[MannoFr]

At what point does the European Union admit that it stands for nothing?

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[Beerinkol]

Originally posted by Binyamin
I don't understand why they are so slow and cautious about imposing sanctions. Iit is clear that there is no one to talk to in Syria, and there is no reason to think anything will change before there are sanctions. America should immediately impose full sanctions, because they have no reason to wait. I fully Agree.

________________
Beni,

La'ma atta lo kotev she'ata me'Yehuda o Shomron? Ata Amiti o she'ata mit'haze?

[S.T.D.]

A little warning never hurt:

Syria Urged to Do More in Iraq
1 hour, 11 minutes ago

By JENNIFER C. KERR, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - After new violence that flared near the Iraqi border with Syria left five Marines dead, the U.S. military's top general urged Damascus to do more to cut the flow of foreign fighters entering Iraq (news - web sites).

The warning Sunday from Gen. Richard Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, came as the U.S. effort in Iraq suffered a setback when the new Spanish prime minister, fulfilling a campaign pledge, said he would withdraw the 1,300-member Spanish military contingent as soon as possible.

The White House said it expected the move and hoped for Spain's continued help in the fight against terrorism, but lawmakers voiced concern.

"The military situation can accept this, but it will put pressure on the other coalition nations that have joined in this, I'm sure," said Sen. John Warner, R-Va., chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee (news - web sites). "It's troublesome."

The battle Saturday on the Syrian-Iraqi border, in an area that had seen little fighting previously, left at least 25 Iraqis dead. Myers said the stability not only of Syria and Iraq, but also of the entire region is at stake.

"We know that the pathway into Iraq for many foreign fighters is through Syria. It's a fact. We know it. The Syrians know it," Myers told CNN's "Late Edition."

"The Syrians need to take this situation very seriously. They need to help us stop that infiltration of foreign fighters. It doesn't do their government any good."

Syria has rejected claims it is allowing militants into Iraq. It says it is responsible for official crossing points between it and Iraq but acknowledges it does not have full control over the long, porous border.

In Spain, Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, a socialist whose party scored an upset in elections last month, said he is withdrawing troops after deciding that the United Nations (news - web sites) was unprepared to take over the occupation of Iraq — his condition for keeping soldiers there.

Zapatero swept to victory three days after the Madrid train bombings that killed 191 people. The militants who claimed responsibility for the attacks said they were in retaliation for Spain's role in Iraq.

"We will work with our coalition partners in Iraq and the Spanish government and expect they will implement their decision in a coordinated, responsible and orderly manner," White House spokesman Ken Lisaius said.

Sen. Joe Lieberman (news - web sites), D-Conn., suggested that Spain send its troops to Afghanistan (news - web sites).

"If they are not willing to stay in Iraq, they could prove that they're still with us in the war on terrorism by sending those 1,300 Spanish troops to Afghanistan. We need their help there," he said.

By Sunday, the number of Americans killed in combat had reached 99 so far in April — the deadliest month since the invasion of Iraq more than a year ago. There also have been dozens of kidnappings of foreigners this month, including two Americans — a civilian and a soldier.

Asked about the possibility of a prisoner swap with insurgents holding the Americans, national security adviser Condoleezza Rice (news - web sites) ruled it out.

"The worst thing the United States of America can do is to give an idea to terrorists and to people who want to intimidate that somehow their intimidation techniques are going to be rewarded," she told ABC's "This Week."

U.S. officials in Iraq are doing all they can to free the captives, she said.

Both Myers and Rice attributed the recent surge in violence to the June 30 date for the granting of sovereignty to the Iraqi people.

Rice said the violence might continue for some time before the transfer of power, but that the U.S. military presence will remain after it. "We will continue to work with Iraqis and the coalition partners to make the place secure," she said on CBS' "Face the Nation."

[tgs]

If you paint "SANCTION" on the side of a neutron bomb and hit them with that, I'm with ya.