Baird warns Syria about chemicals
OTTAWA – Canada joined the international community Thursday in warning of “serious consequences” if the Syrian government uses chemical weapons against rebel forces and civilians.
The warning came amid signs Russia may be backing off its support for Syrian President Bashar Assad, and as a report emerged in France that some NATO members are preparing a military attack against Assad’s chemical-weapon stockpiles.
Asked about the French report of a Western strike, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird said Canada has been “actively talking” with its allies about Syria, but he would not confirm that an attack is in the works, or whether Canada would be involved.
The international community has long known the Syrian government possesses chemical weapons like sarin gas, and has warned Assad and his forces against their use throughout the country’s civil war.
But U.S. intelligence reports this week indicated Assad’s forces may be preparing to deploy the weapons against anti-government forces and civilians.
This comes after Syrian rebels scored a number of victories throughout the country, even taking the fight to the suburbs of the capital Damascus.
U.S. President Barack Obama said earlier this week that the use of chemical weapons is “totally unacceptable” and would result in unspecified consequences, a threat Baird echoed in the House of Commons on Thursday.
“These reports are deeply disturbing and are absolutely unacceptable,” Baird said. “Our government has been very clear that the international community will not tolerate the use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime on the Syrian people.”
Like Obama, Baird did not say what consequences the Assad regime might face.
The Syrian government has rejected allegations it is about to deploy chemical weapons.
Baird also reiterated calls for Russia and China to use what leverage they have “to prevent this serious crisis from entering a new disastrous phase.”