[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992, Book I)]
[April 27, 1992]
[Pages 648-649]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Statement by Press Secretary Fitzwater on Syria's Lifting of 
Restrictions on Syrian Jews

April 27, 1992
    We are pleased to have obtained official confirmation from the 
Syrian Government on Saturday of the lifting of restrictions on travel 
and disposition of property for the Syrian Jewish community.
    The Syrian Government has now informed us that, in the aftermath of 
President Assad's recent meeting with the leaders of Syria's Jewish 
community, all members of the Syrian Jewish community will be accorded 
the same rights as those enjoyed by all other Syrian citizens. We have 
been told that Syrian Jews will be allowed to travel abroad as families, 
on business, and for vacations. Further, the Syrian Government has 
removed difficulties encountered by its Jewish citizens with regard to 
the sale and purchase of property. The Syrian Government has also 
released the Soued brothers, who had been imprisoned for violating

[[Page 649]]

Syrian travel laws.
    We welcome these decisions by President Assad and his Government. 
This administration has maintained a productive dialog with Syria's 
leadership on a number of important issues, including the peace process. 
The subject of Syrian Jewry has constituted an integral part of this 
dialog and has been raised by both President Bush and Secretary Baker 
with President Assad and other senior Syrian officials. We look forward 
to the full implementation of these decisions affecting Syrian Jews.