Clinton: "No appetite ... No willingness for aggressive steps in Syria!"

Via FLC

"Couric: In Syria, Secretary Clinton, the government crackdown has killed an estimated 700 people in the last two months. What took so long for the Administration to put these new sanctions into place?

Clinton: Well, Katie, I don't think it took long at all. I think we wanted to coordinate with our allies in the European Union, to talk to our friends and partners in the region, especially those that border Syria, Israel, Iraq, and others. And we also wanted to make it clear that, as the President just said in his speech, President Asad of Syria can either lead this transition or get out of the way. And unfortunately, the evidence thus far is that he's not providing the kind of leadership that is needed.

Couric: So are you willing to say he should get out of the way; President Asad must go?

Clinton: Well, I think President Obama was very clear. And what we want is to continue to support the voices of democracy, those who are standing against the brutality. But we're also well aware every situation is different, and in this one, Asad has said a lot of things that you didn't hear from other leaders in the region about the kind of changes he would like to see. That may all be out the window, or he may have one last chance.

Couric: At the same time, this Syrian regime is close to Iran. They're getting support from Iran to - for their tactics of suppression, if you will. They're - they support terrorist groups like Hezbollah and Hamas. So why not just say he needs to be removed?

Clinton: Well, you're right that Iran is supporting them, and the President mentioned that in his speech today. It hasn't been publicly talked about as much as the facts warrant, and we're calling them out on it. But I think we also know that there are many different forces at work in Syria, like in so many of the countries in the region. And we think it would be better if the people of Syria themselves made it clear to Asad that there have to be changes. And part of what the President - our President - Obama was doing today, was to say, "Do you want to end up like Iran, Syria? And President Asad, do you want to end up like a leader of a country that is further and further isolated?" So each of these situations has to be carefully calibrated, and I think the President got it just right.

Couric: So is the U.S. pursuing regime change in Syria?

Clinton: What we are doing is exactly what President Obama said: Either you lead the transition or get out of the way. How that happens is up to the people of that country.... 

Couric: Why does the killing of civilians in Libya justify U.S. military involvement, but the killing of civilians in Syria does not?

Clinton: Well, part of the reason is look at the difference in the reaction of the world.... we also know that there's no one size fits all ... 

Couric: Why not exercise U.S. leadership, though, Secretary Clinton, and galvanize the international community to take more aggressive steps in Syria?

Clinton: There's no appetite for that, Katie. There's no willingness.... "

Posted by G, M, Z, or B at 10:48 AM

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