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US House votes to sanction Syria for alleged terror ties
Washington, Oct 16: The US House of Representatives has voted 398-4 to sanction Syria for its alleged ties to terrorist groups and purported efforts to obtain nuclear, biological and chemical weapons.
Washington, Oct 16: The US House of Representatives has voted 398-4 to sanction Syria for its alleged ties to terrorist groups and purported efforts to obtain nuclear, biological and chemical weapons.
The legislation, the Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Act, voted yesterday, also calls on Damascus to end its occupation of Lebanon.
President George W. Bush last week ended two years of opposition to the legislation, and has indicated he will sign it. The legislation gives the White House a range of options for sanctioning Syria, from restricting US exports and business investment to downgrading Washington's diplomatic representation and imposing travel restrictions on Syrian diplomats in the United States.
"I think that this bill is crucial to the ongoing war on terror," said House majority leader Tom Delay at a press briefing yesterday.
"Syria has evidently chosen to side with the terrorists in this war and it's time for the government to start feeling the consequences of their actions," he added.
"Terrorist states will not be tolerated," the Texas Republican said. "Congress has a responsibility to make Syria understand the recklessness of its actions." Before reaching the President's desk, the measure must first be approved by the Senate foreign relations committee and then by the full senate, which is expected in the coming weeks.
Bureau Report
President George W. Bush last week ended two years of opposition to the legislation, and has indicated he will sign it. The legislation gives the White House a range of options for sanctioning Syria, from restricting US exports and business investment to downgrading Washington's diplomatic representation and imposing travel restrictions on Syrian diplomats in the United States.
"I think that this bill is crucial to the ongoing war on terror," said House majority leader Tom Delay at a press briefing yesterday.
"Syria has evidently chosen to side with the terrorists in this war and it's time for the government to start feeling the consequences of their actions," he added.
"Terrorist states will not be tolerated," the Texas Republican said. "Congress has a responsibility to make Syria understand the recklessness of its actions." Before reaching the President's desk, the measure must first be approved by the Senate foreign relations committee and then by the full senate, which is expected in the coming weeks.
Bureau Report