U.S. Suspends Operations of Syrian Embassy, Missions
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
The United States on Tuesday officially told Syria to suspend its embassy operations in Washington and ordered its diplomats to leave the country if they were not U.S. citizens.
Washington also notified Damascus that it would no longer be able to operate its two consulates in Troy, Michigan, and Houston, Texas, after the embassy said that it would no longer be providing any consular services.
A message from the new U.S. special envoy to Syria, Daniel Rubinstein, said Washington had "determined it is unacceptable for individuals appointed by" the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad "to conduct diplomatic or consular operations in the United States."
The Syrian embassy in the U.S. capital had been operating for some time without an ambassador and with only a few low level staff who had been providing limited consular services.
Rubinstein insisted however that "despite the differences between our governments, the United States continues to maintain diplomatic relations with the state of Syria as an expression of our longstanding ties with the Syrian people, an interest that will endure long after Bashar Assad leaves power. "
A message on the embassy website Tuesday said: "Please Note that Embassy of Syria would not be able to proceed any consular services starting Tuesday March 18, 2014. Thank you for understanding."
Washington also said Syrian diplomats at the embassy who were not U.S. citizens or permanent residents were no longer allowed to work in the United States and must leave the country.
The statement did not address the issue of the Syrian mission to the United Nations based in New York.
18 March 2014, 19:16
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Rubinstein insisted however that "despite the differences between our governments, the United States continues to maintain diplomatic relations with the state of Syria as an expression of our longstanding ties with the Syrian people, an interest that will endure long after Bashar Assad leaves power. "
what a bunch of hypocrites! Not one casualty in the Ukraine so far, and you have turned the world upside down. All the injustice, massacres, and use of chemical weapons have not moved you to stop the holocaust of modern day Syria. Shame Shame Shame
18 March 2014, 19:30
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@popeye: here in the USA, people don't care and don't want to care about what's happening in your part of the world. Sarah Palin in an interview on NBC when asked whether the USA should intervene in Syria answered " Why should we, let them kill each other while shouting Allah Akbar at each other". In contrast to the Ukraine crisis (if it can be so described), U.S immigration 2 days ago eased entry and immigration requirements for Ukranian nationals. They are white and beautiful:) Hope that helps
18 March 2014, 19:51
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@popeye: I want to add a few things about the USA. People criticize Obama for lack of backbone, etc. which is largely true. However, one needs to understand that historically Democrats tend to lack focus on foreign policy matters as opposed to Republicans who have a much better foreign policy strategy team. Democrats focus inwards on local american issues. This might help explain why the USA is suffering numerous setbacks on the world scene such as Ukraine and Syria to name a few.
18 March 2014, 20:13
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@anony:
I just read your comments on the other article. You are assuming that because the "new" Ukraine will be pro US/EU, russian flow of gas into europe might be at risk. This my friend will never happen. The EU will come down on their knees so quickly it is not even funny. The EU has no alternative to the russian gas resources. The US supplies are not even an option for obvious geographical considerations. Nice analysis on your part nevertheless. I enjoyed reading it.
18 March 2014, 20:35
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The keyword here is "Eventually". For now, they (EU) are at the mercy of Russia when it comes to natural gas. Ukraine might have the valve but the pump is located in Russia. Ukraine will freeze in one hour if that happens. They way I see it is Russian Federation 2 USA 0. I don't like it myself, but these are the facts as I see them.
18 March 2014, 20:48
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anony:
Any imbalance in the stays quo in favor of either party is considered a score on the world stage. Syria is a score for russia so is ukraine.
18 March 2014, 21:00
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just reminded me of a saying my grandmother (on my mother's side) used to say :"Never buy your water from your neighbor, because you will die of thirst before he dies of starvation". She was a witty one... miss her dearly! I guess her saying applies to the EU versus Russia in this case.
18 March 2014, 21:07
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that is why it is a game and many rounds yet to come.... so far the score is as such.... bye!
18 March 2014, 21:48
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Yes, currently Arabs are more violent than Europeans/Americans.
Historically though, even recent history, Arabs were relatively peaceful as compared to Europe. WW1 and WWII are the most recent examples, but you also have the Napoleonic wars, the Hundred Years War, and slavery. To use history to justify current Arab "backwardness" is incorrect. It has more to do with modern socioeconomic conditions, combined with relatively recent historical developments such as colonisation (or "mandates").
18 March 2014, 19:35
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Robinstein is a fanatic American Jew. No. 2, this American attitude is very hostile. It is a known fact that the US is behind what is going on in Syria.
18 March 2014, 23:47
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You must be joking ice-man. Republicans are better in foreign policy? Give me a break. The disasters of Iraq , Afghanistan and the turmoil in the Arab world is the result of WAR MONGER Republicans.
You must be reading TEA Party publications and watching only FOX NEWS.
Wake up Ya walad .( little boy )
19 March 2014, 11:54
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The new U.S. special envoy to Syria, Daniel Rubinstein...go home Jew. Oh sorry what home...Jews don't have a home. Hence why they want Israel to be a Jewish State. Friggin' Christ killers are the tools of the devil.
