Iraq's Refugee Crisis Worsens; Syria Is Feeling The Strain Of Huge Influx Of Iraqis

[Purveyor]

(CBS) Every day, thousands of war-weary, frightened, and desperate Iraqis stream across the border into Syria - which, until now, has been one of the few countries that have opened their doors to the refugees.

The wave of exiles has poured into the streets of Damascus. The Iraqi presence is everywhere from the vegetable market to the corner shop to the local baker. One neighborhood is known as "Little Baghdad."

But despite the signs of normalcy, life is anything but for the 1.5 million refugees who live there now.

"It's very hard," says Sybella Wilkes of the U.N. Refugee Agency. "We know for the vast majority, based on our research, their savings are running out. They're living several families to an apartment, and for all of them, if they had a choice, they would go back home."

As is often the case in war, the greatest casualties are the children.

---EOE---

http://www.cbsnews.com:80/stories/2007/09/07/eveningnews/main3243394.shtml

[azurnoir]

1. But but Syria is the bad guy

maybe this is why our government pushes this idea so hard, the US should be ashamed.

[PDJane]

2. Syria is where Riverbend is

at the moment, the Iraqi blogger.

[jaxx]

3. I read her blog on leaving Iraq.

It was very interesting I thought.

[PDJane]

4. She's made another post;

I'm glad to find her alive and well.

[Disturbed]

5. It's part of of plan to destroy Syria. Bankrupt them.

It's called Economic Hit.

[malaise]

6. Bush doesn't give a flying fugg

Meanwhile his sheeple bawl about a few Mexicans crossing the border.