WAR ON IRAK

Times of India: Syria accuses US of serving Israeli interests


DAMASCUS: Responding to US criticism, Syria came out firmly behind Iraq
on
Monday, saying the US-led invasion was illegitimate and unjustified.
The
Syrian Foreign Ministry also accused Washington of catering to Israeli
interests in the Middle East. The Syrian comments came a day after US
Secretary of State Colin Powell told Syria to cease its support for
terrorism, suggesting it would otherwise face grave consequences.
``Syria
now faces a critical choice'' of whether to ``continue its direct
support
for terrorism in the dying days'' of President Saddam Hussein's
government
in Iraq, Powell said in a strongly worded speech on Sunday to a
pro-Israeli
lobby. ``Syria bears responsibility for its choices and consequences,''
he
added sternly. Powell's comments came on the heels of an accusation by
Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld that Syria was supplying Iraq with
military equipment, including night-vision goggles. ``It is clear from
(Powell's) speech that he was submitting a report on his latest
achievements which confirm that what the US administration is doing in
our
region serves Israel and its interests and pleases (Israeli Prime
Minister
Ariel) Sharon,'' a Syrian Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Monday.
``By
doing that, the employees of this (US) administration get a report for
good
behaviour from Israel,'' the spokesman added. The statement said Syria
has
already made its choice: ``Syria has chosen to be with international
legality represented by the United Nations Security Council.'' ``Syria
has
also chosen to stand by the Iraqi people who are facing an illegitimate
and
unjustified invasion,'' the statement said. According to some Arab and
international media outlets, large numbers of Syrian and other Arab
volunteers are believed to be travelling to Iraq through Syria to fight
alongside the Iraqi people.