U.S. backs off tough rhetoric against Syria & Assad

Via FLC

"After sharply escalating its criticism of Syria's bloody crackdown on pro-democracy protesters, the Obama administration has abruptly scaled back its condemnations, injecting fresh uncertainty about its willingness to confront President Bashar Assad's regime.
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton declared last week that Assad's government had "lost legitimacy," diplomatic language that implied a break with Syria. Analysts said they expected the White House to demand Assad's ouster ...But Clinton backed off on Saturday, saying the administration still hopes that Assad's regime will stop the violence and work with protesters to carry out political reforms. On Monday, European Union ministers also called on Assad to implement reforms and made clear they still hope he will do so.
The change in tone reflects the continuing debate over whether Syria's longtime ruler is likely to survive the current turmoil, and how best to use the limited diplomatic tools available to pressure him..."

Posted by G, M, Z, or B at 2:21 AM

River to Sea Uprooted Palestinian