FACT SHEET: Implementing the Syria Accountability and

 Tony Haddad

Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2003

Today's Presidential Action

President Bush today signed an Executive Order implementing sanctions
on Syria pursuant to the Syria Accountability and Lebanese
Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2003 ("the Act"). With the
implementation of these sanctions, the President has demonstrated
U.S. resolve to address the Syrian government's support for terrorist
groups, its continued military presence in Lebanon, its pursuit of
weapons of mass destruction, and its actions to undermine U.S. and
international efforts with respect to the stabilization and
reconstruction of Iraq.

Implementation of sanctions comes after many months of diplomatic
efforts to convince the Syrian government to change its unacceptable
behavior. Secretary Powell conveyed U.S. concerns to Syrian President
Asad repeatedly, including in their May 2003 meeting. The Syrian
government has failed to take significant, concrete steps to address
these concerns.

The sanctions include:

o Prohibition on the export to Syria of any items that appear on the
United States Munitions List (arms and defense weapons, ammunition,
etc.) or Commerce Control List (dual-use items such as chemicals,
nuclear technology, propulsion equipment, lasers, etc.);

o Prohibition on the export to Syria of products of the United
States, other than food and medicine; and

o Prohibition on aircraft of any air carrier owned or controlled by
the Syrian government to take off from or land in the United States.

Under the authority provided in Section 5(b) of the Act, the
President has determined that it is in the national security interest
of the United States to waive the application of these sanctions in
certain cases and for certain products, as specified in the
Department of Commerce's General Order No. 2.

In addition to the sanctions provided for under the Act, the
President has decided to impose additional sanctions.

o Under Section 311 of the USA PATRIOT Act, the Secretary of the
Treasury is to issue a notice of proposed rulemaking with respect to
a measure to require U.S. financial institutions to sever
correspondent accounts with the Commercial Bank of Syria based on
money laundering concerns.

o Pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act
(IEEPA), the President has authorized the Secretary of the Treasury,
in consultation with the Secretary of State, to freeze, within the
jurisdiction of the United States, assets that belong to certain
Syrian individuals and government entities.

The President will consider additional sanctions against the
Government of Syria if it does not take serious and concrete steps to
cease its support for terrorist groups, terminate its weapons of mass
destruction programs, withdraw its troops from Lebanon, and cooperate
fully with the international community in promoting the stabilization
and reconstruction of Iraq.