Hollande won't rule out force in Syria

[dipsydoodle]

Source: France 24 / Nine News AU.

French President Francois Hollande says the use of armed force could be possible in Syria following the Houla massacre, but that it had to be carried out under UN auspices.

"An armed intervention is not excluded on the condition that it is carried out with respect to international law, meaning after deliberation by the United Nations Security Council," Hollande said in a television interview.



Read more: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/world/8475376/hollande-wont-rule-out-force-in-syria

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France to push Russia on Syria sanctions, expels envoy.

(Reuters) - French President Francois Hollande said he would try to convince Russia to back U.N. Security Council sanctions against Syria after he stepped up pressure on Damascus by announcing the expulsion of its ambassador on Tuesday.

Hollande, who will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Paris on Friday, said last week's killing of more than 108 people in the Syrian town of Houla, near Hama, meant it was now time for stronger measures against Damascus.

"We will see what we can do with Putin so that he can put pressure on the Assad regime and also take part in a Security Council vote," Hollande told reporters after visiting a military hospital.

"We know that Russia and China have prevented the sanctions vote which could be even more decisive in applying pressure on the regime," he added.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/05/29/us-syria-crisis-hollande-idUSBRE84S13A20120529

[David__77]

1. I would like to thank Hollande for rejecting Sarkozy's Bush-style interventionist stand.

Sarkozy of course would have been open to a NATO action that circumvented the UN security council. Hollande thankfully opposing armed intervention in the face of opposition from any permanent security council member.

I'd prefer Hollande oppose intervention under any scenario, but it's a move in the right direction.

[JDPriestly]

2. This appears to be a genuine humanitarian issue.

Regardless who you think is "right" in the internal conflict in Syria, the Syrian government has not been able to negotiate a peace. It is not respecting the rights of those who disagree with it, whether a minority or the majority of the people. So, Hollande's approach is reasonable. In terms of foreign policy, I think that Hollande and Obama will make a good team, and the Merkel will be a good third party once she begins to trust Hollande and Obama.

[may3rd]

4. whatdaya mean "oui" ?

Let Turkey and Saudi Arabia do the heavy lifting since it is obviously in their best interests.
They are a culture of skitzos when it comes to certain western influences, let them carry the torch in the name of their cultural beliefs

[BadtotheboneBob]

8. "Let Turkey and Saudi Arabia do the heavy lifting"

Absolutely! Spot on! Middle Easterners have complained, justifiably so, of Western interference in their affairs over the years, so time for those regional 'powers that be' to step up and put out their own local fires. No US intervention!

[may3rd]

15. Yes, and it goes something like this ; Building a coalition of the locals

Lebanese Hostages in Syria: Suleiman sought Saudi help

President Michel Suleiman sought Saudi help in securing the release of the 11 Lebanese pilgrims taken hostage by Syrian rebels during a meeting with Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdel-Aziz on Friday in the Saudi port city of Jeddah
....
The president reportedly also discussed the travel advisories issued by four Gulf Cooperation Council countries restricting travel to Lebanon. The countries are
Bahrain, Kuwait , Qatar and UAE.
the president will be heading to Kuwait on Sunday to discuss this issue.
....

http://www.yalibnan.com/2012/06/02/lebanese-hostages-in-syria-suleiman-sought-saudi-help/

We all know where the Saudis run to for military advice but this time they have to lay the groundwork for regime change before inviting in multi national ( non local ) coalition to be the lead dog in the fight.
If done right, this could be an october surprise in the US

[tcaudilllg]

7. Humanitarian intervention does not compel us to war with Russia.

Russia has a base in Syria. There will be no aerial intervention. Their fate is in Russian hands and they must defeat the Russian arms influx to win.

Any intervention could also be used as a pretext for Iran strikes or even Russia (or China). There will be no intervention.

[Dokkie]

9. I just hope you

also called for intervention in Bahrain when the west labeled the protesters terrorist and then allowed Saudi military forces to squash the protesters? cos you just cannot be inconsistent with issues like this. Its either you r in favor of humanitarian intervention or you oppose it. You cannot just switch your cards when the country in question is an ally of the US.

Syria was on of the countries Gen Clark said was on the list of US countries to overthrow, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Lebanon, Sudan and now Syria, coincidence? I think not

[Dokkie]

10. Also see how now Uganda

has discovered oil, we all of a sudden have US advisers in Uganda(just like the advisers in Vietnam).

[may3rd]

11. The Chinese are already huge in african 'exploration'

The peoples republic has a way to get what they want at the expense of other peoples blood

[JDPriestly]

14. Yes, it is shameful what we have turned a blind eye to in Bahrain.

[may3rd]

3. "An armed intervention is not excluded on the condition that it is carried out with respect to inter

"An armed intervention is not excluded on the condition that it is carried out with respect to international law, meaning

after deliberation by the United Nations Security Council,"


ie,
when the UN decides to vote for intervention. He will be right behind those that take the lead.

And most of the world is expelling Syrian diplomats.
whatdayathink that means ?

[dipsydoodle]

5. Doesn't really matter what it means

Chances of Russia and China agreeing are minimal.

[may3rd]

12. yeah, it's all for internal consumption

He's not really a world center stage player.
The shock vids will continue to upload, the people will continue to bleed and the only question is which side has the best interests of the citizens first ?

The civil war will spread to the calm, more civilized parts of the country until mutineers take control of the situation . Oh , I'm sure they have ears and are willing to listen when enough of their own families and homes are uploaded for all the world to see.

[bossy22]

6. hmm

is it just me or is it everytime I hear of european powers considering military action it always ends up with the U.S. doing most of the "leg work"

[may3rd]

13. "heavy lifting" is what I tend to think as the phrase that pay$

If the US ever had to go to war against "NATO" for air superiority extending off the shores of the european continent


it would be a very short fight