http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=1152609Syria Said Aims to Thwart Iraq Democracy
Iraq Official Tells AP That Syria Is Trying to Thwart Country's Efforts to Establish Democracy
The Associated Press
UNITED NATIONS Sep 23, 2005 — Syria is refusing to stop insurgents and foreign fighters from entering Iraq because it is frightened of efforts to build a democratic nation in the heart of the Middle East and wants them to fail, Iraq's foreign minister says.
Hoshyar Zebari said in an interview Thursday with The Associated Press that Syria isn't alone in trying to thwart Iraq's efforts to establish a democracy but because of its proximity, its refusal to cooperate is having a more devastating impact in lost lives from terrorist attacks.
"It is important that the world should know, really, that Syria is not helping. It's not cooperating, despite the many, many pledges, promises none of that has happened," he said.
With Baghdad expecting insurgents to step up efforts to disrupt the Oct. 15 referendum on a new constitution, Zebari in his speech to the U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday urged Iraq's neighbors, especially Syria, "to root out elements of terror" by tightening border controls.