Syria puts world on notice

Tough talk from Syria isn't just for anti-government protesters anymore. The world has been put on notice, by Syrian officials. They have warned Syria will retaliate against the country that grants formal recognition to the recently established Syrian National Council (SNC), which is formed by the political and military opponents of President Bashar al-Assad. 

DAMASCUS, SYRIA (Catholic Online) - In a broadcast on Syrian television, the Syrian foreign minister, Walid al-Moualem, said "We will take tough measures against any state which recognizes this illegitimate council."

So far the United States and France as well as several other Western countries, have welcomed the formation of the new council. But they have not yet granted it formal recognition.

In the meantime, the Syrian government continues to slaughter its own people by the dozens. Artillery was been used against the people of the city of Homs on Sunday. Syrian artillery are not precision weapons, but rather area weapons, which indiscriminately kill people, and destroy property across a wide area.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, anti-government activists accused security forces of killing at least six people when they opened fire on thousands of mourners attending a funeral for a Kurdish opposition figure.

Moualem was also critical of European countries. He said that several Syrian embassies had been attacked by protesters, and explained that if they could not meet their obligation to protect Syrian ambassadors then Syria would respond in a similar fashion. It is unclear precisely was meant by the vague threat, but it cannot be conducive to healthy diplomatic relations, nor the safety of foreign personnel in Syria.

The Turkish government is becoming increasingly vocal about the violence in Syria. As Syria's northern neighbor, they have issued statements condemning the violence there. In a statement issued by the Turkish Foreign Ministry it was announced, "Turkey expects the Syrian government to realize as soon as possible that practices of violence aiming to suppress the Syrian opposition will not reverse the course of history." 

Syria, has barred Turkish nationals from entering the country. Syrians believe that Turks sympathetic to the opposition, have been crossing into Syria and participating in anti-government activities.

Last week, the United Nations announced that an estimated 2,900 people have already been killed over the past seven months of violence in Syria. Also, China and Russia have vetoed a proposed UN resolution that would enact sanctions against Syria should the government continue its bloody crackdowns against the people.

So far, it appears that the Syrian government will be allowed to continue to oppress its own people without fear of sanction or intervention from the outside world. And if their threats are taken seriously, they may also succeed in delaying or preventing recognition of the SNC.

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