30+ protesters killed today in Syria. On the same day, Hillary says reform possible under Assad [View All]

[cali]

hundreds, if not more, have been killed by Assad's forces over the past month. and just to forestall the inevitable, no I'm not for intervening militarily. I am for strong condemnation of the atrocities being carried out and perhaps sanctions.

Witnesses: Syrian forces kill 30 protesters
AP

By ZEINA KARAM and ELIZABETH A. KENNEDY, Associated Press Zeina Karam And Elizabeth A. Kennedy, Associated Press – 22 mins ago

BEIRUT – Syrian security forces opened fire Friday on thousands of protesters demanding regime change, killing more than 30 people in a sign that President Bashar Assad is prepared to ride out a wave of rapidly escalating international outrage.

The U.N. said it is sending a team into Syria to investigate and the European Union is expected to place sanctions on Syrian officials next week — both significant blows to Assad, a British-educated, self-styled reformer who has tried to bring Syria back into the global mainstream over his 11 years in power.

In Washington, State Department spokesman Mark Toner said the U.S. was pressing the Syrian government to cease "violence against innocent citizens who are simply demonstrating and trying to state their aspirations for a more democratic future."

Friday's protests spanned the nation of 23 million, from the capital to the Mediterranean coast and the arid northeast. The bloodshed was the latest spasm in what has become a weekly cycle of mass protests followed by a swift and deadly crackdown.

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http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110506/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_syria


Clinton says reform still possible in Syria


By Andrew Quinn

WASHINGTON | Fri May 6, 2011 4:28pm EDT

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Friday Syria's government could still make reforms despite mounting political violence that has sparked worldwide condemnation.

Clinton, speaking in an interview with an Italian journalist on a visit to Rome, said the United States had been outspoken about Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's political crackdown but that the situation there was "complex."

"There are deep concerns about what is going on inside Syria, and we are pushing hard for the government of Syria to live up to its own stated commitment to reforms," Clinton said in remarks released by the State Department.

Clinton said the situation in Syria was "poignant" but rejected comparisons with Libya, where the United States has helped to lead international efforts to support rebels fighting longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi.

"What I do know is that they have an opportunity still to bring about a reform agenda," Clinton said.

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http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/05/06/us-syria-usa-idUSTRE7455WO20110506

Right Hillary, because a regime that repeatedly kills unarmed protesters is open to reform.