USA: Washington skeptical of Bashir Al-Assad's pledge to grant new political freedoms in Syria

Record ID: 279102

  • Title: USA: Washington skeptical of Bashir Al-Assad's pledge to grant new political freedoms in Syria
  • Date: 25th March 2011
  • Summary: WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES (MARCH 24, 2011) (4:3) (UNRESTRICTED POOL) WIDESHOT U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN MARK TONER AT NEWS BRIEFING SOUNDBITE (English) U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN MARK TONER, IN AN EXCHANGE WITH A REPORTER, SPEAKING ABOUT THE DECISION OF SYRIAN PRESIDENT BASHAR AL-ASSAD TO FORM A COMMITTEE TO EXAMINE THE CONCERNS OF ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTES
  • Embargoed: 9th April 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Usa, Usa
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVA7YX7QKT20E26G19EBXWSKMT42
  • Story Text: The United States reacted lukewarmly on Thursday (March 24) to the announcement by the Syrian government that President Bashar al-Assad has pledged greater political freedoms to Syrian citizens as a result of anti-government protests.
    "Words are words, and we will obviously look for action," State Department spokesman Mark Toner said.
    The pledge by Assad followed the deaths of 37 people who were killed in the southern city of Deraa when government forces opened fire on demonstrators inspired by the uprisings across the Arab world that have shaken authoritarian leaders.
    Announcing a list of decrees and concessions that would have been almost unimaginable three months ago in Syria, Assad adviser Bouthaina Shaaban told a news conference that Assad had not ordered his forces to fire on the protesters.
    "We, obviously, remain deeply troubled by the violence and civilian deaths, especially in Deraa, at the hands of the Syrian security forces. And overall, we are concerned about the Syrian government's use of violence in suppressing the Syrian people's right to freely express themselves," Toner said.
    Assad's decree authorized the drafting of new laws to permit media freedoms and to allow political movements other than the Baath party to organize freely. The announcement was met with derision by Syrian opposition groups, particularly as it largely coincided with the arrest of Syria's leading human rights activist, Mazen Darwish.
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