The LACD Strongly Supports The Imposition of Sanctions on Syria by President Bush
May 12, 2004 - LACD
WASHINGTON, D.C.Today, the Bush Administration imposed sanctions on the Syrian regime, as required by the Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2003, which was signed into law by President Bush in December.
“This is a great day for America,” said Tony Haddad, President of the Lebanese American Council for Democracy. “Imposition of these sanctions is a long-overdue recognition by the American government that the behavior of the Syrian Baathist regime presents a serious national security threat to the U.S. It is also an historic day in the struggle to liberate Lebanon from the yoke of Syrian occupation.”
Prior to the Coalition invasion of Iraq, Syria facilitated Saddam Hussein’s quest to obtain weapons, and helped keep Saddam’s regime afloat in the face of an embargo by illegally smuggling Iraqi oil in exchange for cash. During the invasion, Syria provided weapons and equipment to America’s enemies. And today, Syria is infiltrating terrorists into Iraq who are killing American troops every day. Syria has been occupying a neighboring country, Lebanon, for close to 30 years now. Syria transformed that country, which was once a strong Western influence in the region with a free market economy, a free judicial system, and constitutionally protected freedom of speech and the press, into an oppressive police state. Worst of all, Syria has turned Lebanon into a sanctuary and training ground for a myriad of terrorist organizations which Syria sponsors and bases out of Lebanon to dodge direct responsibility for its leading role in the support of terrorism.
“We congratulate President Bush for making the right decision and for imposing these tough sanctions against Syria,” said Haddad. “This is an important step on the road to a sensible policy for improving American security, and restoring the freedom and democracy which existed in Lebanon prior to Syrian occupation.”
The Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act requires that sanctions be imposed on Syria if it does not end its occupation of Lebanon, stop its support for terrorism, stop developing weapons of mass destruction, and end its support for Iraqi insurgents.
The Lebanese American Council for Democracy is dedicated to the sovereignty and independence of Lebanon in compliance with U.S. and international law. The LACD works toward greater peace and stability in Lebanon and in the Middle East by promoting the principles of democracy, individual liberty, free markets, and the rule of law.