A Syrian government newspaper, the Syria Times, on Monday argued that any "world strategy" to fight terrorism should draw a clear line separating "terrorists" from "freedom fighters."
The devastating September 11 attacks in New York and Washington "should urge the international community to exert more efforts to work out a world anti-terrorism strategy, and such a strategy should be clear and objective," wrote the newspaper.
"There must be a clear-cut line separating international terrorism which targets innocent people and the legitimate national struggle being waged by freedom fighters in the world against the forces of occupation and oppression," it added.
Syria Times placed on equal footing the bloody attacks in the United States and those carried out by Israel against the Palestinians, saying "terror attacks are terror attacks, whether in New York or the West Bank."
It charged Israel with "exploiting" America's anger by "killing more and terrorizing more Arabs," in order to "stop their legitimate struggle for freedom."
The comment came as US Secretary of State Colin Powell on Sunday said he saw an opening for improved ties with Iran and Syria after the two countries condemned the strikes on the United States and called for anti-terrorism cooperation.
"Let's see whether there is an opportunity here to work together on the elimination of terrorism as a cause of violence in the Middle East and everywhere else around the world," Powell said, speaking about Syria.
Syria is on the US State Department's list of countries accused of backing terrorism. It rejects the accusation, saying the Palestinian organizations it harbors, and the Lebanese Hezbollah which it supports, are resisting Israeli occupation -- DAMASCUS (AFP)
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