Hillary Clinton: Russian Proposal On Syrian Weapons ‘An Important Step’

[ProSense]

Hillary Clinton: Russian Proposal On Syrian Weapons ‘An Important Step’

In her first public comments on the debate over whether or not to use military force in Syria, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Monday that an idea floated by her successor —and seemingly accepted by both Russia and the Assad regime – could be "an important step."

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"First , as the president has said, the Assad regime's inhuman use of weapons of mass destruction against innocent men, women and children violates a universal norm at the heart of our global order," Clinton said. "And therefore, it demands a strong response from the international community, led by the United States.

"Second, the international community cannot ignore the ongoing threat from the Assad regime's stockpiles of chemical weapons — whether they are used again against Syrian civilians or transferred to Hezbollah or stolen by other terrorists," she continued. "This is about protecting both the Syrian people and our friends in the region. The world will have to deal with this threat as swiftly and comprehensively as possible."

Clinton then addressed comments made by current Secretary of State John Kerry, who suggested Monday that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad could avoid a military strike if he surrenders his chemical weapons..."Now, if the regime immediately surrendered its stockpiles to international control, as was suggested by Secretary Kerry and the Russians, that would be an important step," Clinton said. "But this cannot be another excuse for delay or obstruction. And russia has to support the international community's efforts sincerely or be held to account. It is very important to note that this discussion that has taken hold today about potential international control over Syria's stockpiles only could take place in the context of a credible military threat by the United States to keep pressure on the Syrian government as well as those supporting Syria like Russia."

- more -

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/hillary-clinton-russian-proposal-on-syrian-weapons-important

"the first acknowledgment by the Syrian government that it even possesses chemical weapons"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023630685

[DeltaLitProf]

1. Looking increasingly like we're not dismissing the Russian proposal out of hand

The state department's walkback of Kerry's remark as "off the cuff" concerned me that we were just reverting to Cold War reflex and snubbing this proposal.

But now the deputy National Security Advisor and the ex-Sec of State have both said this is an idea we'll be taking seriously.

Very encouraging.

[blm]

2. It has to appear 'off the cuff' to protect Russia's role in all of this.

Interesting that now Assad is arriving at the point where US and Russia wanted him to be before the chem attacks.

I don't subscribe to 'coincidence' theory at this level of high stakes.

http://www.rferl.org/content/syria-lavrov-kerry-geneva/25071543.html

[GeorgeGist]

5. So you're implying that the CW attacks were part of US plan?

[blm]

6. Not at all.

Just that there was a political opportunity for Russia here to let it play out to the point where they had the opening to get Assad to where they and the US always intended him to be.

[David__77]

3. What "other steps" could there POSSIBLY be except regime change?

This is nonsensical. The chemical weapons were always purely incidental. This is about geopolitics.

[VanillaRhapsody]

4. to what end?

that the EU gets the natural gas pipeline that Russia is so opposed to?

[JI7]

7. it would be great if we could get RUssia to back a UN proposal

to do something to get rid of the weapons.

[HooptieWagon]

8. After accepting $500K jewelry from Saudis...

I'd consider her a paid mouthpiece at this point.