US finds reasons to focus on Syrian ‘enemy’

THE US ratcheted up the pressure on Syria yesterday by threatening sanctions over charges that Damascus is harbouring Iraqi leaders, developing chemical weapons and supporting terrorism.

"Syria is indeed a rogue nation," said White House spokesman Ari Fleischer.

US officials stopped short of threatening to extend the Iraq war to Syria. But Secretary of State Colin Powell said there was a "new environment" in the region and the US will examine diplomatic and economic measures against Syria.

Syria yesterday denied it had chemical weapons or that it had co-operated with Iraq, and said it had closed its border with Iraq. But US officials say the border is porous and Syria should not give safe haven to any Iraqis.

With Saddam Hussein toppled, Washington has directed its ire toward Syria, based on what US officials said were indications that some leaders from Iraq's former government and family members of Saddam have escaped across the border into Syria with Damascus' assent.

The US also renewed charges that Syria supports terrorist activity. Syria remains on the State Department's list of states that sponsor international terrorism for backing the anti-Israeli militant groups Hamas and Hizbollah.

Powell, speaking to reporters after meeting Kuwait's foreign minister, said it was hoped all nations in the region will review past practices.

"In light of this new environment Syria should review their actions and their behaviour, not only with respect to who get haven in Syria and weapons of mass destruction but especially the support of terrorist activity," Powell said.

Syria, which voted in favour of the UN Security Council resolution last November demanding Iraq disarm itself of weapons of mass destruction, now finds itself accused by the US of attempting to develop the same weapons.

Speaking to reporters, Fleischer read from a CIA report to Congress for January-June last year on the "acquisition of technology relating to weapons of mass destruction and advanced conventional munitions".

"Syria sought CW-related (chemical weapon) precursors and expertise from foreign sources in the reporting period. It already held a stockpile of the nerve agent sarin, but apparently is trying to develop more toxic and persistent nerve agents," the report said.

Asked why the Bush administration was raising the weapons of mass destruction charge on Syria now, when it had not over the last six months, Fleischer said: "It's a relevant fact."

Israel has long charged that Syria, the main power broker in Lebanon, served as a conduit for Iranian arms shipments to Hizbollah, including long-range surface-to-surface missiles.