British Foreign Secretary William Hague on two-day visit; Syria comments
(14 Feb 2012) 1. Wide of British Foreign Secretary William Hague addressing students at University of the Western Cape 2. SOUNDBITE (English) William Hague, British Foreign Secretary: "Britain and South Africa agree about the outcome that we want to see, and that is for Syrians to be allowed to resolve their own differences peacefully. What currently stands between them and this legitimate aspiration is the (Syrian President Bashar) Assad regime's naked determination to cling to power at any cost. That is why we are determined to use every peaceful means to intensify the diplomatic and the economic stranglehold on that regime." 3. Cutaway of students listening 4. SOUNDBITE (English) William Hague, British Foreign Secretary: "Two weeks ago people died in Syria, and they are still dying today, while the UN Security Council failed to agree on a united response. We welcome the principled stance that South Africa took in voting, as we did, for the resolution at the United Nations. And I welcome the discussion I've had with your Foreign Minister yesterday about intensifying the diplomatic pressure for a peaceful resolution and the importance of supporting the regional leadership shown by the Arab League." 5. Cutaway of journalist 6. SOUNDBITE (English) William Hague, British Foreign Secretary: "We wish for the people of Syria is what both our countries desire for the people of Zimbabwe, for the right to choose their own government freely and openly, and to enjoy peacefully and prosperous lives, and we support South Africa's efforts and leadership in that regard. It's also what we are trying to help the people of Somalia to achieve, to overcome the appalling legacy of violence and suffering." 7. Wide pan of lecture hall STORYLINE: British Foreign Secretary William Hague said on Tuesday that he is "determined to use every peaceful means to intensify the diplomatic and the economic stranglehold" on President Bashar Assad's regime in Syria. During a keynote address to students at the University of the Western Cape, in Cape Town, South Africa, Hague said Britain and South Africa agree on the outcome they want to see in Syria - "for Syrians to be allowed to resolve their own differences peacefully." He noted "the principled stance" that South Africa took in voting for a resolution at the United Nations Security Council earlier this month which was aimed at halting the violence in Syria. Hague also drew comparisons with Zimbabwe, and said both Britain and South Africa want the people there to have "the right to choose their own government freely and openly, and to enjoy peacefully and prosperous lives." "We support South Africa's efforts and leadership in that regard," he said. "It's also what we are trying to help the people of Somalia to achieve, to overcome the appalling legacy of violence and suffering." Hague is in South Africa for two days of bilateral talks, including discussions on the upcoming London Conference on Somalia, before moving on to Botswana. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: / ap_archive Facebook: / aparchives Instagram: / apnews You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...
