Syria positive about giving up chemical weapons

[flowers]

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/russia-syria-push-un-chemical-experts-return

MOSCOW (AP) — Syria on Monday quickly welcomed a call from Russia, its close ally, to place Syrian chemical arsenals under international control, then destroy them to avert a U.S. strike, but did not offer a time frame or any other specifics.

The statement by Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem appeared to mark the first official acknowledgement by Damascus that it possesses chemical weapons and reflected what appeared to be an attempt by Syrian President Bashar Assad to avoid the U.S. military attack.

But it remained to be seen whether the statement represented a genuine goodwill gesture by Syria or simply an attempt to buy time.

"Syria welcomes the Russian proposal out of concern for the lives of the Syrian people, the security of our country and because it believes in the wisdom of the Russian leadership that seeks to avert American aggression against our people," al-Moallem said during a visit to Moscow, where he held talks with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov.

However, al-Moallem, would not give any further details in his brief statement and didn't take any questions from reporters.

Moallem's statement came a few hours after U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Assad could resolve the crisis surrounding the alleged use of chemical weapons by his forces by surrendering control of "every single bit" of his arsenal to the international community by the end of the week.

[flowers]

Ruh roh.....I guess valjar and the interview question writers are busy this morning?

[massadvj]

The Russians are running rings around OpapaDoc in terms of diplomatic capability.  This move exposes the fact that the strike has very little to do with chemical weapons, but is more about our proxy war against Iran.  As the CIC dithers Putin seems more than willing to step into the leadership vacuum.

[truth_seeker]

Obama will try to claim credit for the positive outcome, of this episode.

[GourmetDan]

This move exposes the fact that the strike has very little to do with chemical weapons, but is more about our proxy war against Iran.

Yes, exactly.  Unfortunately, it increases the risk of WW3 by strengthening the legitimacy of the Russian response.

Protocol VII anyone?

[flowers]

Protocol VII anyone?

What is that?