Saudi Accountability Act played down

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Feb. 18 (UPI) -- William Burns, U.S. assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs, is playing down chances Congress will pass a Saudi Accountability Act.

Burns said in comments to Saudi daily Okaz, Pentagon policy maker Richard Pearle's support of the measure strictly reflects his personal viewpoint and not that of the U.S. administration.

"Also comments by certain Congress members on the proposed Saudi Accountability Act fall within the framework of Congressmen's rights to make suggestions but that does not mean the Congress will approve such a measure," Burns said.

The proposed bill seeks to place sanctions on Saudi Arabia unless the U.S. president certifies Saudi Arabia is making a maximum effort to fight terrorism.

Congress and President George Bush approved last year a Syria Accountability Act imposing economic and diplomatic sanctions on Damascus for seeking to develop chemical weapons, backing Palestinian and Lebanese groups considered by Washington to be terrorist organizations and for occupying Lebanon. The act has yet to be implemented.

"Syria will have to cooperate in fighting terrorism if it wants to improve its relations with Washington," Burns said.

The U.S. official also said Washington was "politically and ethically" committed to sponsoring a peace settlement in the Middle East, denying allegations that the peace process was suspended due to the upcoming U.S. presidential elections.