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Proceeding contribution from George Howarth (Labour) in the House of Commons on Thursday, 29 August 2013. It occurred during Debate on Syria and the Use of Chemical Weapons.


Syria and the Use of Chemical Weapons

That is the point I am making. I do not think that the machinery of the United Nations is able to enforce decisions, and this is an obvious example. I accept that probably the overwhelming balance of evidence is that it is the regime that is carrying out these attacks, rather than the rebel forces, which probably do not have the capability. There is a further argument that a rogue commander might be carrying out these attacks without the knowledge or consent of the leadership and the President. If that is the case it is even more worrying if the regime works in such a way that random commanders can decide to do such things almost at will rather than be directed from the centre.

So far, so good: the debate has taken us a little further, but it has not taken us all the way. I hope that over the days and weeks to come the Prime Minister can get the narrative a bit clearer, so that those of us—


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
566 cc1509-1510 
Session
2013-14
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Chemical weapons Crimes against humanity Inspections International cooperation Legal opinion International law Politics and government Refugees Weapons War crimes USA Syria Military intervention UN Security Council Joint Intelligence Committee Responsibility to protect
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk