US Lawmakers Urge Blinken to Implement ‘Caesar Act’ Decisively
Arab World
Washington - Rana Abtar
Legislators in Washington are fiercely demanding the Syria crisis is brought into the spotlight and placed high on the list of priorities run by the Biden administration. While Republicans are openly attacking US President Joe Biden over his failure in implementing the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act--a piece of legislation that sanctions the Syrian government for committing war crimes, Democrats are criticizing Biden behind closed doors. However, the scene started gradually shifting as international efforts to normalize ties with the Syrian regime build up traction. Democrats joined the Republicans in writing a letter to US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, urging him to strictly address these international efforts and implement UN Security Council Resolution 2254. Both parties wrote on the need for a “conclusive” and “strict” implementation of the sanctions under the Caesar Act. Although the letter was seemingly rushed, prominent Democratic leaders in the Senate and House of Representatives co-signing indicate that their patience is running out with the Biden administration. It ushers in more pressure on the Democratic administration holding accountable all those who violate the provisions of the legislation, which was approved in Congress with broad bipartisan consensus. Lawmakers insist that a settlement for the Syria crisis does not include Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in power. They urged Blinken to redouble efforts for countering the international drive towards normalization of ties with the Assad regime, along with the “strict and resolute implementation of the Caesar Civilian Protection Act.” Moreover, the legislators ruled out any possibility of doing business normally and naturally while a murderous regime remains in power. Members of Congress also sought to shed more light on Russia’s role in Syria, accusing it of deliberately seeking to encourage the international community to rehabilitate and accept the Assad regime to secure its strategic presence in the country and the region. They also warned against the Kremlin’s efforts to unlock financing opportunities for Syria’s reconstruction, saying that the move would consolidate Assad remaining in the war-torn country’s top office.
from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3017451/us-lawmakers-urge-blinken-implement-%E2%80%98caesar-act%E2%80%99-decisively
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