Senate Follows House and Votes to Impose Sanctions Against Syria

[Darranar]

ASHINGTON, Nov. 11 — The Senate joined the House in endorsing diplomatic and economic sanctions against Syria on Tuesday, to go into effect unless that nation meets a series of conditions, including halting any movement across its border of people and equipment destined for attacks on Americans in Iraq.

The measure, approved 89 to 4, also calls on Syria to stop supporting terrorism and close offices of terror groups, withdraw forces from Lebanon and cease any development of medium- and long-range missiles or chemical and biological weapons. "We don't want to go to war with Syria," said Senator Barbara Boxer, Democrat of California, an author of the measure. "We just want to say in a truthful way, `These are things you've been doing wrong. Please meet these markers.' "

The Bush administration, which has resisted Congressional intervention in its relations with Syria, has decided to drop its opposition to the bill, with some officials arguing it could mean new leverage in trying to win changes in Syria.

The Senate measure was modified at the request of Senator Richard G. Lugar, Republican of Indiana, the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, to allow the president to waive sanctions in the interest of national security. The House bill, passed overwhelmingly last month, would allow the president to waive all but a ban on the export of goods that have military as well as commercial uses. Senate sponsors of the measure said the House had agreed to Mr. Lugar's amendment.

New York Times