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    June 22, 2011

Syria Says EU Sanctions Amount to War

   VOA News
   Syrian President Bashar al-Assad (file photo)
   Photo: AP
   Syrian President Bashar al-Assad (file photo)

   Syria says European Union sanctions against it amount to war and is
   warning that it will not tolerate any foreign interference in its
   internal affairs.
   Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallim said in a speech in Damascus
   Wednesday that EU sanctions against military-linked companies in Syria
   and individuals show that the bloc wants to "plant strife and chaos" in
   the Arab nation.
   He dismissed the EU sanctions, saying that Syria "will forget Europe is
   on the map." He also denied that Iran and Hezbollah are helping Syrian
   President Bashar al-Assad put down the unrest. He suggested that
   because of the killing of some Syrian security personnel, al-Qaida
   might be behind some of the violence.
   National dialogue
   Earlier this week, Assad offered a national dialogue to consider
   political reforms in his restive country, where a three month crackdown
   on anti-government protesters has left 1,400 people dead.
   Turkey, which has set up tent camps to house 10,000 Syrians who have
   fled to escape the violence, said. Assad's proposals were "not enough."
   Muallim asked Turkey to reconsider its assessment, saying that Syria
   wants "best relations" with its neighbor to the north.
   Muallim's wide-ranging assessment came a day after activists said
   supporters and opponents of the Syrian government clashed in several
   cities, leaving at least seven people dead.
   Crackdown
   Witnesses and human rights activists say Syrian security forces fired
   on anti-government crowds Tuesday, causing casualties in the central
   cities of Homs and Hama and the Mayadin district of Deir al-Zour.
   Demonstrations also erupted in the capital, Damascus.
   Anti-government protesters went into the streets after pro-government
   rallies in which thousands gathered to show support for Assad.
   State television showed tens of thousands of pro-Assad demonstrators in
   Damascus and other cities, holding flags and pictures of the president.
   Earlier in the week, he blamed the recent unrest on "saboteurs" and
   laid out his plans for political reforms.
   Amnesty
   Also Tuesday, the state news service said Assad has granted a general
   amnesty for crimes committed before June 20, but did not provide
   further details.
   In the president's 70-minute speech Monday, he offered a national
   dialogue that would begin to review new laws on parliamentary
   elections, the media and possible reforms to Syria's constitution.
   Activists immediately dismissed his promises, saying they failed to
   meet the demands of protesters who for three months have rallied for
   democratic changes and defied a fierce military crackdown.

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References

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