Powell
London, Apr 13: US secretary of State Colin Powell today warned Syria against offering safe haven to fleeing members of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein`s regime.
London, Apr 13: US secretary of State Colin Powell today warned Syria against offering safe haven to fleeing members of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's regime.
"We think it will be very unwise if, suddenly, Syria
becomes a haven for all these people who should be brought to
justice, who are trying to get out of Baghdad," Powell said.
Syria had been a concern in Washington "for a long period of time", Powell said, alleging that Damascus was a state sponsor of "terrorism" and a supplier of military supplies to Saddam's regime.
"And so are making this point clearly and in a very direct manner to the Syrians," he told the "breakfast with frost" program. "We hope the Syrians will respond accordingly."
On Friday US president George W. Bush urged Damascus to close its border with Iraq to prevent followers of Saddam crossing into Syria and asked it to turn over any who might already have taken refuge in the country.
Powell said the course of events in Iraq -- which US and British forces invaded on March 20 -- would set an example to other nations with harsh regimes. He cited Iran and North Korea, which Bush has said belong to an "axis of evil" with oil-rich Iraq.
"One of the good things that will come out of what has happened in Iraq is that Iraq can become an example ... of a nation that can now use its treasure to develop an economic system and a political system that will make them welcomed into the family of nations and become a responsible player in the region," he said.
Bureau Report
Syria had been a concern in Washington "for a long period of time", Powell said, alleging that Damascus was a state sponsor of "terrorism" and a supplier of military supplies to Saddam's regime.
"And so are making this point clearly and in a very direct manner to the Syrians," he told the "breakfast with frost" program. "We hope the Syrians will respond accordingly."
On Friday US president George W. Bush urged Damascus to close its border with Iraq to prevent followers of Saddam crossing into Syria and asked it to turn over any who might already have taken refuge in the country.
Powell said the course of events in Iraq -- which US and British forces invaded on March 20 -- would set an example to other nations with harsh regimes. He cited Iran and North Korea, which Bush has said belong to an "axis of evil" with oil-rich Iraq.
"One of the good things that will come out of what has happened in Iraq is that Iraq can become an example ... of a nation that can now use its treasure to develop an economic system and a political system that will make them welcomed into the family of nations and become a responsible player in the region," he said.
Bureau Report