EU urges ‘immediate’ probe on Syria chemical attack

Series Title
Series Details 22.08.13
Publication Date 22/08/2013
Content Type

The European Union called for a 'thorough and immediate' investigation into an alleged chemical attack in Syria after rebels said hundreds of people were killed on the 21 August 2013 in a gas attack and shelling by President Bashar al-Assad's forces.

The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the Commission issued the following statement on the 23 August 2013:

'I reiterate my strong concerns about the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria and am alarmed by the continued violence in Syria.

I fully support the UN's call for a thorough, impartial and prompt investigation into these alleged chemical attacks.

The international community must now urgently show a united face and ensure that a credible and thorough investigation can be carried out'.

A more robust 'Western' response became more probable on the 26 August 2013 after US Secretary of State John Kerry put President Assad on notice that the US believed he was responsible for using chemical weapons against civilians and called it a 'moral obscenity'. The UK and France also suggested action would need to be taken.

EUObserver reported that Germany indicated it would not take part in any military strike on Syria, as France and the UK signalled readiness to join a US-led intervention.

Source Link Link to Main Source http://www.euractiv.com/global-europe/eu-urges-immediate-probe-syria-c-news-529904
Related Links
ESO: Background information: Georgieva urges UN to adopt ‘humanitarian declaration’ on Syria http://www.europeansources.info/record/georgieva-urges-un-to-adopt-humanitarian-declaration-on-syria/
ESO: Background information: Towards a comprehensive EU approach to the Syrian crisis http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-towards-a-comprehensive-eu-approach-to-the-syrian-crisis-an-eu-joint-communication/
EU: EEAS: The EU and Syria http://eeas.europa.eu/syria/
EU: EEAS: Press Release, A427/13: Statement by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on the latest reports of use of chemical weapons in Damascus http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/138601.pdf
EU: EEAS: Press Release, A430/13: Statement by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on the high urgency of a political solution to the Syrian conflict http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/138610.pdf
European Voice, 23.08.13: EU calls for renewed diplomatic push in Syria http://www.europeanvoice.com/article/2013/august/eu-calls-for-renewed-diplomatic-push-in-syria/78071.aspx
BBC News, 25.08.13: Syria: Cameron and Obama threaten 'serious response' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23830590
Public Service Europe, 22.08.13: France says 'force' needed if Syria chemical attack proved http://www.publicserviceeurope.com/article/3978/france-says-force-needed-if-syria-chemical-attack-proved
EUObserver, 27.08.13: Germany not keen to join France and UK in Syria strike http://euobserver.com/foreign/121216
EurActiv, 27.08.13: US warns Syria of response to chemical attack http://www.euractiv.com/global-europe/us-allies-mull-response-syria-ch-news-529961
Deutsche Welle, 27.08.13: Cyprus: an involuntary cog in the Syrian conflict http://dw.de/p/19XQ0
Deutsche Welle, 26.08.13: Berlin demands international action on Syria http://dw.de/p/19WDt
Spiegel Online International, 23.08.13: Germany v. France: Berlin Flexes Diplomatic Muscles on Syria (Commentary) http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/germany-deviates-from-france-and-asserts-itself-on-foreign-policy-a-918211.html
EurActiv, 28.08.13: No strike on Syria before G20 summit: Russian experts http://www.euractiv.com/global-europe/strike-syria-g20-summit-russian-news-529981
EurActiv, 28.08.13: UK, France join US for probable military strike on Syria http://www.euractiv.com/global-europe/uk-france-join-us-plan-probable-news-529979
Deutsche Welle, 28.08.13: Western nations ready for possible military intervention in Syria http://dw.de/p/19XeV
Deutsche Welle, 28.08.13: Germany proceeds with caution in Syria policy http://dw.de/p/19XeY
France24, 27.08.13: France ready to 'punish' those behind Syria gas attack http://www.france24.com/en/20130827-france-punish-syrian-chemical-attack-hollande
UK: House of Commons: Library: Standard Notes: SNIA 6714 (27.08.13): Intervention in Syria http://www.parliament.uk/briefing-papers/SN06714/intervention-in-syria
EUObserver, 29.08.13: UK and US ready to strike Syria without UN say-so http://euobserver.com/defence/121237
EurActiv, 29.08.13: Cameron, allies forced to delay strike against Syria http://www.euractiv.com/global-europe/cameron-allies-forced-delay-stri-news-530001
Spiegel Online International, 28.08.13: Merkel's Empty Rhetoric on Syria http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/syria-crisis-unlikely-to-thwart-merkel-re-election-a-919117.html
Deutsche Welle, 29.08.13: Deployment options for 'coalition of the willing' http://dw.de/p/19YEN

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