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WEEKLY ADDRESS: Pursuing a Diplomatic Solution in Syria

Remarks of President Barack Obama

Weekly Address

The White House

September 14, 2013


This week, when I addressed the nation on Syria, I said that – in part because of the credible threat of U.S. military force – there is the possibility of a diplomatic solution.  Russia has indicated a new willingness to join with the international community in pushing Syria to give up its chemical weapons, which the Assad regime used in an attack that killed more than 1,000 people on August 21.  I also asked Congress to postpone a vote on the use of military force while we pursue this diplomatic path.  And that’s what we’re doing.   
At my direction, Secretary of State Kerry is in discussions with his Russian counterpart.  But we’re making it clear that this can’t be a stalling tactic.  Any agreement needs to verify that the Assad regime and Russia are keeping their commitments: that means working to turn Syria’s chemical weapons over to international control and ultimately destroying them.  This would allow us to achieve our goal – deterring the Syrian regime from using chemical weapons, degrading their ability to use them, and making it clear to the world that we won’t tolerate their use.
We’ve seen indications of progress.  As recently as a week ago, the Assad regime would not admit that it possessed chemical weapons.  Today, it does.  Syria has signaled a willingness to join with 189 other nations, representing 98 percent of humanity, in abiding by an international agreement that prohibits the use of chemical weapons.  And Russia has staked its own credibility on supporting this outcome.
These are all positive developments.  We’ll keep working with the international community to see that Assad gives up his chemical weapons so that they can be destroyed.  We will continue rallying support from allies around the world who agree on the need for action to deter the use of chemical weapons in Syria.  And if current discussions produce a serious plan, I’m prepared to move forward with it. 
But we are not just going to take Russia and Assad’s word for it.  We need to see concrete actions to demonstrate that Assad is serious about giving up his chemical weapons.  And since this plan emerged only with a credible threat of U.S. military action, we will maintain our military posture in the region to keep the pressure on the Assad regime.  And if diplomacy fails, the United States and the international community must remain prepared to act.
The use of chemical weapons anywhere in the world is an affront to human dignity and a threat to the security of people everywhere.  As I have said for weeks, the international community must respond to this outrage.  A dictator must not be allowed to gas children in their beds with impunity.  And we cannot risk poison gas becoming the new weapon of choice for tyrants and terrorists the world over. 
We have a duty to preserve a world free from the fear of chemical weapons for our children.  But if there is any chance of achieving that goal without resorting to force, then I believe we have a responsibility to pursue that path.  Thank you. 
本周，在我向全国阐述了叙利亚问题的立场时，我说了—部分地因为美国的有力军事威慑—以外交方式解决成为可能。俄罗斯表示了一个新的与国际社会合作推动叙利亚放弃化学武器的愿望，这些化学武器是阿萨德当局在8月21日屠杀了1,000多人的攻击中使用的。我还提请国会在寻求外交途径时推迟就对叙利亚动武的投票。在就是我们目前的所作所为。
在我的指示下，国务卿克里正在与俄罗斯外长磋商叙利亚问题。我们正在弄清楚这不是权宜之计。任何协议都有证明俄罗斯和叙利亚将恪守他们的诺言：即努力促使叙利亚把他们的化学武器交给国际社会控制并最终予以销毁。这将使我们达到目标—遏制叙利亚使用化学武器，降低他们使用它们的努力，让全世界知道我们不能容忍他们使用化学武器。
我们已经看到了进步的迹象。就在一周之前，阿萨德当局还不承认它拥有化学武器。今天，它承认了。叙利亚流露了加入其它189个国家—占全人类的百分之98—的行列，恪守禁止使用化学武器的国际公约。俄罗斯也用它的信仰担保这个结果。
这些都是积极的进展。我们将继续努力与国际社会共同监督阿萨德放弃他的化学武器以便它们能够被销毁。我们将继续依靠来自全球的盟友们的支持，他们赞同需要采取行动遏制叙利亚使用化学武器。如果当前的磋商能得到一个认真的计划，我就准备按计行事。
但是我们不能仅仅听俄罗斯和阿斯顿说什么。我们需要看到具体行动表明阿萨德放弃他的化学武器是认真的。因为这个计划是在美国的有力武力威胁下出台的，我们将维持在这个地区的军事姿态来保持对阿萨德当局的压力。如果外交努力失败，美利坚合众国和国际社会必须继续准备行动。
在世界任何地方使用化学武器都是公然对抗人类尊严和威胁任何地方的人民的安全。正如我几周来一直强调的，国际社会必须对这种暴行做出反应。任何独裁者都不能把孩子们毒死在床上而不受到惩罚。我们不能冒险让化学武器成为世界上专制者和恐怖分子的新武器选择。
我们有责任使全世界不再担心我们的孩子们会受到化学武器攻击。但是如果有任何达到这个目标而不诉诸武力的机会，那么我相信我们有责任追求这个途径。
谢谢。

Important words and phrases:
2. stall
3. tactic 
4. stake
5. rally
8. tyrant

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