France says too early for sanctions against Syria

[tocqueville]

By Alaa Shahine
2 hours, 4 minutes ago

BEIRUT (Reuters) - France said on Monday it was too early to seek sanctions against Syria but the U.N. Security Council must demand Damascus cooperate with a U.N. inquiry into the killing of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri.

Tens of thousands of Syrians took part in state-sponsored rallies to protest the report on the eve of a U.N. Security Council meeting to discuss the findings amid demands by the United States and Britain for action against Syria.

France said it would not consider sanctions on Syria until the end of the inquiry but that it would like a United Nations resolution to demand its cooperation in the investigation.

"We have here an opportunity to do justice with an independent inquiry. Let's go to the end ... if we need to make it longer, let's do it, and afterwards lets see what the consequences should be, including on the question... of sanctions," Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20051024/wl_nm/hariri_syria_protest_dc

[rocktivity]

1. What's French for

"Do you remember what happened the LAST time you tried to bully the UN into rushing to judgement with evidence that turned out to be bullshit? WE do! Up yours, Bush and Bolton!!!"

:headbang:
rocknation

[Squatch]

2. Everybody knows you don't start sanctioning until after noon.

But, as I always say...it's gotta be noon someplace!