Preface:
Threats to Israel emanate not only from the Palestinians. Syria stations thousands of troops on Israel’s northern border, harbors and supports numerous terrorist groups, and controls Lebanon with an occupation force of 25,000 soldiers.
It remains a serious destabilizing factor in the region. I, therefore, recently introduced the bipartisan Syria Accountability Act of 2002, along with the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, to penalize Damascus for its behavior.
Until Syria halts support for terrorism, withdraws from Lebanon (as Israel has already done), ends development of weapons of mass destruction, and stops violating the oil sanctions against Iraq, the United States must restrict its relationship with the Syrian regime
Statement:
Successive administrations have tried to engage Syria through diplomacy and a variety of carrots and sticks, and have been largely unsuccessful. Along with the Majority Leader of the House, I have introduced legislation to provide new tools to hold Syria accountable for its destabilizing policies.
I agree with the President's comments of September 20, 2002, "every nation, in every region, now has a decision to make. . .either you are with us or you are with the terrorists."
Unfortunately, numerous terrorist groups, including Hizballah and Hamas, maintain offices or training camps in Syria or areas of Syrian-occupied Lebanon. Syria, which sits prominently on the State Department's terrorism list, is in clear violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1373 which directs all states to "refrain from providing any form of support" for terrorists. And, just as the Israeli - Palestinian situation was reaching a crisis, Syria unleashed Hizballah and other groups to attack Israeli troops and Israeli civilians in northern Israel.
Not only does Syria undermine regional stability by harboring terrorist groups. Its 25,000-strong occupation force has denied Lebanon its internationally-guaranteed sovereignty and political independence. As called for in UN Security Council Resolution 520, it is time that Lebanon is run by the Lebanese, not the Assad regime in Damascus.
I am also deeply concerned about Syrian efforts to field chemical and biological weapons and its development of longer range ballistic missiles. As President Bush affirmed in his State of the Union address earlier this year, America must strive "to deny terrorists and their state sponsors the materials, technology, and expertise to make and deliver weapons of mass destruction."
Finally, UN oil sanctions on Iraq were designed to ensure that the proceeds of Iraqi oil sales will not be used to enrich Saddam Hussein's regime, but will be used to help the Iraqi people. By permitting illegal transshipments of Iraqi oil through Syria, Damascus is providing hard currency flow for Saddam's coffers, giving him the means to perpetuate his rule.
My legislation, the Syria Accountability Act of 2002, imposes a variety of penalties upon Damascus until Syria ends support for terrorism, withdraws from Lebanon, stops developing weapons of mass destruction, and halts violations of the UN oil sanctions against Iraq.
It is time to send a message to Damascus that the time has come for Syria to rejoin the family of responsible nations. With a large, bipartisan list of cosponsors in the House of Representatives and a similar bill in the Senate, it is my hope that the Syria Accountability Act of 2002 will become law later this year.