Opposition to Syria Strike Rises Amid Military Buildup
WASHINGTON — The United States is sending a fifth navy destroyer to the Mediterranean, Britain is reinforcing its military on Cyprus, and Israel is bolstering its forces along the Syrian border.
Even as military assets take position, though, the U.S. and its allies face growing opposition, both at home and abroad, to a strike against Syria for its suspected use of chemical weapons against civilians.
In the U.S., more than 100 members of Congress, including several from President Barack Obama’s Democratic Party, signed a letter demanding that the administration consult with Congress before any military action.
Congressman Scott Rigell, a Republican who wrote the letter, told VOA correspondent Cindy Saine that Obama should adhere to U.S. law. To follow the U.S. Constitution, he said, if Obama wants to use force “he does need to call us into a joint session, make the case before the American people, allow us a reasonable amount of time to deliberate the matter and then to issue specific statutory authority prior to the use of force.“
Even as military assets take position, though, the U.S. and its allies face growing opposition, both at home and abroad, to a strike against Syria for its suspected use of chemical weapons against civilians.
In the U.S., more than 100 members of Congress, including several from President Barack Obama’s Democratic Party, signed a letter demanding that the administration consult with Congress before any military action.
Congressman Scott Rigell, a Republican who wrote the letter, told VOA correspondent Cindy Saine that Obama should adhere to U.S. law. To follow the U.S. Constitution, he said, if Obama wants to use force “he does need to call us into a joint session, make the case before the American people, allow us a reasonable amount of time to deliberate the matter and then to issue specific statutory authority prior to the use of force.“
Debate in Britain
In London, British lawmakers are engulfed in controversy.
British Prime Minister David Cameron is facing stiff opposition from some members of Parliament over a possible British role in any military action in Syria.
Thursday some lawmakers questioned if British military action would draw the country further into Syria's civil war. Cameron argued that failing to respond would send Syrian President Bashar al-Assad a message that he could use chemical weapons with no fear of reprisal.
The British Defense Ministry says it has sent additional fighter jets to Cyprus, as a precaution because of Middle East tensions. The ministry said the jets are not intended to be used in any operation against Syria.
U.N. chief urges restraint
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is urging world powers to hold off on possible military action against Syria until a U.N. chemical weapons inspection team completes its work in the country.
Ban said Thursday the team will leave the country by Saturday and report its findings to him.
He said "diplomacy should be given a chance" as the U.S. and other Western powers consider their response to the Syrian government's alleged use of chemical weapons against civilians last week.
The U.N. investigators carried out their third inspection Thursday over the alleged chemical weapons attack last week. Hundreds of civilians are thought to have died in the incident.
China and Russia, both permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, have blocked previous attempts to impose United Nations sanctions on Assad’s regime. Their position has led to frustration for the U.S. and its European allies.
On Wednesday, Deputy State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said Obama is not waiting for the United Nations to decide what to do about Syria. And despite Russian opposition to a U.N. authorization of force in Syria, Harf said Washington will take its own "appropriate actions to respond in the days ahead."
Syrian government denials
The Syrian government denies having any role in the alleged gas attacks. And state media say Assad said Thursday his country will defend itself against any aggression and emerge "victorious."
On Syrian state TV, U.N. Ambassador Bashar Jaafari said the U.S. and its Western allies were using the threat of a military strike to prevent the inspectors from carrying out their work and to influence their conclusions.
Al Jaafari said the Syrian government would like to see the team continue its work freely and objectively, and without any political or military pressure.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has said that his government and Russia will work to prevent an attack on Syria, and warned any assault could “bring great costs” to the region.
Iran also has warned any Western action against Syria would result in the "imminent destruction of Israel," a U.S. ally in the region
Later on Thursday, Obama's top national security advisers plan to brief members of Congress about intelligence on the gas attacks.
Obama said he has not decided on any action, but he has vowed that those who break international norms need to be held accountable.
As diplomats debate, more Syrians are expected to flee their country, which has been embroiled in a two-year civil war.
The United Nations and aid groups report new refugee flows to neighboring countries: already more than two million Syrians have fled, half of them children.
In London, British lawmakers are engulfed in controversy.
British Prime Minister David Cameron is facing stiff opposition from some members of Parliament over a possible British role in any military action in Syria.
Thursday some lawmakers questioned if British military action would draw the country further into Syria's civil war. Cameron argued that failing to respond would send Syrian President Bashar al-Assad a message that he could use chemical weapons with no fear of reprisal.
The British Defense Ministry says it has sent additional fighter jets to Cyprus, as a precaution because of Middle East tensions. The ministry said the jets are not intended to be used in any operation against Syria.
U.N. chief urges restraint
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is urging world powers to hold off on possible military action against Syria until a U.N. chemical weapons inspection team completes its work in the country.
Ban said Thursday the team will leave the country by Saturday and report its findings to him.
He said "diplomacy should be given a chance" as the U.S. and other Western powers consider their response to the Syrian government's alleged use of chemical weapons against civilians last week.
The U.N. investigators carried out their third inspection Thursday over the alleged chemical weapons attack last week. Hundreds of civilians are thought to have died in the incident.
China and Russia, both permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, have blocked previous attempts to impose United Nations sanctions on Assad’s regime. Their position has led to frustration for the U.S. and its European allies.
On Wednesday, Deputy State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said Obama is not waiting for the United Nations to decide what to do about Syria. And despite Russian opposition to a U.N. authorization of force in Syria, Harf said Washington will take its own "appropriate actions to respond in the days ahead."
Syrian government denials
The Syrian government denies having any role in the alleged gas attacks. And state media say Assad said Thursday his country will defend itself against any aggression and emerge "victorious."
On Syrian state TV, U.N. Ambassador Bashar Jaafari said the U.S. and its Western allies were using the threat of a military strike to prevent the inspectors from carrying out their work and to influence their conclusions.
Al Jaafari said the Syrian government would like to see the team continue its work freely and objectively, and without any political or military pressure.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has said that his government and Russia will work to prevent an attack on Syria, and warned any assault could “bring great costs” to the region.
Iran also has warned any Western action against Syria would result in the "imminent destruction of Israel," a U.S. ally in the region
Later on Thursday, Obama's top national security advisers plan to brief members of Congress about intelligence on the gas attacks.
Obama said he has not decided on any action, but he has vowed that those who break international norms need to be held accountable.
As diplomats debate, more Syrians are expected to flee their country, which has been embroiled in a two-year civil war.
The United Nations and aid groups report new refugee flows to neighboring countries: already more than two million Syrians have fled, half of them children.
fuente: La Voz de América, http://www.voanews.com/content/opposition-to-syria-strike-rises-amid-military-buildup/1739713.html
Comentarios