U.S. has evidence chemical weapons have been used in Syria, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel says.

[snagglepuss]

Source: CNN

U.S. has evidence chemical weapons have been used in Syria, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel says

Read more: http://edition.cnn.com/2013/04/24/world/asia/syria-minaret/

---

Breaking headline, no other info provided.

[Purveyor]

1. From Bloomberg: Hagel Says Syria Chemical Use Found With Varied Confidence

U.S. intelligence agencies have assessed “to varying degrees of confidence” that Syria has used small amounts of chemical weapons, according to Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel.

Hagel told reporters in Abu Dhabi today that the White House has informed Congress about the assessment. He said the weapons may have included the nerve gas sarin.

Senator John McCain, an Arizona Republican, told reporters in Washington that Syria has crossed a “red line” set by President Barack Obama by using such weapons.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-04-25/hagel-says-syria-chemical-use-found-with-varied-confidence-1-.html

Hagel must of gotten the memo from Tel Aviv this morning...

[kelliekat44]

15. Yes, but by whom? nt

[Purveyor]

17. This would be my guess...

[leftynyc]

42. You think Israel used chemical weapons

in Syria? Why? Because Assad is such a prince? I mean, it's not like he hasn't already killed around 50,000 of his own people but you're right - let's blame somebody else because, why the fuck not? It's simple minded thinking like this that makes this board intolerable sometimes and makes it same as Alex Jones. Where's the smiley that shows absolute disgust?

[Purveyor]

50. No, but it is israel and it's minions that are pushing this report that Syria used the chems. I

trust not one damned word that comes from the netanyahu government.

[leftynyc]

52. That's not what you said above

You were asked who did it and you posted A VERY LARGE picture of Bibi saying he was your guess. I don't trust Bibi either but blaming Israel for all the shit happening in Syria is just dumb.

[Purveyor]

53. I was using bibi as the example of the bullshit he comes up with but have it as you may. I could

really care less.

[karynnj]

18. Looking at the CNN headline in the OP and your quote from Bloomberg, CNN is inflaming this

There is a HUGE difference from "IS" and "to varying degrees of Confidence".

I have been reading the many stories of Israel "claiming" proof that Syria had used chemical weapons - and here - the CNN headline that seems to lead to Hagel saying they did.

Here, from yesterday is more detailed coverage of what Kerry said about it

US officials declined Tuesday to confirm Israeli charges that Syria used chemical weapons against insurgents threatening to topple the government in Damascus.

US Secretary of State John Kerry said there was no direct evidence that Syria had used any chemical agents, such as sarin gas, against rebel fighters in its increasingly desperate effort to retain power.

"The information that I have at this point does not confirm it to me...as a fact," Kerry said, according to the CNN.

Kerry's statement followed public charges leveled earlier Tuesday by a top Israeli military official who said Syria had used chemical weapons "on a number of occasions" in its war against insurgents, now in its third year.

http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/14471554-us-cannot-confirm-israeli-claim-that-syria-used-chemical-weapons

Note that the Israeli claim was given on CNN.

Other accounts say that Netanyhu himself did not confirm what an Israeli military official said - per Kerry who spoke to Netanyahu - http://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-cant-confirm-syrian-chemical-use-says-kerry/

CNN does not seem to be reporting these comments that are contrary to their own position.

[groundloop]

20. Thanks for that information - those are serious descrepencies

Geez, on a story as important as this you'd think CNN would do a better job of reporting. They've turned into Fox Lite.

[GiveMeFreedom]

41. a long time ago n/t

[JustAnotherGen]

51. The language CNN is using

Is dangerous. They ought to be ashamed of themselves.

[GeorgeGist]

2. unrec ... its cnn.

[Purveyor]

3. assessed “to varying degrees of confidence”. Oh, I'm impressed. CNN is going into full BN

alert status.

[Sentath]

5. BN? I guess I could understand them going to a BP status.

Brown Pants

What is a BN status? Bullshit News?


P.S. and the only part where I'm on topic:

My first reaction was "I don't believe you." Kinda sad.

[AtheistCrusader]

4. Yeah, Lead is a chemical.

[Nevernose]

6. Huh. Just a few hours after the Syrian army

Scored a major victory against the rebels and broke their weapon supply line, according to Huffpo. What a coincidence.

[hoosierlib]

10. Hate to burst your bubble, but...

The accusatuons are a few weeks old and already verified by the Brits, Israel and France...

[Nevernose]

11. However

We didn't get varying degrees of "proof" until now.

I think the timing is hinky, I think the "varying degrees" is hinky, I don't trust Chuck Hagel, and I don't trust our military brass.

[Purveyor]

13. Oh and the "Brits, Israel and France" provided such good intel on Iraq, now didn't they. eom

[hoosierlib]

16. Touche...

Though France, if you recall, opposed UN action in Iraq because if the illegal dealings it had with Sadam. The evidence is this cause is fairly certain though (video of the casualties and soil tests)...

[2ndAmForComputers]

30. Did you rename your French fries "Freedom fries?"

[hoosierlib]

31. Fuck No!

And I ended getting spend a lovely 13 months in Iraq because of W's goof. Sarin found in blood tests from victims seems a little more convincing than a memo about yellow cake and satellite pictures of abandoned trailers. Just saying...

[2ndAmForComputers]

33. Please elaborate on that "just saying." I'm curious.

[truebrit71]

21. Actually the Brits did provide good intel...

...but the Poodle ignored it and had a leading critic 'suicided'...

[leveymg]

47. Actually, the Brits provided good and bad intel, and the Poodle suicided the chief skeptic.

Close enough for gov't work.

[karynnj]

19. Netanyahu told Kerry yesterday that he could not confirm that

http://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-cant-confirm-syrian-chemical-use-says-kerry/

[leftynyc]

43. Didn't you hear?

A fellow DUer right on this thread has concluded that Israel is responsible for the chemical attack. Case closed.

[karynnj]

45. True - how could I not have been impressed by that.

(In seriousness) both sides have their conspiracy theorists. Why exactly it would benefit Israel to have a hot war at their border is not something I can understand.

[leftynyc]

46. It wouldn't benefit Israel

and it's embarrassing that such a moronic claim is made on this board.

[karynnj]

49. Sorry - that was my point - though stated sarcastically

A war at the border and all the weapons left over would make things even worse.

[leveymg]

24. Just like they confirmed Iraq WMD. Go burst your own bubble.

Not this again.

[TrogL]

7. I heard him say (on the CBC) this morning that the US had no evidence

Where is the truth in this?

[Purveyor]

12. Yesterday: Hagel: U.S. Remains Undecided on Syrian Chemical Attacks

Following claims from France, U.K., Israel, Defense secretary says U.S. only relies on its own intelligence

By PAUL D. SHINKMAN

France, Israel and the U.K. believe that the Syrian government has used chemical weapons on its own people during its two-year-old civil war, but the U.S. needs more proof than intelligence from its closest allies, officials say.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, said during his Middle East tour Wednesday that the U.S. is still assessing the situation in Syria to determine if the regime of President Bashar al-Assad has crossed the "red line" that President Barack Obama has frequently referenced.

This follows reports on Tuesday from an Israeli official that forces loyal to Assad had gassed Syrians with lethal sarin. Hagel said he has not yet discussed this report further with anyone, including U.S. intelligence agencies.

"I have not talked to anybody about the Israeli assessment or report," he told reporters in Egypt on Wednesday. "What I rely on is specific U.S. intelligence agency assessments. Any recommendations I would make to the president would have to come from those assessments."

more...

http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2013/04/24/us-remains-undecided-on-syrian-chemical-attacks-hagel-says

[hoosierlib]

8. If true, its time to act...

Let the coalition airstrikes begin...no ground troops

[2ndAmForComputers]

34. You desire things no person in their right mind desires.

[L0oniX]

9. Stupid ...they should use depleted uranium shells and phosphorus bombs like WE do....

oh uhm wait ...

http://americanlivewire.com/white-phosphorus-bombs/

Israel seems to like using them too...

http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Israeli_military_confirms_the_use_of_white_phosphorus_bombs_in_the_Gaza_Strip



Of course it would be better if they would join in our capitalism for a change and buy some drones. Do the United Corporations of America sell drones yet? Maybe they could hire Eric Prince's band of cookie sellers.

Yes folks it's the usual bad if they do it and good if we do it USA show where contestants win government contracts and losers get their children blown up.

[Iggo]

14. Actual evidence? Or did Colin Powell just draw some pictures of stuff?

[truebrit71]

22. ROFL!

Sorry, that really shouldn't be funny...but it is...

[onehandle]

23. New war. nt

[David__77]

26. If true, what's the point? So what?

The US should not intervene in Syria militarily even if chemical weapons are used.

[pampango]

28. Agreed. If Russia does not care, the UN (and the US) can and should do nothing.

We should however stop pretending to care if dictators gas their own people. We should tell future Democratic presidents to stop making high fallutin' speeches pretending to care about the welfare of people in other countries.

Sovereign dictators can do whatever they want to their own people, I suppose.

[David__77]

36. I did not say do nothing, I said do not militarily intervene.

I think contribution to medical and food aid funds is important. That is an important expression of "care" on the part of this country.

Like FDR, I think opposing colonialism in all its forms is important. Peace through development and mutual assistance.

The people have every right to make revolution. But the country has every right to independence.

[pampango]

38. IF chemical weapons are used, the people's right to make revolution will be somewhat moot.

And the provision of medical and food aid will be of little solace to the Syrian people under those circumstances. Can't say that I would blame them. If I thought someone had the power to stop chemical attacks, did not do it, then showed up offering food and medical aid, I am not sure that "Thank you" would be the first words out of my mouth.

Fortunately at this point this is all hypothetical since Obama seems unconvinced that chemical weapons have actually been used. Let us hope that it remains that way.

The people have every right to make revolution. But the country has every right to independence. - I agree. And people are sovereign, not their rulers.

[David__77]

39. Fortunately, it is indeed hypothetical.

But the cries of those fabricating the "crossed red line" are not. Continued rejection of those demands is the right thing for the Obama administration to do. And I certainly hope that there is a political solution to the problems of the war.

[Alamuti Lotus]

27. So eager to get directly involved!

I guess egging everybody on from the sideline isn't producing enough of a profit..

[dipsydoodle]

29. However

However, in a letter to Congress the administration made it clear that it did not believe that the evidence was conclusive, saying it only had "varying amounts of confidence" in its reliability. Nor did the evidence prove beyond any doubt that the Syrian government had been responsible for using sarin, though this was "very likely" to be the case.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/apr/25/us-intelligence-confidence-syria-sarin-gas

[Jake Izzy]

32. It's not looking good for Syria

chemical weapons are banned internationally.

[riderinthestorm]

35. This makes no sense. Why would Assad do this, risk certain warfare with the US and most of the world

and most likely the annihilation of the Shia crescent in the ME?

If he did it, he'd lose his Russian benefactors (although its not clear he'd lose his Chinese "friends&quot .

It makes FAR more sense that the revolutionaries (cough*) would do this (posing as members of the Syrian Army) to provoke a massive reaction by the West against Assad and his regime....



The accounts are sketchy at best. There's no clear picture of what's happened and how many (if any) people were injured.

The US MIC industry would win I guess if this is true and we are provoked into another war. Our allies - the Sunni dominated Saudi and Gulf states would "win" as well as they'd get their holy war on during the genocidal bloodbath that would happen in the region.

I am deeply skeptical Assad would do anything like this.

[tralala]

37. Agreed, this is little more than innuendo

When reports of a chemical weapons attack in Syria first emerged, like a month ago, the signs pointed to the rebels being responsible for it. And tHe US government issued a vague denial that chemical weapons were even used.

[killbotfactory]

40. They need to present more evidence than that.

When Saddam used them in the 80's it was hard to cover-up, because thousands of people died at once, and thousands more were injured or suffered from the consequences.

My bullshit detector is starting to go off.

[leftynyc]

44. Let the UN deal with it

along with Russia and China. We should do nothing.

[happyslug]

48. Please remember, Tear gas is a "Chemical Weapon" in US Military terminlogy

And for decades the US refused to ratify the ban on using Chemical Weapons for it wanted to retain the right to use tear gas even in Combat. When the US did ratify the ban on the use of Chemical Weapons, the US reserved the right to use tear gas.

Thus, the Chemical Weapon used in Syria may be Tear Gas, which the US would use in combat situations.