[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2917 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
110th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 2917
To strengthen sanctions against the Government of Syria, to enhance
multilateral commitment to address the Government of Syria's
threatening policies, to establish a program to support a transition to
a democratically elected government in Syria, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
April 24, 2008
Mr. Cornyn introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Finance
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To strengthen sanctions against the Government of Syria, to enhance
multilateral commitment to address the Government of Syria's
threatening policies, to establish a program to support a transition to
a democratically elected government in Syria, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Syria
Accountability and Liberation Act''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
TITLE I--STRENGTHENING UNITED STATES SANCTIONS AGAINST SYRIA
Sec. 101. Declarations of policy.
Sec. 102. Codification of existing sanctions.
Sec. 103. Sanctions against certain persons.
Sec. 104. Sanctions against certain foreign countries.
TITLE II--SANCTIONS TARGETING SYRIA'S ENERGY SECTOR
Sec. 201. Imposition of sanctions.
Sec. 202. Advisory opinions.
Sec. 203. Termination of sanctions.
Sec. 204. Duration of sanctions; Presidential waiver.
Sec. 205. Exclusion of certain activities.
Sec. 206. Elimination of certain tax incentives for oil companies
investing in Syria.
TITLE III--DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS TO ISOLATE THE GOVERNMENT OF SYRIA
Sec. 301. Sense of Congress relating to bilateral efforts.
Sec. 302. Opposition to Syria's membership and candidacy for leadership
posts in United Nations institutions.
Sec. 303. Actions at the United Nations General Assembly.
Sec. 304. Actions at international financial institutions.
Sec. 305. Actions at the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Sec. 306. Establishment of United States and regional contact groups.
Sec. 307. Report on assistance to, and commerce with, Syria.
TITLE IV--ASSISTANCE TO SUPPORT DEMOCRACY IN SYRIA
Sec. 401. Declarations of policy.
Sec. 402. Assistance to support a transition to democracy in Syria.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term
``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
(A) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the
Senate;
(B) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
(C) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House
of Representatives; and
(D) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives.
(2) Develop; development.--The terms ``develop'' and
``development'', when used in conjunction with petroleum
resources, means the exploration for, or the extraction,
refining, or transportation by pipeline of, petroleum
resources.
(3) Goods and technology.--The terms ``goods'' and
``technology'' have the meanings given those terms in section
16 of the Export Administration Act of 1979 (50 U.S.C. App.
2415).
(4) Government of syria.--The term ``Government of Syria''
includes any agency or instrumentality of the Government of the
Syrian Arab Republic, including any entity that is controlled
by such government.
(5) Investment.--
(A) In general.--The term ``investment'' means any
of the following activities if the activity is
undertaken pursuant to an agreement, or pursuant to the
exercise of rights under such an agreement, which is
entered into with the Government of Syria or a
nongovernmental entity in Syria on or after the date of
the enactment of this Act:
(i) The entry into a contract that includes
responsibility for the development of petroleum
resources located in Syria, or the entry into a
contract providing for the general supervision
and guarantee of another person's performance
of such a contract.
(ii) The purchase of a share of ownership,
including an equity interest, in that
development.
(iii) The entry into a contract providing
for the participation in royalties, earnings,
or profits in that development, without regard
to the form of the participation.
(B) Exclusion.--The term ``investment'' does not
include the entry into, performance, or financing of a
contract to sell or purchase goods, services, or
technology.
(C) Amendments or modifications.--For purposes of
this paragraph, an amendment or other modification that
is made, on or after the date of the enactment of this
Act, to an agreement or contract shall be treated as
the entry of an agreement or contract.
(6) Person.--The term ``person'' means--
(A) a natural person; and
(B) a corporation, business association,
partnership, society, trust, any other nongovernmental
entity, organization, or group, and any governmental
entity operating as a business enterprise.
(7) Petroleum resources.--The term ``petroleum resources''
includes petroleum and natural gas resources.
(8) United states assistance.--The term ``United States
assistance'' means--
(A) any assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act
of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2251 et seq.), other than urgent
humanitarian assistance or medicine;
(B) sales and assistance under the Arms Export
Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2751 et seq.);
(C) financing by the Commodity Credit Corporation
for export sales of agricultural commodities; and
(D) financing under the Export-Import Bank Act of
1945 (12 U.S.C. 635 et seq.).
TITLE I--STRENGTHENING UNITED STATES SANCTIONS AGAINST SYRIA
SEC. 101. DECLARATIONS OF POLICY.
Congress makes the following declarations of policy:
(1) The national security interests of the United States
and international peace are threatened by the actions of the
Government of Syria, including the government's--
(A) support for, and facilitation of, terrorist
activities, including inside of Iraq;
(B) development of long-range missiles and weapons
of mass destruction programs and capabilities;
(C) continued interference with the internal
affairs of the Lebanese Republic in violation of
multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions
and of its international obligations; and
(D) massive, systematic, and extraordinary
violations of human rights of the Syrian people.
(2) It is the policy of the United States to deny the
Government of Syria the ability to--
(A) finance, provide safe-haven, or otherwise
support terrorist organizations;
(B) develop chemical, biological, radiological, or
nuclear weapons and long-range ballistic missiles;
(C) continue to interfere in the affairs of the
Government of Lebanon in contravention of multiple
United Nations Security Council Resolutions, and other
pertinent obligations; and
(D) continue to oppress the people of Syria.
(3) The President should advocate for, and should instruct
the United States Permanent Representative to the United
Nations to propose and seek within the United Nations Security
Council, a mandatory international embargo against the
Government of Syria, pursuant to Article 41 of the Charter of
the United Nations.
(4) Any effort by a country that is a recipient of United
States assistance to facilitate, directly or indirectly, the
development of Syria's chemical, biological, radiological, or
nuclear weapons capabilities, long-range ballistic missile
development programs, or to help make operational any nuclear
facility in Syria will have a detrimental impact on United
States assistance to, or commercial and financial relations
with, such country.
SEC. 102. CODIFICATION OF EXISTING SANCTIONS.
Restrictions against the Government of Syria, and on persons by
reason of their direction of, or contribution to, activities of the
Government of Syria, that were imposed pursuant to the International
Emergency Economic Powers Enhancement Act (Public Law 110-96), the
Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2003
(Public Law 108-175), the Iran, North Korea, and Syria Nonproliferation
Act (Public Law 106-178), or any similar provision of law, as in effect
on the date of the enactment of this Act, including the restrictions
imposed under Executive Order 12938 (as amended by Executive Order
13094), Executive Order 13338, Executive Order 13399, and any similar
Executive Order, shall remain in effect against the Government of Syria
and may not be lifted pursuant to such provisions of law until the
President certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that a
government exists in Syria that--
(1) has ceased any and all support for terrorism and has
not provided such support during the preceding 5-year period,
including support for Palestinian terrorist groups, and has not
been determined by the Secretary of State, for the purposes of
section 6(j) of the Export Administration Act of 1979 (50
U.S.C. App. 2405(j)), section 620A of the Foreign Assistance
Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2371), section 40 of the Arms Export
Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2780), or any other provision of law, to
be a government that has repeatedly provided support for acts
of international terrorism at any time during such 5-year
period;
(2) has permanently dismantled Syria's chemical,
biological, radiological, and nuclear weapons programs and has
taken demonstrable steps to combat the proliferation of such
weapons;
(3) respects the boundaries, sovereignty, and right to
exist of all neighboring countries; and
(4) upholds and defends the human rights and civil
liberties of its people.
SEC. 103. SANCTIONS AGAINST CERTAIN PERSONS.
(a) Prohibition.--The sanctions described in subsection (c) shall
be imposed upon any person who transfers or retransfers goods or
technology so as to contribute to the efforts by the Government of
Syria to--
(1) acquire or develop destabilizing numbers or types of
advanced conventional weapons; or
(2) acquire, develop, produce, or stockpile biological,
chemical, radiological, or nuclear weapons or long-range
ballistic missiles.
(b) Persons Against Whom Sanctions Are To Be Imposed.--The
sanctions described in subsection (c) shall be imposed on--
(1) any person the President determines has carried out the
activities described in subsection (a); and
(2) any person the President determines--
(A) is a successor entity to the person described
in paragraph (1);
(B) is a parent or subsidiary of the person
referred to in paragraph (1), if that parent or
subsidiary engaged in the activities referred to in
paragraph (1); or
(C) is an affiliate of the person described in
paragraph (1) if that affiliate--
(i) engaged in the activities referred to
in paragraph (1); and
(ii) is controlled in fact by the person
described in paragraph (1).
(c) Sanctions.--The sanctions described in this subsection are the
following:
(1) Procurement sanction.--The United States Government
shall not procure, or enter into any contract for the
procurement of, any goods or services from the sanctioned
person.
(2) Export sanction.--The United States Government shall
not issue any license for any export by or to the sanctioned
person.
(3) Import sanction.--The President shall ban the
importation of any article that is a product of the sanctioned
person.
(d) Sanctioned Person Defined.--In this section, the term
``sanctioned person'' means any person or entity described in
subsection (b).
SEC. 104. SANCTIONS AGAINST CERTAIN FOREIGN COUNTRIES.
(a) Prohibition.--If the President determines that the government
of any foreign country transfers or retransfers goods or technology, or
provides assistance, so as to contribute to the efforts by the
Government of Syria to acquire or develop destabilizing numbers and
types of advanced conventional weapons, or to acquire, develop,
produce, or stockpile chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear
weapons and long-range ballistic missiles, the President shall impose--
(1) 2 or more of the sanctions described in subsection (b);
and
(2) the sanctions described in subsection (c).
(b) Sanctions.--The sanctions described in this subsection are the
following:
(1) Suspension of united states assistance.--The United
States Government shall suspend United States assistance to the
sanctioned country.
(2) Export sanction.--The United States Government may not
issue any license for any export by or to the sanctioned
country.
(3) Import sanction.--The President shall ban the
importation of any article that is a product of the sanctioned
country.
(4) International financial institution assistance.--The
Secretary of the Treasury shall instruct the United States
Executive Director at each international financial institution
(as defined in section 1701(c)(2) of the International
Financial Institutions Act) to oppose and vote against the
extension by such institution of any financial or technical
assistance to the sanctioned country.
(5) Suspension of codevelopment or coproduction
agreements.--The United States Government shall suspend
compliance with its obligations under any memorandum of
understanding with the sanctioned country for the codevelopment
or coproduction of any item on the United States Munitions List
(established under section 38 of the Arms Export Control Act
(22 U.S.C. 2778)), including any obligation for implementation
of the memorandum of understanding through the sale to the
sanctioned country of technical data or assistance or the
licensing for export to the sanctioned country of any component
part.
(6) United states munitions list.--No item on the United
States Munitions List (established pursuant to section 38 of
the Arms Export Control Act) may be exported to the sanctioned
country.
(c) Suspension of Military and Dual-Use Technical Exchange
Agreements.--The United States Government shall suspend compliance with
its obligations under any technical exchange agreement involving
military and dual-use technology between the United States and the
sanctioned country that does not directly contribute to the security of
the United States. No military or dual-use technology may be exported
from the United States to the sanctioned country pursuant to such
agreement during such period.
TITLE II--SANCTIONS TARGETING SYRIA'S ENERGY SECTOR
SEC. 201. IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS.
(a) Imposition of Sanctions.--Except as provided under subsection
(e) and section 203, the President shall impose the sanctions specified
in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b) and 1 of the sanctions
specified in paragraphs (3) through (6) of subsection (b) if the
President determines that a person has, on or after the date of the
enactment of this Act, made an investment, or combination of
investments within a 12-month period, of $5,000,000 or more that
contributed to the enhancement of the Government of Syria's ability to
develop petroleum resources in Syria.
(b) Sanctions Specified.--The sanctions specified in this
subsection are as follows:
(1) Export-import bank assistance for exports to sanctioned
persons.--The President shall prohibit the Export-Import Bank
of the United States from approving the issuance of any
guarantee, insurance, extension of credit, or participation in
the extension of credit in connection with the export of any
goods or services to any sanctioned person.
(2) Loans from united states financial institutions.--The
United States Government shall prohibit any United States
financial institution from making loans or providing credits
totaling more than $10,000,000 in any 12-month period to any
sanctioned person unless--
(A) such person is engaged in activities to relieve
human suffering; and
(B) the loans or credits are provided to carry out
the activities described in subparagraph (A).
(3) Export sanction.--The President may prohibit the United
States Government from issuing any specific license or granting
any other specific permission or authority to export any goods
or technology to a sanctioned person under--
(A) the Export Administration Act of 1979 (50 App.
2401 et seq.);
(B) the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2751 et
seq.);
(C) the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2011
et seq.); or
(D) any other provision of law that requires the
prior review and approval of the United States
Government as a condition for the export or reexport of
goods or services.
(4) Prohibitions on financial institutions.--
(A) In general.--A financial institution that is a
sanctioned person--
(i) may not be designated by the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System or the
Federal Reserve Bank of New York as a primary
dealer in United States Government debt
instruments or permitted to continue in any
such designation; and
(ii) may not serve as an agent of the
United States Government or serve as repository
for United States Government funds.
(B) Treatment.--For purposes of this title--
(i) a sanction imposed under clause (i) or
(ii) of subparagraph (A) shall be treated as 1
sanction; and
(ii) sanctions imposed under clauses (i)
and (ii) of subparagraph (A) shall be treated
as 2 sanctions.
(5) Procurement sanction.--The United States Government may
not procure, or enter into any contract for the procurement of,
any goods or services from a sanctioned person.
(6) Additional sanctions.--The President may impose
sanctions, as appropriate, to restrict imports with respect to
a sanctioned person, in accordance with the International
Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.).
(c) Persons Against Which the Sanctions Are To Be Imposed.--The
sanctions described in subsection (b) shall be imposed on--
(1) any person the President determines has carried out the
activities described in subsection (a); and
(2) any person the President determines--
(A) is a successor entity to the person described
in paragraph (1);
(B) is a parent or subsidiary of the person
described in paragraph (1) if that parent or subsidiary
engaged in the activities referred to in paragraph (1);
or
(C) is an affiliate of the person described in
paragraph (1), if that affiliate--
(i) engaged in the activities referred to
in paragraph (1); and
(ii) is controlled in fact by the person
described in paragraph (1).
(d) Publication in Federal Register.--The President shall annually
publish in the Federal Register--
(1) a current list of sanctioned persons;
(2) the persons or entities who have been removed from, or
added to, the list of sanctioned persons since the list was
last published in the Federal Register; and
(3) a list of all the projects that have been publicly
tendered in the oil and gas sector in Syria.
(e) Exceptions.--The President is not required to apply or maintain
the sanctions described in subsection (b)--
(1) to the procurement of defense articles or defense
services--
(A) under contracts or subcontracts existing on the
date of the enactment of this Act, including the
exercise of options for production quantities to
satisfy requirements essential to the national security
of the United States; or
(B) if the President determines and certifies in
writing to the appropriate congressional committees
that--
(i)(I) the person to which the sanctions
would otherwise be applied is a sole source
supplier of the defense articles or services;
(II) the defense articles or services are
essential; and
(III) alternative sources are not readily
or reasonably available; or
(ii) such articles or services are
essential to the national security of the
United States under defense coproduction
agreements;
(2) to the procurement of eligible products (as defined in
section 308(4) of the Trade Agreements Act of 1979 (19 U.S.C.
2518(4))) of any foreign country or instrumentality designated
under section 301(b)(1) of that Act (19 U.S.C. 2511(b)(1));
(3) to products, technology, or services provided under
contracts entered into before the date on which the President
publishes in the Federal Register the name of the person with
respect to whom the sanctions are to be imposed;
(4) to spare parts or component parts, but not finished
products, which are essential to United States products or
production; and
(5) to medicines, medical supplies, or other humanitarian
items.
(f) Sanctioned Person Defined.--In this section, the term
``sanctioned person'' means any person or entity described in
subsection (c).
(g) Determinations Not Reviewable.--A determination to impose
sanctions under this section may not be subject to judicial review in
any court.
SEC. 202. ADVISORY OPINIONS.
(a) Issuance.--Upon the request of any person, the Secretary of
State may issue an advisory opinion to advise that person whether a
proposed activity by that person would subject that person to sanctions
under section 201.
(b) Safe Harbor.--Any person who relies in good faith on an
advisory opinion issued under subsection (a) that states that a
proposed activity would not subject the person to sanctions under
section 201, and any person who thereafter engages in such activity,
shall not be subject to such sanctions on account of such activity.
SEC. 203. TERMINATION OF SANCTIONS.
The requirement to impose sanctions under section 201 shall no
longer have force or effect with respect to the Government of Syria if
the President determines and certifies to the appropriate congressional
committees that the Government of Syria--
(1) has ceased its efforts to design, develop, manufacture,
or acquire--
(A) a nuclear explosive device or related materials
and technology;
(B) chemical, biological, and radiological weapons;
and
(C) ballistic missiles and ballistic missile launch
technology;
(2) is no longer a government that has repeatedly provided
support for acts of international terrorism, as determined by
the Secretary of State under section 6(j) of the Export
Administration Act of 1979, section 620A of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961, section 40 of the Arms Export Control
Act, or any other provision of law;
(3) is in compliance with all of its international
commitments, including pertinent United Nations Security
Council resolutions;
(4) respects the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and
right to exist of neighboring countries; and
(5) poses no threat to United States security, United
States interests, or United States allies in the region.
SEC. 204. DURATION OF SANCTIONS; PRESIDENTIAL WAIVER.
(a) Duration of Sanctions.--Sanctions imposed under section 201
shall remain in effect--
(1) for a period of not less than 2 years from the date on
which it is imposed; or
(2) for the longer of--
(A) a period of not less than 1 year; or
(B) until such time as the President determines and
certifies to the appropriate congressional committees
that--
(i) the person whose activities were the
basis for imposing the sanction is no longer
engaging in such activities; and
(ii) the President has received reliable
assurances that such person will not engage in
such activities in the future.
(b) Delay of Sanctions.--
(1) Consultations.--If the President determines that a
sanction under section 201 should be imposed with respect to a
foreign person, the President should immediately initiate
consultations with the government with primary jurisdiction
over the foreign person with respect to the imposition of
sanctions under such section.
(2) Actions by government of jurisdiction.--
(A) Consultations.--The President may delay the
imposition of sanctions against a foreign person under
section 201 for up to 90 days to consult with the
government with primary jurisdiction over the foreign
person.
(B) Effect of consultation.--At the conclusion of
the consultations under subparagraph (A), the President
shall immediately impose sanctions against the foreign
person under section 201 unless the President
determines and certifies to the appropriate
congressional committees that the foreign government
has taken specific and effective actions, including the
imposition of appropriate penalties, to terminate the
involvement of the foreign person in the activities
that resulted in the determination by the President to
impose such sanctions against the foreign person.
(c) Presidential Waiver.--The President may, on a case by case
basis, waive for a single period not to exceed 6 months the application
of a sanction imposed under section 201 with respect to a foreign
person if the President certifies to the appropriate congressional
committees at least 30 days before such waiver is to take effect that--
(1) such waiver is vital to the national security of the
United States; and
(2) the government of the country of which the foreign
person is a national has undertaken substantial measures to--
(A) prevent the acquisition and development of
weapons of mass destruction by the Government of Syria;
and
(B) deny the Government of Syria the resources and
capability to engage in the state-sponsorship of
terrorism.
SEC. 205. EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN ACTIVITIES.
Nothing in this title may be construed to apply to any activities
subject to the reporting requirements of title V of the National
Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 413 et seq.).
SEC. 206. ELIMINATION OF CERTAIN TAX INCENTIVES FOR OIL COMPANIES
INVESTING IN SYRIA.
(a) In General.--Section 167(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986 (relating to amortization of geological and geophysical
expenditures) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(6) Denial when syria sanctions in effect.--
``(A) In general.--If sanctions are imposed under
the Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty
Restoration Act of 2003 or the Syria Accountability and
Liberation Act on any member of an expanded affiliated
group the common parent of which is a foreign
corporation, paragraph (1) shall not apply to any
expense paid or incurred by any such member in any
period during which the sanctions are in effect.
``(B) Expanded affiliated group.--In this
paragraph, the term `expanded affiliated group' has the
meaning given the term `affiliated group' under section
1504(a), except that--
``(i) the phrase `more than 50 percent'
shall be substituted for `at least 80 percent'
each place it appears; and
``(ii) paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) of
section 1504(b) shall not apply.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall
apply to expenses paid or incurred on or after January 1, 2007.
TITLE III--DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS TO ISOLATE THE GOVERNMENT OF SYRIA
SEC. 301. SENSE OF CONGRESS RELATING TO BILATERAL EFFORTS.
It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary of State should
ensure that United States diplomatic personnel who are stationed
abroad--
(1) understand and, in their contacts with foreign
officials, are communicating the reasons for United States
policy and sanctions against the Government of Syria; and
(2) are urging foreign governments to cooperate more
effectively with the Government of the United States in
compelling the Government of Syria to cease policies and
activities that threaten global peace and security.
SEC. 302. OPPOSITION TO SYRIA'S MEMBERSHIP AND CANDIDACY FOR LEADERSHIP
POSTS IN UNITED NATIONS INSTITUTIONS.
The President shall direct the United States Permanent
Representative to the United Nations to continue to use the voice and
vote of the United States to oppose Syria's membership and candidacy
for leadership posts in such institutions, and engage in diplomatic
efforts to secure multilateral support for such efforts.
SEC. 303. ACTIONS AT THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
The President shall take the necessary steps to secure support for
the adoption of a resolution at the United Nations General Assembly
that--
(1) holds the Government of Syria accountable for its
systematic violations of human rights of Syrian and Lebanese
citizens; and
(2) calls for the appointment of a United Nations Special
Rapporteur to investigate such human rights violations.
SEC. 304. ACTIONS AT INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.
The President shall instruct the United States Executive Director
at each international financial institution (as defined in section
1701(c)(2) of the International Financial Institutions Act) to use the
voice and vote of the United States to oppose--
(1) any loan or other assistance to Syria; and
(2) Syria's membership in the institution.
SEC. 305. ACTIONS AT THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY.
The President shall instruct the United States Permanent
Representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency (referred to
in this section as the ``IAEA'') to--
(1) seek the adoption of a resolution calling on Syria to--
(A) declare all nuclear-related facilities;
(B) immediately and unconditionally suspend any
activity which could be used to develop nuclear-weapons
capability; and
(C) provide IAEA inspectors with full access to its
nuclear-related facilities;
(2) block the allocation of funds for IAEA development,
environmental, or nuclear-related assistance or activity to the
Government of Syria or any agency or instrumentality of such
government until the conditions described in paragraphs (1)
through (4) of section 102 have been met; and
(3) block membership of the Government of Syria on the
Board of Governors of the IAEA.
SEC. 306. ESTABLISHMENT OF UNITED STATES AND REGIONAL CONTACT GROUPS.
The President shall seek to establish contact groups with relevant
countries in the Middle East to provide forums in which United States
officials who are responsible for counter-proliferation efforts are
able to meet, at least twice each year, with their counterpart from
such countries to--
(1) discuss the global threats presented by Syrian nuclear
proliferation and sponsorship of international terrorism; and
(2) develop strategies to effectively address such threats.
SEC. 307. REPORT ON ASSISTANCE TO, AND COMMERCE WITH, SYRIA.
(a) Report.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment
of this Act, and annually thereafter, the President shall submit a
report to the appropriate congressional committees that describes the
assistance to, and commerce with, Syria by other foreign countries
during the preceding 12-month period.
(b) Contents.--Each report submitted under subsection (a) shall,
for the period covered by the report and to the extent available--
(1) describe all bilateral assistance provided to Syria by
other foreign countries, including humanitarian assistance;
(2) describe Syria's commerce with foreign countries,
including an identification of Syria's trading partners and the
extent of such trade;
(3) describe the joint ventures completed, or under
consideration, by foreign nationals and business firms
involving facilities in Syria, including--
(A) the location of the facilities involved;
(B) a description of the terms of agreement of the
joint ventures; and
(C) the names of the parties that are involved;
(4) report the amount of debt of the Government of Syria
that is owed to each foreign country, including--
(A) the amount of debt exchanged, forgiven, or
reduced under the terms of each investment or operation
in Syria involving foreign nationals; and
(B) the amount of debt owed to the foreign country
that has been exchanged, forgiven, or reduced in return
for a grant by the Government of Syria of an equity
interest in a property, investment, or operation of the
Syrian Government or of a Syrian national;
(5) describe the steps taken to assure that raw materials
and semifinished or finished goods produced by facilities in
Syria involving foreign nationals do not enter the United
States market, either directly or through third countries or
parties;
(6) identify the countries and entities that provide, or
have provided, arms or military supplies from Syria or that
otherwise have entered into agreements with Syria that could
have a military application; and
(7) contain, for the countries and entities identified
under paragraph (6)--
(A) a description of the military supplies,
equipment, or other material sold, bartered, or
exchanged between Syria and such countries or entities;
(B) a listing of the goods, services, credits, or
other consideration received by Syria in exchange for
military supplies, equipment, or material; and
(C) the terms or conditions of any agreement
described in paragraph (6).
(c) Form.--The report submitted under subsection (a) shall be in
unclassified form and may include a classified annex.
TITLE IV--ASSISTANCE TO SUPPORT DEMOCRACY IN SYRIA
SEC. 401. DECLARATIONS OF POLICY.
It shall be the policy of the United States to support independent
human rights and pro-democracy forces in Syria to promote the emergence
of a democratic government in Syria that will--
(1) denounce and combat terrorism;
(2) dismantle its chemical, biological, radiological, and
nuclear weapons programs and commit to combating the
proliferation of such weapons;
(3) respect the boundaries, sovereignty, and right to exist
of its neighbors and live in peace and security with all the
countries in the region; and
(4) uphold and defend the human rights and civil liberties
of its citizens.
SEC. 402. ASSISTANCE TO SUPPORT A TRANSITION TO DEMOCRACY IN SYRIA.
(a) Authorization.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the
President is authorized to provide assistance and other support for
individuals and independent nongovernmental organizations to support a
transition to a freely elected, internationally recognized democratic
government in Syria.
(b) Activities Supported.--Assistance provided pursuant to
subsection (a) shall, to the maximum extent practicable, be used to
carry out--
(1) democracy-building and civil society efforts in Syria,
including the provision of assistance to organizations
certified by the President to be independent democratic
organizations, victims of political repression and their
families, and prisoners of conscience and their families; and
(2) radio and television broadcasting to Syria to support
democracy-building and civil society efforts in Syria.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the President, for fiscal year 2008 and for each
subsequent fiscal year, such sums as may be necessary to carry out this
section.
<all>