UN rights chief condemns use of chemical weapons

[ProSense]

UN rights chief condemns use of chemical weapons

By JOHN HEILPRIN Associated Press

The U.N. human rights chief said Monday there is little doubt that chemical weapons were used in Syria but she did not specify which of the combatants was suspected of using them.

U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay spoke two days ahead of the expected update from a U.N. panel probing for war crimes and other human rights abuses in Syria, including the use of chemical weapons. The 47-nation U.N. Human Rights Council, which authorized the probe, is likely to consider a resolution on Syria before the end of its session.

"The use of chemical weapons has long been identified as one of the gravest crimes that can be committed, yet their use in Syria seems now to be in little doubt, even if all the circumstances and responsibilities remain to be clarified," Pillay...noted that when she first urged action to end the Syrian crisis two years ago, some 2,600 Syrians had died in the conflict. Now the number of dead is over 100,000.

"The international community is late, very late to take serious joint action to halt the downward spiral that has gripped Syria, slaughtering its people and destroying its cities," she said. "This appalling situation cries out for international action, yet a military response or the continued supply of arms risk igniting a regional conflagration, possibly resulting in many more deaths and even more widespread misery."

- more -

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/body-told-chemical-weapons-gravest-crimes-20197253

[Nuclear Unicorn]

1. Saddam gassed the Kurds

[ProSense]

2. Are you disagreeing with the Commissioner?

Bill Clinton launched a strike to take out Saddam's chemical infrastucture.

Transcript: President Clinton explains Iraq strike

CLINTON: Good evening.

Earlier today, I ordered America's armed forces to strike military and security targets in Iraq. They are joined by British forces. Their mission is to attack Iraq's nuclear, chemical and biological weapons programs and its military capacity to threaten its neighbors.

Their purpose is to protect the national interest of the United States, and indeed the interests of people throughout the Middle East and around the world.

Saddam Hussein must not be allowed to threaten his neighbors or the world with nuclear arms, poison gas or biological weapons.

I want to explain why I have decided, with the unanimous recommendation of my national security team, to use force in Iraq; why we have acted now; and what we aim to accomplish.

- more -

http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/stories/1998/12/16/transcripts/clinton.html

BILL CLINTON

—Iraq (1993): Launched cruise missiles into Baghdad, hitting Iraqi intelligence headquarters, in retaliation for assassination plot against President George H.W. Bush.

—Somalia (1993): Increased troop deployment for security and stability mission with 35 other nations under U.N. Security Council resolution.

—Haiti (1994) Deployed troops for peacekeeping and nation-building mission as authorized by U.N. Security Council resolution.

—Bosnia (1994-96): Launched airstrikes with NATO allies over 18 months, culminating with bombings, artillery attacks and cruise missile strikes against Bosnia Serbs, by request of U.N. Secretary General Boutrous Boutrous-Ghali and to enforce no-fly zones as authorized by at least three U.N. Security Council resolutions. Deployed troops in year-long NATO peacekeeping mission.

—Iraq (1996): Launched cruise missiles at targets in southern Iraq in retaliation against attacks on U.S. jets enforcing no-fly zones to protect Iraqi minorities as authorized by U.N. Security Council resolution.

—Sudan, Afghanistan (1998): Launched cruise missiles at terrorist training camps in Sudan and Afghanistan in retaliation against U.S. Embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania that killed more than 220 people, including 12 Americans.

—Iraq (1998): Launched cruise missiles and airstrikes on a number of Baghdad targets to punish Saddam Hussein for not complying with U.N. chemical weapons inspections as required under U.N. Security Council resolutions.

—Kosovo: (1999): Launched airstrikes and cruise missiles over more than three months at Yugoslavian military targets, power stations, bridges and other facilities as part of NATO mission.


http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/crash-course-a-guide-to-30-years-of-us-military-strikes-against-other-nations.php

Iraq Liberation Act of 1998
http://clerk.house.gov/evs/1998/roll482.xml

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-105hr4655enr/pdf/BILLS-105hr4655enr.pdf

[Nuclear Unicorn]

3. Missiles are happier when they had D's behind them.

GO TEAM!

[ProSense]

4. You didn't answer the question. n/t

[Nuclear Unicorn]

5. I did. I even assumed your every point is true as you've presented it.

It's just that the rules say I'm just not allowed to call you a warmongering hypocrite to your face.

[ProSense]

6. "the rules say I'm just not allowed to call you a warmongering hypocrite to your face"

There are such things as cowardly responses.

[ProSense]

7. Kick! n/t