UN Sec’y Gen: “punitive” strike on Syria illegal w/out UNSC approval

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U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday warned that any “punitive” action taken against Syria for an alleged chemical weapons attack last month would be illegal without Security Council approval or a sound case for self-defense.

The U.S. and France have blamed Syrian President Bashar Assad’s regime for the alleged Aug. 21 attack and are considering military action in response. Such a strike would almost certainly occur without the approval of the Security Council, where Russia and China have consistently used their veto power to block action against Assad’s regime. The Obama administration argues that a chemical weapons attack cannot go unpunished because of the council’s inaction.

“As I have repeatedly said, the Security Council has primary responsibility for international peace and security,” Ban said at a news conference. “The use of force is lawful only when in exercise of self-defense in accordance with article 51 of the United Nations Charter and or when the Security Council approves such action.

He also warned that a military strike against Syria could unleash more turmoil and bloodshed in a crisis that has already killed more than 100,000 people.

“I take note of the argument for action to prevent a future use of chemical weapons. At the same time, we must consider the impact of any punitive measure on efforts to prevent further bloodshed and facilitate the political resolution of the conflict,” Ban said.

President Barack Obama received key support from leaders in Congress on Tuesday for a potential strike.

Ban did not blame any party for the alleged attack on a Damascus suburb, saying that “If confirmed, any use of chemical weapons by anyone under any circumstances will be a serious violation of international law and an outrageous war crime.”

“Whatever the source, this latest allegation should be as wakeup call for the international community,” Ban said.

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Well we wouldn’t want to perform an illegal military action would we? Obama can now point to the UN Secretary General’s statement to get off the hook.

If he doesn’t use this “out” we need to seriously question why Obama want’s to entangle us in another nation’s uncivil war.

No, this time a nuclear device will be exploded and it may just be in this country. All the elements for the producton of a 5-10 megaton bomb are in this country..just a matter of time..

@MataHarley:

It is up to the United Nations to decide whether they are going to enforce their signatory conventions. (else, the CWC was nothing more than toothless, feel good posturing.) The Secretary General’s statement contends that it would be illegal for Obama to act unilaterally. It states that it is not America’s prerogative or responsibility to take it upon itself to enforce the CWC. Having won a Nobel Peace Prize long ago for what he might do as president, will they take away that award when Obama is declared by the UN to be an international criminal for illegally attacking Syria?

I think PRESIDENT ASSAD WOULD BE RELIEVE TO LET GO HIS CHEMICALS,
I READ THAT RUSSIA OFFER HIM TO TAKE HIS CHEMICAL,
THIS WOULD BE A GOOD STEP ON THE PROBLEM,
WE HAVE TO KEEP IN MIND THE REVOLUTION HE IS TRYING TO FIGHT AS A COMMANDER,
THE PRESSURE IS HIGH FOR HIM IN THE CONTEXT WHERE HE WAS PUT IN, BY THE REBELS,
HE WANT TO KEEP HIS COUNTRY, HE HAS LOYAL PEOPLE TO PROTECT TOO, LETS NOT FORGET THOSE PEOPLE ARE BEING ATTACK AND KILLED ALSO BY THE REBELS AND THOSE WHO EAT THEIR LIVER, THEY KNOW THAT AND MUST BE TERRIFIED OF THEM.
SYRIA IS NOT AMERICA,, THEY HAVE SOME WHO HAS EVOLVED TO TODAY, BUT OTHER STILL IN THE ANCIENT MENTALITY, WE CANNOT UNDERSTAND, OUR MILITARY CAN NOW AFTER SERVING MANY MONTHS WITH THOSE UNFRIENDLY NEIGHBORS,
LOOK AT HOW OUR WARRIORS COME BACK, AFTER FIGHTING THEM,
DOES AMERICA WANT MORE OF THAT? DO YOU? DO YOU? DO YOU?