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To: muawiyah

Received 4-17-13

Dear Mr. XXXXXXXX:

Thank you for contacting me regarding the United States’ policy toward Syria. I appreciate having the benefit of your comments on this matter.

On March 18, 2011, the Syrian people commenced widespread and peaceful protests against President Bashar al-Assad and his regime. Subsequently, President Assad and his government forces launched a violent response. According to the United Nations, as of January 2, 2013, more than 60,000 Syrians have been killed. The violent oppression by the Assad regime continues unabated, with the regime failing to deliver promised reforms and instead utilizing overwhelming force against the protestors. Since August 2011, President Obama has called for Assad’s resignation, supporting United Nations Security Council action to facilitate his removal. Yet to date, the Security Council has been deadlocked due to obstruction by Russia and China.

I have pressed the Obama Administration to end all U.S. government business dealings with Rosoboronexport—the Russian state-owned arms broker that facilitates the Russian Federation’s arms transfers to Syria. I am deeply troubled that the U.S. Army continued to do business with Rosoboronexport, purchasing dozens of dual-use Mi-17 helicopters for the Afghan military, as the atrocities in Syria have continued. It is unconscionable that U.S. taxpayers would be forced to pay for a contract with a Russian firm that is simultaneously enabling the Assad regime to murder its own people. Because the Obama Administration ignored my requests, I offered Senate Amendment 3260 to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 (FY13 NDAA; P.L. 112-239), which prohibits the use of funding for the U.S. government to enter into any further contracts or business agreements with Rosoboronexport. I am pleased that this provision was included in the final version of the FY13 NDAA, as signed into law on January 2, 2013.

Furthermore, during the 112th Congress, I was proud to cosponsor Senate Resolution 370 (S.Res. 370), which would have condemned the ongoing and systematic human rights violations conducted by Syrian authorities and called on Assad to step down from power. Additionally, this resolution would have called on President Obama to develop a plan to identify weapons stockpiles in Syria and prevent their proliferation, as well as urge the international community to support a post-Assad democratic government.

I also cosponsored Senate Bill 2224 (S. 2224), which would have directed the President to submit three reports to Congress to assess all Syrian opposition groups; assess the size and security of weapons stockpiles in Syria; and describe support provided to opposition political forces in Syria. S. 2224 was passed by the Senate by unanimous consent on May 9, 2012, and referred to the House of Representatives for further consideration. Although S.Res. 370 and S. 2224 were not enacted prior to the adjournment of the 112th Congress, you may be certain that I will keep your views in mind as relevant legislation is considered during the 113th Congress.

The people of Syria have demonstrated a hunger for freedom, and the United States has a solemn duty to support their democratic aspirations. I appreciate having the opportunity to represent Texas in the United States Senate, and I will keep your views in mind as these matters are discussed. Thank you for taking the time to contact me.

Sincerely,
JOHN CORNYN
United States Senator

517 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Tel: (202) 224-2934
Fax: (202) 228-2856
http://www.cornyn.senate.gov

Please sign up for my monthly newsletter at http://www.cornyn.senate.gov/newsletter.

PLEASE NOTE:
Due to the nature of electronic communication, if you did not receive this e-mail directly from my office, I cannot guarantee that the text has not been altered. If you have questions about the validity of this message, or would like to respond to this message, please use the web form available at my website, http://www.cornyn.senate.gov/contact.


18 posted on 04/28/2013 7:01:29 PM PDT by Texas Fossil
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies ]


To: Texas Fossil

So, tell us, why does Cornyn want the US to ally itself to the side that will murder all the Christians in Syria?


19 posted on 04/28/2013 7:05:12 PM PDT by muawiyah
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies ]

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