Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, April 15, 2003
Powell Says US Considering Sanctions against Syria
US Secretary of State Colin Powell said Monday that the United States is examining the possibility of imposing diplomatic and economic sanctions against Syria for alleged assistance to Iraq.
US Secretary of State Colin Powell said Monday that the United States is examining the possibility of imposing diplomatic and economic sanctions against Syria for alleged assistance to Iraq.
"We will examine possible measures of a diplomatic, economic orother nature as we move forward," Powell told reporters after meeting with visiting Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Mohammed Al-Sabah at the State Department.
"We are in touch with Syrian authorities ... and will make themaware of our concerns and we'll see how things unfold as we move forward," he said.
Echoing President George W. Bush's accusation made Sunday that Syria has chemical weapons, Powell said Washington is concerned that Syria has been participating in the development of weapons ofmass destruction, specifically chemical weapons.
"We believe that in light of this new environment they should review their actions and their behavior, not only with respect to who gets haven in Syria and weapons of mass destruction but especially the support of terrorist activity," the secretary said.
"We have a new situation in the region and we hope that all thenations in the region will now review their past practices and behavior," he added.
Washington has been accusing Syria of providing assistance for Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's government during the ongoing warand warned Syria not to harbor any members of the Iraqi governmentwhich the United States thinks should be held to account. Syria has rejected all US allegations.