Putin: US Claims About Syrian Chemical Attack ‘Unimaginable Nonsense’
MOSCOW, August 31 (RIA Novosti) – Russian President Vladimir Putin slammed the US on Saturday saying that Washington’s allegations about the Syrian regime’s use of chemical weapons against civilians were "unimaginable nonsense.”
“Common sense speaks for itself – government troops are advancing, in some regions they surrounded the insurgents,” Putin said. “In such conditions, giving a trump card to those who have always been calling for a foreign military intervention is simply unimaginable nonsense.”
“I am sure this was no more than a provocation by those looking to drag other countries [into the conflict] and obtain support of powerful international player, particularly the United States,” Putin said about the chemical attack that reportedly killed hundreds last week.
The United States said that the forces of Syrian President Bashar Assad were behind the attack, but these claims require solid proof, Putin said, marking the first time he weighed in on the topic.
“Claims that the proof exists, but is classified and cannot be presented to anybody are below criticism,” Putin said during a trip to the far eastern city of Vladivostok. “This is plain disrespect for their partners.”
http://en.rian.ru/news/20130831/183081484/Putin-US-Claims-About-Syrian-Chemical-Attack-Unimaginable.html
Haven't yet seen a summary of the positions of all of the G20 countries. But this promises to be a duzy of a meeting.
= new reply since forum marked as read
