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President Bush Applauds Formation of National Council of the
Damascus Declaration
White House
News, USA, December 14, 2007
I applaud the
recent formation of the National Council of the Damascus
Declaration in Damascus, Syria. The brave men and women who
formed this Council reflect the desires of the majority of
Syrian people to live in freedom, democracy, and peace, both
at home and alongside their neighbors in the region.
The Syrian
regime continues to hold hundreds of prisoners of conscience
and has arrested more than thirty National Council members
in the past few days. All those detained should be released
immediately.
The Syrian
regime continues to deny its citizens fundamental human
rights, including freedom of expression, freedom of
movement, and the right to elect a representative government
responsive to their needs. The formation of the National
Council is an encouraging sign to all people who support
freedom and democracy. We support the National Council's
principles of non-violent struggle and open membership to
all the people of Syria who believe the time has come for
change. |
