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US extends sanctions against Syria for one year


WASHINGTON (AFP) - The White House announced Wednesday that US President George W. Bush extended for one year sanctions against Syria for what Washington says is its support for terrorism.

The sanctions were imposed in May 2004, then extended in April 2006, "to deal with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States constituted by the actions of the government of Syria," Bush said in a statement addressed to the US Congress and made public by the White House.

Those include actions "in supporting terrorism, maintaining its then-existing occupation of Lebanon, pursuing weapons of mass destruction and missile programs, and undermining United States and international efforts with respect to the stabilization and reconstruction of Iraq," Bush said.

In the executive order "I declared a national emergency authorizing the blocking of property of certain persons and prohibiting the exportation or reexportation of certain goods to Syria," Bush said.

"Because the actions and policies of the government of Syria continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat" to the United States, the decree "must continue in effect beyond May 11, 2007."

A senior administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that Syria "is a designated state sponsor of terrorism that provides support -- including material and lethal support -- to (the Lebanese Shiite militia) Hezbollah" and other groups Washington has designated as terrorist organizations.

The official said that Syria "also allows its territory to be used by insurgents, terrorists, and former Saddam Hussein regime elements responsible for attacks on US forces and terrorism against the people of Iraq.

"Syria should cease its interference in Lebanon and respond to Lebanon's entreaties to demarcate the border between the two countries and establish normal diplomatic relations," the official said.

Washington also wants Syria "to cease oppression of its own people and to stop silencing their calls for human rights and democratic change," the official added.

After repeatedly refusing to talk with Syria, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice held an unprecedented meeting with her Syrian counterpart Walid Muallem on Thursday on the sidelines of a conference on Iraq in the Egyptian resort of Sharm El-Sheikh.

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