U.S. hits Syria with sanctions

[conjur]

http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/meast/05/11/us.syria/

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The United States has placed tough sanctions on Syria, charging Damascus with supporting terrorist groups.

Labeling Syria "an unusual and extraordinary threat" President George W. Bush has prohibited the export of U.S. products other than food and medicine to Damascus. It also prohibits flights between the two countries.

The sanctions also sever banking relations with the Commercial Bank of Syria, freeze assets of Syrians and Syrian entities suspected of involvement terrorism or WMD development, Reuters reported.

"The Syrian government must understand that its conduct alone will determine the duration of the sanctions," Bush said in a statement that promised a positive U.S. response to constructive actions by Damascus.

Syria has dismissed the move, saying it would damage U.S. interests in the region.

Washington maintains that Syria sponsors terrorism, is developing unconventional weapons, and has failed to stop anti-American fighters from crossing into Iraq.

The United States also accuses Syria of occupying Lebanon.

The sanctions fall under the Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act, passed by Congress in November and signed by Bush in December to punish the Damascus government.

Syria was placed on a list of state sponsors of terrorism when the list was created in 1979.

Trade between Syria and the U.S. was already limited by earlier sanctions.

The United States imposed additional administrative sanctions against Syria in 1986, citing evidence of direct Syrian involvement in an attempt to blow up an Israeli airplane.

Not among the sanctions was an expected curb on future investments by U.S. energy companies, who constitute the only major American corporate presence in Syria, Reuters reported.

A specific ban on U.S. businesses investing or operating in Syria had been among a menu of sanctions covered by the 2003 act.

Some supporters of the sanctions, however, said some measures were little more than symbolic, given Washington's arms-length economic and political relationship with Damascus.

"Some of these may not have a strong economic impact, but it certainly has a diplomatic and symbolic impact," Reuters reported Republican Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida as saying.

Ros-Lehtinen had been among lawmakers critical of the Bush administration for not moving faster to implement penalties under the Syria accountability act.

 

[Zephyr106]

Originally posted by: conjur
http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/meast/05/11/us.syria/

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The United States has placed tough sanctions on Syria, charging Damascus with supporting terrorist groups.

Labeling Syria "an unusual and extraordinary threat" President George W. Bush has prohibited the export of U.S. products other than food and medicine to Damascus. It also prohibits flights between the two countries.

The sanctions also sever banking relations with the Commercial Bank of Syria, freeze assets of Syrians and Syrian entities suspected of involvement terrorism or WMD development, Reuters reported.

"The Syrian government must understand that its conduct alone will determine the duration of the sanctions," Bush said in a statement that promised a positive U.S. response to constructive actions by Damascus.

Syria has dismissed the move, saying it would damage U.S. interests in the region.

Washington maintains that Syria sponsors terrorism, is developing unconventional weapons, and has failed to stop anti-American fighters from crossing into Iraq.

The United States also accuses Syria of occupying Lebanon.

The sanctions fall under the Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act, passed by Congress in November and signed by Bush in December to punish the Damascus government.

Syria was placed on a list of state sponsors of terrorism when the list was created in 1979.

Trade between Syria and the U.S. was already limited by earlier sanctions.

The United States imposed additional administrative sanctions against Syria in 1986, citing evidence of direct Syrian involvement in an attempt to blow up an Israeli airplane.

Not among the sanctions was an expected curb on future investments by U.S. energy companies, who constitute the only major American corporate presence in Syria, Reuters reported.

A specific ban on U.S. businesses investing or operating in Syria had been among a menu of sanctions covered by the 2003 act.

Some supporters of the sanctions, however, said some measures were little more than symbolic, given Washington's arms-length economic and political relationship with Damascus.

"Some of these may not have a strong economic impact, but it certainly has a diplomatic and symbolic impact," Reuters reported Republican Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida as saying.

Ros-Lehtinen had been among lawmakers critical of the Bush administration for not moving faster to implement penalties under the Syria accountability act.

Don't you know? That's where we have outsourced some of our interrogation and torture of militant evil Muslims. They skirt the fence between "trusted torture contractor," and "next in line for invasion."

Zephyr

 

[wnied]

"next in line for invasion."

Wrong

That title sir, is currently held by IRAN.

~wnied~

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: wnied
"next in line for invasion."

Wrong

That title sir, is currently held by IRAN.

~wnied~

i'd much rather just let iran simmer itself, it'll pop soon enough.

 

[earthman]

Even Rumsfeld won't touch that one. Iran is three times the size or Iraq and has their stuff much more together. I don't think he'll try it.

 

[conjur]

Going into Iran would be a huge mistake. We have a prime opportunity to work out a democracy from within there.

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=52&threadid=1304573&highlight_key=y&keyword1=irani

 

[Passions]

Syria is holding all of Iraq's WMD's. But I wouldn't call for an invasion. Sanctions sounds like a safer choice.

 

[JackStorm]

Originally posted by: wnied
"next in line for invasion."

Wrong

That title sir, is currently held by IRAN.

~wnied~

There's no point in going into Iran, that country will slowly but surely turn into a democratic (Or something similar) nation from within, once the old farts who hold power start to die off or lose power. Will take some time (15-30 years) but once the younger generation starts to move into positions of power things will start to look a lot better over there.

Personally, I think the CIA has done a great job westernizing Iran's younger generation (sorry, couldn't help myself )and going into Iran now would just make things worce.

 

[conjur]

Originally posted by: Passions
Syria is holding all of Iraq's WMD's. But I wouldn't call for an invasion. Sanctions sounds like a safer choice.

Proof that Syria has all of Iraq's WMDs, please.

 

[Ldir]

Originally posted by: conjur

Originally posted by: Passions
Syria is holding all of Iraq's WMD's. But I wouldn't call for an invasion. Sanctions sounds like a safer choice.

Proof that Syria has all of Iraq's WMDs, please.

Syria is a uniquely urgent threat. There is no doubt Syria has amassed stockpiles of WMDs. We have satellite photos showing fire trucks. Those fire trucks have no other possible use except WMD decontamination. Every country in the world knows Syria has WMDs. You are either with us or you support terrorism.

Do you think Dubya will invade before November?

 

[HardWarrior]

Originally posted by: conjur

Originally posted by: Passions
Syria is holding all of Iraq's WMD's. But I wouldn't call for an invasion. Sanctions sounds like a safer choice.

Proof that Syria has all of Iraq's WMDs, please.

Rumsfeld told him.

 

[syzygy]

Originally posted by: conjur

Originally posted by: Passions
Syria is holding all of Iraq's WMD's. But I wouldn't call for an invasion. Sanctions sounds like a safer choice.

Proof that Syria has all of Iraq's WMDs, please.

u.k. telegraph news story of dr. kay's remarks on syria

[dr. kay] said that he had uncovered evidence that unspecified materials had been moved to Syria shortly before last year's war to overthrow Saddam.

http://wwwc.house.gov/gibbons/intelligence_wmd.htm">excerpts from dr. kay's congressional testimony</a>[/L]

WMD Material Possibly Moved to Syria ? ?Dr Kay?said that he had uncovered evidence that unspecified materials had been moved to Syria shortly before last year's war to overthrow Saddam. [Kay:] ?we know from some of the interrogations of former Iraqi officials that a lot of material went to Syria before the war, including some components of Saddam's WMD program. Precisely what went to Syria, and what has happened to it, is a major issue that needs to be resolved.?? (?Saddam?s WMD hidden in Syria, says coalition's chief weapons investigator? by Con Coughlin, the Telegraph (UK), 1/25/04)

Iraq Was Working on Missiles that Could Target Southern Europe ? ?They [the Iraq Survey Group] found evidence that the Iraqis were working to develop a missile capable of hitting targets in southern Europe, and were carrying out research on VX nerve agent to make it more effective.? (?Saddam?s WMD hidden in Syria, says coalition's chief weapons investigator,? by Con Coughlin, The Telegraph (UK), 1/25/04)

fox news pdf - lists unaccounted wmd among progress achievements rebuidling iraqi infrastructure

this is a telling list of unaccounted wmd munitions declared by iraq, or uncovered in documents
by inspectors, but whose current whereabouts have never been documented, including german
materiel for nuclear weapons. i suppose this may have contributed to the german intelligence's
(bnd) unparalleled assessment of iraq nuclear capability being a few years off rather than 5 to
10 (or more) as estimated by other international intellgience services.

 

[Jhhnn]

Invasion list? Of course Syria is next. They've been making friendly noises for quite awhile now, only to be rebuffed by the Bush Admin.

Heck, they even did Bush's dirtywork on Arar, the Canadian citizen we deported to Syria... But they turned the guy loose...

Probably find some way to create a border incident with our troops in Iraq, see if he can have us at war for the election... Syria is the last hostile state within striking distance of Israel, right? None of this has anything to do with the strong Likud influence and sympathy among the Neocons, does it? Or with the tail wagging the dog?

Even if he can't win re-election, he can stick us tighter to the ol' tarbaby... live up to our "commitment" to our "friends" running Israel...

 

[Bowmaster]

Sorry, anyone who links to Fox News and expects us to believe that it is true has just lost all credibility...

 

[Fingolfin269]

Originally posted by: Bowmaster
Sorry, anyone who links to Fox News and expects us to believe that it is true has just lost all credibility...

Right, because Fox News flat out lies. However, had it been a link to ABC then it would have been okay. Or possibly even a link to moveon.org because anything they write is the Truth.

 

[NumbersGuy]

"an unusual and extraordinary threat" -- > invade, learn them democrazy the hard way

Syria is holding all of Iraq's WMD's
Proof that Syria has all of Iraq's WMDs, please.
Rumsfeld told him.
The Israelis told him

Why not attack Granada again, say in October? Why, because Osama is hiding there!
Then bring him out &amp; show him early November.

 

[conjur]

Originally posted by: syzygy

Originally posted by: conjur

Originally posted by: Passions
Syria is holding all of Iraq's WMD's. But I wouldn't call for an invasion. Sanctions sounds like a safer choice.

Proof that Syria has all of Iraq's WMDs, please.

u.k. telegraph news story of dr. kay's remarks on syria

[dr. kay] said that he had uncovered evidence that unspecified materials had been moved to Syria shortly before last year's war to overthrow Saddam.

<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://wwwc.house.gov/gibbons/intelligence_wmd.htm">http://wwwc.house.gov/gibbons/intelligence_wmd.htm">excerpts from dr. kay's congressional testimony</a>[/L]

WMD Material Possibly Moved to Syria ? ?Dr Kay?said that he had uncovered evidence that unspecified materials had been moved to Syria shortly before last year's war to overthrow Saddam. [Kay:] ?we know from some of the interrogations of former Iraqi officials that a lot of material went to Syria before the war, including some components of Saddam's WMD program. Precisely what went to Syria, and what has happened to it, is a major issue that needs to be resolved.?? (?Saddam?s WMD hidden in Syria, says coalition's chief weapons investigator? by Con Coughlin, the Telegraph (UK), 1/25/04)

Iraq Was Working on Missiles that Could Target Southern Europe ? ?They [the Iraq Survey Group] found evidence that the Iraqis were working to develop a missile capable of hitting targets in southern Europe, and were carrying out research on VX nerve agent to make it more effective.? (?Saddam?s WMD hidden in Syria, says coalition's chief weapons investigator,? by Con Coughlin, The Telegraph (UK), 1/25/04)

fox news pdf - lists unaccounted wmd among progress achievements rebuidling iraqi infrastructure

this is a telling list of unaccounted wmd munitions declared by iraq, or uncovered in documents
by inspectors, but whose current whereabouts have never been documented, including german
materiel for nuclear weapons. i suppose this may have contributed to the german intelligence's
(bnd) unparalleled assessment of iraq nuclear capability being a few years off rather than 5 to
10 (or more) as estimated by other international intellgience services.

That's all conjecture and nothing positive. IOW, it's not proof.

Try again.

 

[HardWarrior]

Yeah, and what happened to those sat photos of Iraq's WMD(tm)? What did that fossil Rumsfeld say: "We know they're there. They're north, south, east and west of Bahgdad!"

 

[cumhail]

Originally posted by: HardWarrior
Yeah, and what happened to those sat photos of Iraq's WMD(tm)? What did that fossil Rumsfeld say: "We know they're there. They're north, south, east and west of Bahgdad!"

Stop being silly... Would we ever invade another country on the grounds of their possessing WMD's unless we were 100% that such accusations were true?!?!

cumhail

 

[lozina]

Originally posted by: syzygy
[Kay:] ?we know from some of the interrogations of former Iraqi officials that a lot of material went to Syria before the war, including some components of Saddam's WMD program. Precisely what went to Syria, and what has happened to it, is a major issue that needs to be resolved.??

so we have some conjecture based on an interrogation and you consider that 'evidence' ?

My friend, perhaps you do not remember the Korean war, so I will refresh your memory a bit- what people say under interrogation is worthless- otherwise you should believe that American pilots used biological weapons of mass destruction on North Korea in the 1950s- hey, the pilots were taped by North Korean interrogators confessing to this!

 

[lozina]

Originally posted by: conjur

Washington maintains that Syria sponsors terrorism, is developing unconventional weapons, and has failed to stop anti-American fighters from crossing into Iraq.

heh, 'unconventional' weapons. Guess they wised up and stopped short of using the all-purpose WMD. Whats the problem with 'unconventional' weapons, we develop cluster bombs, use uranium tipped ammunitions- those are considered 'unconventional'.

The United States also accuses Syria of occupying Lebanon.

Who will put sanctions on us for occupying Iraq? Or Israel for occupying Palestinian territory?

 

[HardWarrior]

Originally posted by: cumhail

Originally posted by: HardWarrior
Yeah, and what happened to those sat photos of Iraq's WMD(tm)? What did that fossil Rumsfeld say: "We know they're there. They're north, south, east and west of Bahgdad!"

Stop being silly... Would we ever invade another country on the grounds of their possessing WMD's unless we were 100% that such accusations were true?!?!

cumhail

Me? No. I'd accept the fact that other nations have the inherent right to own weapons for their own defense. Maybe I am silly. :brokenheart:

 

[TravisT]

conjur,

You are confusing and seem to like to argue more than anything else. A couple of questions for you, had we known prior to 9/11 that there was significant evidence, what would you have suggested doing to prevent it from happening?

And, we obviously have evidence that Syria has the WMD's, we have evidence that they are harboring terrorists, what would it take for you to suggest that we rid the country of these types as we're doing in Afghanistan and Iraq right now?

 

[HardWarrior]

Originally posted by: TravisT
conjur,

You are confusing and seem to like to argue more than anything else. A couple of questions for you, had we known prior to 9/11 that there was significant evidence, what would you have suggested doing to prevent it from happening?

And, we obviously have evidence that Syria has the WMD's, we have evidence that they are harboring terrorists, what would it take for you to suggest that we rid the country of these types as we're doing in Afghanistan and Iraq right now?

Well, you ARE confused and obviously very easy to play for a fool multiple times. Syria has correctly stated that it has the right as a sovereign nation to research, build and maintain whatever weapons it chooses, even IF Israel doesn't like it. Considering how the US treats countries that have the ability to fight back, this makes perfect sense.

Lame question 1: Hunt down those responsible and bring them before the bar of justice, in full accordance with international law. Going after the situation in THIS fashion would have kept the world on our side, like bombing cilvilians and nation-building hasn't.

Lame question 2: "Terrorists!!!(tm)" are enterering Iraq from EVERY direction. Including borders belonging to our supposed friends. Why is Syria the only country that's ever mentioned in this regard? Didn't some general say at some point recently that there were very few, if any, cross-border encurisons from Syria? ALSO, didn't Syria suggest that the US patrol the Iraqi side of the border since we control it anyway??? Take those conservative-colored blinders off, this crap is just the run-up for some future attack on Syria. In other words, more expensive, hyper-destructive neocon BS.

Statement of fact: Using 9/11 as an excuse to "remake" the Arab world SHOULD get your boy Bush, and his coven of shadow freaks, impeached and jailed.

 

[conjur]

Originally posted by: TravisT
conjur,

You are confusing and seem to like to argue more than anything else. A couple of questions for you, had we known prior to 9/11 that there was significant evidence, what would you have suggested doing to prevent it from happening?

Uhhh...bring to justice those involved? Is this like a trick question or something?

BTW, we did have pretty good evidence before 9/11 as to what was going to happen. Trouble is, the FBI, CIA, and the administration didn't communicate very well and we missed the chance to stop it. Or, perhaps, you missed that thing that was in the news recently. It dealt with some pretty important people testifying before an independent, bi-partisan commission.

And, we obviously have evidence that Syria has the WMD's, we have evidence that they are harboring terrorists, what would it take for you to suggest that we rid the country of these types as we're doing in Afghanistan and Iraq right now?

We have evidence that Syria has the WMDs? Oh, really? Care to share the information that has somehow managed to slip past the entire intelligence community and the current administration?

As for getting rid of them, sanctions are but an initial step. It is time to to apply intense pressure across the entire Arab community to root terrorists out into the open. But, that's not going to fully happen until we stop our unabashed support of Israel and its illegal occupation of the Gaza Strip. And Bush's romp thru the sand in Iraq hasn't helped matters much either (and now the prisoner abuse photos.) We sure are racking up all kinds of brownie points in the Arab community. Go Bush!!

:roll: