November 4, 1998 Today I went to the Syrian Embassy. I quietly sat down on a stoop outside the gate of the embassy with my sign that read, HUNGER STRIKE -DAY 20...American Child Held In Syria! Within a few minutes a man opened the door of the embassy and told me to go across the street and get away. He saw a reporter and yelled at him and told him not to take pictures. The reporter was standing in the road at the time. The reporter told the guy, "This is America!". Within a few minutes, the police arrived...actually, there were 2 police cars and a van. I sat quietly as they approached me. They were very polite and read my sign. They asked how long I would be there and I replied, "Until they free my child". With that, one of the officers entered the Syrian embassy to speak with them. He returned after a brief period and told me, "I WILL PROTECT YOUR RIGHT AS A AMERICAN TO SIT HERE......" I wanted to hug this D.C. Cop. It was the first time in the 6 years Nadia has been gone that any official has ever told me they would "Protect my right as an American!'. I wanted to cry with joy! The officer asked me if I needed anything or if I needed medical attention. I told him no. He said if I did, please call. Then they left. I continued to sit quietly on the stoop. Within another 15 minutes, a fire truck, ambulance, 2 secret service guys converged on me! They all wanted to know if I was alright. I said yes. Then, one of them asked if I had called 911. I said no. They looked puzzled and asked a few of the bystanders if they had called, and all replied no. Then, one of the paramedics entered the embassy. He came back a few minutes later. One of the Paramedics said that the Syrian embassy had called in an effort to get rid of me. The emergency personnel left after I confirmed that I was alright. I guess it is harder for Syrians to get rid of people in American than it is in Syria. While embassy property is considered the territory of that country and no one...not even law enforcement has authority to enter the premises without permission of that government, The Syrians apparently thought their territory extended beyond embassy property. Sort of a Saudi mentality, but hardly effective as they lack the money the Saudi's have poured and funneled into the US to do as they please.