President Obama: "However, over the last few days, we’ve seen some encouraging signs."

[ProSense]

I agree, and I have a deeply held preference for peaceful solutions. Over the last two years, my administration has tried diplomacy and sanctions, warning and negotiations -- but chemical weapons were still used by the Assad regime.

However, over the last few days, we’ve seen some encouraging signs. In part because of the credible threat of U.S. military action, as well as constructive talks that I had with President Putin, the Russian government has indicated a willingness to join with the international community in pushing Assad to give up his chemical weapons. The Assad regime has now admitted that it has these weapons, and even said they’d join the Chemical Weapons Convention, which prohibits their use.

It’s too early to tell whether this offer will succeed, and any agreement must verify that the Assad regime keeps its commitments. But this initiative has the potential to remove the threat of chemical weapons without the use of force, particularly because Russia is one of Assad’s strongest allies.

I have, therefore, asked the leaders of Congress to postpone a vote to authorize the use of force while we pursue this diplomatic path. I’m sending Secretary of State John Kerry to meet his Russian counterpart on Thursday, and I will continue my own discussions with President Putin. I’ve spoken to the leaders of two of our closest allies, France and the United Kingdom, and we will work together in consultation with Russia and China to put forward a resolution at the U.N. Security Council requiring Assad to give up his chemical weapons, and to ultimately destroy them under international control. We’ll also give U.N. inspectors the opportunity to report their findings about what happened on August 21st. And we will continue to rally support from allies from Europe to the Americas -- from Asia to the Middle East -- who agree on the need for action.

Meanwhile, I’ve ordered our military to maintain their current posture to keep the pressure on Assad, and to be in a position to respond if diplomacy fails. And tonight, I give thanks again to our military and their families for their incredible strength and sacrifices.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023642111

[snappyturtle]

1. The President has been had...imho.

The following video was made by Putin this afternoon just hours
before the President spoke. It was also reported this afternoon
on CNN or MSNBC,,,,can't remember which I was listening to and
on Huffington Post. Tonight Piers Morgan and Sen. Menendez also
referred to Putin's back sliding....could cause big problems unless
the President wants to remove all or any threats of a strike against
Syria by us and/or our allies.

[ProSense]

2. Putin says he, Obama discussed control over Syrian chemical arms

Putin says he, Obama discussed control over Syrian chemical arms
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023640131

Russia doesn't want a binding resolution. France's three conditions:

The French foreign ministry says it would accept Russia's offer under three condition:

1.Bashar al-Assad must immediately pledge to place his entire chemical weapons arsenal under international control and allow it to be destroyed;
2.This operation must be carried out on the basis of a binding Security Council resolution within a short timeframe and with severe consequences if he doesn’t uphold his commitments;
3. Those responsible for the chemical massacre on August 21 must not go unpunished. The matter must therefore be referred to the International Criminal Court.

In a statement the French embassy in the US said: "We’re now demanding specific, prompt and verifiable commitments on the part of the Syrian regime."

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/10/syria-crisis-iran-backs-russia-chemical-weapons-plan-live#block-522eef45e4b005df22aa308d

Assad and Putin have to know that this isn't open-ended. The point of the strike is to degrade his capacity to use such weapons. If he stalls and ties up the process, nothing stops him from launching another attack.

Assad admitted to bombing area after chemical attack took place.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023637203

No matter how you slice it, any resolution is going to come with ultimatums. The situation as it stands is that Assad has these weapons and can use them. The bottom line is that Assad has to do the right thing.

[snappyturtle]

3. The above doesn't make any difference....what was said in the

video is that Syria can not unilaterally surrender weapons
if there is even a threat of a strike by the U.S. or it's allies.
Think about it.

[ProSense]

4. No,

"The above doesn't make any difference....what was said in the
video is that Syria can not unilaterally surrender weapons
if there is even a threat of a strike by the U.S. or it's allies.
Think about it."

...you are expecting the international community to issue a UN resolution with no conditions. It's on Russia and Assad to prove they are sincere.

[snappyturtle]

5. Nevermind.You totally have missed the point. nt

[ProSense]

6. I understood the point, but that is Russia's argument. n/t

[Cha]

7. Working on Diplomacy for two years.. hopefully this will come to fruition..

"I agree, and I have a deeply held preference for peaceful solutions. Over the last two years, my administration has tried diplomacy and sanctions, warning and negotiations -- but chemical weapons were still used by the Assad regime.

However, over the last few days, we’ve seen some encouraging signs. In part because of the credible threat of U.S. military action, as well as constructive talks that I had with President Putin, the Russian government has indicated a willingness to join with the international community in pushing Assad to give up his chemical weapons. The Assad regime has now admitted that it has these weapons, and even said they’d join the Chemical Weapons Convention, which prohibits their use."

Thank you, ProSense

[Scurrilous]

8. K & R

[sheshe2]

9. K&R!

[madrchsod]

10. i`m beginning to think it is hopeless

the complexity of international relations seems to fly right over people`s heads. the dance that the nations leaders do to save face but give what each partner needs.
just posted this in another thread where people wanted "proof". notice that even if assad did`t order it he is still responsible.unfortunately for some, not everything is black or white.

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2013/09/09/201515/intercepts-caught-assad-rejecting.html

[ProSense]

11. It's not.

There are simply a lot of people, in and out of the media, who continually make loud noises that obscure reality. It's like the debates and the final weeks of the campaign.

I've been reading the reactions, and people understand. They don't want war, but they know why the President is addressing the issue. They want diplomacy to work. The situation is hopeful.

Assad has been rightly condemned. Diplomacy gives him a chance to do the right thing, but he has to act.

[azurnoir]

12. Here I'm thinking after this past week there may be desperate need for some of this

for the faithful anyways those of us who feel that as Democrats we have a responsibility to question our Leaders even or perhaps especially when there is a D behind their name are feeling just fine

[Iliyah]

13. The main thing

from some Duers "it not our problem"

Post comes up about whats happening in the USA and no response or very little.

[ProSense]

14. No, it's:

Say it sucked because we disagree.