Close X
Thursday, November 14, 2024
ADVT 
International

First Hindu Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard Says She Met Assad On Syria Trip

IANS, 26 Jan, 2017 11:54 AM
    The first Hindu elected to the Congress, Hawaiian Democrat Tulsi Gabbard, has said that she met Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during a secret, "fact-finding" trip to Syria and Lebanon.
     
    Gabbard's office said in a press release on Wednesday that the army veteran met Assad as well as Lebanon's newly-elected President Michel Aoun and Prime Minister Saad Hariri during a trip earlier this month.
     
    "When the opportunity arose to meet with him, I did so because I felt that it's important that if we profess to truly care about the Syrian people, about their suffering, then we've got to be able to meet with anyone that we need to if there is a possibility that we can achieve peace," the Hawaiian congresswoman said in a statement.
     
    Gabbard said there is no possibility for a viable peace agreement in Syria unless Assad is part of the conversation. "Whatever you think about President Assad, the fact is that he is the President of Syria," Gabbard told CNN.
     
    Her office provided photos and video of the congresswoman on her trip, but none of the alleged meeting with Assad, reported ABC News.
     
    Gabbard said that her trip further convinced her that the US should stop aiding any rebels fighting against Assad in the war-torn country. She called the rebel groups "terrorists".
     
     
    "The US must stop supporting terrorists who are destroying Syria and her people. The US and other countries fuelling this war must stop immediately. We must allow the Syrian people to try to recover from this terrible war," she said in her statement.
     
    "We must end our war to overthrow the Syrian government and focus our attention on defeating Al Qaeda and ISIS," she said.
     
    Gabbard's visit came two months after she sat down with President-elect Donald Trump to discuss foreign policy.
     
    Gabbard said that in addition to Assad, she met a long list of people, including opposition leaders and refugees. 
     
    "My visit to Syria has made it abundantly clear: Our counterproductive regime change war does not serve America's interest, and it certainly isn't in the interest of the Syrian people," Gabbard said. 
     
    "I return to Washington, DC, with even greater resolve to end our illegal war to overthrow the Syrian government. I call upon Congress and the new administration to answer the pleas of the Syrian people immediately and support the Stop Arming Terrorists Act."
     
    Gabbard's spokeswoman, Emily Latimer, previously declined to say whether Gabbard had met Assad during her Syria trip.

    MORE International ARTICLES

    Mexican Town Fears Nightclub Shooting Means Drug War Has Come

    Mexican Town Fears Nightclub Shooting Means Drug War Has Come
    Concerns that violence may be creeping into Playa del Carmen were voiced as people attended a Monday evening vigil in front of the Blue Parrot nightclub, where five people died and 15 were wounded or injured in the chaos before dawn.

    Mexican Town Fears Nightclub Shooting Means Drug War Has Come

    Trudeau Affirms Support Of NATO After Trump Brands Alliance Obsolete

    Trudeau Affirms Support Of NATO After Trump Brands Alliance Obsolete
    OTTAWA — Justin Trudeau has affirmed Canada's support of NATO, days after president-elect Donald Trump's pronouncement that the military alliance is obsolete.

    Trudeau Affirms Support Of NATO After Trump Brands Alliance Obsolete

    Donald Trump Could Be The First US President In 150 Years Without A Pet

    Donald Trump Could Be The First US President In 150 Years Without A Pet
    With Mr Trump's inauguration on January 20, many are left wondering if his family will have a pet residing with them at the White House. If not, he could be the first president in 150 years without a pet.

    Donald Trump Could Be The First US President In 150 Years Without A Pet

    Sikh Boy In Australia Denied Enrolment In School For Wearing Turban

    Sikh Boy In Australia Denied Enrolment In School For Wearing Turban
    Australia is home to more than 72,000 Sikhs, a population that is expected to rise in this year’s census.

    Sikh Boy In Australia Denied Enrolment In School For Wearing Turban

    Don't Be Flippant With Indian Symbols, Amazon Told

    Don't Be Flippant With Indian Symbols, Amazon Told
    "Amazon, better behave. Desist from being flippant about Indian symbols & icons. Indifference will be at your own peril," Das said in a tweet.

    Don't Be Flippant With Indian Symbols, Amazon Told

    Indian American Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal Not To Attend Trump's Inaugration

    Indian American Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal Not To Attend Trump's Inaugration
    Instead, the Seattle Representative would be taking part in other events in her area. 

    Indian American Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal Not To Attend Trump's Inaugration