In a television interview on Friday, Powell said Washington
had not included Syria in its "axis of evil" along with Iran,
North Korea (news - web sites) and Baathist Iraq (news - web sites) but it was concerned about
Syria's policies on "terrorist activity" and mass destruction
weapons.
"They should follow the example of other nations in the
region, especially Libya," he told Britain's Sky News.
Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi (news - web sites), long a sworn enemy of the
West, took a major step in from the cold last month, agreeing
to halt banned arms programs and allow international inspectors
in an attempt to end decades of isolation and sanctions.
But Syrian state radio said in its daily commentary that it
was the United States that had blocked "the proposal Syria
presented to the (U.N.) Security Council to rid the Middle East
of the different weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear
weapons of which Israel possesses more than 100 warheads."
The radio also questioned why Washington did not demand
that Israel abandon its weapons programs, submit to inspections
and sign international arms treaties.
Syria denies it has acquired nuclear, chemical or
biological weapons, but says it has the right to defend itself
against Israel, which is believed to have some 200 nuclear
warheads.
The Jewish state's policy is not to discuss the issue.
Syria used the final days of its membership in the U.N.
Security Council, which ended on Dec 31, to push for a ban on
nuclear, biological and chemical weapons in the Middle East.
But the proposal, which sought to spotlight Israel's
suspected nuclear arms, was cold-shouldered by the United
States and Britain, both permanent members with veto power.
Powell said Libya had come to the conclusion it was
"gaining nothing from developing weapons of mass destruction,
except getting the condemnation of the whole world, being
denied political openness, being denied economic opportunity."
Libya's move came after months of behind-the-scenes
diplomacy by the United States and Britain, which made no
secret of wanting other Middle Eastern states to take the same
steps.
