Kerry Accuses Syria of Chemical Weapons Attack

[onehandle]

Last edited Mon Aug 26, 2013, 03:50 PM - Edit history (1)

Source: New York Times



WASHINGTON — Secretary of State John Kerry said Monday that the use of chemical weapons in attacks on civilians in Syria last week was undeniable and that the Obama administration would hold the Syrian government accountable for what he called a “moral obscenity” that had shocked the world’s conscience.

In some of the most strident language used yet by the administration, Mr. Kerry accused the Syrian government of cynically seeking to cover up the use of the weapons and he rejected its denial of responsibility for what he called a “cowardly crime.”

Mr. Kerry’s remarks, in a prepared statement he read at the State Department, reinforced the administration’s toughening stance on the Syria conflict, which is now well into its third year, and he suggested the White House was moving closer to a military response in consultation with America’s allies.

“The indiscriminate slaughter of civilians, the killing of women and children and innocent bystanders by chemical weapons is a moral obscenity,” Mr. Kerry said. “By any standard, it is inexcusable,” he said. “And despite the excuses and equivocations that some have manufactured, it is undeniable.”


Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/27/world/middleeast/syria-assad.html

[Sand Wind]

1. Your Secretary of State know what he is talking about.

[RobertEarl]

2. No. He doesn't

He is as bad as Colin Powell was.

He offers no proof of who used the chemicals, and slyly points at Assad.

Too many of us have been convinced that war is the only solution now.

That's how effective the propaganda has become.

PTB want war and they will get a war; over many dead bodies. It doesn't have to be that way. We could have eternal peace.

[Sand Wind]

3. Eternal peace are for a perfect world, only after death, and maybe not. Nt

[RobertEarl]

4. I figured you'd discount peace

And deny that peace is possible.

I read about your drumbeats for war all over DU.

Kerry is no better than Powell who was proven to be a liar.

[Sand Wind]

11. There are peace and eternal peace, right ?

[John2]

12. Mark his words.

He said your Secretary of State. The people we put in office ignoring us but listening to people like this Tunisian. He has the audacity to lecture to Americans that put this Administration into office. I see this as another insult that they don't gain the approval of the American people. That is why I'm ready to remove them from office, even if they are Democrats. They have insulted us long enough. His willingness to go easy on the Bush Administration exposes what they are really about. I don't know why he comes to DU with his lecturing to Americans.

[RobertEarl]

14. Yep

I can spot warmongering a mile away.

I wish we could shut it down on DU, at least.

[KittyWampus]

6. If Obama wanted war we'd have been in one already.

[RobertEarl]

8. Afghanistan? Yemen? Libya? Pakistan?

Last edited Mon Aug 26, 2013, 05:43 PM - Edit history (1)

What do you call those? Peace campaigns?

No. They are war campaigns. Denial of such shows you have been convinced war is peace. Just like Orwell predicted. The warmongers are forcing Obama into attacking Syria. And with help, they will succeed.

What side are you on, Kitty? Are you willing to go to Syria yourself and fight? Or will you just suggest others do the dirty work for the rich?

[karynnj]

15. No one is speaking of US troops on the ground

[RobertEarl]

17. Our bombs will be and have been

I am so sick of the fucking excuses. The denial. The pandering to more war.

What the hell is wrong with people? If they want war, they should go to Syria and fight.

To hell with asking others to go do the dirty work. Sign up, enlist. Go join the rebels who are creating war. Give all their money to the war machine.

[democrat2thecore]

22. Not yet anyway....you're right about one thing though....

This war will begin with cowardly attacks on Syria by people pushing buttons on their computers thousands of miles away and sending cruise missiles into Syria. Those fingers on those buttons are every bit as deadly as boots on the ground. I don't want either.

We need to stay OUT of Syria.

Let Israel fight their own damn wars.

[karynnj]

27. This is NOT Israel's war

How about the Syrian cowards who fired off canisters of chemical weapons. The scope of this is too much to ignore and it sounds like the US is convinced Assad did this.

[leftynyc]

36. Oh Lookie

You're all over this board blaming Israel for this. Just one of our esteemed people who make this site more irrelevant by the day. You sicken me.

[avaistheone1]

26. Looks like he is going there.

Last edited Tue Aug 27, 2013, 03:24 AM - Edit history (2)

News stories for the last couple of days indicate the Obama admin is playing their war drums.

For the record I am completely against our involvement in Syria. What a mess, but it is not our mess.

[jessie04]

34. Then neither is Bioloical and Nuclear weapons.

what a post.

[wisteria]

29. Are you actually defending Assad?

Assad? This is a desperate, cunning, ruthless man who would stop at nothing to remain in power- no doubt in my mind who is using the chemical weapons. I don't want war, and I really don't think that is what the US is aiming for. There are other options that can be enforced with the help of other nations.

[blm]

51. Baloney - Kerry has been the key person PREVENTING war in Syria the last 8years.

He would never stand with the need to use military force now unless it was a last resort.

Sad that so many haven't paid attention to what's been going on in Syria and how Kerry has been the person most involved in keeping war at bay the last 8 years, and that they would presume that this is a rush to war with manufactured intel just like Bush did in Iraq.

[John2]

7. What did he say

on the Floor of the Senate when he voted to attack Iraq? Guy, don't tell us about our politicians. John Kerry is one of the wealthiest men in the United States and apparently a very corrupt one. John McCain and Lindsey Graham wanted this guy in this position and now Americans can see why. He is actually losing his credibility. You will began to understand what American Democracy is about when these people face the voters again. You never can tell how a War will go once you start it either. The American Public is usually right and we don't support it. I predict the killing arena is about to spread and it want be what they expect just like they have been wrong on everything else about this War up to down. It will be the beginning of the down fall of the Obama Administration period. That is my prediction. This guy can't help himself, mark my words..

[karynnj]

18. You can find Kerry's speech

-- and you will find that he did NOT speak of going to war -- he spoke of giving support to a US effort to work with the UN and to get the inspectors back in. He ended by listing what Bush had publicly promised - including going to war only as a last resort. He then said he would speak out if Bush failed to keep those promises --and he did BEFORE the invasion.

John Kerry is not one of the richest men in the US - his wife is one of the wealthiest women -- and her money will go to three sons, not Kerry. In spite of the Boston papers watching him like a hawk, there is no basis to say that he is corrupt.

As to McCain and Graham -- the fact is that both Susan Rice and Samantha Powers were BOTH more hawkish. The fact is that as late as Saturday, Kerry was pushing Syria to let the inspectors in. Not to mention, Hillary was more hawkish.

[arewenotdemo]

57. In Kerry's speech he said BOTH that Assad was to blame for not letting the U.N.

inspect the site immediately, AND that the inspectors' would/could not assign responsibility for the attack....thereby not blaming or exonerating either side.

So which is it, exactly?

Given his IWR vote and the incredible devastation and loss of life the Iraq War incurred.....far, far more than what happened on August 21, 2113, he has NO moral ground to even begin to stand on.

[karynnj]

60. His IWR vote was a vote to get the inspectors in and to give Bush leverage -

the same leverage he would have wanted as President.

He spoke out against going to war before it started - and was labeled antiwar at that time.

I don't see the contradiction. It is true that the UN is looking to verify what happened. Do you disagree that learning the facts is more easily done immediately after something happened - not after 5 days of bombing?

[Sand Wind]

24. Kerry is a honourable man, whatever you say. But with a tough job, yes. Nt

[Coyotl]

23. After all, he works for the world police, right?

Oh wait, he works for a government, the United States of America, a nation governed by laws including laws to prevent interference in Syria and support of rebels trying to overthrow the government.

[arewenotdemo]

59. You forgot to add, the one "indispensable nation".

The President of which can prejudge circumstances and attack militarily without international support or even the support of Congress.

Never mind the American people. 9% of whom want military action.

[Socal31]

5. Here come the Tomahawks.

And away we go.

Edit: I don't mean they are actually flying, yet. Lest anyone frantically search for it after reading this post.

[Mosby]

9. ‘IDF intercepted Syrian regime chatter on chemical attack

An IDF intelligence unit listened in on senior Syrian officials discussing a chemical attack that allegedly took place on the outskirts of Damascus and left hundreds of Syrian civilians dead last Wednesday, a major German publication reported.

According to the report Saturday in Focus magazine, a squad specializing in wire-tapping within the IDF’s prestigious 8200 intelligence unit intercepted a conversation between high-ranking regime officials regarding the use of chemical agents at the time of the attack. The German report, which cited an ex-Mossad official who insisted on remaining anonymous, said the intercepted conversation proved that Bashar Assad’s regime was responsible for the use of nonconventional weapons.

http://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-intercepted-syrian-regime-chatter-on-chemical-attack/

[RobertEarl]

10. Lies

Made up Bullshit from the IDF who has never wanted peace.

[John2]

13. Come on guy?

The Israeli Defense Force? You expect the enemy of Syria to tell the truth about Syria? Did you expect that from Nazi Germany or the South? The IDF, right! Assad's Brother was incapacitated a year ago and no longer is in command. He reportedly lost his leg. The Syrian Army also has alleged they found Israeli weapons supplied to the rebels. Saudi Arabia also bought arms from Israelis to supply to the rebels. Israel has attacked Syria four times now and all accounts was when the rebels were on the offensive. A Israeli armoured vehicle was reportedly destroyed in Syrian Territory controled by these same rebels. Israel has also been supplying the rebels with medical attention in Israeli hospitals. It is also reported that President Obama secretly gave Netanyahu the thumbs up that they will be prepared to take on Iran militarily by the year's end. It is now the end of August and Assad is still in power. They need to get rid of Assad and control Syria, and then they will attack lebanon and Iran. So do you treally trust the IDF not manufacturing lies to invade Syria? They are not telling the truth to the American people and they have a lot of influence in the UN. See how they go into fits when the Truth is exposed. They are lying outta their teeth.

[Mosby]

16. I'm gonna stick my neck out here

and assume the IDF unit recorded the intercept and provided the transcript to th eUS.

Like it or not Israel is our primary source for intelligence info in the ME.

[RobertEarl]

19. That's our problem, right there

Our intelligence comes from warmongers. Whose govt already attacked Syria.

No wonder we are headed into war. Does that make you happy, Mosby?

[John2]

20. Israel is the primary

source wants a War with Syria. They are very accomplished liars.

[Mosby]

32. Why would Israel want war with Syria?

that's nonsensical but I would love to hear your reasoning.



FYI - this came out today:

Israeli intelligence seen as central to US case against Syria

While Israel will almost certainly take no direct part in a military strike, Israeli intelligence information is widely believed to have played a central role in enabling the US’s adamant conviction that Assad’s regime fired chemical weapons at civilians outside Damascus last Wednesday, killing hundreds of people and wounding over a thousand, according to Syrian rebel groups.

http://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-intelligence-seen-as-central-to-us-case-against-syria/

[Ash_F]

21. I'll wait on the UN report, thanks. /nt

[avaistheone1]

30. Me too.

[leftynyc]

37. The same UN

that has stood by while 100,000 Syrians have died? That UN? I couldn't care less what that feckless, irrelevant body has to say on any subject.

[Ash_F]

39. The same UN that is largely dominated by the US and based in NY

Yes, that UN.

Someone watches a bit too much Fox.

[leftynyc]

40. Fox has been blocked on my

TV since I got Optimum (over 10 years) so try another insult. And if you think it's dominated by the US, you're delusional. Yes, it's in NY and I, along with all other NYers, would be just as happy to see it gone someplace else. Tell me, when was the last time the esteemed UN has done anything to stop the killing anywhere other than wring their hands? They're useless.

[Ash_F]

41. You are seriously channeling some fundie bobblehead with your statements

Like word for word. Maybe Rush?

I guess the US could just jump into a war without any understanding of what's going on.
Check out the video in this post
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=577441

The old Bush route, going to war over blind accusations without any kind of evidence and then being wrong. Always a good plan.

[leftynyc]

43. Nonsense

You can accuse me of being a right winger all day long (I've been on this site for over 10 years) but it wont make your post any less moronic. You can also look at all my posts and find not even one that wants the US to get involved in Syria - both sides suck and I've maintained that from day one. So, continue to spout off nonsense - it suits you perfectly.

[Ash_F]

44. For someone who doesn't care, you sure love injecting yourself into convos. /nt

[leftynyc]

45. Awwww - poor baby

doesn't like discussion on a discussion board. Poor you.

[Ash_F]

46. Not much discussion in that last post

For what it is worth, I also don't support either side. At least not fully and not without conditions. But wouldn't that make us both as bad as the UN by your reasoning? Not taking a 'strong' stance?

In any case, at least the UN has doctors on the ground taking samples and interviewing victims. And are documenting everything instead of saying "ITS SUPER SECRET SPAI STUFF, I CANT TELL YOU" and expecting the world to buy it.



I'm sorry but the Israeli government has no credibility with me. Unless you can tell me why I should trust a government that does something like this to their own people because they are Black.
http://www.haaretz.com/opinion/an-inconveivable-crime.premium-1.484110

[leftynyc]

48. I don't think you want to

get into which countries in that neighborhood have the worst rep for human rights when it comes to minorities. I'm good with believing what Doctors Without Borders have to say - somebody used chemical weapons

http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/press/release.cfm?id=7029&cat=press-release

I still don't think we should get involved as it doesn't threaten us in any way and there are no good guys. As far as the UN - they are useless - I used to have so much respect for them but in the last decade or so, they've become irrelevant.

[Ash_F]

49. I was asking why should I trust the Israeli government.

Not who is the biggest bad guy.

I have no qualms with Doctors Without Borders, but they haven't pointed a finger. And if they did, they would show their evidence.

[leftynyc]

50. Shrug - trust whoever you like

I would hope you're smarter than the posters who think the Israeli government is responsible for what's going on in Syria. If not, please let me know - you wouldn't be worth my time.

[Ash_F]

52. Haha no.

I would also hope that one day you will let go of that deep seated prejudice you carry within you. If not, please let know - you wouldn't be worth my time.

[leftynyc]

54. I wish I could

Circumstances dictate otherwise.

[KG]

25. beyond ludicrous the US moralizing after the death and destruction it's doled out the last decade.

[CountAllVotes]

28. +1,000,000+++

One recommendation for every single person out that that has suffered death and destruction during these horrible war ridden times!

ENOUGH!!!!

[Doctor_J]

42. two decades actually

the Iraq sanctions in the 90's were destructive too

[Alamuti Lotus]

31. Kerry's lying, dishonest, hypocritical puffery is a moral obscenity

This performance wasn't impressive 10 years ago when Colin Powell was making the same speech, and it's not impressive now.

[Nihil]

35. You're forgetting that there is a major difference in the current version of the game ...

Colin Powell is black and told lies for a white president with a R after his name.

John Kerry is white and told lies for a black president with a D after his name.

See? It's completely different *this* time around ... bombs away! (Ka-ching!)

[arewenotdemo]

47. Agreed. As for personal responsibility for a cataclysmic war...

Kerry owns plenty of that by voting for the IWR.

But you'd never know it by his outrage, would you?

[blm]

53. Colin Powell first worked for 8yrs to prevent war in Iraq? I didn't know that.

I do know that Kerry did spend the last 8years preventing war in Syria. Apparently, you did NOT know that and did not factor that into your presumptive claims about him.

[YvonneCa]

56. Not even close. Dare you to watch...

...this:

http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/USForeignPolicy112

Q and A on Syria ...

[jessie04]

33. Kerry NAILED IT !!!

“The indiscriminate slaughter of civilians, the killing of women and children and innocent bystanders by chemical weapons is a moral obscenity,” Mr. Kerry said. “By any standard, it is inexcusable,” he said. “And despite the excuses and equivocations that some have manufactured, it is undeniable.”

[paulk]

55. how about

if he took out the words "by chemical weapons".

would he still have "nailed it"?

[Doctor_J]

38. I wish I was dumb enough to not remember 2001-2002

Don't tell me - they "gassed their own people". This could turn into a "mushroom cloud".

[avaistheone1]

58. Me too.

What a nightmare that turned into. All based on lies from the highest levels of our government including the president and his cabinet.

[Coyotl]

61. Syria worries send oil to six-month high; stocks tumble - NEW YORK | Tue Aug 27, 2013 4:39pm EDT

Get ready for $6.00 a gallon gasoline!

[yurbud]

62. so how different would our foreign policy have been if he had been elected president in 2004?