Time for the Syria Accountability Act to Become Law By Andrew L. Jaffee, 4/15/2003

Lebanese Americans and Jewish Americans have found common cause in supporting the Syria Accountability Act (SAA). It is now time for all Americans to lobby Congress to turn this piece of legislation into law.

The SAA would impose economic sanctions on Syria to pressure its leadership to stop supporting terrorism, end its occupation of Lebanon, and stop development of weapons of mass destruction.

One would think these are realistic demands to be made of a "sovereign" state. Just this week, the Bush administration started taking a tough stand with the Syrian regime. The President and some of his close advisers have publicly criticized Syria (e.g., Syria is providing haven to remnants of Saddam's regime, Syria is supporting terror, Syria has WMD, etc.). Believe it or not, this is a change in policy.

The administration has previously opposed the SAA, believing they needed Syria's support in the war on terror. Steven Plaut has aptly termed this misguided thinking as "Good Terrorist-Bad Terrorist." In his words, to fight the "bad terrorists, you need to conscript for your cause lots of good terrorists, including Syria, Iran, and the Saudis." Does anyone see the fatal flaw in this argument? Won't getting in bed with the devil lead to some of that negative stuff rubbing off?

Isn't it bad enough that Syria allowed 241 American marines to be killed in 1983? Isn't it bad enough that Syria has a terrifying arsenal of weapons of mass destruction? Bad enough that Syria occupies Lebanon? Bad enough that Syria massacred 10,000 civilians in the town of Hama? Bad enough that Syria plays host to some of the world's worst terrorist groups? Whatever the case, it seems that the American administration has seen the light. Perhaps they were emboldened by the success of the Iraqi campaign? Will they now support the SAA?

But that is water under the bridge now. It is time stop tolerating terrorist regimes. It is time for Congress to pass the SAA. Here is what you can do:

• Read at least the summaries of the proposed bill (108th Congress' House version H.R. 1828 and Senate version S. 982).
• Write a letter to your House member, two Senators, and the President using the template shown below.
• Send your letter by entering your zip code (you'll be provided with your representatives' contact info):
  
• Here are some tips on writing to your elected reps.

Sample letter:

The Honorable Congressman/Congresswoman/Senator/President (name)
(Address)

I urge you to support [H.R. 1828] or [S. 982] version of the bill entitled "The Syria Accountability Act" calling for:

- Halting Syrian support of terrorism;
- Ending the Syrian occupation of Lebanon;
- Stopping Syria's development of weapons of mass destruction;
- Ceasing Syria's illegal importation of Iraqi oil; and,
- Holding Syria accountable for its contributions to the problems of the Middle East.

Syria has for decades evaded the scrutiny we have applied to other terrorist nations. It is time that Syria is held accountable and that it start acting like a civilized nation.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

(Your name
Your address)