Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=3-8-04

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=U-S / SYRIA PROTEST (L-ONLY)

NUMBER=2-313931

BYLINE=DAVID GOLLUST

DATELINE=STATE DEPARTMENT

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The United States has filed a vigorous protest with Syria over the brief detention of a U-S diplomat who was monitoring a demonstration by human rights activists in Damascus. U-S officials say about 25 Syrians were also arrested in the rare public protest in the Syrian capital. V-O-A's David Gollust reports from the State Department.

TEXT: The American diplomat was released after only an hour's detention with an apology from Syrian security officials. But the State Department says it was none-the-less a "clear breach" of diplomatic practice and it prompted U-S protests with Syrian officials in both Damascus and Washington.

State Department spokesman Richard Boucher says the U-S official had been among a group of diplomats from other missions and foreign journalists observing the group of Syrian protesters who had gathered near the parliament in Damascus to call for greater freedoms and an end to four decades of emergency rule in the country.

He said about 25 Syrian citizens were arrested along with the U-S diplomat, who was taken to a temporary police detention facility, then released unharmed:

///Boucher actuality///

Our embassy in Damascus has protested this incident in the strongest terms. The detention of diplomats, no matter how brief, is a clear violation of the Vienna Conventions. It is not acceptable. The Department of State in Washington has been in contact with the Syrian ambassador in (Washington) D-C, to protest this incident and to express concern about Syrian actions against those peacefully demonstrating their freedom of expression.

///end act///

Monday's incident came as the Bush administration considered how to implement a measure approved by Congress late last year threatening Syria with U-S sanctions unless it ends efforts to develop weapons of mass destruction and ends alleged support for terrorist groups.

Under the Syria Accountability Act, U-S firms would be barred from selling Syria so-called "dual use" technology, and President Bush would choose from a list of other diplomatic and economic penalties if Syria is found not to have met terms of the measure.

The President is also empowered to waive sanctions if he deems them contrary to U-S security interests.

The act calls for a decisions on sanctions by mid-June, six months after Mr. Bush signed the measure into law, but there have been news reports that administration action may be imminent.

Under questioning here, spokesman Boucher said there has been progress by Syria on some areas of U-S concern and none on others.

He offered no timetable for action, but said the Syria Accountability Act is "the law of the land" and it will be implemented once the administration decides how to go about it. (Signed)

NEB/DAG/RH