"Way too early" to talk about military action against Syria: Myers

WASHINGTON (AFP) Apr 17, 2003
The top US general said Thursday it was "way too early" to talk about military action against Syria but warned it to stop harboring fugitive Iraqi leaders and sending foreign fighters to battle US and British forces in Iraq.

"That sort of behavior just has to stop," said General Richard Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Asked at a town hall meeting with Pentagon employees about the potential for conflict with Syria, Myers said: "In terms of the future, that'll be up to the president, and probably in consultation with our allies and friends. It's way too early to talk about that, in my view."

He made clear, however, that the United States would not brook troublemaking in Iraq by Syria or any other neighboring country.

"We know that Syria is harboring some of the senior regime leadership, at least their families, probably some of the senior members. We know that," he said.

"We have good evidence that they sent in jihadists to help fight against the coalition. They sent in equipment," he said.

SPACE.WIRE