Us offers assistance to Turkey regarding Syrians crossing border

WASHINGTON (A.A) - 14.June.2011 - The U.S. Department of State said on Monday that the United States had offered assistance to Turkey regarding Syrian people crossing the border due to ongoing unrest in the country.
Deputy Department Spokesman Mark Toner said the United States was committed to trying to help.
"We've offered our assistance. I don't know that we've been formally asked," Toner told a daily press briefing.
 When commenting on a possibility of a Turkish military intervention to protect civilians at its border with Syria, Toner said that it was a decision for Turkey to make, and no one was talking about Turkey intervening in any way, shape, or form.
Asked if the option was not off the table, Toner said, "again, I think that no option is off the table when you’re talking about what's happening in Syria. But that's a question for the Turkish Government. Again, what we're focused on, in terms of Turkey, is they've got a real situation along their border, and with a refugee problem, and we’re committed to trying to help."
Toner also said Turkey's Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton talked about international concern over Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad's actions in Abu Dhabi.
"We talked about the need for more cohesive international pressure to be brought to bear. We're aware that, obviously, Turkey's very affected by the situation along the border, and again, we're ready to help Turkey if it needs it," Toner said. 
When a reporter said, "because the prime minister said that, after the election, Turkey will be much more focusing on Syria issue," Toner said, "we welcome that, frankly. I mean, we welcome increased international attention and focus on Syria."
"And I know that this refugee crisis along the border has affected Turkish public opinion when they've seen these refugees pouring across," he said.
Toner said, "you're speculating a lot here. I'm just talking about the immediate situation with the refugees in Turkey," when a reporter asked if Turkish army could cross the border and build a safe area.