NEWS: Syria Squarely In The Sights Of American Diplomatic Offensive, page 1

American Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has been on a diplomatic offensive with the aims of suring up international support for UN action against Iran and Syria. An international consensus on Iran was elusive but according to Sean McCormack, Ms. Rice's spokesman, the countries are "unified" on the Syrian issue. The United States, with France, has accused Syria of arming militants in Lebanon and of carrying out the assassination of ex-Lebanese PM Rafik Harriri.

today.reuters.com
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice mobilized support among major powers for diplomatic showdowns over the next few weeks with Syria and Iran on a trip that ended on Sunday.

Over three days, Rice held talks with the leaders of France, Russia and Britain -- all holders of vetoes at the U.N. Security Council - on how to make the two U.S. foes meet U.N. security demands.

In a show of diplomacy that reflected the Bush administration's efforts this year to consult partners more, Rice crisscrossed Europe seeking to build a common front against Syria's suspected support for militants in Lebanon and Iran's nuclear ambitions.

Rebuffed by Russia on Iran, she did not win all the support she wanted.

Rice used several one-on-one meetings to prepare the ground for concerted pressure at the Security Council this month against Syria and at the U.N. nuclear watchdog in November against Iran.

A U.N. investigator is due to report his findings in the assassination of an anti-Syrian ex-prime minister of Lebanon on Friday.

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I was aware of the American failure to get international consensus over Iran's nuclear programme, but I did not know Ms. Rice had Syria on her agenda. Im even more surprised that Russia is playing ball with the Americans over an economic and military ally such as Syria.

Why is it currently on the agenda to tackle two countries who only in recent months formed a mutual defence pact with each other? Does the United States wish to politically isolate both countries from their key benefactors and support bases in Russia? If Syria is found to of orchestrated the assassination of Rafik Harriri I think Assad's political capital would vanish as far as Russia is concerned.

Could this diplomatic offensive be the opening shots in a Syria/Iran vs America/Britain/France/Australia war? They sure are trying to set it up that way.

Related AboveTopSecret.com Discussion Threads:
NEWS: Sec. State Rice Fails To Get Russian Support On Iran Nuke Issue
NEWS: Iran and Syria Form "Common Front"

[edit on 17/10/05 by subz]