President Bush Signs Syria Sanctions Bill

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WASHINGTON, 14 December 2003 — President George W. Bush late Friday signed a bill aiming to punish Syria for alleged terrorist links and purported efforts to obtain nuclear, biological and chemical weapons. The bill provides for economic and diplomatic sanctions to be imposed on Syria, but also gives Bush the option of waiving penalties.

An eight-member US congressional delegation arrived in Damascus yesterday and met President Bashar Assad for talks about the bill which focused on the need to “conduct a candid, constructive and rational dialogue”, according to the news agency SANA. Syria had earlier responded by saying the new US law was the work of Israel’s friends in Congress.

Congress passed the legislation last month after the administration accused Syria of ignoring US requests to crack down on Palestinian and Lebanese guerilla groups.

The bill bans trade in items that could be used in weapons programs until the administration certifies that Syria is not supporting terrorist groups, has withdrawn 20,000 troops from Lebanon, is not developing unconventional weapons and has secured its border with Iraq.

It also calls for Syria and Lebanon to “enter into serious unconditional bilateral negotiations” with Israel in order to secure “a full and permanent peace.”

In Dubai yesterday, a Syrian minister told Al-Arabiya TV channel the law was passed because Damascus opposed Israeli occupation of Arab land and supported the Palestinian intifada.

“If the United States wants peace in the region, the way to do so is not by criticizing Hezbollah and Syria,” said Expatriates Minister Buthaina Shaaban. “The way to do so is by using its leadership and weight to revive the peace process.”

The bill also restricts US exports and business investment, downgrades US-Syrian diplomatic ties, imposes travel restrictions on Syrian diplomats in the United States, freezes Syria’s assets in the United States, and restricts overflight rights for Syrian aircraft inside US airspace.

DAMASCUS (Reuters) — Syria said on Saturday it wants a frank and constructive dialogue with the United States, a day after US President George W. Bush signed a law that threatens diplomatic and economic sanctions against the Arab state. The official Syrian Arab News Agency said President Bashar Assad's talks with a US Homeland Security Committee delegation led by California Republican Christopher Cox dealt with combating terrorism and the Arab-Israeli peace process.

It said the talks tackled "the necessity for establishing a clear, constructive and reasonable dialogue."

Cox told a news conference after what he said was a very constructive meeting that he was encouraged "that there is a prospect for getting Syrian-US relations back on track."

But he added: "I can't say that I sensed that there was a diplomatic breakthrough today... I can report back from those discussions that the president fully appreciates — which is a different word than agrees with — the American position."

Washington accuses Syria of ignoring its requests to crack down on Palestinian and Lebanese groups and has long included Syria on a list of states that sponsor terrorism.

The bill authorises Bush to bar trade in items that could be used in weapons programmes until the administration certifies that Syria is not supporting terror groups, has withdrawn its military from Lebanon, is not developing unconventional weapons and has secured its border with Iraq.

"Assad expressed his view, which I share, that this legislation can be viewed as a glass half full rather than a glass half empty. Because if these points of disagreement can be worked on and resolved the legislation itself contains an expression of American policy that we want to have expanded relations with Syria," said Cox.

"He (Assad) also went out of his way to be as agreeable as he could with our basic assumptions about fighting terrorism and the importance of working together," he added.

Earlier on Saturday, Syrian officials said the US law was futile and lacked justification.

"Concerning US companies... if they leave Syria it will not have any negative effect. We can continue the work without any effect," Oil Minister Ibrahim Haddad told Reuters in Cairo, though he acknowledged the move could block new US investment.

The state-run radio said implementing the penalties would be "an obstacle in the face of the promotion of Syrian-US ties" and warned that it "might only result in more tensions instead of searching for common factors to achieve stability."

The tough US stance contrasts with that of the European Union, which announced a breakthrough in talks to agree a political and economic cooperation pact earlier this week.

An EU official said the pact allows for dialogue with Syria on terrorism, weapons of mass destruction and human rights.

Syria's Expatriates Minister Buthaina Shaaban, speaking before Bush signed the legislation, said in remarks aired on Saturday that there was no justification for the US bill.

She told Dubai-based Al Arabiya television that the law was passed because of Syria's opposition to Israeli occupation of Arab land and its support for the Palestinian uprising.

AMMAN — The government on Saturday called on the US and Syria to maintain dialogue to end their political tensions.

The urging came one day after US President George W. Bush signed into law a bill providing for economic and diplomatic sanctions against Syria.

Minister of State and Government Spokesperson Asma Khader told The Jordan Times that “we hope the chance is still there to solve any problem between both countries through dialogue.”

Jordan, she added, believes “in dialogue as the only means to end problems between countries and contribute to achieving peace and stability in the Middle East.”

Washington accuses Damascus of ignoring its requests to crack down on Palestinian and Lebanese groups and patrol its border to prevent armed fighters from crossing into Iraq.

But Syria saw the law as punishment for its position against Israeli occupation of Arab territories and the US-led war on Iraq.

Meanwhile, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported that Minister of Interior Samir Habashneh said yesterday Jordan is keen on maintaining strong ties with Syria and believes in settling outstanding issues in a manner that would safeguard bilateral interests. The minister's remarks came at a meeting with Syrian Ambassador to Jordan Abdul Fattah Amoura.