State Dept. on Bahrain Trials, Syrian Reform Plans

State Department Spokesperson Mark Toner opened his daily press briefing yesterday to express concern over the severity of the sentences handed down to Bahraini activists and opposition figures, and over the nature of the military court proceedings. He reiterated calls for a “meaningful, inclusive and credible dialogue.” When asked Toner said he was unaware of any considerations of sanctions against Bahrain. Toner added that the U.S. still does not have an official reaction to the extension of the GCC to Jordan and Morocco.

In response to recent announcements for reform by Syrian President Bashar al Assad, Toner said that Syrian government officials “have been very short on any action whatsoever towards any reform, not even meaningful reform. They’ve thrown around a lot of rhetoric, and meanwhile they’ve used unremitting violence against innocent civilians.” When asked whether the three-month time-frame for reform given by Syria’s foreign minister would be acceptable, Toner responded, “Today, tomorrow would be acceptable to us… the status quo is unacceptable, carrying out repression and violence against their own citizens.” Toner would not comment on whether President Barack Obama discussed a no-fly zone over Syria with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Update: The State Department released a press release saying the expansion of the GCC was matter internal to that organization.