Posted on 04/28/2004 6:17:35 PM PDT by yonif
A shootout in a diplomatic quarter of the Syrian capital was nothing but a "charade", US lawmakers said, insisting it was an attempt by Damascus to avoid US sanctions for its support of terror.
Two legislators, the Democratic Representative from New York, Eliot Engel, and Florida Republican Ileana Ros-Lehtinen both urged US President George W Bush to apply immediately a law adopted by Congress and signed by him four months ago to enforce sanctions against Syria.
Damascus is accused of harbouring numerous terrorist organisations, of occupying Lebanon, developing weapons of mass destruction and allowing terrorists to use its border to cross into Iraq to fight US-led coalition forces there.
"The attack Tuesday in Damascus was a charade, one more political manoeuvre by the regime to avoid US sanctions," Ros-Lehtinen said during a press conference to ask the Bush administration to apply the measures without any more delay.
"The UN building was empty... this was staged," said Engel.
"After the attack, the Syrian regime said it won't tolerate terrorism," said Engle but he added: "I am very suspicious because Syria has been supporting terrorist organisations for many years."
Engel said Damascus continued to give shelter to officials with anti-Israeli terrorist groups such as Hizbollah, Hamas, and members of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
Both lawmakers said they failed to understand why the administration had not yet unfurled sanctions, though a number of senior officials have said in the past few weeks the move was imminent.
"We have been more than patient," said Engel, adding: "I demand that the law be implemented now."
The law authorises Bush especially to decree restrictions on exports and US investments in Syria, to reduce US diplomatic presence in Damascus and restrict Syrian diplomats' freedom of movement in the United States.
A building in the Mazzeh district of west Damascus that formerly housed UN offices was set ablaze late on Wednesday and its windows shattered in the attack, which triggered a one-hour gunfight between militants and security forces.
Two militants, a policeman and a woman passer-by were killed in the shootout, according to Syrian officials.
Wow... you mean we actually have representatives with backbones and brains?? Who knew!
I'm mildly impressed with these Congressmen. And that's saying a lot.
I don't recall who exactly, but at least one Freeper called this last night.
A training exercise in propaganda
Having said that, this is the Middle East, and anything can happen.
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