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Britain Preparing Contingency Plan for Intervention in Syria, Officials Say U.N. Inspectors Delay Second Visit to Sites in Syria
(about 1 hour later)
LONDON — As the United States hardens its language in condemnation of the Syrian government over its suspected use of chemical weapons, Prime Minister David Cameron of Britain said Tuesday that Parliament would be recalled from its summer recess as the British military drew up contingency plans for action in response to last week’s attack on the outskirts Damascus. LONDON — United Nations weapons inspectors in Syria postponed a second visit to the site of a suspected chemical weapons attack on the outskirts of the capital, Damascus, on Tuesday after failing to secure assurances of their safety, the United Nations and Syrian officials said.
British fighter aircraft were also reported to have been sent to Cyprus, a likely launching pad for any non-missile strike. But, on the ground in Syria, efforts by United Nations inspectors to gather evidence of the use of chemical weapons suffered a setback on Tuesday when they postponed a second visit to the site of the attack. The delay came as the United States hardened its language in condemnation of the Syrian government and Prime Minister David Cameron of Britain said Parliament would be recalled from its summer recess as the British military drew up contingency plans for action in response to the claimed attack.
In a message on Twitter, Mr. Cameron said the speaker of Parliament “agrees my request to recall Parliament” on Thursday and there would be a “clear” proposal from the government and a vote on how Britain should respond " to chemical weapons attacks.” British fighter aircraft were also reported to have been sent to Cyprus, a likely launching pad for any nonmissile strike.
On the ground in Syria, United Nations inspectors, who came under sniper fire on Monday before a visit to one location, had been set “to continue their investigation in a different site” on Tuesday, the United Nations said in a statement. But after the attack on Monday, “a comprehensive assessment determined that the visit should be postponed by one day in order to improve preparedness and safety for the team.” The statement said the inspectors had not received “confirmation of access.”
Syria’s foreign minister, Walid al-Moallem, said that the inspectors’ trip had been delayed by one day because of disputes among the rebel groups seeking the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad. The minister said the insurgents could not agree on issues related to guaranteeing the inspectors’ safety. He gave no further details.
The postponement coincided with intensified international diplomacy and maneuvering.
In a message on Twitter, Mr. Cameron said the speaker of Parliament had agreed to his request to recall lawmakers on Thursday, when there would be a “clear” proposal from the government and a vote on how Britain should respond to the attacks.
The recall was apparently designed to secure parliamentary support for action and to head off complaints by lawmakers that they had been sidelined.
Earlier, Mr. Cameron’s spokesman said, “We are continuing to discuss with our international partners what the right response should be, but, as part of this, we are making contingency plans for the armed forces.”Earlier, Mr. Cameron’s spokesman said, “We are continuing to discuss with our international partners what the right response should be, but, as part of this, we are making contingency plans for the armed forces.”
British officials, who were not identified by name under departmental rules, told reporters that Mr. Cameron would meanwhile continue discussions with world leaders on what was termed a “proportionate response” to deter attacks in the future using chemical weapons.British officials, who were not identified by name under departmental rules, told reporters that Mr. Cameron would meanwhile continue discussions with world leaders on what was termed a “proportionate response” to deter attacks in the future using chemical weapons.
Mr. Cameron cut short a vacation and returned to London on Tuesday to lead a meeting of Britain’s national security committee. Mr. Cameron cut short a vacation and returned to London on Tuesday to lead a meeting of Britain’s national security committee scheduled for Wednesday.
His support of the United States recalled earlier moments of crisis under his government and that of his predecessor, Tony Blair, when Britain projected itself as playing a decisive role in far-flung crises, even though the United States wields far greater military clout. His support of the United States recalled earlier moments of crisis under his government and that of his predecessor, Tony Blair, when Britain projected itself as playing a decisive role in far-flung crises at America’s side, even though the United States wields far greater military clout.
Britain seems anxious to maintain the impetus of efforts to devise a tough response to the attack, which Mr. Cameron’s office, like Washington and Paris, has attributed to Mr. Assad’s forces.Britain seems anxious to maintain the impetus of efforts to devise a tough response to the attack, which Mr. Cameron’s office, like Washington and Paris, has attributed to Mr. Assad’s forces.
On the ground in Syria, United Nations inspectors had initially been expected to head back to rebel-held areas for a second day to collect samples of materials used in last Wednesday’s attack. On Monday the inspectors managed to reach the site of the attack after coming under fire from unidentified snipers.
Syria’s foreign minister, Walid al-Moallem, said on Tuesday, however, that the inspectors’ trip had been delayed by one day because of disputes among the rebel groups seeking the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad. The minister said the insurgents could not agree on issues related to guaranteeing the inspectors’ safety. He gave no further details.
The Press Association of Britain quoted officials as indicating that a decision on the nature of any military response could be taken before the United Nations inspectors report on their findings.The Press Association of Britain quoted officials as indicating that a decision on the nature of any military response could be taken before the United Nations inspectors report on their findings.
In Washington, using some of the most aggressive language used yet by the Obama administration, Secretary of State John Kerry on Monday accused the Syrian government of the “indiscriminate slaughter of civilians” and of cynical efforts to cover up its responsibility for a “cowardly crime.”In Washington, using some of the most aggressive language used yet by the Obama administration, Secretary of State John Kerry on Monday accused the Syrian government of the “indiscriminate slaughter of civilians” and of cynical efforts to cover up its responsibility for a “cowardly crime.”
Syria has blamed rebel forces for the use of chemical weapons, denying that government troops were responsible.Syria has blamed rebel forces for the use of chemical weapons, denying that government troops were responsible.
The issue has deepened the divide between the United States and Russia, Syria’s main international ally and sponsor.The issue has deepened the divide between the United States and Russia, Syria’s main international ally and sponsor.
According to Agence France-Presse, Moscow warned on Tuesday that a military intervention in Syria could have “catastrophic consequences” for the region and called on the international community to show “prudence” over the crisis.According to Agence France-Presse, Moscow warned on Tuesday that a military intervention in Syria could have “catastrophic consequences” for the region and called on the international community to show “prudence” over the crisis.
“Attempts to bypass the Security Council, once again to create artificial groundless excuses for a military intervention in the region, are fraught with new suffering in Syria and catastrophic consequences for other countries of the Middle East and North Africa,” the foreign ministry in Moscow said.“Attempts to bypass the Security Council, once again to create artificial groundless excuses for a military intervention in the region, are fraught with new suffering in Syria and catastrophic consequences for other countries of the Middle East and North Africa,” the foreign ministry in Moscow said.