Attack in Syria a charade: US

[RBHam]

From correspondents in Washington
29apr04
A SHOOTOUT in a diplomatic quarter of the Syrian capital was nothing but a "charade", US lawmakers said today, insisting it was an attempt by Damascus to avoid US sanctions for its support of terror.

Two legislators; Democratic Representative from New York Eliot Engel, and Florida Republican Ileana Ros-Lehtinen both urged US President George W Bush to apply immediately a law adopted by Congress and signed by him four months ago to enforce sanctions against Syria.

Damascus is accused of harbouring numerous terrorist organisations, of occupying Lebanon, developing weapons of mass destruction and allowing terrorists to use its border to cross into Iraq to fight US-led coalition forces there.

"The attack yesterday in Damascus was a charade, one more political manoeuvre by the regime to avoid US sanctions," Ros-Lehtinen said during a press conference to ask the Bush administration to apply the measures without any more delay.

more...

http://www.thecouriermail.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,9419655%255E1702,00.html

A charade, eh? Hmmmmmmm. I wonder where they got the idea?