Brussels, 27/02/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 27 February, EU foreign ministers tightened sanctions against Syria, including imposing a freeze on the assets of the Syrian national bank, banning trade in precious metals, gold and diamonds, and a ban on cargo flights operated by Syrian carriers. Seven ministers, who have been associated with human rights violations, have had their assets frozen and have been subjected to a visa ban. In its conclusions, the Council called on the international community to join with it in these efforts. Council once again condemned “all killings of unarmed civilians” and called for an “immediate” end to violence. France wants the regime to be referred to international courts for its repression and violence, French Foreign Minister Alain Juppé announced.
The Council also called on the regime guarantee “unhindered access” for humanitarian workers. Ministers called on the Syrian government and all parties to “fully respect the impartiality and independence of humanitarian organisations and workers”. Polish Foreign Minister Radislaw Sikorski said that the Polish Embassy in Damascus is taking part in attempts to evacuate western journalists and is in permanent contact with French, British and US diplomats, the Syrian authorities and the Syrian Red Crescent.
Support for the opposition and for diplomacy
Ministers also repeated their support for the Syrian opposition and said the EU was ready to step up its engagement with all representative members of Syrian opposition which “adhere to non violence, inclusiveness and democratic values as they make progress to form a broad and inclusive platform”. They said the EU recognises the Syrian National Council as a “legitimate representative of Syrians seeking peaceful democratic change”.
Ministers also welcomed the appointment of former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, as the Joint Special Envoy of the United Nations and League of Arab States on the Syrian crisis.
Before the Council, ministers again voiced their opposition to military intervention. “It is not an option. It would serve only to worsen the situation. … The way forward is through diplomacy and support for Kofi Annan”, said Jena Asselborn of Luxembourg. “We don't want any more weapons in that region. There are too many already. The only option is political”, said Dane Villy Sovndal, on supplying arms to the Syrian opposition.
Ministers also discussed representation on the ground. According to a diplomatic source, “most ministers” did not want to close their embassies in Damascus so that they could assist their nationals. Belgian Didier Reynders said the EU should “coordinate”. “We have to look at how we can maintain some form of representation, perhaps even scaled-down”, he said before the meeting.
Referendum: a charade
The French and UK ministers were scathing of the referendum organised by the regime on Sunday 26 February, in which 89.4% of voters approved the new constitution. “When we see al-Assad smiling as he votes in the referendum, which is no more than a sinister charade, we can only be outraged as bombs are raining down at the same time”, said Alain Juppé. His UK counterpart William Hague stated that the “vote has fooled nobody. To open polling stations but to continue to open fire on the civilians in the country has no credibility in the eyes of the world”. (CG/transl.rt)