叙利亚活动人士号召抗议俄罗斯

Syrian opposition activists are calling for a "day of rage" Tuesday to protest what they see as Russian support for the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

On Monday, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev rejected calls from the United States and Western Europe for increased sanctions against Syria for its violent crackdown on protesters.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said Monday there is no need for additional pressure on Syria. He also said any possible United Nations resolution on Syria must be "tough" but "balanced."

Russia has veto power in the U.N. Security Council and can stop the passage of any resolution against the volatile Middle Eastern nation.

U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said Monday she "strongly disagreed" with Mr. Medvedev, saying the U.N. Security Council should "take stronger action" in imposing sanctions against the Syrian government.

Violence against protesters continued in Syria on Monday. Syrian human rights activists said security forces killed at least 17 people, mostly around the central city of Hama.

星期一，俄罗斯总统梅德韦杰夫拒绝美国和欧洲国家发出的由于叙利亚暴力镇压抗议者而加大对叙利亚制裁的呼吁。

俄罗斯总统梅德韦杰夫星期一说，没有必要对叙利亚施加额外的压力。他说，联合国就叙利亚问题的任何决议都必须“严厉”，但是也要“平衡”。

俄罗斯在联合国安理会拥有否决权，可以阻止通过任何针对叙利亚这个动荡的中东国家的决议。

美国国务院女发言人纽兰星期一说，她与梅德韦杰夫的意见“强烈不一致”。纽兰说，联合国应该对叙利亚政府“采取更强烈的行动”。

星期一，针对叙利亚抗议者的暴力事件继续发生。叙利亚人权活动人士说，安全部队打死了至少17人，大多数是在中部城市哈马周围打死的。