RSS Feed
Washington - Obama Extends Sanctions Against Syria |
|
| |
Text Size
|
Washington - U.S. President Barack Obama has decided to extend sanctions against Syria, despite positive sings of progress in the relationship between the two nations, a White House statement said Friday.
The decision to maintain current sanctions against the Syrian government, the statement said, comes as a result of continuing attempts to maintain instability in neighboring Lebanon.
"In the past six months, the United States has used dialogue with the Syrian government to address concerns and identify areas of mutual interest, including support for Lebanese sovereignty," the statement said.
President Obama admitted that there have been "some positive developments in the past year, including the establishment of diplomatic relations and an exchange of ambassadors between Lebanon and Syria."
However, the statement continued, ultimately "the actions of certain persons continue to contribute to political and economic instability in Lebanon and the region and constitute a continuing unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States."
As a result of these actions, the White House has decided to extend by an additional year the sanctions initiated by former president George W. Bush on August 1, 2007.
The sanctions include the freezing of assets of those individuals suspected of undermining Lebanon's sovereignty on Syria's behalf.
Obama's administration has moved toward improving U.S. ties with Syria, with the hope that, being a key player in the region, it could play an influential role in Lebanon, Iraq or in advancing Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.
Syrian authorities charge human rights lawyer
Syrian authorities have charged a leading human rights lawyer of making statements that "weaken national morale" after he led calls for the release of political prisoners, rights defenders said on Friday.
Mohannad al-Hussani, who has been overseeing defense of Syria's most prominent opposition figures, was arrested on Tuesday by State Security, one of many intelligence agencies in Syria.
A dozen of dissidents were sentenced last year to 2 1/2 years each in prison on the charge after they participated in a meeting to revive a democracy movement. They include former parliamentarian Riad Seif, who is suffering from cancer.
"The authorities want to make an example of Mohannad and say that even the tiniest whisper, the slightest call for rights, will not go unpunished," one activist said.
A diplomat in Damascus said Hussani's arrest showed that "no progress whatsoever" had been made to encourage the Syrian authorities to improve their observance of human rights.
More of today's headlines
“Washington - The House raced Friday to pass legislation pouring an additional $2 billion into the popular - but financially strapped - "cash for clunkers" car purchase...” Washington - Congress Races to Save "Cash for Clunkers"
Miami, FL - UBS Tax Agreement Is Reached by U.S., Switzerland
Total2
Read Comments (2) — Post Yours »
1
Jul 31, 2009 at 10:11 AM Anonymous Says:
"The authorities want to make an example of Mohannad and say that even the tiniest whisper, the slightest call for rights, will not go unpunished," one activist said.
And our sweetheart Obama wants to break bread with them
2
Jul 31, 2009 at 10:11 AM Anonymous Says:
"The authorities want to make an example of Mohannad and say that even the tiniest whisper, the slightest call for rights, will not go unpunished," one activist said.
And our sweetheart Obama wants to break bread with them
3
Jul 31, 2009 at 10:59 AM PMO Says:
Did you not notice that Obama extended the sanctions? Nothing wrong with talking so long as you can remain firm in your principles. That is exactly what is happening here... so what's the problem?
Obama made it clear that he was willing to talk. He also made it clear that he was not willing to give in to terrorists. He is doing exactly what he said he would... I'm not a big Obama fan, but I fully support him in extending the sanctions and showing that he is not a pushover.