April 10, 2012

Press Statement on Syria Released by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs

We observe that the Syrian Regime has failed to fulfill its pledge as expected of it by today (10 April) to cease troop movements towards population centers, end the use of heavy weapons in these centers and to begin the pullback of military forces in and around population centers, in accordance with the Joint  Special Envoy for the UN and  League of Arab States Kofi Annan’s Six Point Plan and the UN Security Council’s Presidential Statement  dated 5 April 2012 and that the Syrian Regime continues its acts of violence in an ever increasing manner. In fact, the Syrian Regime’s attacks on civilians have gained intensity in recent days in areas along the Turkish-Syrian border and camps within Turkey have also received gun fire.

Turkey has fully supported Joint Special Envoy for the UN and League of Arab States, Kofi Annan’s mission from its very inception; has assisted and continues to assist Mr. Annan’s efforts aimed at bringing an immediate end to the bloodshed in Syria and initiating a political transition process in line with the people’s legitimate expectations. The Syrian opposition’s support for Kofi Annan was openly communicated in Istanbul to his deputy Nasir El Kidva. 

The UN Security Council’s Presidential Statement stipulates the condition that the Syrian Regime must fulfill all its commitments as pledged to Mr. Annan, 48 hours prior to 12 April, the date on which violence in all its forms should be brought to an end in its entirety. Since this has not occurred, we urgently expect the Security Council to adopt a resolution that will also incorporate the necessary measures to provide for the protection of the Syrian people.