29–010 

Calendar No. 147 

113TH CONGRESS REPORT " ! SENATE 1st Session 113–79 

SYRIA TRANSITION SUPPORT ACT OF 2013 

JULY 24, 2013.—Ordered to be printed 

Mr. MENENDEZ, from the Committee on Foreign Relations, 

submitted the following 

R E P O R T 

[To accompany S. 960] 

The Committee on Foreign Relations, having had under consideration the bill (S. 960) to foster stability in Syria, and for other purposes, reports favorably thereon with amendments, and recommends that the bill, as amended, do pass. 

CONTENTS 

Page 

I. Purpose ........................................................................................................... 1 

II. Committee Action .......................................................................................... 2 

III. Discussion ....................................................................................................... 3 

IV. Cost Estimate ................................................................................................. 6 

V. Evaluation of Regulatory Impact .................................................................. 9 

VI. Changes in Existing Law .............................................................................. 9 

I. PURPOSE

The purpose of S. 960 is to plan for a post-Assad Syria by authorizing a Syria Transition Fund to provide support in the early transition period to enable an effective political transition to a more 

democratic and inclusive political structure and provide for initiatives that will improve the security of the United States; provide 

for humanitarian assistance for the Syrian people; provide limited 

lethal and additional non-lethal assistance and training to vetted 

Syrian groups; and deter the Assad regime’s ability to perpetrate 

violence and widespread human rights violations against the people of Syria by authorizing sanctions on certain activities including 

provision of arms and petroleum products to the Assad regime; and 

for other purposes. 


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II. COMMITTEE ACTION

S. 960 was introduced by Senators Menendez and Corker on May 

15, 2013. On May 21, 2013, the committee considered S. 960 and 

ordered it reported, with amendments, by a roll call vote of 15 to 

3, with Senators Menendez, Boxer, Cardin, Casey, Shaheen, Coons, 

Durbin, Kaine, Corker, Risch, Rubio, Johnson, Flake, McCain, and 

Barrasso voting in favor, and Senators Udall, Murphy, and Paul 

opposed. 

The committee took the following action with regard to amendments: 

• A Manager’s Package of Amendments was offered to the introduced bill, including proposed amendments from Senators 

Menendez, Corker, Casey, Rubio, Paul, Cardin, McCain, Kaine, 

Shaheen, Coons, and Udall, and was agreed by voice vote. The 

subject matter areas covered by the Manager’s Package of 

Amendments included, among other items, provisions clarifying that securing, dismantling and destruction of inherited 

weapons of mass destruction are non-proliferation activities 

supported by the Act; clarifying that the United States should 

support humanitarian assistance through U.N. voluntary agencies and support bilateral assistance to countries hosting refugees; providing a more detailed description of the ground conditions that should be considered prior to branding assistance as 

being from the American people; defining technical assistance 

for phased disarmament as one of the authorized purposes of 

Transition Fund Assistance; clarifying that rule of law assistance may be provided prior to a transition; authorizing use of 

the Transition Fund to provide technical assistance, capacity 

building, and training to develop democratically-oriented political parties and civil society organizations; authorizing the use 

of the Transition Fund to support planning and diplomacy for 

post conflict stabilization; requiring identification of efforts undertaken or planned to leverage other donor assistance in an 

annual reporting requirement; adding language calling on the 

Administration to work to end Russian financial and military 

support for the Assad regime; amending the sanctions provisions of the bill including, among other things, to include permissive rather than mandatory banking sanctions; altering the 

authorization for lethal assistance to vetted units and emphasizing that units, entities, and senior leaders must be vetted; 

requiring a 15-day Congressional notification prior to provision 

of lethal assistance, including a justification of why the aid is 

needed, certification of substantial support from international 

allies, and a strategy for securing weapons after the secession 

of violence; authorizing training on chain of custody for weapons provided and requiring certification that those receiving 

arms can comply with chain of custody criteria; requiring the 

President to certify that the U.S. has consulted with regional 

allies if any anti-aircraft weapons are provided and requiring 

submission of a strategy to implement an accelerated global 

program to secure or eliminate anti-aircraft systems of proliferation risk; requiring the immediate termination of the authorization for the provision of lethal assistance to any unit or 

entity if the U.S. government receives substantial evidence 


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that the unit or entity has used chemical weapons; and requiring the immediate termination of the authorization for the provision of lethal assistance to any unit or entity if the U.S. government receives substantial evidence that the unit or entity 

has sold or illegally transferred defense articles or services received from the United States. • An amendment by Senator Casey and a second degree to that 

amendment also by Senator Casey was agreed to by voice vote. 

These amendments express the sense of the Senate condemning the violence against the Syrian people by the regime 

of President Bashar al-Assad; supporting innocent civilians including through humanitarian assistance and welcoming the 

pledges of international donors to meet the needs of the victims; affirming the neutrality of the medical profession; supporting democratically oriented groups, and a stable transitional government that is committed to open and transparent 

governance and respect for human rights; promoting stability 

and the rule of law; and emphasizing the need to fully implement existing sanctions, • An amendment by Senator Paul to add language stating that 

the Act is not an authorization of the use of military force by 

the United States Armed Forces and stating that nothing in 

the Authorization for Use of Military Force (Public Law 107– 

40) shall be construed as authorizing the use of military force 

in Syria failed by a roll call vote of 2 to 15, with Senators Paul 

and Udall voting in favor, and Senators Menendez, Boxer, 

Cardin, Casey, Shaheen, Coons, Murphy, Kaine, Corker, Risch, 

Johnson, Rubio, Flake, McCain, and Barrasso opposed. Senator 

Durbin did not vote. In discussion prior to the vote, the Chairman noted, among other things, that section 5 of the introduced bill specifically states that nothing in the act shall be 

construed as providing authorization for the use of military 

force by the U.S. armed forces. • An amendment by Senator Udall to amend Title V of the bill 

to further limit, including by reference to the United States 

Munitions List, the types of support that could be provided to 

the vetted opposition in Syria and adding additional chain of 

custody requirements failed by a roll call vote of 4 to 14, with 

Senators Udall, Paul, Durbin, and Murphy voting in favor, and 

Senators Menendez, Boxer, Cardin, Casey, Shaheen, Coons, 

Kaine, Corker, Risch, Rubio, Johnson, Flake, McCain, and Barrasso opposed. • An amendment by Senator Paul to strike Title V of the bill, 

which provides authorization to provide lethal and increased 

non-lethal assistance to vetted elements of the Syrian opposition, failed by a roll call vote of 2 to 15, with Senators Paul 

and Murphy voting in favor, and Senators Menendez, Boxer, 

Cardin, Casey, Shaheen, Coons, Udall, Kaine, Corker, Risch, 

Rubio, Johnson, Flake, McCain, and Barrasso opposed. Senator 

Durbin did not vote. 

III. DISCUSSION

The situation in Syria is critical for Syrians, for the region, and 

for the U.S. efforts to counter extremism. More than 93,000 Syrians 

have died in the last two years, and the number of Syrian refugees 


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now tops 1.5 million. The conflict could destabilize the region, spill 

over into Lebanon and Iraq, and cause stability and governance 

problems in Jordan. In addition, extremists sponsored by the Islamic Republic of Iran, including the Iranian Revolutionary Guard 

Corps and Hizballah, and groups with direct links to al-Qaeda (including the al Nusrah Front) are exploiting the conflict and gaining 

ground in a state with significant amounts of advanced conventional weapons and large chemical weapons stockpiles. 

The bill provides authority to the President to provide arms and 

other lethal assistance, as well as military training and non-lethal 

supplies to the Syrian armed opposition. Only units and entities 

that have gone through a thorough, statutorily-required vetting 

process by the U.S. government would be eligible for such assistance. This vetting process would assess whether they meet certain 

detailed and specific criteria on human rights and terrorism, as 

well as whether they demonstrate clear support for civilian rule, 

cooperate on international counterterrorism and non-proliferation 

efforts, and are committed to regional stability, among other 

things. The legislation also bars the provision of anti-aircraft defensive systems, but provides a presidential waiver to permit the distribution of such systems under strict limitations, including certifications regarding the vital national security interest in providing 

such systems and the disposition of such systems, among other requirements. The assistance authorized by this section must be terminated if the units or entities receiving such assistance are no 

longer in compliance with the vetting criteria set out in the legislation or if the United States government receives substantial evidence that such groups have used chemical weapons. The bill also 

requires a report from the President to Congress every 90 days on 

the provision of lethal and increased non-lethal support to the Syrian opposition. Among other things, the report will include specific 

details about the support provided, assessments of the opposition’s 

capacity and capabilities, and adherence of supported groups to 

chain of custody requirements. 

The purposes of assistance authorized by the bill are to support 

transition from the current regime to a just and democratic state; 

to assist the people of Syria in meeting basic needs; to provide political and economic support to neighboring countries hosting refugees and international organizations providing humanitarian relief; 

to oppose the unlawful use of violence against civilians; to use a 

broad array of instruments of national power to expedite a negotiated solution, including the departure of Bashar al-Assad; to recognize the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces (SOC) as a legitimate representative of the Syrian people; to engage with opposition groups that reflect the United States’ 

interests and values; to promote the territorial integrity of Syria 

and support a post-Assad government in providing security, services, and political and religious rights to its people; to provide foreign assistance, defense articles, defense services, and training to 

vetted entities; to closely coordinate with key partners on contingency planning to ensure partners are prepared for an appropriate 

response to the evolving situation in Syria; to support efforts to 

identify and document those who target civilian and vulnerable 

populations; to support programs that provide scholars, scientists, 


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and students in Syria with opportunities outside Syria; and to ensure a stable and appropriate political transition in Syria. 

The bill provides authority for humanitarian assistance in order 

to ensure the U.S. government may provide humanitarian aid to 

the Syrian people notwithstanding other provisions of law that restrict the provision of U.S. economic or other non-military assistance to Syria. New or additional funds are not authorized. Instead, 

the authorization lifts restrictions on the use of funds for humanitarian purposes that might otherwise have been restricted. The bill 

provides direction that the President should instruct the U.S. representatives to the United Nations and other appropriate international organizations to support humanitarian and development 

assistance for the people of Syria in order to accomplish the purposes of assistance set out in the bill. The bill provides direction 

that the President should support bilateral refugee assistance programs in countries, including Iraq, Jordan, Turkey, Egypt, and 

Lebanon, which have experienced an influx of refugees from Syria. 

The bill also requires a report on the strategy to communicate to 

the Syrian people about the assistance provided by the U.S. government. 

The bill authorizes a $250 million transition fund each year 

through Fiscal Year 2015, drawn from funds otherwise appropriated for the support of political and economic transition in the 

Middle East and North Africa. The programs for which the fund is 

authorized to be used are: security sector support, support for regional stability, technical assistance for phased disarmament, transitional justice and conflict resolution, technical assistance to promote democracy and the democratic institutions, technical assistance to support economic revitalization, technical assistance for 

basic services to the people of Syria, collection of evidence of unlawful activities targeting civilian populations, and planning for postconflict stabilization. The bill also provides that up to $100 million 

of the transition funds may be used for nonproliferation and export 

control purposes. The bill requires an initial six-month and an annual report on the use of transition funds, including specific details 

on the use of such funds and performance benchmarks and metrics. 

The bill also provides for the lifting of sanctions on Syria under 

specific, defined criteria, once Bashar al-Assad is no longer the 

leader of Syria and a transitional government meeting specific requirements is in place. The bill requires the Secretary of State to 

work to establish an international consensus on the transition and 

post-transition government in Syria by working with Russia to, 

among other things, end its financial and military support for the 

regime, working with the Friends of Syria group to isolate terrorists and extremists, and working to eliminate support for the Syrian regime by the Iranian Government, to potentially include a ban 

on commercial flights between Iran and Syria. 

The bill provides for targeted sanctions on arms and petroleum 

and petroleum products to the Assad regime. Specifically, the 

President is required to impose from a list of options two or more 

of the specified sanctions with respect to any person (other than a 

foreign financial institution) that the President determines has 

knowingly participated in or facilitated a significant transaction related to the sale, transfer, or transportation of defense articles (including surface-to-air and surface-to-surface missile systems includVerDate Mar 15 2010 05:57 Jul 25, 2013 Jkt 029010 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\SR079.XXX SR079

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ing any S300 system and the Yakhont system), defense services, or 

military training to the Assad regime of Syria or any successor regime in Syria that the President determines is not a legitimate 

transitional or replacement government. The President is required 

to impose three or more of the specified sanctions with respect to 

any person (other than a foreign financial institution) that the 

President determines has knowingly participated in or facilitated a 

significant transaction related to the sale or transfer of petroleum 

or petroleum products to the Assad regime of Syria or any successor regime in Syria that the President determines is not a legitimate transitional or replacement government. A humanitarian exception is included with respect to oil sales sanctions. The sanctions options available are restrictions on Export-Import Bank assistance, U.S. government procurement, U.S. government arms exports, and dual-use exports, as well as the blocking of assets and 

denial of visas. In addition, the President is authorized to impose 

specific sanctions on foreign financial institutions that knowingly 

conduct a significant transaction related to either arms or oil sales. 

The bill provides the President with the ability to waive any sanctions provided for in the bill with respect to a person or category 

of persons for a renewable six month period, based on a certification that such a waiver is in the vital national security interests 

of the United States. The bill also provides for amendments to 

allow for sanctions removal once a transitional government is in 

place and certain criteria have been met. 

The bill requires the administration to work with and report to 

Congress on a number of issues including a broad strategy on Syria 

working through the international community and Russia to reach 

a political settlement. 

IV. COST ESTIMATE

In accordance with Rule XXVI, paragraph 11(a) of the Standing 

Rules of the Senate, the committee provides this estimate of the 

costs of this legislation prepared by the Congressional Budget Office. 

UNITED STATES CONGRESS, 

CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE, 

Washington, DC, June 26, 2013. 

Hon. ROBERT MENENDEZ, Chairman, Committee on Foreign Relations, 

U.S. Senate, Washington, DC. 

DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: The Congressional Budget Office has prepared the enclosed cost estimate for S. 960, the Syria Transition 

Support Act of 2013. 

If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be pleased 

to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Sunita D’Monte. 

Sincerely, 

DOUGLAS W. ELMENDORF

Enclosure. 

Syria Transition Support Act of 2013 

Summary: S. 960 would authorize assistance for the Syrian people and opposition groups. CBO estimates that implementing the 


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bill would have discretionary costs of $3.9 billion over the 2013– 

2018 period, assuming appropriation of the estimated amounts. 

Pay-as-you-go procedures apply to this legislation because it 

would affect direct spending and revenues; however, CBO estimates those effects would not be significant. 

S. 960 would impose intergovernmental and private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) 

by expanding existing prohibitions on transactions with the Assad 

regime in Syria, or any successor regime that is determined to be 

an illegitimate or replacement government. CBO estimates that the 

costs of the intergovernmental mandates would fall well below the 

annual threshold established in UMRA ($75 million in 2013, adjusted annually for inflation) while we estimate that the costs to 

the private sector would probably be above the annual threshold 

established by UMRA ($150 million in 2013, adjusted annually for 

inflation). 

Estimated Cost to the Federal Government: The estimated budgetary impact of S. 960 is shown in the following table. The costs 

of this legislation fall within budget functions 150 (international affairs), 370 (commerce and housing credit), and 800 (general government). 

Changes in Spending Due to S. 960 

By Fiscal Year, in Millions of Dollars 

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2013– 

2018 

Spending Subject to Appropriation 

Humanitarian Assistance 

Estimated Authorization Level ......... 0 900 900 900 900 900 4,500 

Estimated Outlays ............................. 0 361 563 707 801 824 3,256 

Syria Transition Fund 

Estimated Authorization Level ......... 250 250 250 0 0 0 750 

Estimated Outlays ............................. 13 88 150 183 120 65 619 

Other Provisions 

Estimated Authorization Level ......... * 1 1 1 1 1 5 

Estimated Outlays ............................. * 1 1 1 1 1 5 

Total 

Estimated Authorization Level ......... 250 1,151 1,151 901 901 901 5,255 

Estimated Outlays ............................. 13 450 714 891 922 890 3,880 

Note: * = less than $500,000. 

Basis of Estimate: For the purposes of this estimate, CBO assumes S. 960 would be enacted in fiscal year 2013, that the estimated authorizations will be appropriated before the end of 2013 

and near the start of each following fiscal year, and that outlays 

will follow historical spending patterns for similar and existing programs. 

Spending Subject to Appropriation: S. 960 would authorize assistance for the Syrian people and opposition groups working to 

bring down the government of Bashar-al-Assad. CBO estimates 

that implementing the bill would require additional appropriations 

of about $5.3 billion over the 2013–2018 period and have discretionary costs of $3.9 billion over that period, assuming appropriation of those estimated amounts (the remainder would be spent 

after 2018). 

Humanitarian Assistance: Title II would authorize economic and 

other nonmilitary assistance for the humanitarian needs of the 


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Syrian people. In the first nine months of fiscal year 2013, the 

United States obligated about $695 million in humanitarian assistance. That assistance is being provided primarily through international organizations such as the World Food Program and other 

U.N. entities, as well as nongovernmental organizations. Based on 

assistance provided to date, CBO estimates that additional authorizations of $900 million each year would be required over the 2014– 

2018 period and that implementing that assistance would have discretionary costs of almost $3.3 billion over the 2014–2018 period, 

assuming appropriation of the necessary amounts. 

Syria Transition Fund: Section 301 would authorize the appro- priation of up to $250 million each year over the 2013–2015 period 

for a Syria Transition Fund. It also would authorize the Department of Defense and other federal agencies to transfer certain 

amounts to the transition fund. The total amount transferred could 

not exceed $250 million in any year. The fund’s purpose would be 

to support a transition to a more democratic political structure and 

to enhance the security of the Syrian people and the United States 

and its allies. Assuming the appropriation of $250 million each 

year over the 2013–2015 period, CBO estimates that implementing 

assistance through the fund would have discretionary costs of $619 

million over the 2013–2018 period. CBO cannot estimate whether 

or to what extent the transfer authority would be used. 

Military Assistance: Section 501 would authorize military support 

(except for anti-aircraft defensive systems) through 2015 to certain 

elements of the Syrian opposition. The Administration recently announced that the United States would begin providing military assistance—such as small arms and ammunition—to opposition 

forces. As yet, it is unclear under what authorities and to what extent that assistance will be provided and whether the Administration would use the authority under the bill to augment that 

planned assistance. Therefore, this estimate does not include any 

additional authorizations for military assistance. 

Other Provisions: Title IV would require the President to impose 

sanctions on persons who provide petroleum, petroleum products, 

defense articles, or military training to the Syrian regime and prohibit or restrict the use of certain bank accounts by foreign financial institutions that facilitate such transactions. The sanctions 

would include prohibiting assistance through the Export-Import 

Bank, banning procurement by the U.S. government, prohibiting 

exports of U.S. arms and dual-use technology, blocking assets, and 

denying U.S. visas or entry into the United States. Based on information from agencies that would implement those sanctions, CBO 

estimates that implementing those provisions would impose an additional administrative burden on those agencies. The denial of 

visas also would have insignificant effects on direct spending and 

revenues (discussed below). 

In addition, several provisions of the bill would require the President or the Secretary of State to submit periodic reports or briefings to the Congress. In total, CBO estimates that implementing 

those provisions would have discretionary costs of about $5 million 

over the 2013–2018 period, assuming appropriation of the estimated amounts. 

Direct Spending and Revenues: Sanctions required under S. 960 

would probably increase the number of people who would be denied 


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a visa by the Secretary of State. Most visa fees are retained by the 

department and spent without further appropriation, but some fees 

are deposited in the Treasury as revenues. CBO estimates that implementing those provisions would affect very few people and, thus, 

have an insignificant budgetary effect. 

Pay-As-You-Go Considerations: The Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act 

of 2010 establishes budget-reporting and enforcement procedures 

for legislation affecting direct spending or revenues. CBO estimates 

that enacting S. 960 would have a negligible effect on direct spending and revenues for each year. 

Intergovernmental and Private-Sector Impact: The bill would impose mandates, as defined in UMRA, on both public and private entities by expanding existing prohibitions on transactions with the 

Assad regime in Syria, or any successor regime that is determined 

to be an illegitimate or replacement government, and by increasing 

the number of entities responsible for complying with those prohibitions. 

Individuals and entities engaged in transactions under export license agreements with foreign entities would be required to terminate such transactions or agreements based on new requirements 

outlined in the legislation. While CBO expects that few public entities would be affected by the sanction provisions, information from 

the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Department of Commerce, 

and current trade data suggests that a large number of private-sector entities would be affected. In 2012, the Department of Commerce approved more than 1,300 licenses for items worth almost $1 

billion, which could be terminated upon implementation of sanctions in the bill. 

CBO estimates that the costs of the intergovernmental mandates 

would fall well below the threshold established in UMRA ($75 million in 2013, adjusted annually for inflation). Based on the potential value of existing private-sector transactions and the number of 

entities that could be sanctioned, CBO estimates that the cost of 

the private-sector mandates would probably be above the annual 

threshold established by UMRA ($150 million in 2013, adjusted annually for inflation). 

Estimate Prepared by: Federal Costs: Sunita D’Monte, Impact on 

State, Local, and Tribal Governments: J’nell L. Blanco, Impact on 

the Private Sector: Marin Burnett. 

Estimate Approved by: Theresa Gullo, Deputy Assistant Director 

for Budget Analysis. 

V. EVALUATION OF REGULATORY IMPACT

Pursuant to Rule XXVI, paragraph 11(b) of the Standing Rules 

of the Senate, the committee has determined that there is no regulatory impact as a result of this legislation. 

VI. CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW

In compliance with Rule XXVI, paragraph 12 of the Standing 

Rules of the Senate, changes in existing law made by the bill, as 

reported, are shown as follows (existing law proposed to be omitted 

is enclosed in black brackets, new matter is printed in italic, existing law in which no change is proposed is shown in roman). 


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U.S. CODE 

Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty 

Restoration Act of 2003 

(Public Law 108–175) 

* * * * * * * 

SEC. 5. PENALTIES AND AUTHORIZATION. 

(a) PENALTIES.—Until the President makes the determination 

that Syria meets all the requirements described in paragraphs (1) 

through (4) of subsection (d) and certifies such determination to 

Congress in accordance with such subsection— 

(1) the President shall prohibit the export to Syria of any 

item, including the issuance of a license for the export of any 

item, on the United States Munitions List or Commerce Control List of dual-use items in the Export Administration Regulations (15 CFR part 730 et seq.); and 

(2) the President shall impose two or more of the following 

sanctions: 

(A) Prohibit the export of products of the United States 

(other than food and medicine) to Syria. 

(B) Prohibit United States businesses from investing or 

operating in Syria. 

(C) Restrict Syrian diplomats in Washington, D.C., and 

at the United Nations in New York City, to travel only 

within a 25-mile radius of Washington, D.C., or the United 

Nations headquarters building, respectively. 

(D) Prohibit aircraft of any air carrier owned or controlled by Syria to take off from, land in, or overfly the 

United States. 

(E) Reduce United States diplomatic contacts with Syria 

(other than those contacts required to protect United 

States interests or carry out the purposes of this Act). 

(F) Block transactions in any property in which the Government of Syria has any interest, by any person, or with 

respect to any property, subject to the jurisdiction of the 

United States. 

(b) WAIVER.—The President may waive the application of subsection (a)(1), (a)(2), or both if the President determines that it is 

in the national security interest of the United States to do so and 

submits to the appropriate congressional committees a report containing the reasons for the determination. 

(c) AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO SYRIA.—If the President— 

(1)(A) makes the determination that Syria meets the requirements described in øparagraphs (1) through (4) of subsection 

(d)¿ subparagraphs (A) through (D) of paragraph (1) of subsection (d) and certifies such determination to Congress in accordance with such subsection; 

ø(2)¿(B) determines that substantial progress has been made 

both in negotiations aimed at achieving a peace agreement between Israel and Syria and in negotiations aimed at achieving 

a peace agreement between Israel and Lebanon; and 


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ø(3)¿(C) determines that the Government of Syria is strictly 

respecting the sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity, and political independence of Lebanon under the sole and exclusive 

authority of the Government of Lebanon through the Lebanese 

army throughout Lebanon, as required under paragraph (4) of 

United Nations Security Council Resolution 520 (1982)ø,¿; or 

(2) makes the determination that the Government of Syria 

meets the requirements described in paragraph (2) of such subsection and certifies such determination to Congress in accordance with such subsection, 

then the President is authorized to provide assistance to Syria 

under chapter 1 of part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 

(relating to development assistance). 

(d) CERTIFICATION.—A certification under this subsection is a certification transmitted to the appropriate congressional committees 

of a determination made by the President that— 

(1)(A) the Government of Syria has ceased providing support 

for international terrorist groups and does not allow terrorist 

groups, such as Hamas, Hizballah, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, 

the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine—General Command 

to maintain facilities in territory under Syrian control; 

ø(2)¿(B) the Government of Syria ended its occupation of 

Lebanon described in section 2(7) of this Act; 

ø(3)¿(C) the Government of Syria has ceased the development and deployment of medium- and long-range surface-tosurface ballistic missiles, is not pursuing or engaged in the research, development, acquisition, production, transfer, or deployment of biological, chemical, or nuclear weapons, has provided credible assurances that such behavior will not be undertaken in the future, and has agreed to allow United Nations 

and other international observers to verify such actions and assurances; and 

ø(4)¿(D) the Government of Syria has ceased all support for, 

and facilitation of, all terrorist activities inside of Iraq, including preventing the use of territory under its control by any 

means whatsoever to support those engaged in terrorist activities inside of Iraqø.¿; or 

(2)(A) Bashar al-Assad is no longer the leader of Syria; and 

(B) the Government of Syria has ceased its campaign of violence against the people of Syria and begun the transition to a 

representative and inclusive government that is demonstrably 

committed to the principles of— 

(i) protecting human rights, expanding political participation, and providing religious freedom to all Syrians, irrespective of, religion, ethnicity, or gender; 

(ii) supporting the rule of law; 

(iii) rejecting terrorism and extremist ideologies; 

(iv) subordinating the military to civilian authority; 

(v) protecting the Syrian population against sectarian violence and reprisals; 

(vi) cooperating with international counterterrorism and 

nonproliferation efforts; 

(vii) supporting regional stability and avoiding interference in the affairs of neighboring countries; 


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(viii) establishing a strong justice system and ensuring 

accountability for conflict-related crimes; and 

(ix) recognizing the Golan Heights ‘‘Separation of Forces 

Agreement Between Israel And Syria,’’ signed on May 31, 

1974, and the related protocol regarding United Nations 

Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) functions. 

Æ 


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