"We assess the Syrian opposition does not have the capability to fabricate all of the videos, physical symptoms verified by medical personnel and NGOs, and other information associated with this chemical attack."
This implies some of the videos are fabricated. How many videos does the rebel movement "have the capability to fabricate"? How could the administration know that?
Intercepted communication from the Syrian government
"We intercepted communications involving a senior official intimately familiar with the offensive who confirmed that chemical weapons were used by the regime on August 21 and was concerned with the U.N. inspectors obtaining evidence. On the afternoon of August 21, we have intelligence that Syrian chemical weapons personnel were directed to cease operations."
Leaked intelligence from the Obama administration showed that "an official at the Syrian Ministry of Defense exchanged panicked phone calls with a leader of a chemical weapons unit, demanding answers for a nerve agent strike that killed more than 1,000 people." Foreign Policy, August 27 This could be interpreted to indicate that the Syrian government officials didn't know what was going on. This is hardly a "slam dunk" proof of culpability.
In addition, Craig Murray, the United Kingdom's former ambassador to Uzbekistan, made a critical observation. The best listening facility by far in the region of Syria is the UK Troodos facility in UK Troodos facility in Cyprus, Murray noted. He pointed out that this facility would surely have picked up the alleged phone conversations quoted by the Obama administration. Murray asked why this information was not part of Prime Minister David Cameron's case for attacking Syria before the House of Commons. This is a good question, a factual question that should be settled before any further claims are made.
Let the public have the evidence for a full examination of the basis for the claims made by the president. This is our country. Congress and the president work for us. They are "public servants." They need to start acting that way, particularly when the citizens of the United States are overwhelmingly opposed to any military action in Syria.
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