The US Congress has postponed until further notice discussions over a bill that would instill political and economic sanctions against Syria for supporting terror groups and for developing weapons of mass destruction.
The cancellation of a congressional session set for Tuesday, July 15, dedicated to the Syria Accountability Act, could be linked to the recent scandal involving the inaccurate information presented in US President Bush’s January speech concerning Iraqi uranium purchases from Africa, reported Assafir.
The White House acknowledged on Monday, July 7, that Bush relied on inaccurate data when he declared in his State of the Union speech that Saddam Hussein had tried to purchase uranium from African states such as Niger, Somalia and Congo. The announcement challenged one of the vital pieces of evidence that the Bush Administration cited to justify the launch of an attack against Iraq in March.
If the accusations against Syria are not accurate, allegations could trigger public the outrage over the misinformation on which Bush based his case against Iraq.
US UnderSecretary of Arms Control and International Security John Bolton was expected to deliver a speech at the postponed meeting, citing Syria’s involvement in developing chemical and biological weapons as well as ballistic missiles. The State Department and the Pentagon have yet to approve Bolton's testimony.
The bill threatens to slap a trade and investment ban on Damascus, sanctions much similar to those already in force against Iran and Libya. Having won the support of 120 out of the 435 members of congress earlier this year, the bill was later shelved by the Bush administration, who was at the time unwilling to compromise its role as a neutral arbiter of peace in the Middle East. — (menareport.com)
© 2003 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
