Comment Could Settle Syria Crisis or Make it Worse

September 14, 2013

All three leaders spoke to the press after a meeting discussing the ongoing problems in Syria at the United Nations offices in Geneva September 13, 2013.

From VOA Learning English, this is In the News.

What seemed like an unplanned comment about Syria’s chemical weapons had a major effect on world events this week. American Secretary of State John Kerry spoke last Monday at a press conference in London. He was reacting to questions about possible American action to answer a suspected chemical weapons attack in Syria. One reporter asked the secretary whether there is anything Syria’s president can do to avoid an American military strike.

“Sure, he can turn over every single bit of his chemical weapons to the international community in the next week.”

Mr. Kerry made clear he was speaking theoretically, and did not expect anything like that to happen.

“But he is not about to do that, cannot be done, obviously.”

But Russia seized on the idea and persuaded Syria to do the same. That brought plans for American congressional votes on military action to a halt. It also led France to suggest a United Nations Security Council resolution on chemical weapons in Syria. President Obama has said he would accept a diplomatic solution if it can be carried out. But that would likely take weeks, at least.