Washington Licenses Parts for Syrian 747s
By David Schenker
A series of recent articles have cited a US decision to rehabilitate Syrian Boeing 747 airplanes as a sign that in an effort to repair relations with Damascus, the Obama Administration has jettisoned the Syria Accountability Act (SAA) sanctions enacted during the Bush Administration.
The 2004 Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act (Law 108-175) mandated that the Administration level a series of sanctions against Damascus in response to Syrian support for terrorism, its role in undermining stability in Iraq, its continued meddling in Lebanon, and the regime’s ongoing development of WMD and ballistic missile programs.
Sanctions included a prohibition on the export of munitions and dual-use items, as well as (1) the prohibition of exports other than food or medicine to Syria, and (2) the prohibition on Syrian aircraft landing or taking off from the U.S.
These sanctions were not particularly effective. Indeed, because they did not affect food and telecommunications equipment—the primary U.S. commodities purchased by Syria—bilateral trade actually tripled between Washington and Damascus since the passage of the measure. Still, the sanctions have an important symbolic impact and are an annoyance to Syria’s Asad regime.
Clearly, the Obama Administration is going to take a different tack with Damascus. It’s likely that Washington will resume a dialogue with Syria, repost an ambassador, and perhaps even get involved in Syrian-Israeli peace talks. But the characterization of airplane parts sales as a signal of a warming of ties is misleading and premature.
Under the terms of the 1944 International Civil Aviation Conference convened in Chicago, Washington is obligated to sell airplane parts for U.S. equipment to ensure “safety of flight.” Because the Syrian planes are U.S. origin, the Administration is compelled to do so. In fact, the U.S. has extended the same courtesy to Tehran. Because Iran has a 747 in military service, however, Washington has indicated that to ensure that the parts are not being utilized for non-civilian purposes, the repairs should be made in Germany.
