Members of Congress are preparing a letter to European leaders urging them to resume their arms embargo against Syria.
The letter comes two months after the European Union abolished its 8-year-old arms embargo against Syria.
“We hope that you government will not choose to sell weaponry to Syria,” the letter, co-signed by about 60 representatives, says. The letter’s sponsors expect to continue collecting more signatures from other House members.
The letter cites Syria’s continued blind eye to terrorist acts and its ongoing state of war with Israel as reasons for countries to continue denying Syria weapons and other military materials.
It also warns that sending arms there would only enhance the country’s “belligerent military posture.”
“By offering a carrot to Damascus before it ends sponsorship of narcotics trafficking and terrorism and clearly commits itself to the peace process, we only encourage Syria’s continued unacceptable behavior,” the letter said.
The letter recognized the economic gain from selling arms overseas, but stressed that the goals of international stability and encouraging Syria’s peaceful behavior should outweigh financial gain.
Reps. Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.), and Jim Saxton (R-N.J.) spearheaded the bipartisan effort. Other co-signers include: Reps. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), Benjamin Gilman (R-N.Y.), Jon Fox (R-Pa.), Tom Lantos (D-Calif.), Peter King (R-N.Y.) and Benjamin Cardin (D-Md.)
The E.U. repealed the embargo against Syria last November, drawing sharp criticism from Israeli officials and some members of Congress.
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