EU to Syrian regime: No more caviar, fancy cars

[June 15, 2012]  BRUSSELS (AP) -- The EU has a message for the Syrian regime, which stands accused of killing thousands of its own citizens: No more caviar, fancy shoes or cigars until the violence stops.

The European Council said Friday it had authorized a ban on exporting to Syria some luxury or "dual use" items that could be used for internal repression. The list will be published Saturday, but the statement included some examples: caviar, shoes and garments costing more than euro600 ($750), pearls, and cars costing more than euro25,000 ($31,400).

Also banned are gas masks, certain chemicals and toxins.

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said it was necessary to maintain international pressure on the Syrian regime to halt the violence. She said the sanctions had been designed to avoid harming ordinary Syrians.

[Associated Press]

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