Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan toughened his criticism on Tuesday over Syria’s violent crackdown on demonstrators and said he was sending an envoy to meet President Bashar al-Assad and encourage him to move towards democracy.
Erdogan has friendly relations with Assad and has since the early days of the unrest urged him to show restraint and make reforms desired by the Syrian people, or risk the fate suffered by Arab leaders who have been toppled by uprisings this year.
But, Ankara has so far stopped short of harsh-worded criticism of the deadly crackdown on Syrian protestors.
Hundreds of pro-democracy protesters have been killed in Syria’s revolt, and on Monday Assad sent tanks and artillery to try to crush the uprising in Deraa, the city where it started.
“I told Assad clearly our worries and anxiety because of current developments,” Erdogan said. “The current process is a disturbing process.”
He said Assad’s decision last Thursday to lift 48-year-old emergency laws was a good start, but he needed to do more.
“There are more steps to be taken in Syria,” Erdogan told a joint news conference with the visiting premier of Kyrgyzstan.
“We absolutely do not expect or want an undemocratic implementation and certainly not an authoritarian, totalitarian, patronising structure. Our desire is that … a rapid democratisation process takes place.
“Our representatives will present to him (Assad) some of our preparations.”
He said the envoy might go to Damascus as soon as Thursday.
With Ankara’s concerned eyes closely following the unrest in neighboring Syria, its ambassador in Damascus will brief the influential National Security Council (MGK), diplomatic sources told Cihan news agency.
Turkey, a predominantly Muslim member of NATO with growing influence in the Middle East, has built good relations in the last few years with Muslim neighbours such as Syria.
U.S. President Barack Obama spoke with Erdogan on Monday about the crises in Syria and Libya.
U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) chief Leon Panetta has recently paid a secret visit to the Turkish capital of Ankara for 5 days in order to discuss with Turkey the uprisings in Arab countries.
Panneta’s talks included planning for possible regime change in Syria and ensuring the safety of the Assad family, reports said.
But, Ankara has so far stopped short of harsh-worded criticism of the deadly crackdown on Syrian protestors.
Hundreds of pro-democracy protesters have been killed in Syria’s revolt, and on Monday Assad sent tanks and artillery to try to crush the uprising in Deraa, the city where it started.
“I told Assad clearly our worries and anxiety because of current developments,” Erdogan said. “The current process is a disturbing process.”
He said Assad’s decision last Thursday to lift 48-year-old emergency laws was a good start, but he needed to do more.
“There are more steps to be taken in Syria,” Erdogan told a joint news conference with the visiting premier of Kyrgyzstan.
“We absolutely do not expect or want an undemocratic implementation and certainly not an authoritarian, totalitarian, patronising structure. Our desire is that … a rapid democratisation process takes place.
“Our representatives will present to him (Assad) some of our preparations.”
He said the envoy might go to Damascus as soon as Thursday.
With Ankara’s concerned eyes closely following the unrest in neighboring Syria, its ambassador in Damascus will brief the influential National Security Council (MGK), diplomatic sources told Cihan news agency.
Turkey, a predominantly Muslim member of NATO with growing influence in the Middle East, has built good relations in the last few years with Muslim neighbours such as Syria.
U.S. President Barack Obama spoke with Erdogan on Monday about the crises in Syria and Libya.
U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) chief Leon Panetta has recently paid a secret visit to the Turkish capital of Ankara for 5 days in order to discuss with Turkey the uprisings in Arab countries.
Panneta’s talks included planning for possible regime change in Syria and ensuring the safety of the Assad family, reports said.
Source: Agencies
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