Obama Puts Syria Strike On Pause As Possible Diplomatic Solution Emerges
In a potentially dramatic change of course, President Barack Obama told ABC News on Monday that he does not expect any votes in Congress in the near term on the use of force in Syria while the administration takes time to explore a diplomatic solution.
"I don't anticipate that you would see a succession of votes this week or anytime in the immediate future," Obama said. "So I think there will be time during the course of the debates here in the United States for the international community, the Russians and the Syrians to work with us and say is there a way to resolve this."
The diplomatic solution is not final but it involves the possible support of Russia, according to news reports. Obama said a military strike against Syria would "absolutely" be on pause if the regime agrees to do away with its chemical weapons as part of a diplomatic solution.
"I consider this a modestly positive development," he told ABC.
http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/obama-puts-syria-strike-on-pause-as-possible
= new reply since forum marked as read
Stuff happens (aka shit happens.)
If they hated him, why would they do that?
I am so glad that he is pursuing peaceful means of ending this situation. THAT is the president I supported!
[center]WTG OBAMA!!!
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If you don't think Obama's position was weakened by the fact that people were abandoning the sinking cruise (missile) ship in droves, then there's a fundamental gap in the realities we're living in. Kerry threw that line out there (it was not an "offer"
, then got thrown under the bus by the administration for it. Now it was the plan all along? Please.
"If you don't think Obama's position was weakened by the fact that people were abandoning the sinking cruise (missile) ship in droves, then there's a fundamental gap in the realities we're living in. Kerry threw that line out there (it was not an "offer" , then got thrown under the bus by the administration for it. Now it was the plan all along? Please. "
...the "gap in the realities" is trying to claim a comment is both negative and positive.
Kerry said it. It was his response. Some want to call it a "gaffe" and also claim it was the statement that made Putin react.
Everyone can read that the State Department said the part about Assad not doing it was rhetorical, not the condition for avoiding a strike. That interpretation is just silly. Why would the admistration strike if Assad actually agrees to turn over the weapons to have them destroyed?
As for what you consider the "sinking cruise (missile) ship," the goal of the strike was to degrade Assad's capacity for another attack. His acceptance of the proposal buys more time, but he must comply.
Regardless of how Congress votes, members have condemned Assad. They agree with the assessment regarding Assad's use of chemicals. That's why you have members who don't support the President's approach offering their own proposals, and any way you slice it, those proposals are ultimatums.
There is also the UN, which even before today's developments, was prepared to act after its report. The statements by members of the G-20 and the EU means the international community was not going to let up. More countries comdemned Assad today.
