Bush targets Syrian aims with executive order supporting Lebanon
WASHINGTON — The United States intends to freeze the financial
assets of anybody deemed an opponent of the government of Lebanese Prime
Minister Fuad Siniora.
President George Bush has signed an executive order that authorized the
Treasury Department to freeze the financial assets of anyone deemed harmful
to the Siniora government. The Aug. 2 order includes those who want to
undermine Lebanese democracy or institutions.
"I, George Bush, President of the United States of America, determine
that the actions of certain persons to undermine Lebanon's legitimate and
democratically elected government or democratic institutions, to contribute
to the deliberate breakdown in the rule of law in Lebanon, including through
politically motivated violence and intimidation, to reassert Syrian control
or contribute to Syrian interference in Lebanon, or to infringe upon or
undermine Lebanese sovereignty contribute to political and economic
instability in that country and the region and constitute an unusual and
extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the
United States, and I hereby declare a national emergency to deal with that
threat," the executive order said.
This is the latest measure of the administration against pro-Syrian
opponents of Siniora, believed to be planning an alternate government. In
June, Bush banned entry to the United States of anyone working to undermine
the Lebanese government.
The executive order did not list any individuals or companies. Instead,
the
president directed the freezing of U.S. assets of enemies of the Siniora
government.
Bush defined eligibility for U.S. sanctions as those who
have taken or pose a "significant risk of taking, actions, including acts of
violence, that have the purpose or effect of undermining Lebanon's
democratic processes or institutions, contributing to the breakdown of the
rule of law in Lebanon, supporting the reassertion of Syrian control or
otherwise contributing to Syrian interference in Lebanon, or infringing upon
or undermining Lebanese sovereignty."
"Any transaction by a United States person or within the United States
that evades or avoids, has the purpose of evading or avoiding, or attempts
to violate any of the prohibitions set forth in this order is prohibited,"
the order said.
Bush directed the treasury secretary and secretary of state to implement
the order, which would ban U.S. banks and companies from doing business with
those under sanctions. Under the order, the treasury secretary would submit
reports to Congress on compliance of the executive order.
Officials said the Treasury Department has identified those eligible for
sanctions. They said a list would be drafted over the next few months.
"I think we could see significant pressure by Syria meant to dismantle
the Siniora government," an official said. "This is our warning to them."
