General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWhite House releases joint statement on situation in Syria signed by 10 allies
The White House released a joint statement Friday on the situation in Syria signed by 10 allies: Australia, Canada, France, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Turkey and the United Kingdom.
The previous hour, President Obama had promised to release a list of countries that were allying themselves with the United States in opposition to the Syrian regimes alleged use of chemical weapons.
(The British Parliament, of course, has voted against taking military action.)
Heres the statement:
We condemn in the strongest terms the horrific chemical weapons attack in the suburbs of Damascus on August 21st that claimed the lives of so many men, women, and children. The evidence clearly points to the Syrian government being responsible for the attack, which is part of a pattern of chemical weapons use by the regime.
We call for a strong international response to this grave violation of the worlds rules and conscience that will send a clear message that this kind of atrocity can never be repeated. Those who perpetrated these crimes must be held accountable.
Signatories have consistently supported a strong UN Security Council Resolution, given the Security Councils responsibilities to lead the international response, but recognize that the Council remains paralyzed as it has been for two and a half years. The world cannot wait for endless failed processes that can only lead to increased suffering in Syria and regional instability. We support efforts undertaken by the United States and other countries to reinforce the prohibition on the use of chemical weapons.
We commit to supporting longer term international efforts, including through the United Nations, to address the enduring security challenge posed by Syrias chemical weapons stockpiles. Signatories have also called for the UN fact finding mission to present its results as soon as possible, and for the Security Council to act accordingly.
We condemn in the strongest terms all human rights violations in Syria on all sides. More than 100,000 people have been killed in the conflict, more than 2 million people have become refugees, and approximately 5 million are internally displaced. Recognizing that Syrias conflict has no military solution, we reaffirm our commitment to seek a peaceful political settlement through full implementation of the 2012 Geneva Communique. We are committed to a political solution which will result in a united, inclusive and democratic Syria.
We have contributed generously to the latest United Nations (UN) and ICRC appeals for humanitarian assistance and will continue to provide support to address the growing humanitarian needs in Syria and their impact on regional countries. We welcome the contributions announced at the meeting of donor countries on the margins of the G20. We call upon all parties to allow humanitarian actors safe and unhindered access to those in need.
European signatories will continue to engage in promoting a common European position.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/09/06/white-house-lists-10-allies-on-syria/
dipsydoodle
(42,239 posts)'nuff said.
France subsequently added a rider :
France to wait for U.N. inspectors' report on Syria: Hollande http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/06/us-syria-crisis-hollande-timing-idUSBRE9850QS20130906
joshcryer
(62,276 posts)Wash your hands of it Obama.
Barack_America
(28,876 posts)If you support no international response to chemical weapons use, just say so.
cilla4progress
(24,737 posts)given his lack of success with support from the US Congress, that Pres Obama went to the extreme in his proposal / request for strikes, as a bargaining position, calculating that he won't get them, but will be satisfied with something less? And what would that be? I've read embargos, freezing assets, that sort of thing.
sibelian
(7,804 posts)geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)Syria."
Like hell it can't. Not only can it do so, it should. Build a firewall around Syria, and let the situation there resolve itself.
cilla4progress
(24,737 posts)were using or would use this as a model of how a US President can back down from beating the war drum, when most of the rest of the world is against him?