Obama warns Syria's Assad not to use chemical weapons

[jimmy olsen]

I think this deserves its own topic separate from the one of the Syrian civil war. What do you guys think? Should the U.S. intervene if Assad gasses the rebels?

I say yes.

http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/12/03/15649556-obama-warns-syrias-assad-not-to-use-chemical-weapons?lite

By Catherine Chomiak, NBC News and wire services

President Barack Obama warned Syrian President Bashar Assad Monday that the use of chemical weapons by the regime would be "totally unacceptable."

"The world is watching," Obama said.

"The use of chemical weapons is and would be totally unacceptable and if you make the tragic mistake of using these weapons there will be consequences and you will be held accountable," he added.

U.S. officials told NBC News that the Syrian regime had ordered Syria's military chemical corp to "be prepared." The officials stressed the directive was not an order to use chemical weapons and did not come from Assad directly, but that order and a considerable increase in activity around Syria's chemical weapons sites have raised serious concerns.

Syrian state television reported that the Syrian Foreign Ministry denied the country had any plans to use chemical weapons, no matter the circumstances.

The U.S. officials say the fear is that Syrians are at least preparing to mix the precursor chemicals for sarin nerve gas that could be used in artillery shells – but acknowledged it's not clear that process has begun.

Once the precursors are mixed, the sarin produced has a relatively short shelf life. In artillery shells, the precursors are packed separately inside the shells and "mixed" immediately before or shortly after the shells are fired.

Despite Obama's warning that if Syria uses chemical weapons, "there will be consequences," U.S. military forces have not been put on alert or given warning orders to prepare for any possible military action against Syria. According to a senior U.S. official, there are "plenty of assets in the region which could respond quickly."

Earlier, the State Department said the "use or proliferation of chemical weapons" in Syria is a red line for the United States and would result in the administration's taking "necessary steps or actions."

"We are concerned about any move that might signal that they are somehow ready to use those chemical weapons on their own people," spokesman Mark Toner said Monday, adding that the U.S. is concerned that Assad's increasingly beleaguered regime might seek to up the ante in the 20-month-old uprising.

When asked if the chemical weapon stockpiles are secure, Toner said the U.S. is monitoring them, but "it is hard to say, in Syria today, that any stockpile of weapons is secure."

The U.S. is talking to the rebels fighting against the Assad regime about how they should secure chemical weapons that may come into their possession, a senior State Department official said.

A senior U.S. defense official said Monday that U.S. and allied intelligence have detected Syrian movement of chemical weapons components in recent days.

White House press secretary Jay Carney said "the world is watching" Assad and said he'll be held accountable for his actions. Carney declined to say what U.S. contingency plans involved.

NBC's Jim Miklaszewski, Courtney Kube The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

[Admiral Yi]

Should the U.S. intervene if Assad gasses the rebels?

No.

[jimmy olsen]

You were against Libya as well IIRC, and that turned out ok.

[Habbaku]

Libya turning out okay means Syria will if we intervene? 

[Neil]

Why does Obama support terrorists?

[derspiess]

No.  Factoring in the TimmyTaint that becomes Hell No.

[derspiess]

Why does Obama support terrorists?

Ask Bill Ayers.

[Razgovory]

Why does Obama support terrorists?

Ask Bill Ayers.

The list of men, woman and children killed by Bill Ayers is long indeed.

[HVC]

kill all the civillians you want, just don't use any chemicals.

intervene or don't, don't make ultimatums because when syria gases people and you don't intervene you look like an ass.

[Admiral Yi]

You were against Libya as well IIRC, and that turned out ok.

How exactly is that related to Syria's use of chemical weapons? 

[dps]

I think this deserves its own topic separate from the one of the Syrian civil war. What do you guys think?

I don't think it deserves its own topic--it could have stayed in the Syria thread.

[Razgovory]

Unfortunately we have little choice if they use chemical weapons.  Obama already drew a line in the sand there.  If they use chemical weapons after the President's ultimatum then has to follow through.  Otherwise it weakens efforts to stop proliferation of other weapons programs ie Iran.

[Admiral Yi]

Unfortunately we have little choice if they use chemical weapons.  Obama already drew a line in the sand there.  If they use chemical weapons after the President's ultimatum then has to follow through.  Otherwise it weakens efforts to stop proliferation of other weapons programs ie Iran.

He has to follow through with "grave consequences" or somesuch.  That can mean anything.  Or nothing.

[Tamas]

Maybe he will adopt the European Way, ie. write a strongly worded letter, threatening to write an other one unless Assad stops.

[CountDeMoney]

Should the U.S. intervene if Assad gasses the rebels?

Yes.  Nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction is a principle of US foreign policy.  Bang 'em in the chops if they're used.