Two senators mulling alternative Syria resolution

By Ed O'Keefe

A draft resolution being circulated by two moderate Democratic senators would give the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad 45 days to sign an international chemical weapons ban or face the threat of “all elements” of U.S. military power.

Sens. Joe Manchin III (D-W.Va.) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) are working on the alternative proposal, which would delay the immediate use of military force and compel the Obama administration to build more international and American political support for striking the Assad government, according to Senate aides familiar with the talks.

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Aides cautioned that the final wording of a resolution is still in the works, but provided this proposed language:

“The failure by the government of Bashar al-Assad to sign and comply with the [Chemical Weapons] Convention clearly demonstrates a disregard of international norms on the use of chemical weapons. If the Government of Syria does not sign the Convention within 45 after the date of the enactment of this resolution, all elements of national power will be considered by the United States government.”

“Not later than 45 days after the date of the enactment of this resolution, the President shall submit to Congress a long term strategy for Syria, while concurrently using all appropriate diplomatic tools to develop and secure commitments from the international community with the shared strategic interest of preventing the proliferation and use of Syria’s chemical weapons.”

“This is a draft proposal Senator Heitkamp is working on to approach the very complex situation in Syria. It is one idea that is still a work in progress,” said her spokeswoman, Abigail McDonough.

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/09/05/two-senators-mulling-alternative-syria-resolution/