Statement of Condolence for the Passing of Secretary Colin Powell

We are saddened to hear that the US Department of Treasury is providing sanctions relief for regional

energy deals that directly benefit the Assad regime and war lords in Lebanon.

As America's Arab partners are allowed to continue normalization with Assad and his regime, the

window for seeing true democracy, freedom and an end to the decade long war on the Syrian people is

closing and we may never have the opportunity to reopen it in our lifetime.

As Syrian Americans we stand with you in support of your message to America's leadership in asking

that action be taken to prevent Assad from seeing permanency in his destructive role. Our values are

American values and "[i]t is vitally important that U.S. policy in Syria is consistent with our values."

We sincerely hope to see the full and unconditional implementation of UN Security Council Resolution

2254 soon and an end to the endless suffering in Syria.

M. Bakr Ghebis

President, Citizens for a Secure and Safe America

Ayman Abdel Nour

Thank you,

President, Syrian Christians for Peace

Saed Moujtahed.

President, Syrian Institute for Progress

Hashem Mubarak

President, Syrian Emergency Task Force