WASHINGTON
"We will work with Turkey and other partners to hold the Assad regime accountable and as part of our efforts to promote a democratic transition in Syria. We commend Turkey for its measured response thus far," Jay Carney told reporters aborad Air Force One on Tuesday.
Responding to a question Carney recalled that NATO determined Syria shooting down a Turkish fighter jet on June 22nd to be an unacceptable act, condemning it in the strongest terms.
"The United States and NATO stand in solidarity with Turkey. We will work with Turkey and other partners to hold the Assad regime accountable and to continue to push forward for Syria's needed political transition," Carney said.
"I would note that recent high-level military defections to Jordan and Turkey are another testament to the regime's loss of control over the situation in Syria. It is clear, however, that Assad is desperate to hang on to power at all cost, as evidenced by his continued use of air power and Shabiha gangs," he said.
Responding to another question if US President Barack Obama was concerned that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's "strong language" could increase the risks of escalation and tensions along the border between Turkey and Syria, Carney said he considered Erdogan's remarks "measured."
"I think the comments were more measured than you described, and as the North Atlantic Council made clear, this was an unacceptable act. The United States remains in close contact in Turkey, with Turkish officials, as they continue to investigate the incident and determine Turkey's response, including in the United Nations Security Council," he said.
