President Barack Obama told Americans in a prime time address Tuesday that any potential plan, such as one proposed by the Russians that would place Syria’s chemical weapons under international control, “must verify” that the Assad regime complies and surrenders those weapons.
“The Russian government has indicated a willingness to join with the international community in pushing Assad to give up his chemical weapons,” Obama said at the White House. “The Assad regime admitted it has these weapons. And even said they joined the Chemical Weapons Convention which prohibits their use. It’s too early to tell whether this offer will succeed. And any agreement must verify that the Assad regime keeps its commitments.”
