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AAI Urges Congress to Oppose the Syrian Accountability Act

Posted on Monday October 7, 2002

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Arab American Institute (AAI) urged House leaders, including Speaker Dennis Hastert and Minority Leader Richard Gephardt, to prevent H.R. 4483, the Syrian Accountability Act, from coming to the House floor for a vote. Introduced on April 18 in both the US Senate and House of Representatives, the bill would enact economic and diplomatic sanctions against Syria.

Dr. James Zogby, President of the Arab American Institute (AAI) noted, “Passage of H.R. 4483 would seriously injure U.S.- Syrian diplomatic relations making it more difficult to fight the war on terrorism. At a time when the Administration is working to strengthen our relationships in the region, this legislation sends the wrong message.”

If passed, the bill would require the U.S. president to:

*Prohibit assistance to U.S. businesses seeking to do business in Syria

*Impose two or more of the following sanctions:

(a) Prohibit the export of U.S. products other than food and medicine to Syria;
(b) Prohibit U.S. businesses from investing or operating in Syria;
(c) Restrict travel of Syrian diplomats to within 25 miles of Washington, DC or the UN headquarters;
(d) Reduce U.S. diplomatic contacts with Syria;
(e) Block transactions in any property in which the Government of Syria has any interest.

AAI also sent the letter to House Majority Leader Richard Armey (R-TX) and Congressmen Nick Rahall (D-WV) and Darrell Issa (CA-R).

The text of the letter is as follows:

I am writing to urge you not to bring H.R. 4483, the Syrian Accountability Act, up for a vote on the House floor. The Bush Administration opposes this legislation because it will hinder their flexibility in dealing with Syria on a range of issues from the war on terrorism to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

I strongly support the Bush Administration’s position on the Syrian Accountability Act, which recognizes the need for a balanced policy in the region that fosters communication and cooperation with countries we need as allies in the war on terrorism. The Syrian Government has cooperated in the War on terrorism and, as such, has saved American lives.

I again urge you not to pass one-sided legislation like the Syrian Accountability Act that will only serve to close doors for the administration and for the United States. Legislation should, rather, provide avenues towards the promotion of security, peace and stability throughout the Middle East.