Barbara Ferguson, Arab News Correspondent

WASHINGTON, 14 December 2003 — President George W. Bush late Friday signed a bill aiming to punish Syria for alleged terrorist links and purported efforts to obtain nuclear, biological and chemical weapons. The bill provides for economic and diplomatic sanctions to be imposed on Syria, but also gives Bush the option of waiving penalties.

An eight-member US congressional delegation arrived in Damascus yesterday and met President Bashar Assad for talks about the bill which focused on the need to “conduct a candid, constructive and rational dialogue”, according to the news agency SANA. Syria had earlier responded by saying the new US law was the work of Israel’s friends in Congress.

Congress passed the legislation last month after the administration accused Syria of ignoring US requests to crack down on Palestinian and Lebanese guerilla groups.

The bill bans trade in items that could be used in weapons programs until the administration certifies that Syria is not supporting terrorist groups, has withdrawn 20,000 troops from Lebanon, is not developing unconventional weapons and has secured its border with Iraq.

It also calls for Syria and Lebanon to “enter into serious unconditional bilateral negotiations” with Israel in order to secure “a full and permanent peace.”

In Dubai yesterday, a Syrian minister told Al-Arabiya TV channel the law was passed because Damascus opposed Israeli occupation of Arab land and supported the Palestinian intifada.

“If the United States wants peace in the region, the way to do so is not by criticizing Hezbollah and Syria,” said Expatriates Minister Buthaina Shaaban. “The way to do so is by using its leadership and weight to revive the peace process.”

The bill also restricts US exports and business investment, downgrades US-Syrian diplomatic ties, imposes travel restrictions on Syrian diplomats in the United States, freezes Syria’s assets in the United States, and restricts overflight rights for Syrian aircraft inside US airspace.