Barbara Lee introduces resolution for diplomatic and legal response.
The Russian foreign minister says Moscow will push Syria to place its chemical weapons under international control.
Sergey Lavrov said Monday that if such a move would help avert a possible U.S. strike on Syria, Russia will start work “immediately” to persuade Syria to relinquish control over its chemical arsenals.
Lavrov told reporters that Russia would urge Syria to concentrate its chemical weapons in certain areas under international oversight and then dismantle them
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/...
An alternative resolution regarding Syria, to be introduced Tuesday by Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA), calls on the Obama administration to seek diplomatic and legal routes for responding to the Aug. 21 chemical weapons attack, rather than pursuing military action.
"While I believe the Assad regime must be held accountable, I reject that it has to mean a military response to be effective," Lee wrote in a letter accompanying a draft of the resolution being circulated in the House. "There is no military solution to this complex civil war, and while a negotiated settlement is necessary, I do not believe military action will further that goal."
The resolution calls for increased humanitarian aid, increased sanctions against the Syrian government and the investigation of crimes against humanity that have allegedly been committed by the al-Assad regime.
http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/...
Both encouraging signs.
Of course, I imagine this could only work if the rebels give up their CW.