President Bush (news - web sites) waves from Air Force One as he departs Andrews Air Force Base, Md. for Van Buren, Ark., Tuesday, May 11, 2004, where he will promote his 'No Child Left Behind' initiative. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Posted on 05/11/2004 8:26:36 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
WASHINGTON -
President Bush (news - web sites) on Tuesday banned all U.S. exports to Syria except for food and medicine, ordering sanctions after long-standing complaints that the Middle Eastern nation was supporting terrorism and undermining U.S. efforts in Iraq (news - web sites).
The actions of the Syrian government — including pursuing weapons of mass destruction and occupying Lebanon — represent an "extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy and economy of the United States," Bush said in signing an executive order imposing sanctions.
The measures also include a ban on flights to and from the United States; authorization to the Treasury Department (news - web sites) to freeze assets of Syrian nationals and entities involved in terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, occupation of Lebanon or terror in Iraq; and restrictions on banking relations between U.S. banks and the Syrian national bank.
The measures follow complaints by the United States that Syria was supporting militant groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah and failing to stop guerrillas from crossing the border into Iraq.
U.S. exports to Syria totaled $214 million last year, while Syrian exports to the United States amounted to $259 million, much of it fuel oil and other petroleum products.
In Damascus, the Syrian capital, Ahmed Haj Ali, media adviser to the information minister, said the sanctions will have little economic impact. "Their political effects are much bigger than their economic repercussions," he said.
"In the international atmosphere today of open borders and international agreements, it appears that sanctions could cause problems for both sides," Haj Ali told The Associated Press.
He said trade and political negotiations between Syria and the European Union (news - web sites) could be affected by U.S. pressure. The talks already have been delayed for several months because Britain, Germany and the Netherlands are worried about allegations that Syria has obtained weapons of mass destruction.
Haj Ali said Syria remains committed to dialogue with the United States.
"I sincerely hope that the Syrian government will conclude that its interests are best served by joining efforts to build a Middle East that is stable, secure and free from terror and violence," Bush said in a statement.
Bush waived the application of the export ban on aircraft parts for purposes of flight safety and on telecommunications equipment to promote the free flow of information.
Syrian exports to the United States are not banned by the president's order, but State Department officials said American oil companies would be hard-pressed to keep operating in Syria because they would not be able to import equipment from their American factories. Syria is not a major producer, but exploration for oil and natural gas is a priority because its known reserves are running out.
Diplomatic relations with Syria were not severed. One reason, State Department officials said, was to keep the door open to any prospect of Syria participating in Middle East peacemaking.
Trade with Syria already was limited by sanctions imposed because Syria is one of seven countries branded supporters of terror by the State Department. Bush's order will cut even deeper.
At a State Department briefing officials said Syria permitted extremist Palestinian groups such as Hamas to plot attacks on Israel from Damascus.
The sanctions go beyond minimum requirements of the Syria Accountability Act, which Bush signed into law in December. The law provides the basis for the steps Bush took Tuesday.
The president chose not to take other, more drastic action under the Syria Accountability Act, such as economic sanctions that would have barred U.S. companies from doing business in the Middle Eastern country.
The act bars U.S. exports to Syria of dual-use items that could have military applications. It also requires Bush to choose at least two of six possible economic or diplomatic sanctions. From the list, Bush chose the export ban and the prohibition on flights.
"President Bush did everything within his power to send a message through diplomatic channels that Syria should not support groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah, but it has continued to do so," said U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla., chairwoman of the House International Relations Middle East subcommittee.
The United States is sending "a loud and clear message to the leaders of Syria that we will no longer turn a blind eye to their transgressions," said Rep. Eliot Engel, D-N.Y, who co-authored the legislation with Ros-Lehtinen. "The ball is now in Damascus' court."
Syria provided the United States with intelligence on al-Qaida after the Sept. 1, 2001, attacks. Though some U.S. officials have played down the importance of that, the cooperation probably discouraged the administration from imposing sanctions that would have reduced diplomatic contacts.
Despite its criticism of Syria, the Bush administration initially saw the legislation as a restraint on its diplomatic options. Even after a provision was included that enabled Bush to waive any penalties, the president demonstrated his lack of enthusiasm by signing the bill without any fanfare.
President Bush (news - web sites) waves from Air Force One as he departs Andrews Air Force Base, Md. for Van Buren, Ark., Tuesday, May 11, 2004, where he will promote his 'No Child Left Behind' initiative. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Why not just ban all exports? Sending them food and medicine is just giving aid and comfort to the enemy. Let them get food and medicine from France!
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