about withdrawing from Lebanon. This transcript was from an audio tape made secretly by the US military ataché to Syria.

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USA: Your Excellency President Assad, I want to thank you very much for meeting with me.

Assad: The representative of United States is always welcome here.

USA: I would like to discuss the withdrawal from Lebanon that you are going to announce next week.

Assad: There is no such announcement of withdrawal from Lebanon planned.

USA: You know, Your Excellency, I have enjoyed myself on my tour of your Presidential Palace. It is a truly beautiful building built with meticulous workmanship. It would be a terrible shame if something bad were to happen to it, like being accidently hit by a stray cruise missile of ours.

Assad: Oh, you mean that announcement of withdrawal from Lebanon.

USA: I thought that I might just jog your memory on the subject. Goodbye, You Excellency.