Syria hints at resistance vs. Israel

[ECH1969]

Syria could resort to armed resistance if peace negotiations do not lead to Israel's return of the Golan Heights, the country's Information Minister said Sunday.

Mohsen Bilal said international negotiations should lead to Israel giving back the Golan Heights, captured from Syria in the 1967 Mideast war and later annexed.

If that does not happen, he warned Syria could resort to "other means, which struggling people have used at various points in history, beginning with legitimate resistance."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061106/ap_on_re_mi_ea/syria_israel

[Nolo_Contendre]

1. No wonder they are considered part of GW's "Axis of Evil"

Resisting Israeli occupation is verboten.

[Fredda Weinberg]

6. It's good to know who supports targeting civilians

Occupation? The Golan Heights were used to shell Israel, which is why they were such an important target in '67. There's no oil, fertile land or any other reason for Israel to refuse to abandon this strategic area.

[IntiRaymi]

10. But there is plenty of water!

Lots of farms there, as a result.

[Vorta]

2. If you win the land, you get to keep it.

[Nolo_Contendre]

3. ALL I REALLY NEED TO KNOW I LEARNED IN KINDERGARTEN

Please consider remedial review.

[Vorta]

4. Ok, "It's nice to share" and Syria doesn't want to.

[Fredda Weinberg]

7. If Israel wanted to keep it, it would have been annexed

Instead, resolution is awaiting a cessation of hostilities.

[breakaleg]

8. How about if you steal it? Is it also yours then?

[IntiRaymi]

11. You need a crash course in International Law.

This is not an acceptable way to increase territory.

[Behind the Aegis]

5. How convenient.

[ManiacJoe]

9. Penalty for losing the war.

Syria wants it back for the same reason Israel wants to keep it: the high ground is an excellent place to shell the low lands from; it is just a matter of which way the guns are pointed.

Given the price in lives that Israel paid to capture the area, and the military reasons for keeping it, I don't see Syria getting it back any time soon.