[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 19]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 26706]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        SYRIA ACCOUNTABILITY ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SHELLEY BERKLEY

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 30, 2003

  Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Syria 
Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Act. This important legislation 
takes a strong and decisive stand against international terrorism. It 
also demonstrates the firm resolve of the United States in opposing 
those who support terrorism or provide funding and safe harbor for its 
perpetrators.
  Syria continues to be a major sponsor of international terrorist 
groups, and has been listed by the State Department as a sponsor of 
terrorism since the inception of the terrorist list in 1979. Numerous 
terrorist groups, including Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the 
Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, and at least seven more, 
have headquarters in Damascus. In addition to offices, these groups 
maintain training camps and other facilities on Syrian territory. 
Hizballah, referred to referred to as the ``A-team of terrorism'' by 
Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage, operates in areas of 
Lebanon occupied by Syria and receives supplies from Iran through 
Syria. In doing so, Syria is in clear violation of UN Security Council 
Resolution 1373 which directs all states to ``refrain from providing 
any form of support'' for terrorism. Furthermore, their attacks on 
Israel, launched with the acquiescence of the Syrian government, harm 
innocent civilians and risk leading to a wider regional war.
  In addition to its harboring of international terrorism, Syria's 
20,000 strong occupation force has continued to occupy Lebanese 
territory, denying Lebanon its independence and political sovereignty. 
This occupation has also prevented Lebanon from fulfilling its 
obligation under UN Security Council Resolutions 425 and 520 to deploy 
its troops to southern Lebanon. As a result, southern Lebanon is under 
the control of the terrorist group Hizballah, which has positioned 
thousands of katyusha rockets opposite Israel's northern border.
  During our recently concluded campaign in Iraq, Syria aided the 
regime of Saddam Hussein, allowing arms and military equipment to be 
transported across the border into Iraq. When Baghdad fell, a number of 
high-ranking Iraqi officials from the defeated regime were sighted 
transiting through Syria and it is continuing to permit ``volunteers'' 
and others to enter Iraq for the purpose of attacking and killing 
Americans.
  These actions are not those of an ally nor are they the work of a 
nation friendly to the United States. As we work toward a more stable 
and peaceful Middle East, we must be clear that nations that support 
terrorism will be held accountable. This legislation is clear in its 
intent and accomplishes just that.
  I urge its full support and its immediate passage.

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