ADC Press Release: ADC Warns Against Increasing Hostility towards Syria Washington, DC, Oct 8 – Today the two major national Arab-American organizations, the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) and the Arab American Institute (AAI), in separate statements, warned that Syrian-American relations are becoming dangerously and unnecessarily strained. ADC and AAI pointed in particular the "Syria Accountability Act," which was approved today by the House International Relations Committee.  This Act slaps damaging diplomatic and economic sanctions against Syria.  ADC also called on the Bush Administration to investigate possible violations of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) by Israel in its attack on Syrian territory on Sunday. In 2001, ADC urged the Administration to investigate possible Israeli violations of AECA by attacking civilian Palestinian areas in the Occupied Territories using American-made and supplied F-16 fighter jets and helicopters.  AECA limits the use of American-supplied weapons to defensive uses only.  ADC again called on the Administration to investigate Israel's use of American weapons with regard to the attack on Syrian territory.  ADC pointed out that the attack was the first major violation by either side of the armistice agreed following the October 1973 war, and constitutes an illegal and unprovoked aggression.  ADC expressed concern that statements by President George W. Bush and other senior Administration officials casting this attack as "defensive" could serve to encourage Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to commit further aggressive actions aimed at escalating and regionalizing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. ADC warned that the increasingly belligerent attitude towards Syria in Washington would not serve American national interests in the Middle East and could help to undermine regional stability.  ADC stressed that there is far more to gain from working with Syria than provoking its leadership and people. According to both press reports and statements by Administration officials, Syria has been an important ally in the war against Al-Qaeda, and information provided by the Syrian government led directly to the thwarting of plots to kill American troops in the Middle East.  Such cooperation should be cultivated, not spurned. ADC urged the Bush Administration to reassess its strategy vis-à-vis Syria, reject Congressional meddling in foreign policy, and promote policies that prioritize US interests. Rather than isolating Syria and encouraging Israel to attack it, the United States should engage in a long-term process that reduces instability, improves security, develops cooperation and promotes prosperity in Syria and neighboring Lebanon. -30- American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee 4201 Connecticut Ave., NW Suite 300 Washington, DC 20008 Tel: Fax: E-mail: adc www.adc.org _______________________________________________