Brussels, 28/04/2011 (Agence Europe) - While, on Friday 29 April, EU27 representatives at the Political and Security Committee (PSC) are to discuss possible sanctions that may be imposed against Bachar el-Assad's regime (see EUROPE 10366), Europeans failed in their attempt, on Wednesday 27 April, to have the repression condemned by the UN Security Council. The United Kingdom, France, Germany and Portugal - the current members of the Security Council - were unable to have a draft statement unanimously passed that would condemn repression and call for restraint, the text being blocked by China and Russia. Moscow explained its position by saying it wished to avoid “external interference” that could cause a “civil war” in Syria. On the other hand, Moscow also calls for an international investigation, something that is refused by Syria's ambassador to the UN, Bachar Jaafari. “We regret what is happening (in Syria) but you must agree that, in some of their aspects, these troubles and uprisings conceal hidden intent”, he said. The United States, speaking through the voice of Ambassador Susan Rice, urged Bachar Al-Assad to change course immediately and to listen to the calls being made by his own people for change. Gérard Araud, the French ambassador cited by AFP, said that “if nothing positive happens, France, with others, will study a series of options aimed at stepping up pressure on the Syrian regime so that it puts an end to repression and sets out along the road to reform”. (H.B./transl.jl)