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Syria Not Stopping Militants from Crossing into Iraq

(New York Times) - The Bush administration says that despite pledges, Syria has not stopped militants from crossing into Iraq to kill American soldiers. In testimony prepared for a House hearing on Tuesday, Undersecretary of State for Arms Control John Bolton says the administration is also concerned about what it sees as Syria's continuing support for terrorist groups like Hamas, and he reiterated accusations that Syria has an ambitious program to develop chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said last week that of more than 200 foreign fighters captured in Iraq, the largest groups were those from Syria and Lebanon. One intelligence official said 60-70% of those detained were believed to be Syrian, based on identity cards or interrogations. Bolton's testimony also alleges that Syria has "a stockpile of the nerve agent sarin that can be delivered by aircraft or ballistic missiles, and has engaged in the research and development of more toxic and persistent nerve agents such as VX." Syria "is continuing to develop an offensive biological weapons capability," and Russia and Syria "have approved a draft program on cooperation on civil nuclear power," expertise that could be applied to a weapons program.
2003-09-16 00:00:00
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