Kerry's remarks on chemical weapons use in Syria

Unofficial transcript, credit to Federal News Service

Remarks by Secretary of State John Kerry

Monday, August 26, 2013

SECRETARY JOHN KERRY: Well, for the last several days President Obama and his entire national security team have been reviewing the situation in Syria. And today I want to provide an update on our efforts as we consider our response to the use of chemical weapons.

What we saw in Syria last week should shock the conscience of the world. It defies any code of morality. Let me be clear. The indiscriminate slaughter of civilians, the killing of women and children and innocent bystanders by chemical weapons is a moral obscenity. By any standard, it is inexcusable. And despite the excuses and equivocations that some have manufactured, it is undeniable.

The meaning of this attack goes beyond the conflict on Syria itself. And that conflict has already brought so much terrible suffering. This is about the large-scale indiscriminate use of weapons that the civilized world long ago decided must never be used at all, a conviction shared even by countries that agree on little else.

Security Council draft statement on terrorist attacks in Tripoli/ lebanon

The Security Council is expected to adopt this draft statement that was proposed by France, at 1:30 pm today, diplomats said. 

The members of the Security Council strongly condemned the terrorist attacks on august 23 2013 in the northern city of Tripoli, Lebanon, which killed at least 42  people and wounded more than 400. 

The members of the Security Council extended their condolences to the families of the victims and expressed their sympathy to all those injured in this heinous act and to the people and Government of Lebanon.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security, and that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed the need to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and all obligations under international law, in particular international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.

The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring the perpetrators to justice.

The members of the Security Council appealed to all Lebanese people to preserve national unity in the face of attempts to undermine the country’s stability and stressed the importance for all Lebanese parties to respect Lebanon’s policy of disassociation and to refrain from any involvement in the Syrian crisis, consistent with their commitment in the Baabda Declaration.

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Remarks to the press by Security Council's President on chemical attack in Syria

Remarks to the press (not a statement) by the 

President of the Security Council on chemical attack in Syria

21 August 2013

At the request of members of the Council, the Security Council held an urgent meeting in consultation format in order to hear a briefing from the Secretariat regarding allegations on the use of chemical weapons in Syria. The Council received a briefing by Deputy-Secretary-General Eliasson.

I can say that there is strong concern among Council members about the allegations and the general sense that there must be clarity on what happened and that the situation has to be followed carefully.

All Council members agree that any use of chemical weapons by any side under any circumstances is a violation of the international law.

There was also an agreement for a strong call for a cessation of hostilities and for a cease-fire.

The members of the Security Council also welcomed the determination of the Secretary-General to insure a thorough, impartial and prompt investigation.

The members of the Council underlined the need for immediate humanitarian assistance to the victims.

Finally the Security Council members expressed their condolences and sympathy for the victims and their family.

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Security Council draft statement on chemical attack in Syria, blocked by Russia

Draft UN Security Council - Syria CW Press Statement - August 21, 2013.

members of the security council express their grave concern at the reports of use of chemical weapons in Syria, in particular today's alleged use near Damascus.

Members of the Security Council welcome the fact that the Mission to Investigate Allegations of the Use of Chemical Weapons in the Syrian Arab Republic is currently working in the country.

Members of the Security Council underscore the importance of a fully independent and impartial investigation into all allegations of use of chemical weapons in Syria and, in this regard, request the secretary General urgently take the steps necessary for today's attack to be investigated by the UN mission currently on the ground. The members if the Security Council call on all parties to allow safe, full and unfettered access to the UN mission and to comply with all requests for evidence and information.

Further, the members of the Security council underscore the need for victims of this attack to receive immediate humanitarian assistance.

The members of the Security Council reiterate their condemnation of any use of chemical weapons in Syria and reaffirm that the use of chemical weapons would be a serious violation of international law.

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P3 Letter delivered to UNSG Ban on chemical attacks in Syria

37 member states have so far signed this letter to UNSG Ban Ki Moon, demanding urgent investigation into alleged chemical attacks in Damascus Suburb Algouta, diplomats said.

21 August 2013

HE Mr Ban Ki-moon

Secretary-General

United Nations

Syria: Chemical Weapons

We would like to bring to your attention credible reports of the use of chemical weapons on 21 August 2013 in Rif Damascus.

Given the gravity of these reports, we judge it essential that all the pertinent facts are swiftly investigated.

We therefore request that you launch an urgent investigation into these allegations as expeditiously as possible under the auspices of the Secretary General’s Mechanism for the Investigation of Alleged Use of Chemical and Biological Weapons, as derived from the mandate established by the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution A/RES/42/37C of 30 November 1987, and report back to Member States as soon as possible.

We are aware that the UN Mission is now in Damascus. We urge you to do all you can to ensure that the Mission has urgent access to all relevant sites and sources of information.

To assist the investigation, we submit a selection of open source information (Annex A). 

Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of our highest consideration.

  

Rosemary A. DiCarlo, Ambassador, Charge d’affaires, a.i., United States Mission to the United Nations
Alexis Lamek, Deputy Permanent Representative, Chargé d’affaires, a.i., French Mission to the United Nations

Philip Parham, Deputy Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom

Annex A

Open source reporting

Rif Damascus – 21 August

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/aug/21/syria-poisonous-gas-attack-claim - Syrian activists claim hundreds killed in poisonous gas attack

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/syria-crisis-activists-accuse-government-as-hundreds-die-in-chemical-weapons-attack-8777527.html - Syria crisis: Activists accuse government as hundreds die in 'chemical weapons attack'

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/10256236/Syria-denies-reports-of-deadly-Damascus-nerve-gas-attack.html - Syria denies reports of deadly Damascus nerve gas attack

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-23777201 - Syria conflict: 'Chemical attacks' near Damascus

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-08/21/c_132650833.htm - Activists accuse Syrian forces of using "poisonous gases" in Damascus countryside

YouTube videos:

https://www.youtube.com/embed/0fRTMheTT8A

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Russian draft statement on Jaramana/ Syria

Security Council draft Press Statement on terrorist attack

in Damascus suburb

The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Damascus suburb of Jaramana on 6 August, which resulted in numerous deaths and injuries including among women and children. They expressed their deep sympathy and sincere condolences to the victims of these heinous act and to their families, and to the people of Syria.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security, and that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed.

The members of the Security Council reiterated their determination to combat all forms of terrorism, in accordance with its responsibilities under the Charter of the United Nations. They also reaffirmed their condemnation of all acts of violence against civilian populations.

The members of the Security Council reminded States that they must ensure that measures taken to combat terrorism comply with all their obligations under international law, in particular international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law.

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