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September 23, 2013

Russian Foreign Minister Accuses U.S. of "Blackmail" on Authorizing Strikes 
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Russia is accusing the United States of exploiting the Syria chemical
weapons deal to push through a U.N. measure authorizing military force.
The United States is leading a push for a U.N. Security Council
resolution that would threaten strikes if the regime of Bashar al-Assad
fails to comply with the U.S.-Russia agreement to destroy Syria's
chemical stockpile. On Sunday, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov
accused the United States of "blackmail."

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov: "Our American colleagues are
starting to slowly blackmail us, saying that if we won't adopt a
resolution based on Chapter VII in the U.N. Security Council, then they
will cease their work with Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical
Weapons in The Hague."

Lavrov also added that Russia has offered to send troops to ensure the
safety of U.N. weapons inspectors in Syria. The Assad regime met its
first deadline under the pact last week when it handed over information
on its chemical stockpile.

 

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