Mrs. Ashton,

The facts are clear. I do not make a habit of agreeing with President Sarkozy, but this time, I must admit that he is right. The Annan plan is not working. The Annan plan is dead.

Lets state the facts.

More than a hundred breaches of the Annan plan were identified. More than 50 people were killed yesterday as reported by the Local Co-ordination Committees of Syria.

How much time will it take for the international community to recognise that?
To recognise that the Annan plan is dead?
Another ten thousand?
If no people were dying I would say it is pathetic. But now it is tragic.

The time is up.

My request to you is very clear: the European Union through its representatives in the UN Security Council, France, United Kingdom and Germany should act.

Putting military observers on the ground is a waste of time which will result again in the loss of lives.  What will the observers do there?

Observe what we already know?

That the plan is not working.

That Bashar al Assad is killing more people.

That Bashar al Assad is ignoring all his promises.

That Bashar al Assad is continuing to commit crimes against humanity.

So we do not need to observe. We need to act.

And act means - safe zones, humanitarian corridors and support for the Syrian opposition.
With the Security Council if we can, without the Security Council if it is necessary.