Brussels, 16/07/2012 (Agence Europe) - EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton issued a condemnation, “in the strongest possible terms”, on Friday 13 July, of the “ruthless killing of at least 200 men, women and children” in the village of Tremseh in Syria. Ashton says she is “deeply shocked” by the massacre which she describes as an “atrocity”.
“The regime's use of heavy weaponry, including artillery and helicopters … is a blatant violation of its obligations under the Annan plan”, Ashton added. She said that the perpetrators must be identified and held responsible for “their heinous acts”. “There can be no impunity for the perpetrators of these alleged human rights violations”, she stated.
Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt, on his Twitter account, described the EU reaction to the “atrocious killings” as “strong and appropriate”. British Foreign Minister William Hague described the alleged massacre as “shocking and appalling”, stating that it would cause the UK to redouble its efforts to bring sanctions against Damascus. “We will redouble our efforts to agree a Chapter VII resolution of the UN Security Council. This would compel the Syrian regime to fulfil the commitments it has made under the Annan plan, to withdraw its military from residential areas, and establish a transitional government”, he said. His Belgian opposite number, Didier Reynders, said that this “tragic incident”, demonstrated “yet again the urgent need for stronger pressure to be brought to bear on the Syrian regime”, highlighting the need for a Security Council resolution demanding compliance with the Annan plan.
UN Special Envoy Kofi Annan, who, on Monday 16 July, travelled to Russia for discussions on the situation, said that he was “shocked and appalled” by the news from Tremseh and he condemned “these atrocities in the strongest possible terms”. “It is desperately urgent that this violence and brutality stops and more important than ever that governments with influence exert it more effectively to ensure that the violence ends - immediately”, he added.
Pressure on Moscow
On Monday, Russia accused the West of blackmailing it into acceptance of UN Security Council sanctions against the regime. The Russian Foreign Minister said: “We are being told, if you don't agree to a UN Charter Chapter VII resolution, then we will refuse to extend the observers' mandate, which is due to end on 20 July”. According to diplomats, the United States is bringing this kind of pressure to bear on Moscow.
According to a group of observers who happened to be close to Tremseh on Thursday, heavy weapons, including artillery and mortars and helicopters had been used by the army. Opponents claimed that after bombing, the army entered the village with militia supporting the regime, who shot villagers in the middle of the streets or stabbed them to death. “It was not a massacre but a response by regular military forces against heavily armed groups that do not want a political solution”, said the spokesman for the Syrian Foreign Ministry, Jihad Makdessi. He also denied the use of aeroplanes, helicopters or heavy artillery. (CG/transl.rt)