|
|
October 10, 2003/Tishri 14 5764, Vol. 56, No.3
U.S. exasperated with Syria's actions
RON KAMPEAS
Jewish Telegraphic Agency
WASHINGTON - If Israel's air raid on a terrorist camp in Syria came as a shock to Damascus, the awe followed closely when President Bush said, "We would be doing the same thing."
Bush's sympathy Oct. 7 with an Israeli strike on terrorists outside its borders was unprecedented, analysts said. But, they added, Syria should have anticipated it, given the United States' own post-Sept. 11 operations to combat terrorism.
"Syria had some opportunities to get on the right side of the United States after Sept. 11," said David Mack, a former deputy assistant secretary of state for Near East affairs. "Instead, they've shown poor statesmanship."
Israel's awareness of U.S. anger toward Syria was a factor in the decision to bomb the terrorist training camp some 10 miles from Damascus, Israeli officials said.
The attack Oct. 5 on what Israel said was an Islamic Jihad training camp came a day after the terrorist group, which is headquartered in Syria, claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing in Haifa that killed 19 people.
Bush, who has made state sponsorship of terrorism a red line since the Sept. 11 attacks, considered the camp a legitimate target, analysts said.
"Given the similarity of what Israel did to the Bush doctrine of hitting state sponsors of terrorism, he would be hard pressed not to endorse it," said David Makovsky, an analyst with the Washington Institute for Near East policy.
Bush more than endorsed it.
"The prime minister must defend his country," he said Oct. 7, referring to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. "It's essential."
Shortly after Sept. 11, Syria scored points with the United States by sharing intelligence that helped thwart an attack on Americans in Bahrain, Mack said.
But the goodwill dissipated during this year's Iraq war, when Syria allegedly gave refuge to senior officials of Saddam Hussein's regime. A low point was a firefight between U.S. troops and Syrian border guards, apparently triggered by the Americans' hot pursuit of Iraqis fleeing into Syria.
It didn't help when Syria humiliated U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell on a visit in May by breaking promises to close the offices of anti-Israel terrorist groups.
One factor in U.S. support for Israel might be a reluctance to appear weak, said Shibley Telhami, a Middle East expert at the University of Maryland. By condoning Israel's actions, the Bush administration allows itself to appear in control, when in reality it is overwhelmed by other diversions, including Iraq, the economy and next year's elections, he said.
"Once you reach the conclusion that you can't make Arab-Israeli peace a top priority, you can't criticize Ariel Sharon because it would make you look ineffective," Telhami said.
A concern is that Israel might have bombed itself into a corner.
"What happens if you have another tragic attack tomorrow, also claimed by Islamic Jihad, and you've already pointed the finger at Syria, how do you raise the bar?" Telhami said.
|
