Global Security Newswire

WASHINGTON — The White House nominee for U.S. ambassador to Syria yesterday praised legislation that would impose economic sanctions against Damascus if it failed to end its WMD programs and support for terrorism (see GSN, Oct. 31).

The U.S. Senate is currently considering the Syrian Accountability Act, which would require the president to impose a variety of sanctions against Syria until it can be certified that Damascus has ended its support for terrorism, withdrawn from Lebanon and ended its efforts to develop biological and chemical weapons. The president would also have the authority to waive some of the sanctions included in the legislation for national security reasons. Last month, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved the bill and the Senate is expected to vote on the measure today, according to a spokesman for Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Richard Lugar (R-Ind.).

As the bill has moved through Congress, the Bush administration has shifted its stance from opposing the bill, because of concerns it could jeopardize Syrian cooperation in the war on terrorism, to saying that that it would not oppose the bill’s passage. During a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing yesterday, White House nominee Margaret Scobey appeared to go even farther and indicated strong support for the bill, saying it would help advance U.S. policy goals regarding Syria.

“The Syrian Accountability Act, if passed, sets clear standards for Syrian behavior. I will do my utmost to encourage Syria to recognize that it is in its interest to respond to the concerns expressed both by the Congress and by the president and Secretary [of State Colin] Powell,” Scobey said.

Scobey, who currently serves as deputy chief of the U.S. mission in Riyadh, yesterday reiterated White House complaints that Syria has failed to address U.S. concerns. 

“Unfortunately, Syria has not taken positive steps to address other areas of concern to the United States; notably, support for terrorism, pursuit of weapons of mass destruction, and continuing occupation of Lebanon,” she said.

Scobey also said, however, that she would work if confirmed to encourage Syrian officials to conduct needed political and economic reforms and would seek to develop greater U.S. engagement with the Syrian people. She added that her confirmation would help send a positive signal to Damascus.

“If I am confirmed, it will signal that despite the deep differences between the U.S. and Syria, the U.S. remains committed to the level of engagement needed to resolve differences and establish a more stable relationship that serves our respective national interests,” Scobey said.

The Lugar spokesman told Global Security Newswire today that Scobey is likely to be confirmed.