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09/20/2013
The United States has made clear that a diplomatic solution resulting in the verifiable destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons could have far-reaching beneficial effects.
Secretary of State John Kerry noted that such a move would be of immediate help to the Syrian people:
“Removal of the chemical weapons takes away from Assad one of the tools that he has been using against the opposition, against the people of his country, to subjugate, oppress their aspirations for freedom and for opportunity and for a role in the governance of their country.”
Secretary of State Kerry acknowledged that the removal of Syria’s chemical weapons alone is not sufficient for Syria, but would be “one step forward in a process” the U.S. and its allies continue to vigorously pursue: a political solution leading to a transitional Syrian government responsive to the aspirations of the Syrian people, as was outlined in Geneva in June 2012.
Mr. Kerry also said that if the diplomatic solution to strip the Assad regime of chemical weapons, with “the full backing of the international community through the Security Council” is successful, it will “set a marker for the standard of behavior with respect to Iran and with respect to North Korea and any other state, rogue state, group that decide to try to reach for these kinds of weapons.”
In addition, President Barack Obama noted that a diplomatic solution to Syria’s chemical weapons should show the Iranian government, in relation to its disputed nuclear program, “the potential of solving these issues diplomatically.”
The United States has made clear that a diplomatic solution resulting in the verifiable destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons could have far-reaching beneficial effects.
Secretary of State John Kerry noted that such a move would be of immediate help to the Syrian people:
“Removal of the chemical weapons takes away from Assad one of the tools that he has been using against the opposition, against the people of his country, to subjugate, oppress their aspirations for freedom and for opportunity and for a role in the governance of their country.”
Secretary of State Kerry acknowledged that the removal of Syria’s chemical weapons alone is not sufficient for Syria, but would be “one step forward in a process” the U.S. and its allies continue to vigorously pursue: a political solution leading to a transitional Syrian government responsive to the aspirations of the Syrian people, as was outlined in Geneva in June 2012.
Mr. Kerry also said that if the diplomatic solution to strip the Assad regime of chemical weapons, with “the full backing of the international community through the Security Council” is successful, it will “set a marker for the standard of behavior with respect to Iran and with respect to North Korea and any other state, rogue state, group that decide to try to reach for these kinds of weapons.”
In addition, President Barack Obama noted that a diplomatic solution to Syria’s chemical weapons should show the Iranian government, in relation to its disputed nuclear program, “the potential of solving these issues diplomatically.”
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