US Renews Sanctions Aimed At Syrian Meddling in Lebanon

Despite the positive developments in the past year in increasing diplomatic relations between the US and Syria, President Obama has decided to extend for one year the sanctions first put in place by President George W. Bush in 2007, aimed at curbing Syria's ability to interfere in Lebanese affairs.  According to a White House statement issued on July 30, 2009:

In the past 6 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. Despite some positive developments in the past year, including the establishment of diplomatic relations and an exchange of ambassadors between Lebanon and Syria, 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. For these reasons, I have determined that it is necessary to continue the national emergency declared on August 1, 2007, to deal with that threat and the related measures adopted on that date to respond to the emergency.

The JTA explains that the sanctions are "separate from economic and political sanctions imposed under the Syria Accountability Act of 2003; Obama extended these earlier this year."

Since he was elected, President Obama has made efforts to reestablish the US- Syrian relationship, aware of the potential positive influence Syria could have on alleviating conflicts throughout the region.

The one year extension in the sanctions reported today come just days after a New York Times report that the Obama administration would ease the sanctions imposed under the Syria Accountability Act of 2003.

On July 28^th, Sharon Otterman in The New York Times reported that the Obama administration plans to grant exemptions to the 2003 sanctions, which forbid the export of all American goods to Syria other than food and medicine.

Otterman reports:

While the shift does not change the letter of the law of the sanctions, which were passed by Congress in 2003 and cannot be modified without Congressional consent, administration officials said it was significant because it indicated a change in how the White House would view requests by companies for waivers to sell their wares to Syria.

It is also another notable instance of the Obama administration opening the door to Syria on what it calls a basis of mutual interest and respect - and as part of a broader strategy of trying to get the country to turn away from its alliances with Iran and Islamic militant groups. In June, the administration said it would send an ambassador to Syria for the first time since 2005.

The easing of the sanctions under the Syrian Accountability Act would likely allow products related to information technology, telecommunication equipment, and civil aviation to be exported to Syria.