By Martin Banks - 13th February 2012
There is no time left for talking
Guy Verhofstadt
ALDE leader Guy Verhofstadt has urged the EU to "step up" support for opposition forces in Syria.
In a letter to EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton, he also advocates the creation of a 'friends of the Syrian people' group "without delay".
The former Belgian PM says this would have three objectives, including an "operational plan for humanitarian intervention" and provision of material and technical support to Syrian opposition movements.
The MEP says the EU should also "step up" sanctions against regime officials in Syria.
His demand comes after Syria "categorically rejected" an Arab League resolution calling for a joint Arab-UN peacekeeping mission to end the country's 11-month conflict.
Yusuf Ahmed, Syria's envoy in Cairo, said the plan "reflected the hysteria of these governments".
The EU on Monday backed the Arab League's "bold" plan, but Russia said violence must end before any peacekeepers could be sent.
In his letter, Verhofstadt says, "The continuing massacres of the Syrian people make it imperative for the international community to act. We must act now to stop the bloodshed and the killing of thousands of innocent Syrians.
"Thirty years after the massacre on the streets of Hama, the international community ought to have learned something. In 2012, today in Homs and on the streets of other Syrian towns and villages we are repeating mistakes of the past.
"Thousands and thousands of Syrian people will pay the highest price if we do not push our differences aside and put the interest of the Syrian people first.
"What is happening in Homs today is clearly the 'Benghazi-moment' of Syria."
He tells Ashton that the cooperation being developed with the League of Arab States (LAS), the United States and Turkey should be "further stepped up".
"I call on you to take responsibility in setting up a "friends of the Syrian people" contact group of countries for democratic change in Syria, including Turkey and members of the LAS.
"A meeting of this group should happen without further delay."
Verhofstadt goes on to say that China and Russia have made a "serious mistake" by vetoing the recent UN security council resolution on Syria.
However, he adds, "This is a comma and must not become a full stop for our efforts."
The letter concludes, "It is nearly a year now that the Syrian regime is killing its citizens every single day. There is no time left for talking and doubting. Without waging war, we have the duty to protect the people. It is time to move forward."
