| Date: 07/05/2012 Time: 11:57:00 PM |
The United States dismissed Syria's
parliamentary elections on Monday, saying to hold an election amidst the
violent crack downs on anti-government protesters "borders on ludicrous".
The Obama administration officials balked at the credibility of Syria's
recent elections.
"It's not really possible to hold credible elections in a climate where
basic human rights are being denied to the citizens and the government is
continuing to carry out daily assaults on its own citizens," State department
spokesman Mark Toner told reporters, adding, "wo to hold parliamentary
election in that kind of atmosphere borders on ludicrous".
The White House expressed skepticism about Syrian President Bashar
Al-Assad's willingness to comply with the terms of the cease-fire plan
proposed by UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan.
"We will continue to work with the international community and will take
steps as necessary if the Annan plan does not succeed," White House spokesman
Jay Carney said in a briefing.
Despite international criticism, Assad's regime has touted Monday's voting
as part of a set of major reforms to open the political system. For the first
time, parties other than the ruling Baath Party are allowed to run in the
election for the 250-member parliament. |