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Congress Warns Syria and Accuses Russia Of Threatening "American Lives"

Tom Lantos, accuses Russian and Syria of actions in support of Iraq and says that they directly threaten American lives and defend terrorists.

Lantos, was quoted in the September 30, 2002 edition of the Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz, he told Minister of Knesset Colette Avital, "My dear Colette, you won't have any problem with Saddam. We'll be rid of the bastard soon enough. And in his place we'll install a pro-Western dictator, who will be good for us and for you."

Lantos, a long time "friend" of Israel is clearly setting the stage for Americas next military adventure in the Middle East. His accusations in relation to Syria and Russian support are unproven We should not expect American Zionists, will allow honesty to stand in the way of using American lives and resources to further strike at any nation that may be seen as a potential threat to Israel. Mr. Lantos introduced the following resolution.

Expressing the concern of Congress over Russian and Syrian actions in support of Iraq. (Introduced in House)

HCON 133 IH

Expressing the concern of Congress over Russian and Syrian actions in support of Iraq.

April 1, 2003

Mr. LANTOS submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on International Relations

Expressing the concern of Congress over Russian and Syrian actions in support of Iraq.

Whereas there have been numerous reports that foreign entities have assisted and continue to assist Iraq in acquiring military equipment that can be used against the coalition forces currently fighting to liberate the Iraqi people from the terrorist regime of Saddam Hussein;

Whereas the United States and Russia have in the last several years developed a new relationship based on cooperation and shared interests, rather than competition and self-defeating searching for unilateral advantages;

Whereas the interactions of the President of the United States and the President of the Russian Federation have heretofore been distinguished by warmth and trust;

Whereas Russian private entities reportedly have recently provided night-vision goggles and anti-tank missiles to Iraq, which have placed coalition forces in greater jeopardy and could cause the injury and death of members of United States and other coalition forces;

Whereas Russian private entities reportedly have recently provided Global Positioning System satellite jamming devices to prevent precision weapons of the United States from hitting their targets, thereby increasing the likelihood of civilian casualties;

Whereas the Government of the Russia Federation has not acted forcefully to stop these transfers and has essentially dismissed the criticism by the United States;

Whereas the Government of Syria, which has for a long period of time been designated by the United States as a state sponsor of terrorism, has been assisting Iraq, another state sponsor of terrorism, against the coalition forces;

Whereas Syria reportedly has been shipping military equipment to Iraq during a time of war with coalition forces;

Whereas Syria reportedly has also been assisting terrorists to cross the border into Iraq to fight against coalition forces;

Whereas to the extent that Syria's efforts prop up the terrorist regime of Saddam Hussein, the Government of Syria shares responsibility for prolonging the suffering of the Iraqi people and for the injuries and deaths of members of United States and other coalition forces;

Whereas the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of State have both warned Syria to stop shipping military supplies and equipment to Iraq; and

Whereas these actions by Syria and the Russian Federation directly threaten American lives and amount to the defense of a terrorism-supporting dictatorship against the forces of freedom: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That the Congress--

(1) condemns in the strongest possible terms the actions by the Government of Syria, a state sponsor of terrorism under United States law, in transferring military equipment to the terrorist government of Iraq, at a time when coalition forces are fighting to liberate the people of Iraq, and demands that these transfers cease immediately;

(2) further condemns Syria's policy of allowing terrorists to cross its border to fight for the regime of Saddam Hussein;

(3) demands that Syria and all other states bordering Iraq--

(A) prevent any crossing into Iraq of individuals or groups, Iraqi or non-Iraqi, who intend to fight in support of the regime of Saddam Hussein; and

(B) prevent any emigration from Iraq of Iraqi soldiers or officials affiliated with the regime of Saddam Hussein;

(4) condemns the failure of the Russian Federation to intercede and prevent Russian private entities from engaging in the sale of lethal military weapons and other military goods to the terrorist government of Iraq;

(5) declares that--

(A) any state that continues to assist the regime of Saddam Hussein will be seen by the people of the United States as directly opposing the vital interests of the United States; and

(B) there should be the most severe consequences for the future relations between the United States and any such state;

(6) underscores its full agreement with Secretary of State Colin Powell's statement of March 30, 2003 that Syria faces `a critical choice' between `direct support for terrorist groups and the dying regime of Saddam Hussein, or . . . embark[ing] on a different and more hopeful course' and that Syria will bear full responsibility for its choice;

(7) awaits with keen interest any information about foreign suppliers of military and dual-use equipment that may be uncovered by coalition forces in the coming weeks and months; and

(8) urges the President to keep the Congress fully and currently informed concerning the matters addressed in this resolution.

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?c108:1:./temp/~c108mdE6mP::

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