syria chem attack

8/13/2019 Syria Chem Attack

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Greffier du onseilprive etSecrtaire du Cabinet

The use of chemical weapons by the Syrian regime will be asignificant topic for discussion in Saint Petersburg. Canada has strongly condemned the use of chemical weapons andhas stated publicly that it shares the view that the Syrian regime isresponsible for these atrocities. Canada also supports the view thatthe Syrian regime be held accountable for its actions. Both the United States US and France are prepared to participatein military action against Syrian regime targets, but the US will seekauthorization from Congress. This followed the defeat in the UnitedKingdom UK Parliament of a motion calling for military action,effectively ending UK potential involvement in Syria at this time. NATO Secretary General issued a statement August 28condemning the attacks, and later September 1 made furthercomments he , personaUy, is confident that the Assad regime isresponsible.

Russia and Iran have dismissed the US case for action. They,along with China, have criticized any suggestion of militaryintervention, and are calling for time to allow the UN inspectors tocomplete their work. Iran has warned the US not to cross the red line on Syria, saying it would have severe consequences.

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the Privy Council andS rotary to the Cabinet Ollawa, CanadaK1A 0A3

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UPDATE ON SYRIAInformation Only

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SUMMARY

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Iii J .T j1T rr On August 29 a motion calling for military action was defeated in the UKParliament, effectively ending UK potential involvement in Syria at thistrrie

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SYRIAIssue The use of chemical weapons by the Syrian regime will be a significanttopic for discussion with other G20 leaders in Saint Petersburg.Canadian Position Canada supports efforts to bring about a transition to a stable, democraticand pluralistic Syria that co-exists peacefully with all of its neighbours Canada has strongly condemned the use of chemical weapons and hasstated publicly that it shares the view that the Syrian regime is responsiblefor these atrocities

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On August 31 President Obama determined that the United States shouldtake military action against Syrian regime targets. SUch action would nothe said be an open ended intervention nor would it involve boots on the

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ground It would be limited in time and scope and would aim to deter theregime from future chemical weapons use arid degrade their capacities toengage in these activities Having made this determination the Presidentalso announced that he would seek authorisation to use such force fromCongress This debate and vote will take place when Congressreconvenes on September 9France has said that an appropriate response must be found stating thatthe objective of an attack if decided upon would be to punish anddissuade The UK had made similar statements arguing that an absenceof response with be akin to permission for future largescale chemicalweapons attacks In advance of a French parliamentary debate onSeptember 4 French intelligence released a report stating that a massiveuse of chemical agents by the Syrian regime occurred August 21

Positions of Other Allies Turkey and Denmark have already expressed their willingness to join anyinternational coalition if the Security Council reaches an impasse inaddressing the situation in Syria Germany has been supportive politically of clear consequences bu t hasindicated it will not participate militarily Chancellor Merkel admitted that aunified international response is unlikely bu t even the smallest chance ofone must be pursued NATO countries could no t reach a consensus that the Assad Regime was

responsible for the attacks on August 28 bu t the NATO Secretary Generalmade a statement condemning the attacks The statement noted NATOssupport of the UN inspection team and pledged the Alliances ongoingassistance to Turkey in protecting its Southern border

On September NATO Secretary General made further commentsstating his confidence that the Assad regime is responsible He added thatin his personal view we need a firm international response in order toavoid that chemical attacks take place in the future

Positions of Russia China and IranWhile Russia and Iran have acknowledged that a chemical weaponsattack took place they do not accept that the Syrian government wasinvolved and believe that the international community has rushed tojudgement Both have criticized any suggestion of military interventionand are calling for time to allow the UN inspectors to complete their workIran has warned the US not to cross the red line on Syria saying it wouldhave severe consequences

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China has said that no side should rush to pre judge the results of aninvestigation by U N chemical weapons experts in Syria and noted it isseriously concerned about any unilateral military action against SyriaPositions of other States in the Region The Arab League has blamed the Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad forthe August 21 attack but is asking the UN and the internationalcommunity to take deterrent measures under international lawSecretary General Nabil Elaraby further stated that a military solution isno t possible Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said that his country would respondfiercely if attacked in response to allied action in Syria and that Israelisprepared for every scenario.Process within the United Nations

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Background

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Clerk the Privy Council andSecretary to the Cabinet

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du PMMMtYRANDtJ FOR THE PRIME MINISTER

TELEPHONE C LLS WITH MINISTERS,UN SECRETARYGENERAL BAN KI-MOON,AND US PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMAREGARDING THE SITUATION IN SYRIAFor Telephone Calls

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SUMMARY Telephone ca lls have been set up with:

Ministers Baird, Nicholson Mackay and Blaney at 4:00 p.m.on August 26;

United Nations SecretaryGeneral an Ki-moon at 6:15p.m. on August 26; and President Obama at 11:10 a.m. on August 27.

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syria chem attack

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