Kerry Admits Possibility of 'Boots on the Ground' in Syria

[unhappycamper]

http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2013/09/03-5



Immediately tries to retract troubling answer, but Senate hearing exposes Obama administration's difficulty in answering key question: 'What happens after US attack?'

Kerry Admits Possibility of 'Boots on the Ground' in Syria
- Jon Queally, staff writer
Published on Tuesday, September 3, 2013 by Common Dreams

Asked by Senate Robert Menendez (D-NJ) whether or not language should be inserted in a congressional authorization for an attack on Syria that would prohibit 'U.S. boots on the ground,' U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said that would not be good idea. Kerry stammered, and then declared—"in the event Syria imploded, for instance"—that he wouldn't want to take that option "off the table" by inserting such a clause.

The exchange occurred as Kerry, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, and Chairman of the Joints Chief of Staff Adm. Martin Dempsey delivered testimony about the Obama administration's push for military action—also known as war—against Syria before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday.

In a follow-up question on the issue, Kerry said he wanted to "shut the door" on the impression left by his previous answer regarding boots on the ground.

"All I did was raise a hypothetical question about some possibility, and I'm thinking out loud about how to protect American interests," he said. Then added, "There will not be boots on the ground with respect to the civil war." Whether that calculation would change "with respect" to some deeper conflict was not clear.

[newfie11]

1. Tell me again what does it matter who you vote for

Last edited Wed Sep 4, 2013, 09:22 AM - Edit history (1)

This is NOT representing what the people of this country want.
Neither is TPP which is all done in secret.

Wake up America, where have you gone?