US secretary of state says allowing one meeting of opposition in Damascus is not sufficient action towards achieving democracy
Reuters
Syria is running out of time to reform and will face more organized resistance if it does not, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Friday.
Speaking at a news conference in Lithuania, she also said she was disheartened by reports of fresh violence in recent days and that the Syrian government’s decision to allow one opposition meeting in Damascus was not sufficient.
Asked about the apparent contradiction between permitting the meeting while pursuing a tank offensive in the north, Clinton said: “It doesn’t appear that there’s a coherent and consistent message coming from Syria.
Brutality
“They must begin a genuine transition to democracy and allowing one meeting of the opposition in Damascus is not sufficient action toward achieving that goal,” Clinton, standing beside Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite, told reporters.
“So I am disheartened by the recent reports of continued violence on the borders and in Aleppo, where demonstrators have been beaten, attacked with knives by government-organized groups and security forces,” she said.
“It is absolutely clear that the Syrian government is running out of time. They are either going to allow a serious political process that will include peaceful protests to take place throughout Syria and engage in a productive dialogue with members of the opposition and civil society, or they’re going to continue to see increasingly organized resistance.”
Clinton added: “We regret the loss of life and we regret the violence, but this choice is up to the Syrian government. And, right now, we’re looking for action not words and we haven’t seen enough of that.”
Rights campaigners say Syrian security forces and gunmen loyal to President Bashar Assad have killed over 1,300 civilians since an uprising for political freedoms erupted in March. The toll, they say, includes over 150 people killed in a scorched earth campaign against some restive towns and villages.
#1 by Ingrid B. on July 2, 2011 - 6:24 pm
“will face more organized resistance” : this sounds like a threat to me, but it`s what this bloodthirsty apology for a woman does best, and what gives her the right to lecture anyone on democracy?
#2 by funky d on July 2, 2011 - 11:37 pm
does everyone want to join me in a collective order telling her to be quiet. after three then
one, two, three, SHUT THE F*** UP YOU DISGUSTING MURDEROUS DISHONEST JEWISH STOOGE, AND KEEP IT SHUT FOR THE SAKE OF HUMANITY.
#3 by Mark Propheter on July 4, 2011 - 8:36 pm
HHHHMMMMM. Was there about 1,300 or 1,500 killed in a “defensive attack” on Gaza about 3 years years ago?! Isn’t this same entity doing illegal things such as sabotaging ships so they will sink in the high sea?! Yet there leaders come here to the US and we give them the red rug treatment! Hell!! We even give Hotel employees a week off work and hire a temporary staff for that week. Just so the “dirty” Arab Muslims don’t have associate with the “clean Israeli dignitary’s” (AKA The Mob) when they come to Washington DC?! On this July 4Th I am filled anger,disappointment and shame for what our government and country has become. The government for it’s hypocrisy and it’s constant double standards for a nation who’s acts of terrorism (past and present) is infamous. To the country itself. For the people who either turn a blind eye to the overwhelming power of the Israeli Lobby in relation to it’s 2% of the US population in this country. To the good “Christian” people of this country who think these double standards and genocide the nation of Israel has imposes on the Palestinians everyday since 1948. IS GOD ORDAINED!!
AS FAR AS I’M CONCERNED YOUR DAMNED TO HELL!!
But unfortunately your taking my country with you. Because of that I am sad.