US to impose ‘firm’ bans on Syria

[hedgetrimmer]

~SNIP~
Mar 12, 2004
US to impose ‘firm’ bans on Syria

WASHINGTON – The Bush administration will act soon to impose firm sanctions against Syria, which it accuses of sponsoring terrorism, a State Department official said on Wednesday.

“I think you’ll see the implementation very shortly, and I think it will be a very firm implementation of the Sy-rian Accountability Act and the intent behind it,” William Burns, assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs, told a committee in the House of Representatives.

The administration is expected to impose economic sanctions, rather than diplomatic ones, according to congressional sources and other people familiar with the matter.Congress sent President George W. Bush legislation for the sanctions in November.Lawmakers have pressured Bush since then to impose penalties on Sy-ria, which Washington accuses of sponsoring terrorism, occupying Leb-anon and failing to secure its border with Iraq and allowing anti-American fighters to make their way there.

The legislation barred trade in items that could be used in weapons programs until the administration certifies Syria is not supporting terrorist groups, has withdrawn personnel from Lebanon, is not developing weapons of mass destruction and has secured its border with Iraq.It also called on Bush to impose at least two other sanctions from a menu of economic and diplomatic penalties that includes barring US businesses from investing in Syria, restricting travel in the United States by Syrian diplomats, and banning exports of US products other than food and medicine to Syria.A senior administration official said it was “probably accurate” that a decision on the sanctions was imminent.


... just a little more ...

link: http://www.sarawaktribune.com.my/publish/article_26405.shtml

[daleo]

1. It starts with sanctions, eventually leads to war

It is hard for sane people to even imagine that Bushco wants another war, but the 'rally round the flag' effect of an invasion of Syria in early fall must be awfully tempting. On its own, it could swing an election - if not, it could be used to postpone the election due to national emergency.

It would probably require a terrorist incident that Bushco could trace to Syria, similar to what happened in Spain today (perhaps they will eventually claim this was done by Syria). A little LIHOP would probably do the trick. First, plant lots of anti-Syria stories in the press, over the next 4 to 6 months though. I have read three such stories just today (Saddam's sons, sanctions stories, and Syria did the Lockerbie bombing), so they may be starting the process now.

[Vas Liz]

3. No

I think the plan is to soften them up. There are no plans to attack before the election, but probably after. They can put sanctions on earlier to weaken them in prep for the attack.

[Sinistrous]

6. This is electioneering.

Precious Leader realizes that one of his few assets is the misperception among the illiterati that he is a "strong leader." Getting tough, so to speak, with Syria will tend to reinforce that misperception.

It is also a dandy diversion from the fallout from his current spate of campaign screw-ups.

[BR_Parkway]

8. If they spread the troops any thinner, Mexican immigration

will cease to be a problem. 22 of them with WWII vintage weapons will be able to walk across the border and Claim the US as their territory. </sarcasm>

How many places can he try to fight wars at the same time? You almost feel like the list of places on earth that we DON'T have troops is a shorter list.

Don't think that the sheeple will go along with another war. Oil prices are too high, No WMD or credibility, the media isn't AS cooperative, more military families speaking out AGAINST Shrub. I think they have overplayed their hand and don't have the support.

[xxqqqzme]

2. so relieved to know the squatter

diplomatic corps is working overtime 2 provide homeland security. I always feel so much safer after they rattle their sabres and bang their war drums.

[Tellurian]

4. Bushco needs a diversion- the heat in the kitchen-- thingy!

Bush isn't accustomed to be roughed up-

bully's either cry foul or play the oneupmanship game.

In this case, he's forced into playing "Trump" cards!

[Matilda]

5. Here we go again.

How long before little Johnny Howard puts his hand up to offer
his full and unconditional support of his good friend G.W. Bush?

Sucks.

[icymist]

7. These guys have no imagination!

They're even playing the WMD card again!