Washington Links Syria Sanctions With Border Demarcation And Ending Arms Supply to Hizbullah
Washington Friday linked its renewed sanctions on Syrian and Lebanese figures it accused of working on diminishing the work of constitutional institutions and the process of democracy in Lebanon with the progression of Lebanese-Syrian border demarcation and in ending the inflow of arms to Hizbullah.
The daily pan-Arab al-Hayat quoted an unnamed U.S. official on Saturday who said the White House renewed sanctions have two dimensions, one legal "that commits President Barack Obama to renew the emergency state that surrounds these sanctions, the other stems from considering Lebanon to constitute a pivotal element of regional stability."
"There are serious issues that concern us regarding some individuals that seek to down-size Lebanese legal and constitutional institutions," the U.S. official said.
He added that Washington looks at all parties to work on achieving progress in fully implementing United Nations Security Council resolutions 1559 and 1701, as well as the demarcation of Lebanese-Syrian borders and ending the inflow of arms to Hizbullah.
Al-Hayat quoted informed sources close to the Obama administration that Washington is closely following up on individuals included in the U.S. imposed sanctions.
Sources affirmed that Washington is "moving very cautiously and accurately" in dealing with the Syrian issue. Sources reported progress between Washington and Damascus, but stressed that the issue of border demarcation and Syrian respect of Lebanese sovereignty remain pivotal in this regard.
The daily An-Nahar on Saturday said the U.S. renewal of sanctions for another 12 months came following deep and long discussions inside the U.S. administration by two political lines.
One line felt that there is no need for imposed sanctions following the waning of political assassinations and violence in the country. Many Lebanese and U.S. officials felt that Damascus is the prime suspect behind such acts.
However, following established diplomatic relations between Beirut and Damascus, some U.S. officials felt that more important issues are now on the negotiating table between Washington and Damascus such as the security situation in Iraq, the revival of Syrian-Israeli peace talks and settling the issues of Hizbullah and Hamas.
The second U.S. political line said that Syria has to adopt more positive and practical measures towards Lebanon prior to lifting U.S. imposed sanctions. This line felt that canceling U.S. sanctions now would encourage Damascus and its Lebanese allies to adopt more hardline stances "that could negatively impact the formation of the new Lebanese cabinet."
Reports state that those involved in the sanctions include former Lebanese ministers and officials, high-level Syrian intelligence officials including Gen. Asaf Shawkat, Gen. Rustom Ghazale who previously headed Syrian intelligence in Lebanon, Intelligence official Jameh Jameh as well as former Syrian presidential intelligence advisor ret. Gen. Hisham Ekhtiar.
The Lebanese figures involved in the sanctions include former Defense Minister Abdel Rahim Murad, former Public Works Minister Assaad Hardan, Former State Minister Assem Qansou, former Information Minister Michel Samaha, former parliament member Nasser Qandil and former Environment Minister Weam Wahab.
In an official white House issued document President Obama explained that he "determined that the actions of certain persons to undermine Lebanon”s legitimate and democratically elected government or democratic institutions; to contribute to the deliberate breakdown in the rule of law in Lebanon, including through politically motivated violence and intimidation; to reassert Syrian control or contribute to Syrian interference in Lebanon, or to infringe upon or undermine Lebanese sovereignty contribute to political and economic instability in that country and the region and constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States. "
It added "Despite some positive developments in the past year, including the establishment of diplomatic relations and an exchange of ambassadors between Syria and Lebanon, the actions of certain persons continue to contribute to political and economic instability in Lebanon and continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States. Therefore, the national emergency declared on August 1, 2007, and the measures adopted on that date to deal with that emergency, must continue in effect beyond August 1, 2009. Therefore, in accordance with section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)), I am continuing for 1 year the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13441. "