Econintersect: Russia may be offering the U.S. a way out of the chemical weapons issue with Syria. RT reported today (09 September 2013) that Moscow has urged Syria to put its chemical weapons under international control for ultimate destruction. The Russian move caame within hours of a similar statement by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. And was followed by supportive remarks by Hillary Clinton. All of this is happening as American public opinion is moving more substantially in opposition to military strikes against Syria.
Click on picture for more victim pictures at the New York Daily News.
A CNN poll released this morning (09 September 2013) showed 59% of respondents felt that Congress should not approve air strikes against Syria and 55% opposed air strikes even if the approval was given. Overwhelmingly (71%) respondents dispproved of air strikes if Congress did not approve.
A quote from Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (RT):
“We are calling on the Syrian authorities not only agree on putting chemical weapons storages under international control, but also for its further destruction and then joining the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. We have passed our offer to [Syrian Foreign Minister] Walid al-Muallem and hope to receive a fast and positive answer.”
The New York Times described the situation in a headline:
“Russia and Syria Seize on Kerry’s Arms Deal Remark“
The U.S., Russia and Syria are now squirming to get out of a very uncomfortable situation. As questions mount about just how much proof there is for exactly what happened. See Washington’s Blog article today.
Sources:
- Russia urges Syria hand over chemical weapons to intl control to avoid strike (RT, 09 September 2013)
- CNN Poll on Syria (09 September 2013)
- Hillary Clinton weighs in: Syria weapons handover would be ‘important step’ (Ashley Kilough, CNN News, 09 September 2013)
- Russia and Syria Seize on Kerry’s Arms Deal Remark (Steven Lee Myers and Michael R. Gordon, The New York Times, 09 September 2013)
- Congress Members Who Have Seen Classified Evidence About Syria Say It Fails to Prove Anything (Washington’s Blog, 09 September 2013)
