Syrian VP: 'We will respond soon enough'

Damascus paper says alleged IAF violation of airspace coordinated between Washington, Tel Aviv."

By AP, JPOST.COM STAFF
IAF jet 298.88 (photo credit: AP [file])
IAF jet 298.88
(photo credit: AP [file])
"Top [Syrian] political and military men are examining a series of potential responses. The results will come soon enough," Syrian Vice President Farouk a-Shara said Saturday evening, referring to the alleged IAF foray into Syrian airspace undertaken, so Syria claims, Wednesday overnight. A-Shara, speaking to the Italian La Republica, revealed no other details, saying the matter was of "top national security." Earlier Saturday, a Syrian government newspaper accused the US of encouraging Israel's reported violation of Syrian airspace by remaining silent on the issue. "This new Israeli hostile operation was carried out in coordination between Washington and Tel Aviv," the Tishrin newspaper said in a front-page editorial. US silence can only be interpreted as an "overt and scandalous encouragement of Israel," it said. Damascus has said that Israeli jets broke the sound barrier flying over northern Syria before dawn Thursday, then "dropped munitions" onto deserted areas after being shot at by Syria's air defenses. It is still unclear exactly what happened, and Syria has stopped short of accusing Israel of purposely bombing its territory. An Israeli spokesman has said he could not comment on military operations. "How could a superpower call for the establishment of peace and send invitations to some countries to convene a peace conference at a time when it maintains silence over a clear violation of the simplest laws and international norms?" Tishrin said in its editorial on Saturday. The newspaper also criticized Arab countries for planning to attend the proposed conference. "How would they go to Bush's conference and how would they justify to their people shaking hands with those who kill Palestinians and Iraqis and threaten the Arabs' future with grave consequences?" it said.