Washington – The United States and European Union vowed Tuesday to take additional steps against Syria if President Bashar al-Assad’s regime does not end the brutal repression of protesters.
‘We discussed additional steps that we can take to increase pressure and further isolate the Assad regime,’ US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said, standing beside EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton after their meeting in Washington.
The US and EU have already enacted sanctions against Syrian officials following the crackdown against protesters that has left hundreds dead. Those sanctions stopped short of targeting al-Assad.
Ashton said the US and EU are ready to take further actions if al-Assad’s government refuses to change course, and will look to see where sanctions can be strengthened.
‘We’re all very aware that the situation is so grave that it’s now in a situation where we need to consider all of the options,’ Ashton said. ‘And I think there will be a number of moves in the coming hours and days that you will see.’
Syria has faced widespread international condemnation for using force against demonstrators seeking political reforms.
‘They have embraced the worst tactics of their Iranian ally, and they have refused to honor the legitimate aspirations of their own people in Syria,’ Clinton said. ‘President Assad talks about reform, but his heavy-handed, brutal crackdown shows his true intentions.’
