Tanks were sent into Hama, Syria, on Sunday, reportedly killing 80 civilians and nudging one of President Bashar al-Assad into open disagreement.
The Russian foreign ministry indicated its upset with events, calling the Syrian activities "unacceptable" and saying they "must cease."
The United Nations Security council prepared to meet today to revisit a condemnation of Syria which had faced vetoes from China and Russia. South Africa, Brazil, India and Lebanon did not support a condemnation at the time.
Following are some examples of how the diplomatic community is responding to the pre-Ramadan assault.
* "During their conversation they discussed the developments in and around Syria, with the Russian side emphasizing the necessity of continuing efforts to promote a broad-based substantive national dialogue in order to normalize the situation in the country as soon as possible through an energetic pursuit of deep-going political, economic and social changes." -- Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov met with Syrian Charge d'Affaires Ad Interim in Moscow Suleiman Abu Diab on Friday, two days before the attacks in Hama.
* "EAM (External Affairs Minister) expressed concern on the recent escalation of violence. He urged the Government of Syria to exercise restraint, abjure violence and expedite the implementation of political reforms taking into account the aspirations of the people of Syria." -- A press release from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs indicated that Minister of State for External Affairs Shri E. Ahamed discussed the public protests with Syrian Vice Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad.
* "This weekend's violence marks a new and even more unacceptable aggravation of the bloody crackdown against Syrian citizens. The minister noted yesterday in his statement that "in these horrifying circumstances, France hopes more than ever that the United Nations Security Council will shoulder its responsibilities by speaking out loud and clear, as the United Nations Secretary-General has done several times." To this end, we are engaged in ongoing consultations with our partners." -- An unnamed Ministry of Foreign and European Spokesperson responded to a press question today, wondering if France would back reintroducing the condemnation to the Security Council.
* "The attack appears to be part of a coordinated effort across a number of towns in Syria to deter the Syrian people from protesting in advance of Ramadan. The attacks are all the more shocking on the eve of the Muslim holy month. President Bashar is mistaken if he believes that oppression and military force will end the crisis in his country." -- British Foreign Secretary William Hague was "appalled" by news of the attacks on Sunday.
Shawn Humphrey is a former contributor to The Flint Journal and an amateur Africanist, focusing his personal studies on human rights and political issues on the continent.
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