Syria defends sovereignty, admits 'mistakes'

Source: Aljazeera

Bashar Jaafari, Syria's ambassador to the United Nations says the country's sovereignty "is a red line that must not be crossed". "We know our commitments, our obligations but at the same time we know what are our rights. And our rights do not stem from any political pressure. They stem from our own political will," he said after sessions at the United Nations Security Council in New York.

The ambassador's comments came after President Bashar al-Assad admitted that "some mistakes" had been made by security forces, in a meeting with a delegation from UN Security Council members Brazil, India and South Africa (IBSA). Envoys from the three countries met in Damascus on Wednesday and held talks with the president and his foreign minister, Walid al-Muallem.

In a statement after the meeting, the IBSA said Syria had detailed three categories of opposition: the economically disadvantaged sections; intellectuals and academics and armed groups.

Syria's state-run news agency said he told Davutoglu the government will relentlessly fight "terrorist groups" - a term Syrian authorities often use for government opponents even though most of those killed are said to be unarmed, peaceful protesters.

Read more: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/08/2011810225038864292.html

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National sovereignty - the last refuge of dictators. Whether it's Tienanmen or Hama, killing peaceful protestors is OK if we do it within our own borders.

Funny how language will do that to you.

they didnt carpet bomb hama into the ground.