- Title: Obama says will continue to try to affect change in Syria
- Date: 17th November 2016
- Summary: BERLIN, GERMANY (NOVEMBER 17, 2016) (HOST BROADCASTER POOL) NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT, BARACK OBAMA, SAYING: "We are going to continue to work as we have over the last five, six years to push towards a political transition and settlement. It would be naive of me to suggest that with Russia committed militarily as it is to supporting what, in many cases, are barbarous tactics by the Assad regime to crush the opposition, the sort of indiscriminate bombing that we've been seeing, not just in Aleppo, but in many parts of the country over the last several years; it would be naive of me to suggest that there's going to be a sudden 180-degree turn in policy by either Assad or Russia or Iran at this point. But we are going to continue to make the argument, we are going to continue to try to find humanitarian steps that can reach the people there. We're going to continue to try to obtain cessations of hostilities that lessen the human tragedy and the migration that's taking place. But ultimately, the way this is going to be resolved is going to have to be a recognition by Russia and a willingness to pressure Assad that a lasting durable peace with a functioning country requires the consent of people. You cannot purchase people's consent through killing them. They haven't made that transition yet but we are going to keep on trying." OBAMA SPEAKING
- Embargoed: 2nd December 2016 18:08
- Keywords: Barack Obama Syria
- Location: BERLIN, GERMANY
- City: BERLIN, GERMANY
- Country: Germany
- Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,Military Conflicts
- Reuters ID: LVA00158U45S7
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: U.S. President Barack Obama on Thursday (November 17) said it would be naive to expect a 180-degree turn by Russia or Syrian President Bashar al Assad, but the United States and its allies would continue to try to affect change to end the deadly Syrian crisis.
"We are going to continue to work as we have over the last five, six years to push towards a political transition and settlement. It would be naive of me to suggest that with Russia committed militarily as it is to supporting what, in many cases, are barbarous tactics by the Assad regime to crush the opposition," he said.
He added that he would continue to try to "obtain cessations of hostilities that lessen the human tragedy and the migration that's taking place" but ultimately, it would take a shift in policy by Assad, Russia or Iran.
"You cannot purchase people's consent through killing them. They haven't made that transition yet but we are going to keep on trying," the president said.
Obama spoke at a joint news conference after a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. He is visiting the German capital for two nights as part of his farewell European tour. On Friday (November 18) Obama and Merkel are scheduled to meet with the leaders of France, Spain, Italy and the UK. - Copyright Holder: POOL (CAN SELL)
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