Bush Visit Ruffles Feathers in Damascus

The Syrian media took angry shots at United States President George Bush for stepping on “occupied land” during his recent visit to the region.



Bush’s visit to the Middle East last week coincided with Israel’s 60th anniversary, which the Syrian media called the anniversary of the occupation of Palestine.



Ezeldeen al-Darwish wrote in the official newspaper Tishreen on May 15 that the timing of the US president’s visit was intended to Arabs and Muslims.



He blamed Bush’s policies for hurting Palestine, Iraq and Lebanon. "Palestine is bleeding and Bush came to dance on its wounds; Iraq is bleeding and Bush promises it more victories; Lebanon is suffering deep political crisis and sectarian dangers,” he wrote. “Bush came to the region to tell his followers, ‘Continue on your way, we are with you.’”



In an article published on May 17, Tishreen said Bush wanted to “celebrate the disaster of 1948 in his own way”. by threatening Iran and Hezbollah while providing Israel with weapons and money.



In an indirect swipe at Saudi Arabia, the government-backed Al-Thawra newspaper implied that those who aligned themselves with the United States did not support their fellow-Arabs.



“The Arabs are divided into a minority who support Arab and Palestinian rights, and others who support the Lady of the Free World [United States] by claiming to be rational and moderate,” said an opinion piece in the newspaper.



Omar Jaftali, a regular commentator for Tishreen, said Bush’s visit and his sharp rebuke of Syria and Iran “astonished and disappointed moderates who had raised their expectations before his visit to the region”.



Jaftali went on to argue that “Syria’s position proved correct” – the Bush administration could not be trusted and would not side with the Arabs or with justice.