WP: U.S., Russia reach agreement on seizure of Syrian chemical weapons arsenal (by Anne Gearan and Loveday Morris, September 14 2013):
WP: Framework of Agreement (Annex A redacted).GENEVA — The United States and Russia agreed Saturday on an outline for the identification and seizure of Syrian chemical weapons and said Syria must turn over an accounting of its arsenal within a week.
The agreement will be backed by a U.N. Security Council resolution that could allow for sanctions or other consequences if Syria fails to comply, Secretary of State John F. Kerry said.
Kerry said that the first international inspection of Syrian chemical weapons will take place by November, with destruction to begin next year.
“Providing this effort is fully implemented, it can end the threat these weapons pose not only to the Syrian people, but also to their neighbors, to the region,” and the rest of the world, he said.
Lavrov stressed that the documents released Saturday constitute an “agreed proposal” that does not yet have the force of law.
Senior administration officials had said Friday that the Obama administration would not press for U.N. authorization to use force against Syria if it reneges on any agreement to give up its chemical weapons. ...
Reuters: U.S. not expecting U.N. resolution on Syria to include use of force (by Steve Holland, September 14, 2013)
Reuters: REUTERS/IPSOS POLL - Americans want diplomacy on Syria, are unmoved by Obama speech - Syria's problems "none of our business," 65 percent say - Only 35 percent approve of Obama's handling of crisis (by Gabriel Debenedetti, 13 Sep 2013)WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States does not expect a U.N. Security Council resolution on Syria's chemical weapons to include a potential use of military force due to Russian opposition, senior Obama administration officials said on Friday.
The officials, who briefed a group of reporters on condition of anonymity, said the United States would instead insist that the resolution include a range of consequences should Syria refuse to give up chemical weapons in a verifiable way.
Those consequences could include increased sanctions, the official said.
RegardsWASHINGTON, Sept 13 (Reuters) - Three-quarters of Americans support efforts to resolve the crisis in Syria through an international agreement to control chemical weapons, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll that shows steady opposition to U.S. military action.
The poll of 776 Americans, conducted over three days this week, indicates that just 25 percent of Americans oppose diplomacy to deal with the crisis that was ignited by the Aug. 21 chemical attack in a Damascus suburb that U.S. officials say killed more than 1,400 adults and children. ... (much more in article).
Mike
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