2013 Briefing Book - Print Version - Aipac

SYRIA-LEBANON
What Congress Has Done to Change Syrian Behavior
Passed Tough Sanctions on Damascus for Interfering in Lebanon and Pursuing Weapons
of Mass Destruction. In December 2003, Congress passed the Syria Accountability and
Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act, imposing diplomatic and economic sanctions
on Syria for violating Lebanese sovereignty, for backing terrorist groups in Iraq and
for maintaining weapons of mass destruction programs. The new sanctions included
prohibiting the export of American products to Syria and barring American businesses
from investing or operating in Syria. Syria had already been banned from receiving U.S.
foreign aid or military goods because of its addition to the State Sponsors of Terrorism
list in 1979.
Backed Sanctions on Syria for Its Continued Pursuit of Weapons of Mass Destruction.
In 2005, Congress expanded the Iran Non-Proliferation Act to authorize sanctions
against entities that support Syria’s efforts to obtain weapons of mass destruction.
Syria maintains the largest stockpile of chemical weapons in the region and has
conducted research into various biological weapons. An investigation by the
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) provides strong evidence that Syria also
has been pursuing nuclear weapons.
Condemned Syrian Interference in Lebanon. In October 2007, the House and Senate
overwhelmingly passed resolutions that reaffirm U.S. support for a democratic Lebanon
and condemn Syria’s continued support of terrorist groups that undermine Lebanese
stability and sovereignty.
Pressed Administration to Impose Tougher Sanctions on Regime for Killing its Own
People. A bipartisan group of 68 senators and 237 members of the House sent letters
to President Obama in August 2011 urging the administration to take a tougher
stance against Syria and to fully enforce the Syria Accountability and Lebanese
Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2003. The letter called for a ban on U.S. businesses
operating or investing in Syria, restrictions on travel by Syrian diplomats in the
United States, and blocking transactions of property in which the Syrian regime has
an interest.
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