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May 1, 2003
To: Officers, Rabbis, Key Contacts
From: Richard B. Stone, Chairman
Betty Ehrenberg, Director, International and Communal Affairs
Re: Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration
Act of 2003, H.R. 1828, S. 982
Syria has long held a prominent place on the U.S. government’s
list of countries supporting terrorism and developing weapons of
mass destruction. The State Department’s annual terrorism study
accuses Syria of hosting a panoply of terrorist organizations and
serving as the primary transit point for Iranian weapons destined
for Hezbollah. The CIA’s annual study on weapons of mass
destruction reports, “Damascus already held a stockpile of the
nerve agent sarin, but apparently is trying to develop more toxic
and persistent nerve agents… it is highly probable that Syria is
continuing to develop an offensive biological weapon capability…
Damascus also continued its efforts to assemble – probably with
North Korean assistance – liquid-fueled Scud missiles.”
President Bush, Secretary of State Powell, and Secretary of
Defense Rumsfeld have recently strongly criticized Syria.
President Bush recently said, “The Syrian government needs to
cooperate with the United States and our coalition partners and
not harbor any (Iraqi) Baathists, any military officials, any
people who need to be held to account… It was one of the most
horrendous governments ever…” Secretary of State Powell has said,
“We have designated Syria for years as a state that sponsors
(terrorism)… we know that they have been interested in weapons of
mass destruction, and we are concerned that materials have flowed
through Syria to the Iraqi regime over the years… We think it
would be very unwise…if suddenly Syria becomes a haven for all
these people who should be brought to justice or are trying to get
out of Baghdad.” Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld said, “Syria
is engaged with Hezbollah in moving terrorists and terrorist
materials, equipment, and explosives down to the Bekaa Valley in
Lebanon.”
Legislation has been introduced in the House and the Senate called
the Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act
of 2003, introduced in the Senate by Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA)
and Rick Santorum (R-PA), as S. 982 and in the House by Reps. Eliot Engel
(D-NY) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) as H.R. 1828. This act would
hold Syria accountable for its support of terrorism, occupation of
Lebanon, and possession and continued development of weapons of
mass destruction. The proposed legislation would consider
sanctions against Syria which may include a ban on military and
dual-use technology exports to Syria; a ban on financial
assistance to U.S. businesses for their investments or other
activities in Syria; downgrading the U.S. diplomatic
representation to Syria (at present, there is a U.S. ambassador);
and other measures.
Immediate Action Necessary
Urge your Senators and Representatives to support the Syria
Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2003,
H.R. 1828 and S. 982. Call Senators at (202) 224-3121 and ask for the offices
of your Senators. Call Representatives at (202) 225-3121 and ask
for the office of your Representative.
Talking Points:
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Syria continues to be a major sponsor of international terrorist
groups. No less than ten terrorist groups are headquartered in
Damascus. These groups include Hamas and the PFLP as well as
others who maintain offices, training camps, and other facilities
on Syrian territory, operate in areas of Lebanon occupied by Syria
and receive supplies from Iran through Syria. Hezbollah continues
to attack Israel, with a green light from Syria, risking leading
to a wider regional war.
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Syria continues to occupy Lebanon in violation of UN Security
Council resolutions and despite Israeli withdrawal from all
Lebanese territory. Over 20,000 Syrian troops occupy sovereign
Lebanese territory, preventing Lebanese independence and
preventing Lebanon from fulfilling its obligation under Security
Council resolution 425 to deploy its troops to southern Lebanon.
As a result, southern Lebanon is under the control of the
terrorist group Hezbollah, which has positioned more than 8,000
Katuysha rockets opposite Israel’s northern border and has allowed
Iranian Revolutionary Guards to operate freely in the area.
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Syria continues to develop biological and chemical weapons.
Syria’s ability to strike most of Israel with its short and
medium-range ballistic missiles make Israeli population centers
vulnerable to Syrian attack. Given Syria's support for terrorism
and its hatred towards Israel, Syria’s development of chemical and
biological weapons is a major security concern, to both the U.S.
and Israel.
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Syria is subject to fewer U.S. sanctions than any other country
listed as a state sponsor of terrorism. There is no ban on trade
with, or investment in, Syria. The U.S. has ambassador-level
relations with Syria, but not with any other terrorist state.
There are no travel restrictions on Syrian diplomats as there are
for diplomats from other states on the terrorist-sponsors list.
Urgent Action Necessary
Urge your Senators and Representatives to co-sponsor and help pass
the Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act
of 2003, H.R. 1828 and S. 982. This is an important part of the United
States-led war against terrorism. Call Senators at (202) 224-3121
and Representatives at (202) 225-3121. Or write to them at:
Representative _______________
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515 |
Senator ____________________
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510 |
Below is a sample letter you may choose
to use or adapt to send to your elected officials:
Dear (Representative) (Senator) ____________,
As the nightmare of Saddam Hussein’s despotic regime comes to an
end, it is becoming dangerously evident that Saddam’s deadly
associates and designs are relocating to neighboring Syria. Syria
continues to produce weapons of mass destruction, harbors the
world’s most infamous terrorist organizations, and encourages its
citizens to attack American troops in Iraq. I urge you to sponsor
the Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act
of 2003, H.R. 1828 and S. 982. This is a necessary first step to provide
security to American forces in the region, to neighboring
countries in the Middle East, and to fight the global scourge of
terrorism. Syria, a country on the list of state-sponsors of
terrorism, cannot continue its terrorist activities with impunity.
Kindly contact (Rep. Eliot Engel’s office at (202) 225-2464 or
Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen’s office at (202) 225-3931) (Senator
Barbara Boxer’s office at (202) 224-3553 or Senator Santorum’s
office at (202) 224-6324) in order to add your name to the list of
co-sponsors of this important legislation.
We look forward to working together with you to help America fight
the battle against global terrorism.
Sincerely,
For more information, please call us at (212) 613-8123.
RBS
BE
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