UK News 01-11-2001 Bomber Blair Mauled In Syria who: Tony Blair what: Told to stop bombing by president Bashar al-Assad where: Syria when: Yesterday snippet: "Tony Blair`s vision of a new world order in response to the events of 11 September came up against cold political reality yesterday," says The Independent, "when Syria`s President condemned the military strikes on Afghanistan and hailed Palestinian terrorists as freedom fighters." The experience is variously described by today`s newspapers as a "mauling in the Lion`s den" (The Sun), "a public dressing down" (The Telegraph), "a very public rebuff" (The Guardian) and an "ambush" (The Times). "We cannot accept what we see on the screen every day; hundreds of innocent civilians dying," said president Bashar al-Assad in Damascus, insisting: "We did not say we support an international coalition for war. We are always against war." Mr Blair offered an olive branch by once again stating his belief that Palestinians should be entitled to their own independent state. And he tried to emphasise the positive diplomatic moves which have occurred since September 11th. "If any good can come out of the terrible events," he said, "it is an attempt to find new understanding. Let`s at least try." The prime minister "looked distinctly uneasy" during the meeting, says The Guardian`s Patrick Wintour and "was forced to describe their meeting as a `candid discussion`, diplomatic speak for a row". Insiders claimed that Mr Assad`s public speech did not reflect the conciliatory mood of the leaders` private discussion. [... more]

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