UNSC may agree measures on Syria - Russia's UN ambassador
http://english.ruvr.ru/2011/09/29/56910366.html
Sep 29, 2011 09:58 Moscow Time
دبلوماسيون يرجحون توصل مجلس الأمن الى حل وسط بشأن الملف السوري خلال الأسبوع الجاري
Diplomats reckon the Security Council reached a compromise on the Syrian file during the current week
http://arabic.rt.com/news_all_news/news/567822
29.09.2011 07:48
Mark C. Toner
Deputy Spokesperson (US Dept. of State)
Daily Press Briefing
Washington, DC
September 26, 2011
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2011/09/173972.htm
QUESTION: Syria?
MR. TONER: Yeah. Go ahead, sir. Syria's fine.
QUESTION: Yeah. Could you update us on the activities of Ambassador Ford and what is the situation there?
MR. TONER: I don't have an update on Ambassador Ford's whereabouts or his activities. I do – sorry about it. I mean, I don't have – I don't know what his most recent activities have been. He obviously remains engaged on the ground. I don't know that he's traveled recently. We'll try to get you an update on that.
In general terms, we've seen continued oppression by the Syrian Government, including credible reports that Syrian intelligence services are imprisoning and torturing and killing relatives of dissidents inside Syria as a means of forcing activists to give themselves up. We've seen increased violence over the weekend in other parts of Syria, and we just reiterate our call for the Syrian Government to stop the violence.
QUESTION: Okay. There has been reports that Jandali is an American Syrian musician and his parents were smuggled out of Syria, that this was done in coordination with the American Embassy. Do you have any more information on that?
MR. TONER: I'm aware of the individual, I'm aware of the case. I don't know that I can comment beyond that, no.
QUESTION: And lastly, there has been reports that (inaudible), volatile times ahead with a grouped – military groups congregating outside the Syrian army. Do you have any comment on that?
MR. TONER: Again, one more time the question.
QUESTION: There is apparently some arms being sent to the opposition and a group that –people that have defected from the army, members of the armed forces have formed their own units. Would you, at this point, give them aid?
MR. TONER: Well, look, I think it's not surprising, given the level of violence over the past months, that we're now seeing members of the military – or, rather, members of the opposition begin to turn violent, or, rather, begin to use violence against the military as an act of self-preservation. I would say that the opposition's shown extraordinary restraint in the face of the regime's brutality and demanding their rights through peaceful unarmed demonstrations.
It goes without saying that the longer the regime continues to repress, kill, and jail these peaceful activists, the more likely that this peaceful movement's going to become violent. And we would – the onus for this remains on the Syrian Government and the Syrian regime that continues to use violence against innocent civilians.
So think what you're saying is, unfortunately, a natural development.
QUESTION: Well, do you urge the opposition to not –
MR. TONER: It's not really for us, frankly, to urge the opposition to do anything. They are – clearly, it's a matter of self-defense. Again, we just – we've seen – what we've seen so far in the struggle, this largely nonviolent struggle, is extraordinary restraint on the part of the opposition.
QUESTION: A lot of your expressions of support for the opposition have been grounded in part on the fact that they have been nonviolent and peaceful. Are you saying that you would continue to support them if they actively took up arms and essentially became an armed insurrection that you would – they would receive the full backing from you? If the movement loses its nonviolent character, does that change, in any way, U.S. support for its goal?
MR. TONER: I think what remains unchanged is that Asad is no longer the legitimate leader of that country. He, by using violence against his people, has created the present situation. These are unarmed protestors. They remain unarmed, for the large part. But the dynamic is changing because – due to this continued violence by Asad and his regime.
So the responsibility, the onus, is on Asad. We're calling for him to step down so that a democratic transition can take place. That's what our focus is.
QUESTION: But what's your reaction to reports that elements in the military are defecting and threatening to use force against the regime?
MR. TONER: Well, I – just what I said, which is that you're seeing this dynamic --
QUESTION: (Inaudible.)
MR. TONER: -- you're seeing this shift because average Syrians, who have thus far been nonviolent, are trying to take action against this continued violence, this continued repression, the deaths, the mounting death toll of innocent Syrian civilians. And so it's not surprising that we're seeing this happen.
But again, let's be clear. The responsibility lies with Asad and his regime that continue to use violence against innocent, peaceful demonstrators. And they need to step aside and allow a democratic transition. That call remains crystal clear: Asad needs to step down.
QUESTION: But to follow up on Andy's point, there are elements, in Dara'a in particular, that are issuing statements saying that if we take up arms, if we form our own basis and so on, then the U.S. will come and support us, as happened in Libya. Wouldn't it be, in fact, in the interest of the United States to caution against the use of violence on the premise that this will engender U.S. aid?
MR. TONER: Well, I think from our understanding, the vast majority of the Syrian people are adamant that they don't want any kind of military intervention, and this does remain a largely peaceful opposition movement. But as I said, the government's continued use of violence against innocent civilians, I think, is engendering the opposition to use violence back at the Syrian authorities.
QUESTION: And then just so we're clear on this, and you condone the use of that violence by the opposition to defend themselves? You think that's perfectly okay?
MR. TONER: I just think that it is a dynamic that has been borne of this ongoing repression and violence against them. It's a matter of self-defense.
Yeah. Go ahead, in the back.
Official Source: Statements by American Officials Prove US Involvement in Encouraging Violence against Syrian Army
http://www.sana.sy/ara/2/2011/09/29/372335.htm
http://www.sana.sy/eng/337/2011/09/29/372340.htm
Sep 29, 2011
DAMASCUS, (SANA) - An official source at the Ministry of Foreign and Expatriates Affairs said the recent statements made by American officials including what was said by Spokesman of the US Department of State Mark Toner on Sep 26th about supporting the armed terrorist groups in using violence against the Syrian Arab Army, clearly indicate that the US is involved in encouraging the armed groups to carry out acts of violence against the Syrian Army.
In a statement to SANA, the source added that describing the terrorist acts as normal by the Deputy of the US Department of State Spokesman is an irresponsible attitude that would encourage the acts of violence and sabotage serving the foreign agendas which contradict with the interests of the Syrian people.
The source said that Syria strongly condemns these American statements, and affirms determination to perform its duty in preserving its security and stability, defending its citizens, and in confronting all the attempts of interference in its internal affairs.
Syria protesters attack U.S. ambassador
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/09/29/501364/main20113228.shtml
(CBS/AP)
September 29, 2011 6:59 AM
Last Updated 9:30 a.m. ET
Supporters of President Bashar Assad pelted the U.S. ambassador to Syria with eggs and tomatoes Thursday as he entered an office for a meeting with a leading opposition figure and then tried to storm the building in the capital Damascus, the opposition activist said.
Ambassador Robert Ford, an outspoken critic of Assad's crackdown on the 6-month-old anti-government uprising, was trapped in the office for about three hours until Syria security forces showed up and escorted him out.
An official at the U.S. Embassy in Damascus later told CBS News that Ford was "safe and unharmed" following the attack. The embassy provided no further information about what happened, saying a statement would likely be issued by the State Department in Washington later in the day.
Ford came under attack as he arrived for a meeting with Hassan Abdul-Azim, who heads the outlawed Arab Socialist Democratic Union party.
"Now that security forces are here, I believe his life is not in danger," Abdul-Azim told The Associated Press.
Ford has angered the Syrian regime in past months by visiting a couple of the protest centers outside of Damascus in a show of solidarity with the anti-government uprising. The latest incident could further raise tensions between Washington and Damascus, which has accused the United States of helping incite violence in Syria. In August, President Barack Obama demanded Assad resign, saying he had lost his legitimacy as a ruler.
Abdul-Azim said Ford was inside his office when the Assad supporters tried to force their way in, breaking some door locks. Office staff prevented them from rushing in, but the ambassador was trapped inside for about three hours with some 100 hostile pro-government protesters outside.
Abdul-Azim said Syrian security arrived about an hour after the attack began.
The U.S. Embassy had no immediate comment on the confrontation.
The attack on Ford came five days after government supporters threw eggs and stones at France's ambassador as he left a meeting in Damascus with a Greek Orthodox patriarch. Ambassador Eric Chevallier was unharmed.
Tension between the West and Syria — Iran's closest Arab ally — have been rising for months.
Washington and the European Union have imposed sanctions on some Syrian officials, including Assad, because of Assad's crackdown that has left some 2,700 people, according to the United Nations.
A trip in July by the U.S. and French ambassadors to the central city of Hama to express support for protesters drew swift condemnation from the Syrian government, which said the unauthorized visits were proof that Washington was inciting violence in the Arab nation. Authorities then warned both ambassadors not to travel outside the capital without permission.
A month later, the Obama administration brushed off a complaint by Syrian authorities that Ford violated their travel rules by leaving Damascus without permission. The Syrian foreign ministry registered concern over Ford's trip in August from Damascus to the southern village of Jassem, where he met opposition activists.
Last month, Ford and several other ambassadors expressed their condolences to the family of a rights advocate who was killed.
The U.S. has maintained diplomatic relations with Syria even while protesting Assad's efforts to crush the uprising.
Foreign Ministry: Necessary Procedures Taken to Protect US Ambassador while Visiting a Lawyer's Office in Damascus
http://www.sana.sy/ara/2/2011/09/29/372394.htm
http://www.sana.sy/eng/21/2011/09/29/372429.htm
Sep 29, 2011
DAMASCUS, (SANA) - " The US Embassy informed the Foreign and Expatriates Ministry on Thursday morning that the US Ambassador Robert Ford, was faced by some Syrians who gathered to protest his presence and movements while visiting lawyer Hassan Abdel Azim at his office," an official source at Foreign and Expatriates Ministry said.
The source added that in order to meet Syria's international obligations, the Ministry contacted the competent authorities to take necessary procedures to protect the Ambassador and ensure his safe return to the Embassy headquarters as soon as it knew about the issue.
Hundreds of Syrian citizens gathered in front of lawyer Abdel Azim's office at al-Nasr Street in Damascus in protest of the US Ambassador's movements.
The participants chanted slogans that express their rejection of the foreign interference in Syria's internal affairs and the US policy.
أميركا تعدل عقوباتها ضد سورية وتسمح بدعم التعليم والجفاف والصحة
America adjusted its sanctions against Syria and allow the support of education, health and drought
http://www.aksalser.com/index.php?page=view_news&id=fdafefbd12c43c36d50dadf268870854&ar=63909858
Thursday - September 29 - 2011 - 14:41:40
Issued a U.S. Treasury Department two days before the licenses considered exceptions to the sanctions imposed on Syria recently.
The "Economist" that the new exceptions (or the so-called license) included two parts:
The first license:
Allow non-governmental organizations to issue and re-export services to Syria to be able to perform the following activities:
- Activities to support humanitarian projects, including but not limited to: the fight against drought, helping refugees, internally displaced persons, victims of conflicts, the distribution of food and medicines, and serve the health services.
- Activities to support democracy-building in Syria, including but not limited to, the rule of law, citizen participation, government accountability, and development projects of civil society.
- Activities to support education in Syria, including but not limited to: fighting illiteracy, promoting education and access to people, projects and support education reform.
- Activities to support development projects (non commercial) according to which Syrian citizens directly, including but not limited to: combating the spread of infectious diseases, promotion of maternal and child health, sustainable agriculture, and assistance in the provision of clean water.
Thus allowing financial institutions to U.S. companies trading in securities and money transfer companies, to transfer money for expenses of operating the work of non-governmental non-US and non-Syrian, provided that the financial transfers across the Syrian government or any of the persons applied to them penalties.
In addition to that, the license allows for non-governmental non-US and non-Syrian, that the financial operations with the Syrian government, what is necessary for the activities mentioned above, including but not limited to: payment of taxes, import duties, fees for approvals, licenses, or public services from the government Syria.
Second license:
Allows financial institutions to U.S. companies trading securities and money transfer companies, to transfer money for expenses of operating the work of diplomatic missions, non-US and non-Syrian or consular functions in Syria, provided that the financial transfers across the Syrian government or any of the persons applied to them penalties.
The U.S. Treasury Department has issued four licenses are excluded from U.S. sanctions on Syria two weeks ago, included to allow international organizations of the United Nations and its respective programs and employees continue their activities and their dealings with Syria, and allow U.S. citizens resident in Syria, a Maamlahm daily, allowing moving accounts bank within the territory of the United States, which belong to the Syrian citizens.
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