WSJ uses assassination to make its case against diplomacy with Syria

[ProSense]

REVIEW & OUTLOOK

Assassins and Diplomacy

Another murder in Beirut for Jim Baker to contemplate.

Wednesday, November 22, 2006 12:01 a.m. EST

Former Secretary of State James Baker has been saying that, when it comes to diplomacy, you don't "restrict your conversations to your friends"--shorthand for the view that the U.S. should engage Syria and Iran to find solutions in Iraq and elsewhere in the Middle East. But yesterday's murder of Lebanese Minister Pierre Gemayel might remind even Mr. Baker and his Iraq Study Group what some of those non-friends are all about.

Snip...

Which brings us back to Mr. Baker and the rest of the U.S. foreign-policy establishment now urging a new entente with Damascus. It's true that every Administration must deal with the world as it is. But when it comes to Syria, do the sages of the Iraq Study Group really want the Bush Administration to seek the benediction of a country that stirs such mayhem in Beirut?

Bush's Cedar Revolution Collapses in Yet Another Policy Failure

[dmosh42]

1. Except Syria may not be responsible for the 'hit'.

I might suspect an Israeli agent or someone under contract to our CIA.

[bryant69]

2. Along with suspecting Syria?

Or do you believe them incapable of this action?

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[Howardx]

4. how does this "hit" benefit syria?

i can see definate benefits to an israeli govt. that doesnt want the US to engage diplomatically with syria but none for syria.

[ProSense]

5. It may or may not be pro-Syrian faction, but

does that rule out diplomacy any more than Bush's illegal war and torture policy would prevent other countries from dealing diplomatically with the U.S.?

Bush has set despicably low standards!

[wuushew]

3. Bushco is working cross purposes here

When the Baker-Hamilton report comes out it will make very strong recommendations to kissing Syrian and Iranian ass to stabilize Iraq. Bush must be partially working on some of the recommendations right now since his stance on Iranian nuclear sanctions is almost a complete retreat from what is was in August/September.

This will mean he will have to beg Syria even more come the release of that report.


Also there is no evidence to link Syria to this murder. Blaming Syria is not very diplomatic.
If Bush is so concerned about assassination maybe he should help his buddy Blair in uncovering the Russian spy/journalist poisoning ring.

[dmosh42]

8. Just how devious is this getting?

Just as a follow up to show that nothing is inconceivable, I just read this post by Tom Hayden on 'Huffington Post' that there has been covert bargaining going on with the ex-Baathist officials in Iraq about taking part in the gov't under certain conditions. And he says that dumping Maliki is being considered, as he is dead set against sharing with the Sunni groups. Gee, maybe we should hold up the Saddam execution until we get out!

[RaleighNCDUer]

6. Funny, how it is that when American politicians are assassinated

it's always a lone gunman, one shooter, we'll get through it because it's just an abberration, but when a foreign politician is assassinated there are always deep implications, shadowy power blocks vying for advantage, and certainly the work of this or that intelligence agency or government.

On second thought, not so funny.

[bigtree]

7. that's been the pattern, accuse Syria and use the accusations as a lever

amazing to hear the U.S. accuse someone of hurting Lebanon, Lebanese