Thread: U.S. sells Syria dual-use tech that could be used by Iran

U.S. sells Syria dual-use tech that could be used by Iran

WASHINGTON — The Bush administration has approved the sale of advanced dual-use computers to Syria.

"It's a major piece of equipment and is being given to an ally that could use it for military purposes as well as share it with Iran," an official said.
The export, disclosed by the U.S. television network Fox, was approved despite U.S. sanctions on Damascus of military and advanced dual-use systems. Syria, deemed a terrorist sponsor, has been in the same category as Iran and North Korea.

Officials said the State Department has provided a license for the sale of advanced computers for a Syrian border surveillance program. They said the systems were being provided through a United Nations program that could significantly enhance Syria's military capabilities.
In 2004, President George Bush signed legislation to severely restrict technology exports to Syria, deemed a gateway of Al Qaida for the war against the U.S. military in neighboring Iraq. But the legislation allowed the president to waive sanctions on grounds of U.S. national security.

Officials said the U.S. firm Cisco would supply computers and networking equipment to Syria under UN program. They said Syria would receive about $2.2 million in equipment under a program termed "Modernization of Syrian Customs Directorate," launched in 2005 and meant to be completed in early 2008.

Cisco was granted a license by the U.S. Commerce Department to sell the computers to Syria in September 2006. The UN has confirmed the sale while the Commerce Department has not responded to the report.

A federal investigation has determined that the U.S. Defense Department approved the export of spare parts of the F-14 fighter-jet to front companies for Iran. The aircraft parts as well as other U.S. military equipment were said to have been purchased by brokers for China and then relayed to Teheran.

http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribun ... _01_30.asp

The Bush administration has approved the sale of advanced dual-use computers to Syria.

"It's a major piece of equipment and is being given to an ally that could use it for military purposes as well as share it with Iran," an official said.
The export, disclosed by the U.S. television network Fox, was approved despite U.S. sanctions on Damascus of military and advanced dual-use systems. Syria, deemed a terrorist sponsor, has been in the same category as Iran and North Korea.

Officials said the State Department has provided a license for the sale of advanced computers for a Syrian border surveillance program. They said the systems were being provided through a United Nations program that could significantly enhance Syria's military capabilities.

The Bush administration APPROVED the sale to a nation that sponsors terrorism!

The United Nations cannot be allowed to dictate policy when the issue concerns US security.

"The liberty of a democracy is not safe if the people tolerate the growth of private power to a point where it becomes stronger than their democratic state itself. That, in its essence, is fascism - ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or any controlling private power."
Franklin D. Roosevelt

There are five countries that are currently identified by the US State Department as having repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism. They are Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria. Because of this designation, there are supposed to be severe restrictions on U.S. foreign assistance; a ban on defense exports and sales; restrictions over exports that could be used for military purposes (dual-use items); and miscellaneous financial and other restrictions on these countries.

Why then has the Bush administration recently approved the sale of advanced, dual-use computers to the Baathist regime of Syrian President Bashir Assad, which has been repeatedly sanctioned by the U.S. for its sponsorship of international terrorism, support of Hizbollah and Al Qaida, destabilization of Lebanon and its shipping of terrorists fighters and weapons into Iraq with the specific intention of killing U.S. soldiers. The type of computers being sold could be easily be used for military purposes, or possibly be given to Iran or some terrorist organization.
The State Department provided a license for the sale of these advanced computers through the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). According to the UNDP, the deal is part of a Syrian customs modernization plan that is designed to help improve the business environment and the private sector through transparency, trade facilitation, simplification and consistency of procedures, efficient clearance of goods and national entry processing.

It appears that both the US and the European Union have been quietly engaged in incentive diplomacy with Syria, quietly laying the groundwork for some sort of a “trade-for-peaceâ€

Welcome to ALIPAC Mr. Wallace and thank you for the information concerning the Syrian deal.

We need American patriotics in office not those who sell us out like the Bush administration apparently has.

For additional information, contact:
John Wallace
Candidate for Congress
NY's 20th Congressiponal District
518-392-7062

Welcome to ALIPAC John Wallace

Dixie