Brussels, 04/08/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 4 August, the EU welcomed the United Nations Security Council statement condemning the deadly crackdown on anti-government protestors by the Syrian authorities. It was circumspect, however, about welcoming the authorisation of a multipartite system in Syria, promulgated on Thursday by President Bashar al-Assad. France has even said that this is tantamount to provocation, as tanks continue to be used by the government against the civilian population.
A spokesperson for Catherine Ashton, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, said that they welcome the Security Council's statement and believe it is important for there to be follow-up. The Security Council will take stock of the situation in seven days' time. It was, the spokesperson said, noted that President Bashar al-Assad has announced reforms for authorising a multipartite system. In principle, the spokesperson explained, this would be a step forward but it has to be seen whether it really comes about. Other advanced reforms put forward to date have remained a dead letter.
EU experts also discussed the possible stepping up of sanctions, with a number of countries suggesting that measures should be extended to oil companies in Syria (as requested by the ALDE Group at the European Parliament). Ashton's services, the spokesman said, are discussing with the 27 EU member states on whether it is appropriate to add something to these sanctions. There must be an analysis of the role played by these persons in the crackdown before action can be taken.
Security Council statement but no resolution. The UN Security Council condemned, on Wednesday, the deadly crackdown on opposition protestors by the Syrian authorities, that have deployed hundreds of tanks around several towns in Syria. The UN Security Council statement adopted condemns the widespread violation of human rights and the use of force against civilians by the Syrian authorities. Lebanon has disassociated itself from the declaration which, according to a Lebanese source, will not help to put an end to the crisis.
This is the first time that the Council has taken a stance on Syria since anti-government protests began on 15 March. The statement, however, remains less binding than a resolution. The text does not make any reference to an investigation into the crackdown by the UN Human Rights Council, as several European countries have requested. On the other hand, it demands that those responsible for the repression, that has already left 1,600 dead according to NGO figures, should be accountable for their deeds.
The Security Council notes reforms announced by the Syrian authorities and regrets that no progress has been made to implement such reforms. It calls on the Syrian government to implement its commitments. The members of the Security Council call on the Syrian authorities to authorise rapid, unhindered access to international humanitarian agencies. In Washington, the White House said that President Assad is not “indispensable” to the region's stability. (L.C./transl.jl)