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Jay Carney: U.S. Sees No Evidence of Chemical Weapon Use in Syria

Mar. 19, 2013 1:41pm Erica Ritz

In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, a Syrian victim who suffered an alleged chemical attack at Khan al-Assal village according to SANA, receives treatment by doctors, at a hospital in Aleppo, Syria, Tuesday March 19, 2013. (Photo: AP)

(TheBlaze/AP) — The Obama administration flatly rejected a claim by Syrian President Bashar Assad’s government that the U.S.-backed Syrian rebels used chemical weapons on Tuesday, calling it a desperate attempt by a beleaguered regime to distract attention from its own ledger of atrocities in two years of civil war.

A U.S. official went further and said there was no evidence either side had used such weapons Tuesday in an attack in northern Syria, disputing a competing claim by rebels that it was regime forces who fired the chemical weapon. Spokespeople for the White House and the State Department rejected only the Assad regime’s charge.

In addition to being horrifying on a human level, the use of chemical weapons is of international significance since President Obama’s repeated rule in the conflict has been that their use would be a “red line” that would trigger outside intervention.

“At this time we have no evidence to substantiate that charge, and [we] are skeptical, deeply, of a regime that might make that charge, given that the regime has lost all credibility in the eyes of the Syrian people and of the world,” White House Press Secretary Jay Carney remarked. “Having said that, we are obviously assessing the reports…”

n this citizen journalism image provided by Aleppo Media Center AMC which has been authenticated based on its contents and other AP reporting, Syrian citizens inspect destroyed houses that were destroyed from a Syrian forces airstrike, at al-Marjeh neighborhood, in Aleppo, Tuesday March 19, 2013. (Photo: AP)

Syria’s state-run news agency said 25 people were killed in the attack on the Khan al-Assad village in northern Aleppo province that sparked the chemical weapon controversy. 86 people were reportedly wounded, some in critical condition, and pictures show children and others on stretchers in what appeared to be a hospital ward.

The origin of the attack is still unclear, according to an official who refused to be named, but the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons also is reporting no independent information of chemical weapons use.

But Russia, which has steadfastly supported Assad in Syria’s two-year civil war, backed Assad’s assertion Tuesday.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said the rebel use of chemical weapons represented an “extremely dangerous” development in a conflict that has already killed 70,000 people. It said the rebels detonated a munition containing an unidentified chemical agent, but didn’t give further details.

Carney said “there will be consequences” if it is discovered chemical weapons were deployed, adding: “This is an issue that has been made very clear by the president to be of great to concern to us.”

Here’s video of Carney’s remarks:

Syria has one of the world’s largest arsenals of chemical weapons and Washington has been on high alert since last year for any possible use or transfer of chemical weapons by Assad’s forces. It feared that an increasingly desperate regime might turn to the stockpiles in a bid to defeat the rebellion or transfer dangerous agents to militant groups such as Lebanon’s Hezbollah, which the Syrian government has long supported.

At the time, officials noted movement of some of the Syrian stockpiles but said none appeared to be deployed for imminent use.

But U.S. officials say they’ve been closely monitoring Syria’s unconventional weapons stockpiles and coordinating with allies in the region and beyond on possible contingency plans in the event the weapons are no longer secure. They’ve provided no indication that Syrian rebels seized some of the stockpiles or acquired such weaponry in recent months.

This is a breaking news story. Updates will be added.

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Comments (56)

shorelineliz
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 3:25pm
THE-MONK
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 3:13pm
shorelineliz

Robert Gibbs left the WH to work at Facebook.

Really? I am so disappointed. Isn’t Facebook owned by Google? Isn’t it a subsidiary of MSNBC, NBC and that guy , you know, that big guy, who owns everything? Aren’t they all just one big conglomerate and subsidiary of each other? Well. That is how I look at it. One big ball of Liberal news junk wax.

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- The-Monk
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 3:38pm
  shorelineliz
  “Isn’t Facebook owned by Google?”
  
  No. Facebook is a privately held website/company started by Mark Zuckerberg, founder and CEO
  
  But, I do understand your thoughts on the subject.
  
  Report this comment
- RetiredUSMC
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 3:44pm
  Carney must have had his ass whooped daily on the playground as a kid. He must have got hired for this job when he was bartending at the gay bars.
  
  Report this comment
- Obama Snake Oil Co
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 4:01pm
  This is the story Blaze….Ignore that man behind the curtain, I think he is very queer in what he is saying. Something like Obama saying to Jay; I didn’t really say it was a red line did I….yes sir, you did, you did it on TV in one of your jibberish nonsense speeches, yayaya people. Come on Jay, how do I lie my way out of this? Lie Barrack, its worked pretty well for you so far….We’ll get the news media on it right away like we did in Benghazi.
  http://www.voanews.com/content/syria-chemicals-/1624455.html
  
  Report this comment
- dmerwin
  Posted on March 20, 2013 at 1:24am
  Think about why the WH would not want to find WMD in Syria. Anyone remember Saddam’s shell game? “Can’t look here today”, meanwhile numerous trucks are heading west.
  
  Report this comment
Mike76
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 3:08pm
Of course the White House is denying chemical weapons were used – because it was the Al Qaeda / Muslim Brotherhood rebels who used them. Obama isn’t going to implicate his allies.

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- Free_Thought
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 3:27pm
  Fail
  
  Report this comment
- Trigus
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 3:41pm
  Lets look at the FSA – supposedly is the Free Syrian Army that this Administration is giving aide to and John “Groucho” MaCain wants to get in bed with them. Sayf Allāh al-Maslūl – also known as Khālid ibn al-Walīd – now known as the Free Syrian Army. Why is this Administration supporting this Terrorist Organization? Why are Media outlets and not even Glenn exposing this group.
  
  This is true, this administration will only admit to chemical weapon use if it was done by the Syrian Government. Kind of sounds like Hamas claiming Israel bombed and killed women and children and 6 months later UN rules it was Hamas that killed them and not Israel.
  
  This is why the United States now being look at as sponsors of Terrorism.
  
  Only you can make this Once Great Country, Great Again!!
  
  2013 American Patriot Spring, Who will you stand with?
  
  The Distinction between Races is no more. I Am not (insert race,) I Am An American!!! – Defenders of Liberty
  
  Report this comment
- MDECKER
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 8:28pm
  This administration’s credibilty is, Zero! Unless, you are discussing the “transformation” of the United States into a socialist country.
  
  Report this comment
shorelineliz
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 3:00pm
Joe Biden Interview with Car and Driver Magazine:
September: 2011

C/D: You’re the son of a car salesman?

JB: For 34 years, my dad managed dealerships in Delaware. Mostly GM, but he did run a Chrysler operation and for a short time also sold Fords in Wilmington. He was bringing cars home all that time. I remember my senior prom, being able to take a 7000-mile Chrysler 300D off the lot.

C/D: Which cars do you most recall?

JB: I bought a ’51 Studebaker. My dad thought it was nice and calm, but it had that overdrive, and it was fast. Then I bought a 1952 Plymouth convertible, candy-apple red with a split windshield. I think that was my favorite. I had a ’56 Chevy, then in college I bought a 100,000-mile Mercedes 190SL with those Solex carburetors that never functioned. And I still have my 1967 Goodwood-green Corvette, 327, 350-horse, with a rear-axle ratio that really gets up and goes. The Secret Service won’t let me drive it. I’m not allowed to drive anything. It’s the one thing I hate about this job. I’m serious.

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- Ari Ben TZion
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 3:10pm
  Iraq/Iran 10 year war – Two Islamic countries murdering each others citizens
  
  Iraq invasion of Kuwait – Two Islamic countries murdering each others citizens
  
  Kyrgyzstan – Muslims murdering other Muslims
  
  Now Syria – WOW, what a surprise.
  
  Report this comment
Gonzo
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 2:57pm
“Carney said “there will be consequences” if it is discovered chemical weapons were deployed”
Because killing people with chemical weapons is immoral, they should use explosives.

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- JRook
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 5:00pm
  Good point, in fact the naive, but accurate 5th. grade science student would note that technically most explosives and conventional bombs are indeed chemical in nature. You see the point is that chemical weapons may be carried from the field and kill civilians, But of course when we bombed Hanoi, our bombs were smart enough to only blow up when soldiers were present. There is nothing more absurd than the notion of making rules for war.
  
  Report this comment
MiCurmudgeon
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 2:56pm
So, “Beltway Jay” says. Blah, Blah,Blah. He has lost all credibility long ago.

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shorelineliz
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 2:56pm
Who is Joe Biden:

Joseph Robinette “Joe” Biden, Jr.( born November 20, 1942) is the 47th and current Vice President of the United States, jointly elected with President Barack Obama. He is a member of the Democratic Party and was a United States Senator from Delaware from January 3, 1973, until his resignation on January 15, 2009, following his election to the Vice Presidency. In 2012, Biden was elected to a second term alongside Obama.
Biden was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and lived there for ten years before moving to Delaware. He became an attorney in 1969, and was elected to the New Castle County council in 1970.

He entered Syracuse University College of Law (where he would be near her), receiving a half scholarship based on financial need with some additional assistance based in part upon academics.By his own description he found law school to be “the biggest bore in the world” and pulled many all-nighters to get by. During his first year there, he was accused of having plagiarized 5 of 15 pages of a law review article. Biden said it was inadvertent due to his not knowing the proper rules of citation, and he was permitted to retake the course after receiving an ‘F’ grade, which was subsequently dropped from his record.He received his Juris Doctor in 1968, graduating 76th of 85 in his class.He was admitted to the Delaware Bar in 1969.

Note: apple don’t fall far from the tree. Thanks Daddy for your tutoring. Love, Jay

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Vision Harry
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 2:51pm
I wonder how many balls the big”O” sees no evidence of on the golf course?
I’ll bet he cheats on his scorecard just like Clinton did.

Never trust a person who lies about little things, to be honest about monumental things.

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shorelineliz
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 2:51pm
Jay Carney: Joe Bidens Boy
http://www.newyorktimes.com

His former colleagues at Time never knew which politicians he voted for. He complained privately that he felt the magazine’s coverage of the 2008 election — the one that put his current boss in the White House — was too lopsided toward Barack Obama.

He lacks the pugnacious demeanor that so many of his predecessors at the White House press secretary’s lectern have worn like a badge. In fact, he is so soft-spoken that sound technicians in the White House briefing room sometimes have to crank up the volume when he speaks.

When President Obama named Mr. Carney, 45, as White House press secretary in January, it struck many in Washington as an unconventional pick. He entered politics from journalism just two years ago, when he went to work as Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s communications director. There his work was largely behind the scenes: no daily press interrogations or international crises to help defuse. He never became a member of the Obama inner circle like the former press secretary, Robert Gibbs, had.

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The-Monk
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 2:39pm
Assault weapons ban loses steam

http://www.politico.com/story/2013/03/assault-weapon-ban-for-gun-control-loses-steam-89046.html

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shorelineliz
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 2:36pm
What Jay Carney Really Wanted to Say:

“Hi. I’m Jay Carney Carnival Clown for the White House. I got this position after Mr. Gibbs vacated to go be a Liberal Mouthpiece and Suck UP for MSNBC and because my Daddy is a big Liberal trial lawyer in DC who lunches with the Obamas every week. I am really 18 years old and never worked a day in my life but because I was raised with a Liberal trial lawyer I can put the spin and stank on anything I want to. Like this last week when I was asked about the “sequester” and “Obama’s vacation cut backs?” Dam! Wasn’t I brilliant how I evaded that question by talking about the non existent 6 million private sector jobs Obama has created? Dam! I am so good at this job. And, of course, Syria has chemical weapons but don’t you just love my spin and evasion on this one too? I rock! the Middle Eastern Casbah if you know what I mean? Wink. Wink. I am so going to plaster myself with beers after this interview with my Harvard buddies at 5 tonight and we will so have some Catholic GeorgeTown co eds with us. Ya know? wink. wink. Ahhh. I just love this town. By the way my Daddy is getting me a new Lambourghini from DC Lambourghini for Easter cause I am a spoiled DC political rich kid and I love it! Suckers! Oh by the way, I am so sorry all you suckers weren’t born to a rich DC trial lawyer daddy! Suckers! Tune in next week when I deny something else the White House knows and i know and you know. Suckers!

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- The-Monk
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 3:13pm
  shorelineliz
  
  Robert Gibbs left the WH to work at Facebook.
  
  Report this comment
BlasberryStrat
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 2:31pm
I have a chemical weapon for Jay that comes out my butt.

Speaking of “butt plaster”, I haven’t seen anything from “KEATONC TRI 6″ today. Maybe he’s feeling a little “wiped out” (hee hee).

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shorelineliz
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 2:27pm
And in future news:

A team of UN Investigators were “shown up” earlier this week for not finding WMD in Syria when a freak meteor from Outer Space with a Middle Finger miraculously carved into it landed on the Syrian/Lebanese Border making a hole and revealing WMD’s. The UN Investigators were later found out to be working for a secret organization titled, “Chemical Weapons for Peace in the Middle East” and were rightly trounced on the Glenn Beck Show in a series of scathing jabs while “Three Blind Mice” played in the background.

In dishonor of the “miracle” of finding the WMD”s the White House has refused to provide pies for the event so a Gresham, Oregon baker has been hired by the UN Catering company to provide Easter Bunny Cakes for the festivities since the UN Event falls so close to Easter. The GLBT Network is accusing the UN of “favoritism” in hiring the baker since he refused to bake a “gay” wedding cake last month.

The Gresham, Oregon baker has announced his plans to retire on his Facebook page after the event since the UN has been so generous in their payment to him for the cakes. The GLBT Network has offered to buy his bakery and turn it “Gay Friendly” but he gave them a very polite and Christian “FU” since it is Easter time and “Jesus died for gays too.”

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jorskippy
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 2:14pm
If Jay Carney told me the sun was shining outside, I’d have to go look for myself. When someone lies as much as he does, you cannot believe anything that comes out of his mouth, just like his lord and savior, Obama…..

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progressiveslayer
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 2:13pm
The author of the ‘Arab spring’ one BHO is proud of all the death and destruction he’s caused I’m sure. Maybe he’ll get another Nobel peace prize for his gun running in Syria.

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jorskippy
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 2:12pm
The Chemical weapons that Syria has are the same ones that came out of Iraq that the Dems said the Bush administration lied about. When the American troops reached Bagdad, satellite picked up pictures of several transfer trucks entering Syria from Iraq. It was said at the time the trucks were loaded with chemical weapons. Now it appears they were.

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- PilgrimStuckInBizarroWorld
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 3:57pm
  I remember the images of truck after truck after truck leaving Iraq while we were preparing to invade. Thank you for mentioning this because no one out there ever mentions it. The WMD;s are all sitting there in Syria and it would not surprise me one bit if someone in Syria had use them.
  
  Report this comment
BenFrank1791
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 2:11pm
I can relax now Jay has spoken.

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The-Monk
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 2:09pm
I’ve heard that before…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34ag4nkSh7Q

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momrules
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 2:08pm
Should I trust the Obama government that lies about everything? NO. Them saying this didn’t happen means YES it did happen.

The only problem I have is who used the weapons. Assad and now blaming it on the rebels or the rebels and now blaming it on Assad?

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The_Fifth_Column
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 2:07pm
Listening to and believing anything you hear from the State Run Media in Syria, is akin to believing anything you hear from the State Run Media in the US these days. Highly doubtful that the Rebels got their hands on Chem Weapons. The photos and video do not depict any evidence of their use.

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mcsledge
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 2:06pm
Are these the same people that claimed their was no threat on Benghazi?

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- PilgrimStuckInBizarroWorld
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 3:58pm
  Love that!
  
  Report this comment
- P8riot
  Posted on March 20, 2013 at 12:08pm
  so true!
  
  Report this comment
STREBOR
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 2:01pm
This administration couldn’t see the Pacific Ocean from the first sandbar………..

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barber2
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 1:59pm
With these incompetent idiots but clever liars in the White House, heaven only knows what the truth is. But I don’t believe a word of what the Obama White House claims about anything.

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TRILO
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 1:54pm
They have been monitoring the weapons stockpiles, like they monitored the weapons that got out of Libya and were handed over to the rebels.

Of course there is no evidence when the terrorist backed rebels do anything.

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Too_Far_Gone
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 1:48pm
Yea right “I see Nothing!!”

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- Ben__Franklin
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 1:55pm
  Well of course the US does not see either side has used Chemical Weapons. Because if they did – Berry would have to man up and enter the conflict as he said he would. Remember, when Obama makes a promise he really means it.
  
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RoDogg
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 1:47pm
Well since we’re arming the rebels … of course we’re going to deny the use of the weapons we gave them. [sic]

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