30+ protesters killed today in Syria. On the same day, Hillary says reform possible under Assad

[cali]

hundreds, if not more, have been killed by Assad's forces over the past month. and just to forestall the inevitable, no I'm not for intervening militarily. I am for strong condemnation of the atrocities being carried out and perhaps sanctions.

Witnesses: Syrian forces kill 30 protesters
AP

By ZEINA KARAM and ELIZABETH A. KENNEDY, Associated Press Zeina Karam And Elizabeth A. Kennedy, Associated Press – 22 mins ago

BEIRUT – Syrian security forces opened fire Friday on thousands of protesters demanding regime change, killing more than 30 people in a sign that President Bashar Assad is prepared to ride out a wave of rapidly escalating international outrage.

The U.N. said it is sending a team into Syria to investigate and the European Union is expected to place sanctions on Syrian officials next week — both significant blows to Assad, a British-educated, self-styled reformer who has tried to bring Syria back into the global mainstream over his 11 years in power.

In Washington, State Department spokesman Mark Toner said the U.S. was pressing the Syrian government to cease "violence against innocent citizens who are simply demonstrating and trying to state their aspirations for a more democratic future."

Friday's protests spanned the nation of 23 million, from the capital to the Mediterranean coast and the arid northeast. The bloodshed was the latest spasm in what has become a weekly cycle of mass protests followed by a swift and deadly crackdown.

<snip>

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110506/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_syria


Clinton says reform still possible in Syria


By Andrew Quinn

WASHINGTON | Fri May 6, 2011 4:28pm EDT

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Friday Syria's government could still make reforms despite mounting political violence that has sparked worldwide condemnation.

Clinton, speaking in an interview with an Italian journalist on a visit to Rome, said the United States had been outspoken about Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's political crackdown but that the situation there was "complex."

"There are deep concerns about what is going on inside Syria, and we are pushing hard for the government of Syria to live up to its own stated commitment to reforms," Clinton said in remarks released by the State Department.

Clinton said the situation in Syria was "poignant" but rejected comparisons with Libya, where the United States has helped to lead international efforts to support rebels fighting longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi.

"What I do know is that they have an opportunity still to bring about a reform agenda," Clinton said.

<snip>

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/05/06/us-syria-usa-idUSTRE7455WO20110506

Right Hillary, because a regime that repeatedly kills unarmed protesters is open to reform.

[tabatha]

1. Here is a really good source for Syria news.

http://twitter.com/#!/KiloFoot

[Tx4obama]

2. MSNBC Breaking News

http://twitter.com/BreakingNews

White House: US, allies will take 'additional steps' against Damascus unless it stops killing civilians - Reuters 12 minutes ago via breakingnews.com

[cali]

3. kind of mixed messages there.

even before today's round of killing demonstrators, it was clear that Assad has no intention of reform.

[Tx4obama]

4. Statement from the White House

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
May 06, 2011
Statement by the Press Secretary on Violence in Syria

We strongly condemn and deplore the Syrian government’s use of violence and mass arrests in response to ongoing demonstrations. We again salute the courage of Syrian protestors for insisting on their right to express themselves and we regret the loss of life on all sides. Over the past two weeks, it has been made abundantly clear that the Syrian government’s security crackdown will not restore stability and will not stop the demands for change in Syria. It is also clear that false reform announcements, such as ending the emergency law but then expanding the scope of arrests without even the pretense of judicial warrants, also do not satisfy the demand for change in Syria. The Syrian government continues to follow the lead of its Iranian ally in resorting to brute force and flagrant violations of human rights in suppressing peaceful protests.

The United States and the international community will adjust their relations with Syria according to the concrete actions undertaken by the Syrian government. On April 29, the President signed an Executive Order imposing sanctions against senior Syrian officials and other Syrian and Iranian government entities responsible for human rights abuses, including the use of violence against civilians and the commission of other abuses. These sanctions are in addition to those the United States maintains pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and Executive Orders 13338, 13399 and 13460, as a part of the national emergency with respect to Syria.

The United States believes that Syria’s deplorable actions toward its people warrant a strong international response. Absent significant change in the Syrian government’s current approach, including an end to the government’s killing of protestors and to the arrest and harassment campaigns of protestors and activists, coupled with a genuine political reform process responsive to the demands of the Syrian people, the United States and its international partners will take additional steps to make clear our strong opposition to the Syrian government’s treatment of its people. In this context, the United States welcomes today’s decision by the European Union to impose sanctions on Syrian regime officials responsible for human rights abuses in Syria.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/05/06/statement-press-secretary-violence-syria

[gateley]

5. I think the Admistration has to say things like that until there's

a resolution. Like they kept saying Musharraf wasn't a dictator when they knew he most certainly was. They have to keep their options open. It's in our best interest in the big picture, even though I hate those political games.

[WatsonT]

6. Well we're already bombing Libya

what more can we do for the people of Syria?

[former9thward]

8. Protect the civilians. Wasn't that the line in Libya?

Of course there is that lack of oil thing...

[readmoreoften]

7. +1