Congress eyes sanctions on Syria, withdrawal of ambassador
WASHINGTON — The House Foreign Relations Committee has been discussing the prospect
of imposing U.S. sanctions on the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad.
The measures could also include the withdrawal of the U.S. ambassador to
Damascus, Robert Ford, as part of a protest of Assad's use of live fire
against protesters.
Committee chairwoman Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen has called on the
administration of President Barack Obama to increase sanctions on the Assad
regime. Over the last two years, the administration eased U.S. restrictions
on Syria, including allowing the export of dual-use technology.
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Several members of the Senate leadership have also called on the
administration to take measures against Assad. Sen. John Thune has called on
the White House to withdraw Ford from Damascus.
In 2010, Obama sent Ford to Damascus without congressional approval.
Unless Congress approves the nomination, Ford would have to leave Syria by
the end of 2011.
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