WASHINGTON (Islamweb & News Agencies) - The United States said on Thursday it could take military action against countries like Syria later in its campaign against terrorism if they do not comply with the demands of Washington and its allies.
Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage also told reporters the targets in the campaign include all groups that threaten the interests of the United States and U.S. allies. (Read photo caption below)
In a later news conference, President Bush said the United States took Syrian offers of help in the fight against terrorism seriously but wanted to see results, not just words.
The United States says it is concentrating for the moment on its attacks on the Taliban rulers of Afghanistan and Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda organization, which it blames for the Sept. 11 suicide attacks on New York and Washington.
Asked what the consequences would be if countries like Syria do not meet U.S. expectations, he said: ``The consequences might be whatever the coalition finds worthy and it runs the gamut from isolation to financial investigations, all the way up through possibly military action.''
The United States has Syria on its list of ``state sponsors of terrorism'' because it hosts Lebanese and Palestinian organizations that attack U.S. ally Israel.
Syria says the international community should distinguish between terrorism and groups fighting to free occupied land.
SYRIA OUT OFF COALITION
After the attacks on Sept. 11, Secretary of State Colin Powell called Syrian Foreign Minister Farouq al-Shara to sound out his views on joining an alliance against the culprits. But Armitage indicated Washington was disappointed.
``I don't consider Syria part of the coalition. They've indicated from time to time they'd like to perhaps take part and then they seem to back up a little bit.
``This has been at best right now an occasion to try to open the eyes of Syria,'' Armitage said.
Armitage, an old friend of Powell, was also dubious about the response of Sudan, another country on the State Department list of ``state sponsors.''
``Sudan has made some pretty good gestures but if they're going to be in the coalition, then you have to generally share values and share some common features,'' he said.
PHOTO CAPTION:
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard L. Armitage briefs reporters after meeting the North Atlantic Council at the NATO headquarters in Brussels September 20, 2001. Armitage thanked the allies for having swiftly invoked a mutual defense clause in NATO's founding treaty. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir
- Sep 20 9:11 AM ET