Damascus "is undermining its legitimacy.” The condemnation of the European Council.
The meeting of heads of states in Brussels today gives a harsh response to the repression in Syria. “Those responsible for crimes and acts of violence committed against civilians must answer for their acts.'' Even the United States issued a warning to Assad.
Damascus (AsiaNews/Agencies) - The government of Damascus "is undermining its legitimacy" by continuing the crackdown against those calling for greater democracy in the country. This was stated in a draft of a declaration which will be approved today in Brussels by heads of state participating in the European Council meeting in the Belgian capital. “In choosing repression over keeping the promises of broad-based reforms, the regime undermines its legitimacy,” writes the Council, adding, ''Those responsible for crimes and acts of violence committed against civilians will have to answer for their acts.'' The EU leaders, who established sanctions against the Syrian government, “condemn in the strongest possible terms the ongoing repression, and the unacceptable, shocking violence that the Syrian regime continues to perpetrate against their own countrymen."
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called the movement of Syrian troops on the border with Turkey to prevent refugees camped there to cross the border “very worrisome.” She said, "Unless the Syrian forces immediately end their attacks and their provocations that are not only now affecting their own citizens but (raising) the potential of border clashes, then we're going to see an escalation of conflict in the area." She added, “It is further example of the lengths to which President Assad's regime will go to repress the people of Syria rather than actually working in a collaborative way to try to resolve the legitimate concerns of the Syrian people.”
Hundreds of Syrian soldiers backed by tanks yesterday morning raided the village of Khirbet al Joz, less than a mile from the border with Turkey, according to a human rights activist in the area. About 600 refugees have crossed the border, bringing the total to nearly 11 thousand refugees. The Syrian army patrols the border to prevent fleeing the country.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called the movement of Syrian troops on the border with Turkey to prevent refugees camped there to cross the border “very worrisome.” She said, "Unless the Syrian forces immediately end their attacks and their provocations that are not only now affecting their own citizens but (raising) the potential of border clashes, then we're going to see an escalation of conflict in the area." She added, “It is further example of the lengths to which President Assad's regime will go to repress the people of Syria rather than actually working in a collaborative way to try to resolve the legitimate concerns of the Syrian people.”
Hundreds of Syrian soldiers backed by tanks yesterday morning raided the village of Khirbet al Joz, less than a mile from the border with Turkey, according to a human rights activist in the area. About 600 refugees have crossed the border, bringing the total to nearly 11 thousand refugees. The Syrian army patrols the border to prevent fleeing the country.
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