US Senator James Risch told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Caesar Act sends a clear message that the “rehabilitation” of the current Syrian regime was not possible and no political solution would include President Bashar Assad.
In remarks on Tuesday, the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee said: “I worked hard to include the Caesar Act to protect civilians in Syria within the budget of the Ministry of Defense and to pass it as a law last December.”
“I am closely cooperating with the US administration to ensure its full implementation and to make sure that Assad and his supporters are held accountable.”
He continued: “This law sends a clear message to those who hope to rehabilitate the Assad regime, stating that no political track in Syria will pass through Assad.”
“The implementation of these sanctions will hold Assad and his supporters responsible for their actions, and this is an important step towards justice for the long-suffering tormented Syrian people.”
Michael McCaul, top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs committee, supports the full implementation of the Caesar Act, with the aim of forcing Assad to stop his attacks against the Syrian people, and supporting a transitional government that respects the rule of law, human rights, and peaceful coexistence with its neighbors, the representative’s spokesperson told Asharq Al-Awsat.
He also urges other countries to abide by the Caesar Act to achieve the same goals, the spokesperson added.
