Rice: We have diplomatic tools to use against Syria
Syria-USA, Politics, 2/18/2005

While the US President George W. Bush did not specify certain measures against Syria, the US secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said that the "US administration considers that it has necessary diplomatic means to force Syria to get out of Lebanon," noting that Bush does not rule out any options in a remark to the possibility of using armed force, though this seems to be a far option.

Rice indicated that Washington will disclose several steps it wants the Syrians to take for the return back of the American ambassador to Damascus.

According to Syria Accountability Act and other American laws, Bush decided in May 2004 to stop most of the American exports to Syria with the exception of foodstuffs and halting banking relations with the Commercial Bank Of Syria and banning the Syrian air flights from and to the USA.

There are other steps that Bush can implement including banning American businessmen from investing or working in Syria and banning the move of the Syrian diplomats in the USA beyond a distance 40 km from New York or Washington, reducing diplomatic contacts and freezing the assets of Syrian officials.

Previous Stories:
  Damascus: Direct messages from Rice to the Syrian leadership   (2/17/2005)
  Further American measures expected against Syria   (2/16/2005)
  Rice summons the American ambassador in Damascus   (2/16/2005)

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