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>> and now "bbc world news america." >> this is bbc world news america reporting from washington. i'm kathy kaye. as thousands flee the violence in syria, britain's ambassador to the country gives this stark warning about the regime of the star of sod. -- of bashar al-assad. >> [unintelligible] >> squaring up on super tuesday, the republican candidates will finally square up and there will be chosen in damany. -- a nominee. and quite the jubilant visit to jamaica.

welcome to our viewers on pbs in america and also of around the globe. the assad regime has so much blood on its hands already that it is bound to continue its crackdown. that is the grim assessment. he spoke to the bbc after they entered the district of hams last week. thousands continue to flee the violence. >> this is why so many families are fleeing syria. it looks as if the government forces are still showing parts of homs, although it is impossible to know when these pictures were taken. there is no end to the violence in sight. britain's ambassador to syria was withdrawn last week.

today, he told me about some of the violence he witnessed. >> i have met people who were tortured. i met a cartoonist whose hands were broken because they did not think his cartoons were respectful enough of the president. >> you are an ambassador and diplomat, but it must make you angry. >> yes, it does. they have so much blood on their hands that they are preceded -- they are committed to pursuing that course no matter which way it goes. they are in the cul-de-sac of the route they have taken. maybe they have not reached the end yet, but they cannot turn back because of the amount of anger and revulsion. >> how long do you think the president can survive in power? >> i don't know. people know that the regime is doomed. it could go quite quickly. because it is brittle. but i think it is more likely that it will take some time

before this comes to an end, but there is only one way it will end. >> beuse think he could be out before the end of this year? >> i think that is possible. >> but he still has powerful support. vladimir putin is being urged to switch sides, but david cameron says he sees no sign of a russian shift. >> whatever we think of the russians in the position they have taken, they do have considerable influence in syria. to the extent they can make a difference, they need to understand that what they have done is very bad for their reputation across the arab world. >> for now, the reality is that parts of syria are being emptied by the overwhelming force of our regime still determined to to hold onto power. >> a grim assessment of the situation in syria. in other news around the world, tribal leaders in the eastern

city of benghazi in libya have declared their bearish their reason -- have declared their region to be autonomous. the vast oil-rich area stretches from sirte to the eastern border with egypt. the great allen stanford has been convicted of swindling. his fraudulent scheme involved thousands of investors for more than 100 countries. a series of explosions in an ammunition factory in the condo killed more than 200 people. scores of people are said to be buried under the rubble. breath about but it is possible that by tonight, we will have a pretty clear idea of which republican will take on barack obama in november.

this is super tuesday, the day four republican candidates square off in 10 states, each trying to win the gop nomination. the richest prize is in ohio, and that is where we can speak with deanne in the capital. -- with ian in the capital of columbus. >> you would have to be a fool to make a prediction, but the momentum appears to be with mitt romney. if you look at delegates, even if he were to win all the votes up for grabs, it would still not give him the nomination. but it would make him look unstoppable. the question is whether or not either of his key rivals, newt gingrich or rick santorum, would see it that way. it is also a question not just about ohio, but whether mitt

romney is capable of attracting a significant number of delegates across the nation. >> this is the wildest of primary races i think i have ever seen. what are the people in ohio telling you they are looking for in their candidate? >> the economy remains front and center as the key issue. they are looking for someone who can credibly deal with the economy to create jobs. ohio, like many other key swing states has suffered more than the rest of the country. although the trajectory would indicate that it is recovering at a faster pace. in terms of the arguments being made by mitt romney and rick santorum, mitt romney was trying to present himself as a man of the people, the man who could feel the pain of the workers that have lost their jobs or that are struggling. he seems to have ditched that argument now and has presented himself more as the man with a

proven track record. his appeal is that if you trust me, i will bring jobs back to states like ohio. and rick santorum and more credibly claim to be somewhat of a man of the people. he comes from the rust belt in pennsylvania. he has the coal and steel industry running through his veins and he does feel he is the right man to generate jobs whoever wins that argument will garner more votes here. icollects will be speaking to hm through the course of the evening as the -- >> we will be speaking to him through the course of the evening as the results come in. perhaps no politics matter more than what is to be done about iran posing nuclear ambitions. there has been a heated discussion over what the next steps should be.

>> there is a new mood music on iran spent nuclear program this week, the unexpected voice of unity. president obama has claimed to be able to get the world together better than ever before. >> we have been able to mobilize unprecedented crippling sanctions on iraq. -- on iran. iran is feeling a bite on these sanctions in a substantial way. the world is unified and iran is politically isolated. >> fresh from discussions from the israeli prime minister, mr. obama stressed political, not military action. it is the reluctance to get involved in another military entanglement that explains this announcement current -- this announcement. >> on behalf of france, germany, the united kingdom, russia,

china i have resumed talks with iran. >> there are signs that diplomacy and sanctions are having an impact. iran agreed to have inspectors visit the previously off-limits since installation. it is a move welcomed by the group, and by this president. and this coming election year, war with iran is the last thing mr. obama wants. >> i am now joined by a guest who formerly served in the state department' of iran. looking at all that has happened in the last 48 hours, are we closer or further from the prospect of military action against nuclear program in iran? >> i think it is a step in the right direction. we know that negotiations will be coming, probably sometime in

april. when negotiations are taking place, it is much more difficult for the netanyahu government to push an agenda that is predicated on military conflict. i think president obama has done an exceptional job in the last 48 hours of pushing back and making it known and not just to the american people, but the international community, that not only is talk of war irresponsible, but is also the responsibility of those pushing that agenda to let people know what the cost of that alternative would be. >> the sanctions have been toughened here in europe and in the united states. the president mentioned it today. do you think they will work? is it changing the nuclear trajectory of iran? >> that is a great question. sentience do work in terms of raising the political -- sanctions work in terms of raising the political climate

and making things are more difficult -- a far more difficult on the iranian people. if anything, it has made the hard-liners within tehran dig in their heels and less likely to compromise because they fear that the policy is predicated upon regime change rather than around the nuclear program. >> do you think it is possible in this heated political environment for the u.s. to really make these difficult decisions on iran, whether it were military action or not? >> at the end of the day, political leaders are the ones who have to make the tough decisions. they have to take the risks for the people. >> it is hard to do so in an election campaign. >> it is, but sometimes a problem gets to a point that you cannot ignore any more. that is the point we have reached with iran. there is nothing more left to sanction.

once oil and gas sanctions kick in the summer, the oil embargo, there is nothing left to sanction. then you only have two options left, which is sustained negotiations and you are investing in that process, or you have a military conflict. that is why the president has been unequivocal in his statements and the last 48 hours about which process he prefers to invest in right now, even though the political costs are high because we are in an election season. >> which of the two past due you think america will end up pursuing? -- which of the two pathways and you think america will and of pursuing? >> i think america will pursue negotiations and i think barack obama will pursue his promise. >> from iran to north korea, where the recent announcement that the country is suspending its nuclear program was welcomed by governments around the world. but it has not erased the tensions on the peninsula.

right now, one of the most divisive operations between north and south is taking place. it is time for the joint military exercises between south korea and its ally, the u.s. >> in korea, america's forces are on the move. tanks, trucks, and thousands of extra troops are sent to join their south korean allies for military exercises. the north korean point of view on the other end of the peninsula, this is the old place of the american presence. but with the ink barely dry on the agreement, where do war -- where do you large scale war games like these fit in? >> the exercise we are having right now in march and in april is a longstanding exercise that we conduct annually here in korea. the purpose is to demonstrate u.s. resolve, to support the republic of korea, as well as the alliance, and to train and

enhance readiness and interoperability. this exercise was scheduled long in advance of any current happenings in north korea. >> in north korea seems to be treating the two issues separately as well, protesting the exercises with a vast rally in the capital and fierce rhetoric from the country's leaders. but as yet, no political consequences. but how long can the new accord withstand events like these? >> these exercises showed just how differently in america and north korea of you what happens here on the peninsula. as far as americans go, these are defensive drills, designed to improve coordination with its key military ally, south korea. as far as the north is concerned, they are provocative, a preparation for war. >> joint military exercises in the south have always put pressure on that relationship.

these come at a particularly fragile time. in the negotiating room, north korea is being offered a new chance of friendship, but on the training ground, they are still the enemy. bbc news. >> you are watching bbc world news america. still to come, women's rights are under threat in afghanistan. could a new ruling turn back the clock to the time of the taliban? in australia, the quest is on to export its natural resources more effectively, but could the great barrier reef be paying the price? >> there is nothing on earth like it, a collection of reefs and coral the size of japan. a world heritage site for the past three decades. but the ports along the great barrier reef are being modernized for the country's booming mining exports. now the united nations has come

to see if the reef is being sacrificed for profit. >> it could be a case of death by 1000 cuts. these types of massive industrial development, and they literally are monsters, and you can see him from space. tens of millions of cubic meters of dredging. it will cut across critical habitats and nursery grounds. it could literally spell the end for many of these much-loved creatures and put at risk the values for which the world heritage area is one of our global icons. >> those building and using the port city are not a threat, including the main site at gladstone. >> this is somewhere that has an alimony and smelter and this is the other side of a busy industrial port. >> they say they are developing the port in a response away and

creating thousands of jobs. elsewhere in australia and in the rest of the world, this is all a balancing act between getting the mining industry what it needs and protecting the environment. u.n.'s team final report could embarrass the australian government. bbc news, sidney. >> of bit earlier, we reported on the report -- the buildup to super tuesday. but that pales in comparison to the biggest regional election in the world held in india. the results proved particularly damning verdict on congress and its role in leadership.

>> the party is only just beginning here. they are celebrating a mass of wind. -- massive win. it sector forms the next government and the country's most politically influential state. the results of the impact will be felt beyond the state's borders. the crowds have been pouring in ever since the first few results were read. and it has been building ever since. the celebration could go on for several hours. it is a resounding victory for the winning party. it is relegated the national party. it is a bit of a blow for

congress and its emerging leader. this calls for his litmus test. now his leadership qualities will come under scrutiny. >> he has to discipline his party, especially the leaders. and he has to rebuild. >> turnout was high in these polls. a sign that many indians are unhappy with their politicians. corruption is driving inflation. it is a major issue, particularly among young voters. it will be a challenge to mask their aspirations. >> more than 10 years after the u.s.-led invasion of afghanistan, within their face a fourth threat. the council ruled that women

should not mix with men at school or at work. it is a policy reminiscent of the days of taliban role. from kabul, here is the story. >> news time on afghanistan's channel one. women newscasters have been in the headlines lately after the government told them to wear head scarves and avoid heavy makeup. now senior clerics say men and women should not work side-by- side. this is unwelcome news for her. it is wrong to say we should not work together, she told us. i am proud of my job, and the fact that i work outside of my home. but afghanistans top religious council, which is government funded, does not want women roaming freely outside. it says that they should be

accompanied by a male relative. this is a request and a reminder, the council cells. -- the council says. critics say it is an echo of the taliban. there is growing concern of the progress made in recent years could be rolled back. they fear that president karzai may be willing to fief -- to sacrifice for men's rights. -- to sacrifice of women's rights. this one dressed as a return to dark days. >> we have worked so much. now they are starting to take away some basic rights. it's like going out like a free human being. >> for now, at this private

university in kabul, young afghans are allowed to share a classroom. and that is how they want it to stay. >> who thinks that men and women should be able to study together like this? raise your hands. >> he plans a career in business. this one wants to go into politics. that is, of the taliban and the clerics and do not rewrite their history. >> the women of afghanistan face a very uncertain future. now to jamaica, where the latest of prince harries travels have landed him in quite a match up. luckily, there was more laughing then laughs. however, the visit was not all fun and games.

jamaica hinted at the queen being removed as the head of state. >> a casual british prince made a germ -- a jamaican prince of the track. lightning bolt, the world's fastest man. the talk was of a showdown, however unequal. but first, a pre-race chat with the 27-year-old royal. [laughter] he was properly equipped and sporting the jamaica colors, but with the cards stacked against him facing a triple olympic athlete, harry folded. [laughter] victory was sweet, even if the royal methods were dubious. the world's number one, beating on his own track, introduced harry to the way he normally celebrates.

time now to show how it is done properly. there were two performers on the blocks. [cheers] [laughter] >> that would be cheating. >> you did not trade him. >> i will get him back. one day. >> a rematch. london, 2012. >> me and you. [laughter] >> this is a light hearted encounter, which plays to prince harry's strengths. the monarchy may soon one day have no formal role to play here in jamaica. in a bbc interview, she told me that jamaica was on a slow

track of slavery to now replacing the queen as head of state. >> even if the queen does not remain head of state for our country, the queen at any time would be welcome to visit. >> perry did not leave empty- handed. he told his hosts he has named a horse after its namesake, a winner. >> a member of the royal family cheating? i do not think that is possible. that brings today's show to a close. you can get updates on our website any time. and to stay with the bbc all night as the super tuesday results come in. i will be giving you complete coverage as to the outcome. thanks for watching. i will see you back here tomorrow.

>> make sense of international news at bbc.com/news. >> funding was made possible by -- the freeman foundation of new york, stowe, vermont, and honolulu, newman's own foundation, and union bank. >> at union bank, our relationship managers use their expertise in global finance to guide you through the business strategies and opportunities of international commerce. we put our extended global network to work for a wide range of companies, from small businesses to major corporations. what can we do for you?

>> "bbc world news" was presented by kcet los angeles.