Bush Threatens Syria with New Pressure Over Iraq

[leftchick]

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=politicsNews&storyID=7142229

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Bush on Monday threatened Syria with new diplomatic or economic measures to pressure the country over its suspected interference in Iraqi politics.
"We have sent messages to the Syrians in the past and we will continue to do so. We have tools at our disposal -- a variety of tools, ranging from diplomatic tools to economic pressure. Nothing's taken off the table," Bush told a news conference.

The new threat comes less than a week after Bush demanded that Syria and Iran stop insurgents and money from entering Iraq ahead of next month's elections.

Iraq's interim defense minister has also accused those countries of working with the network of al Qaeda Islamist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in Iraq.

"When I said the other day that I expect these countries to honor the political process in Iraq without meddling, I meant it. And hopefully those governments heard what I said," Bush said.