AUGUST 21, 2012
President Obama told the White House press corp on Monday he had refrained "at this point" from ordering military action against the Assad regime in Syria, but that could change if he felt there was a need to secure Syrian chemical and biological weapons. This was some of the strongest language yet from Obama regarding Syria, and both Russia and China responded to his remarks on Tuesday.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned the U.S. and it's Western allies on Tuesday against any unilateral action in Syria after Obama said U.S. forces may act if Syrian President Assad uses chemical weapons against his adversaries.
Lavrov, speaking at a meeting with in Russia with Chinese State Councillor Dai Bingguo, said that Russia and China understand "the need to strictly adhere to the norms of international law and the principles contained in the U.N. Charter, and not to allow their violation."
In July Lavrov said "the US position on Syria directly endorses terrorism."
Lavrov said on Monday that only the UN Security Council could legally authorize the use of external force against Syria, and warned Obama and the West against imposing "democracy by bombs".
Russian leaders have said in recent days that they will not stand aside as they did in Libya last year, when Moscow let NATO military operations go forward by abstaining from the UN Security Council resolution that authorized air operations.
Russian warships and marines have been seen in Syrian ports in recent weeks, although Russia says the warships were only delivering supplies, and were returning to Russia. There have been conflicting reports as to whether the Russian marines may have stayed behind in Syria.
Dai said he had come to Russia for "consultations on strategic security" and also had a "very good, friendly and important meeting" with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Putin has publicly stated his opposition to what he calls "foreign intervention in sovereign states."
A recent report on the Pravda website quoted Putin as saying to Obama, "We know your plans, where your military and agents are located. World War 3 will be on your head and legacy," during their last face to face meeting.
Many Middle east experts are concerned that a strike on Iran's nuclear facilities by Israel, which some reports say could come before U.S. elections in November, combined with U.S. military intervention in Syria could ignite a larger war in the region, and some warn that it could mark the beginning of a global conflict.
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P.S.
What a difference a daze makes?
Sergei Lavrov and Hillary R. Clinton in happier (goofier) times.
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