Syria replies to US demands, seeks “mutual understandings”
Syria has formally replied to a list of US demands for partial sanctions relief, claiming it has acted on most conditions while others require “mutual understandings” with Washington, according to a letter seen by Reuters, reported through The New Arab on April 26th.
In March, the US presented Syria with eight conditions, including destroying any remaining chemical weapons and preventing foreigners from holding senior government positions.
In return, Washington offered a two-year extension of a sanctions suspension and the possibility of further exemptions.
Syria, whose economy has been shattered by 14 years of war and Western sanctions, is eager for relief.
A six-month US sanctions exemption issued in January had limited impact.
Reuters was first to report that Senior US official Natasha Franceschi handed the list to Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani during a meeting at a Syria donor conference in Brussels on the 18th of March.
Shaibani’s recent address to the UN Security Council on April 25th echoed the private letter’s content, which has not been previously reported.
In the four-page document, Syria pledges to set up a liaison office to investigate the disappearance of US journalist Austin Tice and outlines efforts to eliminate chemical weapons, including cooperating with a global arms watchdog.
However, the letter was vaguer on other points, notably the removal of foreign fighters and allowing US counterterrorism strikes, saying these issues required broader discussions.
A State Department spokesperson confirmed the US “are now evaluating the response and do not have anything to share at this time,” adding that the US “does not recognise any entity as the government of Syria and that any future normalisation of relations will be determined by the interim authorities’ actions. ”
On the sensitive issue of foreign fighters, Syria said it had suspended issuing military ranks following controversy over the promotion of six foreigners in December but stopped short of saying it had removed them.
On US requests for counterterrorism coordination, Syria pledged to oppose threats to Western interests but offered no explicit permission for strikes.
Notably, Syria vowed not to allow its territory to threaten Israel, citing new measures to monitor Palestinian factions.
It also referenced direct communication with US counterterrorism officials in Amman, previously undisclosed, regarding efforts to counter Islamic State.
Officials briefed on the letter said Syria had fully addressed five demands, but others remained unresolved.
It remains unclear whether Washington has formally responded.
The New Arab. Levantis. Maghrebi
Want to chase the pulse of North Africa?
Enter your email address and name to receive our weekly newsletter.
