Posted on 09/13/2013 2:58:28 PM PDT by sunmars
WASHINGTON — President Obama will not insist on a United Nations resolution threatening to use force to ensure that Syria lives up to its commitment to turn over chemical weapons, but will seek other tangible consequences for Syria if it does not comply, senior administration officials said Friday.
Although Mr. Obama reserves the right to order a punitive military strike on his own without United Nations backing if Syria reneges, the officials said he understood that Russia, because of its veto power in the Security Council, would never allow a resolution that authorized such a use of force.
France, which has been America’s strongest ally in the push to punish Syria for an Aug. 21 chemical weapons attack on civilians, this week proposed that a Security Council resolution invoke Chapter 7, a clause that allows United Nations members to use military action to enforce its provisions. Mr. Obama essentially is conceding that he cannot overcome Russian opposition, but he believes that a resolution must have teeth in it, and he will not agree to Syria’s demand that he renounce force altogether.
Instead, the officials said, the Obama administration will seek a Security Council resolution that builds in other measures to enforce a deal with the government of President Bashar al-Assad, possibly including sanctions or other penalties. The administration will give negotiations now under way with the Russians a couple of weeks to see if they have any traction.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
You know the old saying ... “If you can’t run with the big dogs, stay on the porch.”
Forget about staying on the porch, Obama needs to stay in his kennel in the basement. Even the dogs on the porch would have him on his back exposing his throat in submission.
Wow. Obama just made the Syria Republican warmongers look foolish for siding with him.
What President Obama is doing in the Middle East is a "masterstroke of genius". By meekly threatening war -- and without the support of his nation, the government, the world, and especially the bloody tyrants he's meekly threatening -- he's keeping America out of war.
I read all about it on liberal blogs everywhere. And dudes, they *know*.
The damage will last far past the time Obama leaves office.
Even if the next election delivered us the second coming of Ronald Reagan, the world would never forget that American promises and principles can only be counted on until the next election.
There was a time when it would be inconceivable that America would blatantly sell out its allies and embrace its enemies, because with all our flaws, out nation stood for something.
Those days are gone for generations into the future now. It isn't only America's financial credit rating that took a hit under Obama.
He’s quite used to being on his knees.
I am so so so sad for my country
Nothing like OJT, but I think Putin should also charge a consulting fee.
Putin manipulates the requirements/resolution that All of Syria’s WMD must be put under UN control. This done, he turns the tables on Obama and the USA by getting UN action on USA WMD(we have 3x known the amount Syria has) that our WMD must also be put under UN control. What is good for the goose is good to go for the gander. This results in a standoff and nothing changes in Syria as far as the the UN is involved. Russia still stands behind Syria. I continue to believe that the bottom line cause for the confrontations is that Saudis with some other gulf nations along with France and other European nations along with USA banking interests want a gas pipeline across Syria to compete with the current Russian supply. There is very much money involved with this gas&gold situation. Russia from historical experience is no lap dog for the European bankers. Wars, big wars, have been started over seemingly less incidents/situations.
YUP! Our White House is no longer open for tours, our economy has been squandered, our presidential air fleet has been worn out and our uninformed and useless are power sucking all the govmint teats. The drain is picking up speed with white water ahead.
What does Israel think about all of this
If Putin’s strategy is in fact to get all nation’s WMD exposed and under UN control I would guess Israel ,which most certainly has the means, would be in the mix. This might well be another hangup that Syria and Russia want.
Obama is owned! He's a nine year old child that has been put in his place.
No matter what happens, the White House deserves credit. Oh my gosh, is that third grade speak or what? The nine year old dictates, and the world passes him by.
We need our own strong man in short order, because it is becoming very evident we are wide fricken open right now.
Is it funny to watch Obama humiliated? Yes. Is it good to know the U. S. is being humiliated along with him? No. It is not good at all. And yet..., it most certainly is.
Bests case scenario, Obama decides to go on Vacation until 2016.
Olympus has fallen.
Doubling down on stupid. Assad must be laughing his butt off right now.
There, fixed it. As with everything else he touches, he failed at community organizing too.
I agree 100%. America is the one getting screwed here - not Obama.
This just gets gooder and gooder lol
Yep, this guy is going to end up in a bad way.
Thanks Hoodat. I hear ya...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.