Can't get DECLARE statement to work

Running ASA 11 version 11.0.1.2878

Hi all. I am trying run a SQL script from MS SQL in ASA11. I can’t figure out what is wrong with the syntax.

In MS SQL it look like this and runs OK:

DECLARE @newItemName as varchar(50)

In ASA 11 I believe it should look like this (my other declarations seem to work):

DECLARE @newItemName varchar(50 char);

But ASA refuses  to execute that statement. Here is the syntax reference I’m using.

http://infocenter.sybase.com/help/index.jsp?topic=/com.sybase.infocenter.dc00801.1510/html/iqrefso/X315717.htm

I've tried several combinations and it's probably something simple but I'm just not seeing it!

Thanks in advance!

Tony