Russia at UN warns US over possible military action in Syria
UNITED NATIONS: Russia warned the United States that there could be "negative consequences" if Washington takes military action against Syria.
"All responsibility if military action occurs will be on the shoulders of those who initiated such a doubtful tragic enterprise," Russian Ambassador Vladimir Safronkov told reporters yesterday following a closed-door Security Council meeting on Syria.
Safronkov said he had been "frank" during the meeting, telling the council: "We have to think about the negative consequences".
"Look at Iraq, look at Libya," he said, referring to Western interventions in those countries that unleashed years of chaos.
The United States threatened Syria with military action as President Donald Trump warned "something should happen" following a suspected chemical attack that left at least 86 dead -- including 27 children -- and provoked global outrage.
The Security Council emerged from a nearly two-hour meeting with no agreement on how to press forward with an investigation of the attack on Khan Sheikhun in rebel-held Idlib province.
Results from post-mortems performed on victims point to exposure to the deadly sarin nerve agent, according to Turkish health officials.
Three separate draft resolutions were under discussion in the Security Council.
Britain, France and the United States had pushed for a vote on their proposed measure, but decided to hold off during the meeting. Diplomats said a vote now was more likely on today.
The Russian ambassador said the decision to postpone the vote "opens up a window for further work" on a compromise.'
Russia has rejected the Western-backed resolution as "categorically unacceptable" and put forward a rival draft that does not include specific demands for cooperation from the Syrian government.
According to CNN, two US Navy warships armed with tomahawk cruise missiles -- the USS Ross and the USS Porter -- are stationed in the Mediterranean.
The US could also fly stealth aircraft B-2 bombers with relative safety to strike targets, it said.
Trump has said that "something should happen" in Syria.
Spicer said every country's number one priority is to protect its own people.
"We've got to do what we can to make sure that, as we seek to root out ISIS and terrorism throughout the world, that we don't at the same time do things that would bring those same threats to our country," he said.
"You've seen the president talk to several folks in the region about the setting up of safe zones and the supporting of them. Our hearts break for the people of Syria who were innocently attacked the other day, especially these young children who we watched," he said.
"We've got to make sure we're always doing what we can to protect our nation, but that doesn't mean that we can't support efforts like safe zones throughout Syria to make sure we do what we can for their people," Spicer said.
Joining the chorus, top Republican Senator John McCain said that Assad must go.
"We agree with the President that Assad has crossed a line with his latest use of chemical weapons.
The message from the United States must be that this will not stand.
We must show that no foreign power can or will protect Assad now.
He must pay a punitive cost for this horrific attack," he said in a statement.
"There is plenty that Democrats and Republicans in Washington disagree on. But in this instance, we must show the world that we are still capable of putting aside our differences and doing the right thing.
"If the President is willing to take the necessary action, he deserves broad bipartisan support, and we will help build it," said McCain, who is Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
The former Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, too called for removal of Assad.
"I wish, obviously I wish that the international community writ large had been able to rein this in," she said.
"It is time the Russians were afraid of us because we were going to stand up for the rights, the human rights, the dignity and the future of the Syrian people," she said.
"All responsibility if military action occurs will be on the shoulders of those who initiated such a doubtful tragic enterprise," Russian Ambassador Vladimir Safronkov told reporters yesterday following a closed-door Security Council meeting on Syria.
Safronkov said he had been "frank" during the meeting, telling the council: "We have to think about the negative consequences".
"Look at Iraq, look at Libya," he said, referring to Western interventions in those countries that unleashed years of chaos.
The United States threatened Syria with military action as President Donald Trump warned "something should happen" following a suspected chemical attack that left at least 86 dead -- including 27 children -- and provoked global outrage.
The Security Council emerged from a nearly two-hour meeting with no agreement on how to press forward with an investigation of the attack on Khan Sheikhun in rebel-held Idlib province.
Results from post-mortems performed on victims point to exposure to the deadly sarin nerve agent, according to Turkish health officials.
Three separate draft resolutions were under discussion in the Security Council.
Britain, France and the United States had pushed for a vote on their proposed measure, but decided to hold off during the meeting. Diplomats said a vote now was more likely on today.
The Russian ambassador said the decision to postpone the vote "opens up a window for further work" on a compromise.'
Russia has rejected the Western-backed resolution as "categorically unacceptable" and put forward a rival draft that does not include specific demands for cooperation from the Syrian government.
According to CNN, two US Navy warships armed with tomahawk cruise missiles -- the USS Ross and the USS Porter -- are stationed in the Mediterranean.
The US could also fly stealth aircraft B-2 bombers with relative safety to strike targets, it said.
Trump has said that "something should happen" in Syria.
Spicer said every country's number one priority is to protect its own people.
"We've got to do what we can to make sure that, as we seek to root out ISIS and terrorism throughout the world, that we don't at the same time do things that would bring those same threats to our country," he said.
"You've seen the president talk to several folks in the region about the setting up of safe zones and the supporting of them. Our hearts break for the people of Syria who were innocently attacked the other day, especially these young children who we watched," he said.
"We've got to make sure we're always doing what we can to protect our nation, but that doesn't mean that we can't support efforts like safe zones throughout Syria to make sure we do what we can for their people," Spicer said.
Joining the chorus, top Republican Senator John McCain said that Assad must go.
"We agree with the President that Assad has crossed a line with his latest use of chemical weapons.
The message from the United States must be that this will not stand.
We must show that no foreign power can or will protect Assad now.
He must pay a punitive cost for this horrific attack," he said in a statement.
"There is plenty that Democrats and Republicans in Washington disagree on. But in this instance, we must show the world that we are still capable of putting aside our differences and doing the right thing.
"If the President is willing to take the necessary action, he deserves broad bipartisan support, and we will help build it," said McCain, who is Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
The former Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, too called for removal of Assad.
"I wish, obviously I wish that the international community writ large had been able to rein this in," she said.
"It is time the Russians were afraid of us because we were going to stand up for the rights, the human rights, the dignity and the future of the Syrian people," she said.
