Syria accused of 'hostile act'

2003-03-28 21:13

Washington - US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said on Friday shipments of military equipment have been crossing into Iraq from neighbouring Syria and said the United States would hold Syria's government accountable for the "hostile acts."

Rumsfeld also warned Iran against backing military personnel active inside Iraqi territory during the war, saying such forces would be treated by US-led forces as combatants.

He added that "the entrance into Iraq by military forces, intelligence personnel or proxies not under the direct operational control of (US commander) General (Tommy) Franks will be taken as a potential threat to coalition forces."

Rumsfeld said that "we have information that shipments of military supplies have been crossing the border from Syria into Iraq, including night-vision goggles."

"These deliveries pose a direct threat to the lives of coalition forces. We consider such trafficking as hostile acts, and will hold the Syrian government accountable for such shipments," Rumsfeld said.

Asked whether the United States was threatening military action against Syria, Rumsfeld did not answer directly, saying only that the shipments "vastly complicates" the military operation.

He also declined to answer whether the shipments were state sponsored by Syria. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- Reuters