The Unites States President Barack Obama today called on Asad to step aside amidst escalating violence in the region.
Secretary of Stae Hillary Rodham Clinton today said President Obama also announced the strongest set of sanctions to date targeting the Syrian Government. She added the sanctions include the energy sector to increase pressure on the regime.T
“The world has borne witness to the Asad regime’s contempt for its own people. In peaceful demonstrations across the nation, Syrians are demanding their universal human rights.” -Ms. Clinton
She noted that Asad’s regime has answered their demands with empty promises and horrific violence, torturing opposition leaders, laying siege to cities, slaughtering thousands of unarmed civilians, including children.
Ms. Clinton pointed out that the Asad government has now been condemned by countries in all parts of the world and can look only to Iran for support for its brutal and unjust crackdown.
“The transition to democracy in Syria has begun, and it’s time for Asad to get out of the way.” -Ms. Clinton
Ms. Clinton emphasized that the United States understands the strong desire of the Syrian people that no foreign country should intervene in their struggle.
“We will do our part to support their aspirations for a Syria that is democratic, just, and inclusive. And we will stand up for their universal rights and dignity by pressuring the regime and Asad personally to get out of the way of this transition.” -Ms. Clinton
According to Ms. Clinton, the United States has imposed strong financial sanctions on Asad and dozens of his cronies. She said the U.S. government has sanctioned the Commercial Bank of Syria for supporting the regime’s illicit nuclear proliferation activities. She added that the United States has led multilateral efforts to isolate the regime, from keeping them off the Human Rights Council, to achieving a strong presidential statement of condemnation at the UN Security Council.
She stressed that the steps that President Obama announced this morning will further tighten the circle of isolation around the regime. Ms. Clinton emphasized that Obama’s executive order immediately freezes all assets of the Government of Syria that are subject to American jurisdiction and prohibits American citizens from engaging in any transactions with the Government of Syria or investing in that country.
“These actions strike at the heart of the regime by banning American imports of Syrian petroleum and petroleum products and prohibiting Americans from dealing in these products.” -Ms. Clinton
Ms. Clinton stated that the UN Security Council will meet again to discuss this ongoing threat to international peace and stability.
“The people of Syria deserve a government that respects their dignity, protects their rights, and lives up to their aspirations. Asad is standing in their way.” -Ms. Clinton
