- Fri Jan 31, 2014 8:43 pm
#35948
the Assad regime is thumbing it's nose at relinquishing its chemical weapons -- leaving U.S. officials scrambling to pressure the Syrian government to honor the terms of last year's deal. U.S. Defense officials say none of Syria's chemical stockpiles have arrived at the port in Italy where the MV Cape Ray is slated to begin its mission, because Bashar Assad refuses to release roughly 96 percent of his stockpile which should have been destroyed by now.
The Obama administration acknowledged on Thursday that the regime has shipped out less than 5 percent of its chemical arms. The country missed all deadlines set by Obama to ship its chemical agents out of the country.
This, despite President Obama declaring in his State of the Union address that Syria's chemical weapons "are being eliminated" thanks to American diplomacy. Assad is shown on State television laughing at Obama during his State of Union Address alledging Syria's chemical weapons were being eliminated.
State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Secretary of State John Kerry spoke with his Russian counterpart earlier in the week about the concerns, and asked for Moscow's help.
"This is not rocket science here. They're dragging their feet," she said. "We need them to pick up those feet and run with this and move forward in moving the chemical weapons stockpile to the port, we also need Russia to help as they promised during negotiations."
Earlier this week, Obama's Director of National Intelligence James Clapper admitted in a written report to the Senate intelligence committee that the failed chemical weapons deal have helped give the Assad regime "legitimacy."
He also said 7,000 foreign fighters are now operating in Syria, noting his concern that Al Qaeda could use Syria to launch a terror attack against the U.S. has grown since the Administration's agreement with Assad. Clapper announced that he was disappointed in the whole process and planned on retiring from public service.
