Calling Syria to Account

With Condoleezza Rice in the Middle East to promote democracy, let's hope she uses her enhanced megaphone to demand that Syria get out of Lebanon entirely and stop assassinating patriotic Lebanese, whatever their religion. Today's assassination George Hawi, by car bomb, is only the latest in a string of killings targeting prominent Lebanese who are vocal in their opposition to Syrian control of their native land. Among others murdered by Syrians, or their paid henchmen, are Samir Kassir, an anti-Syrian journalist killed earlier this month, and of course former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, whose murder in February set off the popular revolt against Syrian rule.

Coupled with Syria's well-known role in sheltering terrorists who attack Iraqis and Americans, their continued efforts to block the development of an independent Lebanon is an outrage. Syria's Assad should be put on notice, and quickly, that further efforts to kill Americans and destabilize the region will not be tolerated. His corrupt regime, founded by his father (for whom Jimmy Carter had great affection), has bankrupted his country, oppressed his people, and is now a proven international menace. The President, I hope, will speak out against this kind of behavior and serve notice that political reform, well under way in Syria's neighbors, is long overdue in Syria itself.