Obama: Strike against Syrian could come “tomorrow, next week or a month from now”
Sunday, 01 September 2013 01:18
Baghdad (AIN) -The US President, Barack Obama, said Saturday that the United States has decided to use military force against Syria, calling last week’s alleged chemical weapons attack there “an attack on human dignity,” but said he would seek congressional authorization for an attack.
“We are prepared to strike whenever we choose,” Obama said. But he added that plans to launch an attack were “not time-sensitive” and that a strike could come “tomorrow, next week or a month from now.”
The announcement puts off an imminent cruise missile strike, a prospect that had put the region on edge and stoked intense debate in the United States, where many dread getting dragged into a new war. It is not clear what the Obama administration would do if Congress declines to authorize a military operation.
Strike against Syria? Obama backs it, but wants Congress to vote
By Catherine E. Shoichet and Tom Watkins, CNN
updated 10:40 PM EDT, Sat August 31, 2013
(CNN) -- It's official: U.S. President Barack Obama wants lawmakers to weigh in on whether to use military force in Syria.
Obama sent a letter to the heads of the House and Senate on Saturday night, hours after announcing that he believes military action against Syrian targets is the right step to take over the alleged use of chemical weapons.
The proposed legislation from Obama asks Congress to approve the use of military force "to deter, disrupt, prevent and degrade the potential for future uses of chemical weapons or other weapons of mass destruction."
It's a step that is set to turn an international crisis into a fierce domestic political battle.
There are key questions looming over the debate: What did U.N. weapons inspectors find in Syria? What happens if Congress votes no? And how will the Syrian government react?
In a televised address from the White House Rose Garden earlier Saturday, the president said he would take his case to Congress, not because he has to -- but because he wants to.
"While I believe I have the authority to carry out this military action without specific congressional authorization, I know that the country will be stronger if we take this course, and our actions will be even more effective," he said. "We should have this debate, because the issues are too big for business as usual."
Obama said top congressional leaders had agreed to schedule a debate when the body returns to Washington on September 9. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee will hold a hearing over the matter on Tuesday, Sen. Robert Menendez said.
Transcript: Read Obama's full remarks
Syrian crisis: Latest developments
U.N. inspectors leave Syria
Obama's remarks came shortly after U.N. inspectors left Syria, carrying evidence that will determine whether chemical weapons were used in an attack early last week in a Damascus suburb.
"The aim of the game here, the mandate, is very clear -- and that is to ascertain whether chemical weapons were used -- and not by whom," U.N. spokesman Martin Nesirky told reporters on Saturday.
But who used the weapons in the reported toxic gas attack in a Damascus suburb on August 21 has been a key point of global debate over the Syrian crisis.
Top U.S. officials have said there's no doubt that the Syrian government was behind it, while Syrian officials have denied responsibility and blamed jihadists fighting with the rebels.
British and U.S. intelligence reports say the attack involved chemical weapons, but U.N. officials have stressed the importance of waiting for an official report from inspectors.
The inspectors will share their findings with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Ban, who has said he wants to wait until the U.N. team's final report is completed before presenting it to the U.N. Security Council.
The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, which nine of the inspectors belong to, said Saturday that it could take up to three weeks to analyze the evidence they collected.
"It needs time to be able to analyze the information and the samples," Nesirky said.
He noted that Ban has repeatedly said there is no alternative to a political solution to the crisis in Syria, and that "a military solution is not an option."
Bergen: Syria is a problem from hell for the U.S.
Obama: 'This menace must be confronted'
Obama's senior advisers have debated the next steps to take, and the president's comments Saturday came amid mounting political pressure over the situation in Syria. Some U.S. lawmakers have called for immediate action while others warn of stepping into what could become a quagmire.
Some global leaders have expressed support, but the British Parliament's vote against military action earlier this week was a blow to Obama's hopes of getting strong backing from key NATO allies.
On Saturday, Obama proposed what he said would be a limited military action against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Any military attack would not be open-ended or include U.S. ground forces, he said.
Syria's alleged use of chemical weapons earlier this month "is an assault on human dignity," the president said.
A failure to respond with force, Obama argued, "could lead to escalating use of chemical weapons or their proliferation to terrorist groups who would do our people harm. In a world with many dangers, this menace must be confronted."
Syria missile strike: What would happen next?
Map: U.S. and allied assets around Syria
Obama decision came Friday night
On Friday night, the president made a last-minute decision to consult lawmakers.
What will happen if they vote no?
It's unclear. A senior administration official told CNN that Obama has the authority to act without Congress -- even if Congress rejects his request for authorization to use force.
Obama on Saturday continued to shore up support for a strike on the al-Assad government.
He spoke by phone with French President Francois Hollande before his Rose Garden speech.
"The two leaders agreed that the international community must deliver a resolute message to the Assad regime -- and others who would consider using chemical weapons -- that these crimes are unacceptable and those who violate this international norm will be held accountable by the world," the White House said.
Meanwhile, as uncertainty loomed over how Congress would weigh in, U.S. military officials said they remained at the ready.
5 key assertions: U.S. intelligence report on Syria
Syria: Who wants what after chemical weapons horror
Reactions mixed to Obama's speech
A spokesman for the Syrian National Coalition said that the opposition group was disappointed by Obama's announcement.
"Our fear now is that the lack of action could embolden the regime and they repeat his attacks in a more serious way," said spokesman Louay Safi. "So we are quite concerned."
Some members of Congress applauded Obama's decision.
House Speaker John Boehner, Majority Leader Eric Cantor, Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy and Conference Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers issued a statement Saturday praising the president.
"Under the Constitution, the responsibility to declare war lies with Congress," the Republican lawmakers said. "We are glad the president is seeking authorization for any military action in Syria in response to serious, substantive questions being raised."
More than 160 legislators, including 63 of Obama's fellow Democrats, had signed letters calling for either a vote or at least a "full debate" before any U.S. action.
British Prime Minister David Cameron, whose own attempt to get lawmakers in his country to support military action in Syria failed earlier this week, responded to Obama's speech in a Twitter post Saturday.
"I understand and support Barack Obama's position on Syria," Cameron said.
An influential lawmaker in Russia -- which has stood by Syria and criticized the United States -- had his own theory.
"The main reason Obama is turning to the Congress: the military operation did not get enough support either in the world, among allies of the US or in the United States itself," Alexei Pushkov, chairman of the international-affairs committee of the Russian State Duma, said in a Twitter post.
In the United States, scattered groups of anti-war protesters around the country took to the streets Saturday.
"Like many other Americans...we're just tired of the United States getting involved and invading and bombing other countries," said Robin Rosecrans, who was among hundreds at a Los Angeles demonstration.
What do Syria's neighbors think?
Why Russia, China, Iran stand by Assad
Syria's government unfazed
After Obama's speech, a military and political analyst on Syrian state TV said Obama is "embarrassed" that Russia opposes military action against Syria, is "crying for help" for someone to come to his rescue and is facing two defeats -- on the political and military levels.
Syria's prime minister appeared unfazed by the saber-rattling.
"The Syrian Army's status is on maximum readiness and fingers are on the trigger to confront all challenges," Wael Nader al-Halqi said during a meeting with a delegation of Syrian expatriates from Italy, according to a banner on Syria State TV that was broadcast prior to Obama's address.
An anchor on Syrian state television said Obama "appeared to be preparing for an aggression on Syria based on repeated lies."
A top Syrian diplomat told the state television network that Obama was facing pressure to take military action from Israel, Turkey, some Arabs and right-wing extremists in the United States.
"I think he has done well by doing what Cameron did in terms of taking the issue to Parliament," said Bashar Jaafari, Syria's ambassador to the United Nations.
Both Obama and Cameron, he said, "climbed to the top of the tree and don't know how to get down."
The Syrian government has denied that it used chemical weapons in the August 21 attack, saying that jihadists fighting with the rebels used them in an effort to turn global sentiments against it.
British intelligence had put the number of people killed in the attack at more than 350.
On Saturday, Obama said "all told, well over 1,000 people were murdered." U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Friday cited a death toll of 1,429, more than 400 of them children. No explanation was offered for the discrepancy.
Iran: U.S. military action in Syria would spark 'disaster'
Opinion: Why strikes in Syria are a bad idea
CNN's Jim Acosta, Ivan Watson, Joe Vaccarello, Jill Dougherty, Sonya Hamasaki, Roba Alhenawi, Tom Cohen, Chelsea J. Carter, Barbara Starr, Lesa Jansen and Elise Labott contributed to this report.
Mutlag's Front announces supporting demonstrators demands
Saturday, 31 August 2013 23:41
Baghdad (AIN) –The Iraqi Front for National Dialogue headed by the Deputy Premier, Salih al-Mutlag, announced supporting the demonstrators who demand to cancel the pensions of members with the three Presidencies, Parliament and Cabinet.
MP, Hayder al-Mula, of the National Dialogue Front, reported in a statement received by AIN ''We announced our full support to demonstrators' in thier right to demonstrate and the freedom in expressing opinions since the Iraqi constitution granted these rights and we announce our support for all legitimate demands of the demonstrators, especially those related to cancel pensions for members within the three presidencies.''
Mula added that ''The INFD condemns the expansive usage of force against the demonstrators, demanding to release all protestors who were detained without any conditions
Iraq protesters rally against MP benefits Thousands of protesters gathered in capita
Thousands of protesters in and around Baghdad and southern Iraq have railed against lawmakers' lavish benefits, despite heavy security measures that kept many away, particularly in the capital.
Demonstrators criticised lawmakers' retirement benefits in particular, which amount to thousands of dollars a month and stand in marked contrast to the daily struggle for many Iraqis who lack even dependable electricity and sewerage services.
"A huge amount of money goes to these people," said Aamer Qasim, a pharmacist who attended a demonstration in the centre of Baghdad with several colleagues.
"The money should be spent on health, on education, on electricity, on infrastructure."
Iraqi politicians have faced consistent criticism for their lavish pay and benefits, which in sum are several times that of the average citizen.
But anger has grown in recent in weeks in particular over the benefits awarded to them after they leave parliament.
Protests on Saturday were also held in several cities in south Iraq, including the port city of Basra as well as Nasiriyah, Najaf, Karbala, Kut and Hilla.
Protest dispersed
Riot police armed with batons, tear gas and water canon broke up one gathering in the city of Nasiriyah.
Witnesses and security forces said 11 people were wounded and 10 detained.
Authorities did not grant permission for the demonstrations in the capital, drawing criticism from rights groups Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.
Security forces blocked bridges and deployed large numbers of soldiers and police in major squares - an extraordinary show of force that protesters said was mainly taken to prevent demonstrators from congregating in larger numbers.
Interior Ministry spokesman Saad Maan Ibrahim defended the security operation, saying authorities were concerned suicide bombers might try to attack the rallies. He insisted authorities had no problem with the demonstrations and that his forces were present only to protect protesters.
Iraq has seen a marked rise in the level of violence this year. More than 600 people have already been killed so far this month, according to an AFP tally.
In the latest attack, a car bomb killed 12 people and wounded at least 20 in the city of Ramadi on Saturday.
The attack took place near a checkpoint on a busy street in the centre of Ramadi, 100km west of Baghdad.
"The explosion was so huge. I saw pieces of cars and bodies," witness Qasim Mohammed said. He said he had been working in his photography shop when the attack took place.
"A tyre hit my shop," he said.
Another bomb in Maeden, southeast of Baghdad, killed one person and wounded seven, police and medics said
BREAKING NEWS. Killing of 19 and injuring dozens of Iranian refugees in Camp Ashraf in Diyala by Iraqi military forces.
Baghdad/ NINA/--Nineteen people killed and dozens others injured of members of Iranian opposition refugees of Mujahideen Khalq in camp Ashraf in an attack carried out by the Iraqi army in Khalis district of Diyala province early in the morning.
A source in the camp said to NINA : " Force of the 36 Brigade of Iraqi army reinforced by Swat troops attacked with various weapons at dawn today camp Ashraf which harbor about hindered of Mujahedeen Khalq , killing 19 and injuring dozens and arrested many of them moving them to unknown destination.
The attacking force bombed the camp by mortar shells at last midnight for more than an hour before storming the camp.
Toll of casualties and victims of the attack on Camp Ashraf up to / 35 dead and dozen
Baghdad / NINA /-- Toll of casualties and number of victims of the attack which was carried out by Iraqi army forces at dawn today on Camp Ashraf up to / / 35 dead and dozens of wounded all of them are members of the Organization of Iranian opposition Mujahidin Khalq.
The organization said in a statement: "The death toll up to / 35 / and dozens wounded.
A source in the camp earlier said to NINA : " Force of the 36 Brigade of Iraqi army reinforced by Swat troops attacked with various weapons at dawn today camp Ashraf which harbor about hundered of Mujahedeen Khalq , killing 19 and injuring dozens and arrested many of them moving them to unknown destination. End
The attacking force bombed the camp by mortar shells at last midnight for more than an hour before storming the camp.
Finance Minister : completion of 2014 federal budget.
01/09/2013 11:50:00
Baghdad/ NINA /-- Minister of Planning and Finance by interim Ali Yousef Shukri announced the completion of the federal budget for the year 2014.
Shukri said in a statement to NINA : " All paragraphs of the the federal budget for the year 2014 are completed noting that the budget project will be submitted to the Council of Ministers next week.
Intelligence source confirms Maliki received a threatening message via your phone
Intelligence source confirms Maliki received a threatening message via your phone
Khandan - Zia Caliph
Reliable intelligence source revealed carries a high rank in the Office of the Commander in Chief of the armed forces of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on exposure of the current Iraqi government to "the most serious case of a direct threat," while stressing that "the threat received by al-Maliki to your phone via text message."
The source said in a statement singled out by the reporter "Khandan" Today the Saturday that: "The Iraqi government is going through a very serious security and facing pressure got to the stage of a direct threat."
The source added that "Commander in Chief of the armed forces of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki received a direct threat via text message arrived at the mobile phone sector," adding that "the content of the message undisclosed script, but the information we have received suggest you try to perform a military coup."
The source pointed out that "a number of experts formed a small committee to analyze the information and make sure the seriousness of the threat and the possibility of recognition or access to those who stand behind this message."
This al-Maliki announced last Wednesday for declaring a state of maximum security alert indicating that the situation in Syria adversely affect the stability of Iraq and the political process.
In turn, the military services precautionary security operations and wide in the vicinity of Baghdad in a puppet called revenge martyrs, with rates increasing terrorist attacks by car bombs and improvised explosive devices in various Iraqi cities.
This was the leader of the State of Law Coalition MP Sami al-Askari revealed for "Khandan" serious plan for terrorist groups to topple the political process in various ways with the help of a number of domestic political actors.
Askari said: "terrorism Enzk the chance to subvert the political process and try to eliminate the peaceful transfer of power," he said, adding that "terrorist groups acting seriously and is currently planning to topple the political process in Iraq."
The military said that "what is happening in Iraq is not in isolation from the area where the overlap targets local authorities wishing to derail the political process with the orientations of the regional parties affected by the current Iraqi regime and the democratic situation and not wish to see stability in the country."
Maliki: quotas to adopt state does not establish a true unity
Khandan - new Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's rejection of quotas, called "Monitoring rows and rise to the challenges posed to Iraq."
Maliki said during a meeting with a delegation of elders and notables clans Euphrates according to a statement issued by his office received "Khandan" a copy of it, "Today is not the time to go to the details of things and focus on trivial things but attention must be focused on is a major things, including Iraq's unity and equality among Iraqis and state-building and arbitration law, "and praised" the role of the tribes in the difficult stages experienced by Iraq. "
Maliki said, "We must rise every citizen responsibility Vheik of the clan responsibility towards the nation and maintain security and law, as well as a teacher, writer and officer and all citizens."
The new al-Maliki, "rejection of quotas and said it was to adopt the state does not establish a true unity," and praised the "consciously all Iraqis and said, We have seen a sense of high responsibility and recognition aware of the nature of the risks that we are experiencing both in the Euphrates or the western region or in Kurdistan," As the price "positions solidarity and togetherness in all sectors with the state and people to support the government in its plans to confront terrorism and other risks, "according to the statement.
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