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Source: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=3&article_id=15288
Where Are U.S. Sanctions on Syria Heading?
(Daily Star-Lebanon) Will Rasmussen - "Sanctions are one step below a military confrontation, and sanctions are preferable to military confrontation, frankly," said U.S. Rep. Christopher Shays (R-Conn.) at the World Economic Forum in Jordan. However, the current sanctions against Syria are largely symbolic and don't seem to worry the Syrian government. U.S. trade with Syria amounts to only around $400 million. What really matters to Syria is the pending association agreement with the EU, its main trading partner. The EU said the agreement - which gives Syria greater access to European markets - is contingent on Syria fully respecting UN Resolution 1559, which called for the removal of all Syrian troops and intelligence agents from Lebanon. If the pact falls through, Syria stands to lose over $1 billion in trade and aid packages.