PRESIDENT OBAMA'S LETTER REGARDING NATIONAL EMERGENCY WITH RESPECT TO ACTIONS OF SYRIA

FROM:  THE WHITE HOUSE
May 06, 2015
Letter -- Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Actions of the Government of Syria

Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:)

Section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act, 50 U.S.C. 1622(d), provides for the automatic termination of a national emergency, unless, within 90 days prior to the anniversary date of its declaration, the President publishes in the Federal Register and transmits to the Congress a notice stating that the emergency is to continue in effect beyond the anniversary date.  In accordance with this provision, I have sent to the Federal Register for publication the enclosed notice stating that the national emergency with respect to the actions of the Government of Syria declared in Executive Order (E.O.) 13338 of May 11, 2004 -- as modified in scope and relied upon for additional steps taken in E.O. 13399 of April 25, 2006, E.O. 13460 of February 13, 2008, E.O. 13572 of April 29, 2011, E.O. 13573 of May 18, 2011, E.O. 13582 of August 17, 2011, E.O. 13606 of April 22, 2012, and E.O. 13608 of May 1, 2012 -- is to continue in effect beyond May 11, 2015.

The regime's brutal war on the Syrian people, who have been calling for freedom and a representative government, not only endangers the Syrian people themselves, but could yield greater instability throughout the region.  The Syrian regime's actions and policies, including pursuing chemical and biological weapons, supporting terrorist organizations, and obstructing the Lebanese government's ability to function effectively, are fostering the rise of extremism and sectarianism and continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States.  For these reasons, I have determined that it is necessary to continue in effect the national emergency declared with respect to this threat and to maintain in force the sanctions to address this national emergency.

In addition, the United States condemns the Asad regime's use of brutal violence and human rights abuses and calls on the Asad regime to stop its violent war and allow a political transition in Syria that will forge a credible path to a future of greater freedom, democracy, opportunity, and justice.

The United States will consider changes in the composition, policies, and actions of the Government of Syria in determining whether to continue or terminate this national emergency in the future.

STATE DEPARTMENT STATEMENT ON RECENT VIOLENCE AGAINST CIVILIANS IN SYRIA

FROM:  U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
Recent Violence Against Civilians in Syria
Press Statement
Marie Harf
Acting Department Spokesperson, Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
April 3, 2015

The United States strongly condemns attacks this week against Syrian civilians, who continue to suffer from both the Asad regime and violent extremist groups. Fighting between regime forces and an alliance of Islamist-oriented forces, including the al-Qa’ida-affiliated al-Nusra Front, and airstrikes by the Asad regime on Idlib city reportedly killed more than 100 civilians, significantly damaged hospitals, and displaced an estimated 30,000 people. Activists reported that ISIL massacred over 40 people in Mabuja in Hama province – reportedly Ismailis and Alawites, including women and children. Regime bombings of the town killed additional inhabitants and inflicted further damage.

We also condemn and are deeply concerned by ISIL’s attacks this week against the besieged Yarmouk Palestinian refugee camp in southern Damascus. Since advancing into Yarmouk on April 1, ISIL – with the support of al-Nusra Front – has violently clashed with other armed groups, putting the remaining 18,000 civilians in the area at severe risk. Yarmouk’s inhabitants have already suffered from the regime’s violence and have lived under siege for nearly two years, deprived of desperately needed essentials, including food and medical relief.

These tragic events illustrate the terrible toll the war has taken on Syrian civilians and reaffirm the need for a political solution to end the conflict and alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people. The United States reiterates that all forces must cease unlawful attacks on civilians and comply with international law. Those who are responsible for these and other atrocities against the civilian population must be held accountable.

SECRETARY KERRY'S REMARKS ON $378 MILLION ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO SYRRA

FROM:  U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT 

The United States Contributes $378 Million in Additional Funding to Syria

Remarks

John Kerry

Secretary of State

Washington, DC

July 30, 2014

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Nearly 11 million Syrians today are struggling to survive one of the worst humanitarian crises in living memory.

The brutally indefensible and illegitimate Asad regime continues to pursue its appalling “starve or surrender” tactics against the Syrian people. The regime is asphyxiating half a million Syrians in Aleppo by obstructing deliveries of food, water, and medicine, and dropping dozens of barrel bombs a day on the city and surrounding suburbs. Syrians all over the country are being butchered at the hands of a ruthless tyrant.

The world must act quickly and decisively to get life-saving assistance to the innocent civilians who are bearing the brunt of this barbaric war. That’s why the United States is providing nearly $378 million in additional aid to help those battered by conflict. The United States remains the single-largest donor of humanitarian aid for the crisis, and total U.S. humanitarian assistance will now reach more than $2.4 billion. Of that total, nearly $438 million is supporting cross-border assistance through non-governmental organizations to reach the children, women, and men residing in areas outside of the regime’s control.

This assistance is having an impact on the ground – right now. With our help, more than 4 million people in Syria have food to eat. More than 1.9 million patients have been treated in more than 300 U.S.-supported hospitals and health clinics across Syria. And our assistance feeds, shelters, and provides medicine and water to millions of refugees throughout the region in countries like Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Iraq, and Egypt, all coping with the burden of hosting thousands of refugees.

We endorse full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2165, which was adopted unanimously. This resolution authorizes UN organizations to bring life-saving assistance across the border into Syria without the Asad regime’s consent. Late last week, truckloads of UN humanitarian aid began crossing into Syria, and we look forward to more UN aid convoys in the coming days.

As we continue our humanitarian efforts, we remain committed to finding a political solution to this crisis. We must bring the violence and bloodshed to an end, and work toward a future of dignity and freedom that all Syrians deserve.

SECRETARY KERRY'S PRESS STATEMENT ON ALEPO BARREL-BOMBINGS

FROM:  STATE DEPARTMENT
Barrel Bombs in Aleppo
Press Statement
John Kerry
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
February 4, 2014

Each and every day that the barrel-bombing of Aleppo continues, the Asad regime reminds the world of its true colors. It is the latest barbaric act of a regime that has committed organized, wholesale torture, used chemical weapons, and is starving whole communities by blocking delivery of food to Syrian civilians in urgent need.

Now, with air raids killing dozens more civilians in just the past few days, destroying apartment buildings, and barrel bombs striking a mosque today, the staggering civilian toll dramatically climbs. Each and every barrel bomb filled with metal shrapnel and fuel launched against innocent Syrians underscores the barbarity of a regime that has turned its country into a super magnet for terror. Given this horrific legacy, the Syrian people would never accept as legitimate a government including Asad.

While the opposition and the international community are focused on ending the war, as outlined in the Geneva communiqué, the regime is single-mindedly focused on inflicting further destruction to strengthen its hand on the battlefield and undermining hopes for the success of the Geneva II process.