Damascus: The Syrian government submits its position to Washington on the conditions for easing sanctions
The Syrian government has submitted its official response to the US administration regarding the list of conditions Washington has set for a partial easing of sanctions imposed on Syria.
About two weeks ago, the US State Department outlined a set of steps the Syrian government must take before any sanctions imposed on it will be modified or lifted.
State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said in a press conference that the Syrian government must completely eradicate and renounce terrorism, in addition to excluding foreign terrorist fighters from official positions, and preventing Iran and its proxies from exploiting Syrian territory.
She also stressed the need to take serious steps to verifiably destroy Syria’s chemical weapons.
Bruce emphasized that other conditions include, “assisting the Syrian government in recovering American citizens and other persons missing in Syria, and ensuring the security and freedom of religious and ethnic minorities”.
Bruce also stated that “US policies and sanctions on Syria won’t be modified until these steps are achieved,” noting that “the United States recognizes the suffering of the Syrian people, which has continued for many years as a result of Assad’s authoritarian rule”.
She added that the formation of a transitional government in Syria would be a positive step to ensure the representation of all parties, including minorities.
Earlier this month, the US State Department spokesman announced that Joel Rayburn would serve as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, including Syria.
He also noted that Washington is continually reviewing sanctions imposed on Syria.
The US spokesman confirmed that daily discussions on the Syrian issue are ongoing within the US administration, noting that the final decision on US policy in Syria rests with President Trump.
Earlier, The Hill newspaper reported, citing informed sources, that officials from the administration of US President Donald Trump presented representatives of Syrian President Ahmad al Sharaa last month with a list of conditions for lifting sanctions, with no mentioning to a demand to expel the Russian military presence in Syria, as some reports says.
An informed source told the newspaper, “There is a broad internal debate within the US administration regarding the position on the Russian military base in Syria”.
He added that this issue was discussed between the State Department and the White House, where there was pressure from some officials to remove the Russian base.
However, the source indicated that the withdrawal of Russian forces isn’t currently a condition for the Syrians in exchange for lifting sanctions”.
