Syrian official declares 'victory,' thanks Russia

[rug]

By CNN Staff
updated 10:17 AM EDT, Sun September 15, 2013

(CNN) -- A Syrian minister declared "victory" for his country on Sunday, thanking Russia for orchestrating a chemical weapons deal to avert U.S. military action, Russia's state-run news agency RIA Novosti reported.

"We welcome these agreements. On the one hand, they will help Syrians come out of the crisis, and on the other hand, they prevented the war against Syria by having removed a pretext for those who wanted to unleash it," National Reconciliation Minister Ali Haidar was quoted as saying.

He called the deal an achievement of Russian diplomacy, and "a victory for Syria won thanks to our Russian friends," RIA Novosti reported.

The Syrian regime recently created the "national reconciliation" post to send a message that it wants to end the brutal violence that has led to more than 100,000 deaths, according to U.N. estimates.

http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/15/world/meast/syria-civil-war-diplomacy/

I'm losing track of who's winning. Maybe Olbermann can cover this on ESPN.

[ProSense]

1. "Only a few days ago, Syria was denying having chemical weapons and having used them"

Fabius, who arrived in Beijing Sunday morning and was due to head back to Paris later the same day, called the pact "a significant step forward" and said "important decisions need to be taken on Syria".

"Only a few days ago, Syria was denying having chemical weapons and having used them. From now on we are in a new phase," he said.

China welcomes US-Russia deal on Syria weapons
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023671026

Anyone who believes Syria's spin that having to admit to and give up its chemical arsenal in order to avoid a strike is a "win" for Syria is gullible.

[wandy]

2. Well, he should be thanking somebody........

As I see it the only real losers in this deal are the Military Industrial Complex and sadly the people of Syria.

The people of Syria face death either by chemical weapons or death by brutal rebel hordes.
Adding the possibility of death by shock and awe would not have helped them

[grahamhgreen]

3. Reason won. War pigs lost.

[William769]

4. Well the people killed in the chemical attacks are definitely the losers.

[hughee99]

6. Well, if Syria used chemical weapons against it's own people, and the WORST

thing that happens to them is that they have to give up their remaining chemical weapons, it's hard to see it as a huge "loss" for the Syrian government.