State Dept.: Syria 'Dragging Its Feet' on Weapons Removal - East Idaho News
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State Dept.: Syria ‘Dragging Its Feet’ on Weapons Removal

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Getty 013014 SyriaBioHazard?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1391124468410iStock/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) — State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Thursday that the international community is not ready to give up on diplomacy with Syria, even as the American delegation to the Organization for the Prevention of Chemical Weapons issued a stinging condemnation of Syria “dragging its feet” on the removal of chemical weapons.

“We still believe that the diplomatic path that’s been laid out here is the right path forward. And so we’re going to continue to press the regime to abide by their obligations,” Psaki said.

She also said that even though the United States expected “ups and downs” in dealing with Syria, it’s still significant that the two sides are even negotiating the removal of chemical weapons.

“It was still significant, and that remains the case even today, that the parties agreed to move forward with the removal of chemical weapons, and we are still hopeful that it can proceed from here.”

And she criticized as “false claims” the regime’s assertion that it needed more material and resources to complete the chemical weapons transfer.

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