Turkey puts tough sanctions on Syria
Source: Agencies |
December 1, 2011, Thursday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
TURKEY imposed tough economic sanctions on Syria yesterday, freezing the assets of officials involved in the government's crackdown on an eight-month uprising, suspending ties with the nation's central bank and banning military sales.
The move comes on top of sanctions already imposed by the Arab League, the US and the European Union. Turkey is Syria's neighbor and largest trading partner, but its leaders have turned on Damascus because of its violent campaign to crush the revolt.
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said: "Every bullet fired, every bombed mosque, has eliminated the legitimacy of the Syrian leadership and has widened the gap between us. Syria has squandered the last chance it was given."
Trade between Turkey and Syria amounted to US$2.4 billion last year, according to the Turkish embassy in Damascus.
The sanctions will injure Syria's ailing economy as President Bashar Assad tries to crush a resilient uprising against his rule. The United Nations says at least 3,500 people have been killed.
Davutoglu said: "Syria must immediately cease using force on the people and the forces must immediately withdraw from the cities."
He announced a set of nine sanctions, including a travel ban on Syrian leaders and the assets freeze. Businessmen "strongly supporting" the government will also be sanctioned.
He said Turkey is imposing a travel ban on and freezing the assets of "certain officials who are members of the main cadre of leaders, who are the subject of claims of using violence against the people or of resorting to illegitimate means."
He also announced the suspension of a joint economic and political cooperation council.
The move comes on top of sanctions already imposed by the Arab League, the US and the European Union. Turkey is Syria's neighbor and largest trading partner, but its leaders have turned on Damascus because of its violent campaign to crush the revolt.
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said: "Every bullet fired, every bombed mosque, has eliminated the legitimacy of the Syrian leadership and has widened the gap between us. Syria has squandered the last chance it was given."
Trade between Turkey and Syria amounted to US$2.4 billion last year, according to the Turkish embassy in Damascus.
The sanctions will injure Syria's ailing economy as President Bashar Assad tries to crush a resilient uprising against his rule. The United Nations says at least 3,500 people have been killed.
Davutoglu said: "Syria must immediately cease using force on the people and the forces must immediately withdraw from the cities."
He announced a set of nine sanctions, including a travel ban on Syrian leaders and the assets freeze. Businessmen "strongly supporting" the government will also be sanctioned.
He said Turkey is imposing a travel ban on and freezing the assets of "certain officials who are members of the main cadre of leaders, who are the subject of claims of using violence against the people or of resorting to illegitimate means."
He also announced the suspension of a joint economic and political cooperation council.
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