The Syrian political opposition is dead set against the brand-new Obama-administration policy to pursue a new diplomatic negotiation with Russia in an effort to avoid a military strike on Syria, saying the delay and possible cancellation of Obama’s strike would only embolden Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
The Obama administration’s position on Kerry’s remarks evolved over the course of the day. Officials initially sought to downplay the comments. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki, traveling with Kerry in London, said in a statement to the traveling press that Kerry made a “rhetorical argument about the impossibility and unlikelihood of Assad turning over chemical weapons he has denied he used.”
Back in Washington, deputy State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said Kerry made “a hypothetical statement".
In a speech Monday afternoon, National Security Adviser Susan Rice argued for the strike and didn’t mention the Kerry idea. Indeed, Rice said the U.S. had exhausted the diplomatic track.
Hillary Clinton emerged from a meeting with Obama and declared that Kerry’s idea was now under serious consideration.
"We are going to run this to ground. John Kerry will be talking to his Russian counterpart,” Obama said.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/09/10/syrian-opposition-against-new-kerry-lavrov-plan-to-avoid-strike.html
The Obama administration’s position on Kerry’s remarks evolved over the course of the day. Officials initially sought to downplay the comments. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki, traveling with Kerry in London, said in a statement to the traveling press that Kerry made a “rhetorical argument about the impossibility and unlikelihood of Assad turning over chemical weapons he has denied he used.”
Back in Washington, deputy State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said Kerry made “a hypothetical statement".
In a speech Monday afternoon, National Security Adviser Susan Rice argued for the strike and didn’t mention the Kerry idea. Indeed, Rice said the U.S. had exhausted the diplomatic track.
Hillary Clinton emerged from a meeting with Obama and declared that Kerry’s idea was now under serious consideration.
"We are going to run this to ground. John Kerry will be talking to his Russian counterpart,” Obama said.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/09/10/syrian-opposition-against-new-kerry-lavrov-plan-to-avoid-strike.html