Levin Statement on U.S.-Russia Framework Agreement to Eliminate Syria's Chemical Weapons

Statement

Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement today after the United States and Russia announced a framework agreement for eliminating Syria's chemical weapons arsenal:

"Today's framework agreement represents significant progress toward protecting our national security and global stability. An enforceable agreement with the potential to eliminate Syria's chemical weapons would be an even better outcome than the goals of the authorization approved just a few days ago -- not just deterring and degrading Assad's chemical weapons capability, but eliminating it altogether.

"It is important for everyone, but especially for Syria and Russia, to keep in mind that as the president said, the United States remains prepared to act if Syria does not implement this agreement. Russia and Syria sought two things in any agreement: a promise on our part not to use military force, and an end to international support for the Syrian opposition. This agreement includes neither item.

"Just as the credible threat of a strike against Syria's chemical capability made this framework agreement possible, we must maintain that credible threat to ensure that Assad fully complies with the agreement."

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