Brussels, 31/01/2013 (Agence Europe) - Several European foreign ministers expressed their reservations on Thursday 31 January about lifting the arms embargo to Syria, advocated by France and the United Kingdom (see EUROPE 10775). Frans Timmermans of the Netherlands said he was not convinced that it would be a “wise move”. He explained that this could lead to arms proliferation in the region and to an escalation of the situation, although he remained “realistic” about the fact that one party in the conflict (the government) receives arms from outside the country, underlining the fact that the coalition is increasingly frustrated that its opponents are receiving international support while it is not. He went on to add that the discussion on the embargo is not very urgent and that it will be taken up again in several months' time.
Michael Spindelegger of Austria was very sceptical. He explained that the EU has always been left behind on arms delivery matters. Belgium, Finland and Cyprus were reportedly reticent about the idea of lifting the embargo.
Problems of interpretation.
During the debate of the Foreign Affairs Council, ministers showed that their interpretations were different regarding lethal material authorised according to the embargo decided on 9 May 2011. While, under British legislation, no material can be sent, France, for its part, is already providing the opposition with non-lethal material, such as communications equipment and head protection. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton told the press that no-one has spoken of sending weapons. First of all, she said, one must know what is allowed and what is not allowed under the embargo. The Council on 18 February may, therefore, examine the system in place to see what is possible according to the embargo in force. Pending the Council, working groups will look at a more precise interpretation of what is allowed under the embargo, what can and cannot be sent. That interpretation will perhaps give rise to a specific list, a European source said.
Lifting the embargo, either totally or partially, poses problems whatever the parameters, the same source said. The opposition is not legally recognised and limiting the supply to specific regions of the territory is not possible either. The arms embargo and the other sanctions on Syria are valid until midnight on 28 February. (CG/transl.jl)