Congressman Wexler Introduces Resolution Supporting
Israeli Air Strike on Syria

(Washington, DC)  Today, Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Europe and a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, announced that he will introduce a resolution on September 24 supporting Israel’s right to security and self defense and its recent covert military operation on September 6 that appears to have successfully eliminated an alleged nuclear weapons facility in Syria.  The resolution also condemns the Syrian government for its cooperation with North Korea in the development of chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons. Finally, the resolution condemns Syria for continuing to provide military, logistical and political assistance to the terrorist organization Hezbollah in violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701.  The full text of the resolution is attached below.

Over the past several decades, Syria has acquired an advanced deadly arsenal of chemical weapons and surface-to-surface missiles, and has reportedly conducted research and development in biological weapons.  According to a September 20 Washington Institute Policy Watch Report, Syria has binary-type and cluster-bomblet chemical warheads for all its major missile systems, as well as thousands of bombs filled with the nerve agents sarin and possibly VX.  Additionally, it is reported that  Syria currently possesses about 200 Scud-Bs, 60-120 Scud-Cs, and a smaller number of Scud-Ds as well as the Soviet SS-21 missile with a 70-kilometer range, and large numbers of domestically produced 220-millimeter and 302-millimeter artillery rockets with ranges of 70 and 100 kilometers, respectively.

“A Syria with nuclear weapons is an unacceptable threat to the United States, Israel and international community and would further destabilize the Middle East,” Congressman Wexler said. “Israel’s recent military action was effective and absolutely appropriate given the growing threat from Syria. Congress should go on record supporting this justified operation.  It is critical that the international community immediately address Syria’s massive buildup of deadly weapons of mass destruction and urge Damascus to end its support for terrorist organizations such Hezbollah and Hamas”

Congressman Wexler is Chairman of the Europe Subcommittee, a senior member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the House Judiciary Committee, and he also sits on the Financial Services Committee. 

Expressing the unequivocal support of the House of Representatives for Israel’s right to self defense in the face of an imminent nuclear or military threat from Syria.

Whereas on September 6, 2007, the Government of Israel justifiably conducted covert military operations in Syria, bombing a suspected nuclear facility;

Whereas in 1981, Israeli Defense Forces attacked and destroyed the nuclear reactor at Osirak, Iraq, preventing Saddam Hussein from developing nuclear weapons;

Whereas on September 6, 2007, it is reported that as many as 8 Israeli Air Force fighter jets struck a Syrian nuclear weapons facility; Whereas it has been reported that Syria is pursuing nuclear capabilities in addition to its already dangerous biological and chemical weapons programs;

Whereas according to a 2004 unclassified Central Intelligence Agency report on Syria, ‘‘Pakistani investigators said that they had confirmation of an IAEA allegation that
A.Q. Khan offered nuclear technology and hardware to Syria.’’;

Whereas reports suggest that the Syrian Government is working closely with the North Korean Government to develop a nuclear weapons program;

Whereas Andrew Semmel, acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Nuclear Nonproliferation Policy, said Syria may have had contacts with ‘‘secret suppliers’’ to obtain
nuclear equipment for a covert program and that North Korean technicians are currently operating in Syria;

Whereas the United States military and intelligence community have tracked several shipments of material they believe have left North Korea and are destined for Syria that may contain high-grade metals that could be used in weapons such as missiles or solid-fuel rocket technology;

Whereas it is reported that Syrian leaders have threatened Israel claiming that Syria has a big surprise in store for Israel in 2007;

Whereas over the past three decades, Syria has acquired a deadly arsenal of chemical weapons and surface-to-surface missiles and has reportedly conducted research and development in biological weapons;

Whereas according to the Department of State, Syria has missiles capable of striking anywhere in Israel and may be seeking to place a nuclear warhead on Scud-C missiles it possesses;

Whereas the Government of Syria has disclosed that an explosion occurred at a secret military facility in Aleppo in July 2007, while attempting to weapon is a Scud-C missile with mustard gas, reportedly killing 15 people and injuring 50;

Whereas Syria continues to provide logistical and political assistance to the terrorist organization Hezbollah and is the main conduit for the transfer of sophisticated rockets and
other arms to Hezbollah units in violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701;

Whereas Syria has been designated by the Department of State as a sponsor of international terrorism; and

Whereas the Government of Syria’s continued support for international terrorist organizations and its possession of weapons of mass destruction represent an imminent threat to the United States, Israel, and United States allies in the Middle East:

Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives—
(1) expresses its unequivocal support for Israel’s right to self defense in the face of an imminent nuclear or military threat from Syria;

(2) reaffirms America’s unbreakable bond with Israel and pledges to continue to work with Prime Minister Olmert and his government to ensure that Israel continues to receive critical military and economic assistance needed to address the growing security threat of Syria and Iran;

(3) condemns the Government of Syria for its continued support of terrorism and its illicit chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons activities, including close cooperation with the Government of North Korea;

(4) condemns the Government of North Korea for providing Syria with technology, expertise, and materials to develop nuclear weapons;

(5) condemns Syria and Iran for continuing to provide military, logistical, and political support to Hezbollah and Palestinian terrorist groups;

(6) urges President George W. Bush to condemn the Government of North Korea for providing Syria with nuclear technology and expertise and to reexamine diplomatic discussions with North Korean officials in light of nuclear cooperation between Damascus and Pyongyang; and
(7) urges President Bush and his Administration to support strengthening United States sanctions against Syria.

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Congressman Wexler is Chairman of the Europe Subcommittee and a senior member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the House Judiciary Committee; and he also sits on the Financial Services Committee.

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