Kerry's suggestion for Syria to hand over control of their chemical weapons was brilliant

[Cali_Democrat]

Responding to Kerry, Russia Urges Syria to Cede Arsenal

LONDON — Secretary of State John Kerry said on Monday that if President Bashar al-Assad wants to avert an attack on Syria he should hand over all of his chemical weapons within one week. Russia, the Syrian government’s most important backer, quickly welcomed the idea.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/10/world/middleeast/kerry-says-syria-should-hand-over-all-chemical-arms.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

Well done, Secretary Kerry!

[RobertEarl]

1. I suggested this a week ago

These chaps are just getting up to speed? Maybe they read DU?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023576340

Hey, Putin, Listen Up, Dude
You need to declare, as Obama has, that using chemical warfare is nyet.

You are the main supporter of the Syrian military and it is thought they are using chemicals in the civil war there. It is time, if you really want peace, to declare you are against the use of chemical warfare and that you will do all you can to have the chemicals removed from Syria.

Don't screw this up, Putin. Get to work; as Obama has.

[Cali_Democrat]

3. Looks like Russia and Syria want to accept

This is great news.

[karynnj]

12. Me too (won't bother to get link)

To me it is the obvious thing to demand when the stated goal is "limit use of chemical weapons".

I suspect that this may have been suggested to both Russia and Syria in private calls. I wonder if it was discussed at the EU foreign ministers meeting or even at the G20 (by Obama).

At any rate, this would be fantastic if it works.

[KittyWampus]

19. Lavrov, Kerry 'Agree On Need' For Syria Peace Conference (August background)

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

[karynnj]

27. Following up on that from yesterday - "there is no military solution"

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-24008545 more detailed article for the European BBC -
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-24008768

[morningfog]

2. It is a good and welcomed move to delay and avoid war.

I am skeptical, though, when in the same breath he said it isn't possible and that Assad won't do it.

I hope this isn't just a "we gave him a chance" excuse.

[Cali_Democrat]

4. I think Assad will do it. n/t

[karynnj]

14. Or it was a "I dare you to do this" reverse psychology move

I doubt it was said completely out of the blue -- when its pretty obviously a solution.

[Junkdrawer]

5. Last word was that the State Department was walking the offer back....

...

The State Department was forced to clarify the remarks, calling them "rhetorical" and making clear its desire to strike could be tempered by a Syrian offer. Kerry's point, according to spokeswoman Jen Psaki, "was that this brutal dictator with a history of playing fast and loose with the facts cannot be trusted to turn over chemical weapons."

...

http://gma.yahoo.com/did-us-offer-syrian-president-125806202--abc-news-topstories.html

But THAT was before Syria said "Yes".

[MNBrewer]

8. This administration really does want Syrian blood, don't they?

[Junkdrawer]

10. No question SOME do. Let's see what The Boss says. n/t

[karynnj]

18. You ignore the second half of the sentence

"making clear its desire to strike could be tempered by a Syrian offer"

Not a walk back -- more just saying that was not an official offer. I suspect it is the State Department respecting that Obama makes those decisions - and Kerry was not undercutting him.

[Cali_Democrat]

13. That doesn't sound like a walk back to me

It seems the offer still stands.

It's great news.

[Junkdrawer]

16. "Rhetorical" and "He'll never agree"....then Syria agrees.....

Still waiting for the Admin's response to Syria's offer.

[blm]

37. Baiting. He knows Assad.

.

[karynnj]

22. I agree - people are ignoring the second half of the sentence

"making clear its desire to strike could be tempered by a Syrian offer." Preserving Obama's right to make the decision, but not discrediting the idea.

[ProSense]

6. This means Russia

should have no problem supporting a UN resolution.

UN Chief Urges Syria to Transfer Chemical Weapons

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is urging Syria to immediately agree to transfer chemical weapons and chemical precursors to a safe place within the country for international destruction.

Ban said Monday he will also propose to the Security Council that it unite and demand an immediate chemical weapons transfer should U.N. inspectors conclude that such weapons were used in an attack Aug. 21 in a suburb of Damascus.

He said he is also considering asking the council to demand accountability for an alleged chemical weapons attack.

Ban spoke shortly after Moscow's surprise announcement that it was pressing its ally Syria on a similar proposal — to move its chemical weapons to areas under international control to avoid a U.S. military strike.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/chief-urges-syria-transfer-chemical-weapons-20201282

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023629253

[David__77]

9. The resolution would have to guarantee Syria's security.

And prevent external interference. That would be the condition - this would be consistent with Russia's previous positions.

[ProSense]

15. Regardless, Russia has to demonstrate that it is serious, and

the actions, even in Russia's language, need to be taken "quickly."

The UN is going to move expediently.

[David__77]

38. What do you mean move expediently?

Are you referring the inspectors? They still have to go back to Syria. Or do you mean a resolution? Nothing is happening in that regard without Russia, unless you're referring to some other general assembly thing.

[KittyWampus]

25. it makes sense for Obama/Kerry to want Putin & Assad to put a UN Resolution in the mix.

kind of like putting a ring on it.

[Arkana]

7. This is a good idea--especially since we got Russia on board and Russia is good buddies

with Assad.

[grasswire]

11. I thought it was Putin's suggestion. nt

[Junkdrawer]

23. Timeline looks like:

Kerry "rhetorically" offers.

Russia says "Good Idea"

Ban Ki-moon says Good Idea, but still wants punishment

State Department equivocates.

Syria says "Yes"

Kerry / Obama say ???????

[Pretzel_Warrior]

17. Oh....you mean it's possible Obama and Kerry aren't mindless warmongers and tools of PNAC?

Heavens! Who would have thought?

[JustAnotherGen]

32. +1

[flamingdem]

21. K&R

[99th_Monkey]

24. Except that Kerry has NOW decided it doesn't matter, it's all "rhetorical"

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023629644

[lumpy]

35. Just in case Assad doen't agree to weapons disposal, it WILL become rhetorical. Kerry was not

saying that it doesn't matter in the sense that you are implying. The hard work that Kerry has put in trying to find common ground with other countries ground cannot be denied.

[99th_Monkey]

42. I hope you are right

I've always liked Kerry, voted for him, etc.

Sometimes I worry about him thought, that he's strayed a
bit too far from his radical peace-keeper roots.

[cui bono]

26. DU is so funny now.

[WilliamPitt]

28. Eleventy dimension chess, folks.

Feel the power.

America's top diplomat suggested in a passing remark that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad could avoid a U.S.-led strike if he handed over all his chemical weapons, but the State Department quickly dismissed the comment as more of a "rhetorical argument" than an offer.

http://gma.yahoo.com/did-us-offer-syrian-president-125806202--abc-news-topstories.html

x

[Junkdrawer]

30. Samantha Powers?

Syria just said Yes.

Rice (not getting the memo???) just called for strikes.

Obama/Kerry MIA.

[WilliamPitt]

31. . . . . . . .

[Junkdrawer]

34. Ban Ki-moon puts in his 2 cents...

...

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is urging Syria to immediately agree to transfer chemical weapons and chemical precursors to a safe place within the country for international destruction.

Ban said Monday he will also propose to the Security Council that it unite and demand an immediate chemical weapons transfer should U.N. inspectors conclude that such weapons were used in an attack Aug. 21 in a suburb of Damascus.

He said he is also considering asking the council to demand accountability for an alleged chemical weapons attack.

...

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/chief-urges-syria-transfer-chemical-weapons-20201282

Give us the weapons and bend over?

[blm]

39. Waiting for final deal, perhaps.

.

[Cali_Democrat]

43. It was a brilliant maneuver

And I don't think Syria would have accepted if strikes were not threatened.

This ain't eleventy dimension chess. It's hyper-dimensional vulcan chess and Obama won.

Checkmate.

[LittleBlue]

29. Susan Rice is speaking right now, advocating strikes

So, the dimensions in this chess game have gone from 8 to at least 20.

[lumpy]

33. Looks like Kerry has been working hard with Russia and together they have come to an agreement

that something must be done. Perhaps Russia can persuade Assad that it would be to Assads benefit to follow Russias lead. ...It is a difficult process to get rid of chemical weapons; they must be disposed off by intense burning methods, handling the process is very dangerous to do, some weapons that are in aged condition require unusually dangerous handling. But it can be done. Perhaps Assad should be offered help in disposing of them.
Hoping Russia, the US and Assad come to an all out agreement.

[blm]

40. Kerry and Lavrov were working on this before the chem attacks.

It stands to reason that Russia and US have been on the same page all along, and they just had to get Assad there.

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

[watrwefitinfor]

36. Did anybody here see Assad's interview this morning?

Parts of the Charlie Rose interview of Assad ran on the CBS morning show. (I'm paraphrasing and have no link - saw it on the television.)

Charlie played the usual outraged role assigned to U.S. journalists now.

Assad allowed as how he was opposed to the use of chemical weapons, but as long as Israel had them he had no choice but to keep his. I have not anywhere seen or read an accurate headline or quote of what Assad actually said.

Can't answer questions, got to run out. Suggest everyone watch the "full" interview tonight.

Wat

[Cali_Democrat]

41. Israel should give up their WMD as well

I think it would make the world a safer place and countries in the middle east wouldn't have as much of an incentive to maintain their own stockpile.