U.S., French Envoys in Hama, Syria Accuses Ford of Meeting 'Saboteurs'
Both the U.S. and French ambassadors to Syria were in the protest hub of Hama on Friday to observe anti-regime rallies there as nearly half a million people demonstrated in the flashpoint central city.
The move prompted the Syrian government to accuse the U.S. ambassador to Damascus, Robert Ford, of meeting "saboteurs" in Hama and inciting protests against President Bashar al-Assad.
"The U.S. ambassador met with saboteurs in Hama ... who erected checkpoints, cut traffic and prevented citizens from going to work," the interior ministry said in a statement.
"The ambassador incited these saboteurs to violence, to demonstrate, and to refuse dialogue," with the government, it added.
Ford arrived in the city on Thursday, prompting Damascus to hit out at the United States for meddling in Syrian affairs.
"The presence of the U.S. ambassador in Hama without previous permission is obvious proof of the implication of the United States in the ongoing events, and of their attempts to increase (tensions), which damage Syria's security and stability," the foreign ministry said in a statement.
"Syria warns against such irresponsible behavior and stresses its determination to continue to take all measures that will bring back calm and stability to the country," it added.
Despite that warning, more than 450,000 people marched in the Syrian hotbed city of Hama on Friday calling for the end to Assad's regime, a rights activist said.
The demonstrators reiterated their "refusal to dialogue with the regime and called for its fall," said Rami Abdul Rahman, chief of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
Hama has been a symbol of opposition since the 1982 crackdown on a revolt by the banned Muslim Brotherhood against then-president Hafez al-Assad, father of the present leader, in which some 20,000 people were killed.
The authorities had told demonstrators to avoid any confrontations and clear the streets so residents could go to work and to avoid what it called a "last resort" military operation, according to Al-Watan newspaper.
The Syrian Observatory said that about 100 families -- or 1,000 people in total -- had fled Hama, where it said Syrian troops had killed 25 civilians since Tuesday, fearing a military crackdown during Friday protests.
For his part, France's ambassador to Syria traveled to Hama to “show solidarity with the victims” of a crackdown on anti-government protestors, officials said Friday.
"He went to show France's engagement with the victims, the civilian population," foreign ministry spokesman Bernard Valero told reporters, adding that the envoy went to Hama on Thursday.
"The French ambassador did go to Hama yesterday," Valero confirmed in Paris. "In particular, he went to one of the main hospitals in the city where he met medical teams, the wounded and their families.
"France repeats its concern over the fate of the inhabitants of the city of Hama, and its condemnation of the violence being carried out by Syrian authorities against the protesters and the civilian population."
Later on Friday, the U.S. embassy in Damascus denied that the U.S. ambassador had incited people to violence during his visit to Hama, saying he had gone there as an observer.
Ford "certainly did not incite anyone to anything," press attache JJ Harder said.
"He met with average Syrian citizens and received a warm welcome. Some had been part of the marches in the Syrian streets over the past few months."
Ford "wanted to see with his own eyes what was happening on the ground," as "the lack of uninhibited access for international media makes this even more important."
Harder said that, "happily (Ford) did not witness violence from either the government or the protesters."
He stressed that the embassy had informed the government that a delegation was going to Hama on Thursday and Friday.
Harder added that Ford's visit "shows that the United States is committed to supporting the Syrian people’s right to assemble and express themselves freely through peaceful demonstrations.
"We wish the Syrian government would allow international media to have unfettered access so that they could report on this."
Harder also took issue with Syrian government claims that armed gangs are the problem in Hama.
"Ambassador Ford saw no evidence of this. We continue to urge the Syrian government to withdraw its forces from cities and allow peaceful protests."
For its part, the U.S. State Department voiced dismay Friday over Syria’s criticism of Ford’s visit, slamming as "absolute rubbish" the charge that his presence in the restive city was a provocation.
Ford left Hama at midday Friday after meeting several demonstrators and returned to Damascus, said State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland, adding the Syrian authorities had been informed in advance of the visit.
"Frankly we're a little bit dismayed," Nuland told reporters in Washington, adding the idea that Ford's trip to the flashpoint city was a surprise for the Syrian government "doesn't make sense."
Nuland acknowledged Ford was there in part to witness the mass demonstrations.
"He witnessed average Syrians asking for change in their country," Nuland said, adding that Syria's complaint that his visit was a provocation is "absolute rubbish."
almost 13 years
This is inacceptable and could be considered by the Syrian government as a ( casus belli ) !
Such diplomlats should be called back by their government , they are irresponsable .
almost 13 years
I wonder what the US government would have done if the Syrian Ambassador to the US went to meet with anti government armed rednecks who purpose is to topple the Government?
almost 13 years
I do think that Assad is in deep trouble . . . . .
almost 13 years
courageous syrian people!
almost 13 years
This "president" Assad has transformed his country into a mamsaha (so as he did in Lebanon: look at Lebanese State upside down included Mikati "govt"). If brave Syrians are saboteurs, then Palestinians are too, while they "cut roads" and help people from "going to their work" and are often met by foreign ambassadors. This Assad is an outstanding baboon instead. Our strongest hopes lies in seeing Lebanese in Lebanon wake up one morning as such saboteurs too.
almost 13 years
"When is the U.S. ambassador going to attend the protests in Bahrain?"
the day the ambassador of iran is going to attend protests in syria....
almost 13 years
This shows you how dumb the US and France are. They give the Syrian regime a reason (and rightfully so now) to crush Hama. Congratulations freedom-seekers for such dumb friends. If they cannot kill you directly, they can kill you in other ways. In any case, I cannot wait for the ambassadors of these countries to meet and sleep the night among the freedom-seekers in Bahrain and most urgently in Saudi Arabia. EWEEEEEEEHA
almost 13 years
Finally some kind of move by France and the US to show some support to the Syrian opposition, too bad those countries are putting stability and their crap economies before the interests of the Syrian people by not seeking to oust the Assad regime, but in time the people will get it done.
A couple of weeks ago the regime was giving the US ambassador tours, now that he met the actual opposition in the street he is a 'saboteur', what a joke these archaic dictatorships are filled in their ranks with morons who think that they can succeed where other dictators failed or are failing (Ben Ali, Mubarak, Qaddafi, Saleh).
almost 13 years
Finally a good move from this ambassador and for those who want to consider it a cassus belli start shooting if you dare little rats!
To the other morron wondering what would happen if the syrian ambassador met with rednecks wanting to topple the US government, the answer is: nothing will happen, whoever is FREE to meet with whoever under whatever circumstances in the US.
PS: the US ordered the Bahrainis not to hurt civilians. How many people died in Bahrain? How many people died in Syria?
almost 13 years
Throw the bastards out asap.
almost 13 years
Assad told Ford, if you meet with the people and learn the truth, we’ll punish and kill all our citizens.
almost 13 years
The days of the criminal Assad Family regime are coming to an end. All those criminals that helped kill their own people in the name of protecting their Dictator Assad will no doubt face justice by the very people they helped Assad kill and opress. In other words these individuals not only are protecting their own dictator (tormentor) who would not hesitate to kill everyone of them if need be to save his own skin, but they will also face the wrath of their opressed FREE Syrian people. The Choice of these individuals is theirs they either stay on board Assad's sinking ship of sensless dictatorship and face certain death and leave their surviving families with a legacy of shame and fear of retribution or switch sides (the way many have already done) and join the only sustainable legitimate rule to be, that of the Free Brave Syrian people that will undoubtably prevail over Assad's criminal gangs and so called "intelligence" weasels. Freedom and Democracy to Free Syria is a must and a need
almost 13 years
I have been trying to stay away from commenting on here when I see the ignorance spewed by some of the posters (Le Phenicien mostly).
Just this note: If Syria i o upet about Ford' visit, why isn't he being summoned by the Syrian FM to explain his actions? This is because the ASS(ad)HOLE regime can use this as propoganda in the state run media. Why i the no mention of the French ambassadors visit to Hama?
I have such great respect for Lebanon...or maybe I should say had...
These guys [Bashar-al-Assad and Co.] are just desperate