Thompson Reacts to Obama's Speech on Syria

U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, on Wednesday released the following statement in response to President Obama’s address on the situation in Syria.

Thompson is a senior member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

“The use of chemical weapons is appalling no matter who uses them or why. When these weapons of mass destruction are used to massacre innocent men, women and children, as appears to be the case in Syria, there should be a robust, global response to deter these types of atrocities from ever happening again. Any such response, military or otherwise, must be taken with a strong, international coalition.

“I am cautiously hopeful that a diplomatic solution can be found where Assad allows international inspectors to take control of the regime’s chemical weapons arsenal. This Russian-proposed solution has been accepted by Syria and is supported by China and Iran. Members of the U.N. Security Council are working on a resolution requiring Syria to place its chemical weapons under international control where they could then be destroyed. This proposal must be closely monitored by the international community to ensure 100 percent of Assad’s chemical weapons are surrendered to the international community without delay.  

“I support the president’s decision to delay a vote seeking authorization for the use of military force from Congress in order to pursue a diplomatic solution. After several intelligence briefings, I remain skeptical that a limited U.S. military strike will be effective in diminishing Assad’s ability to carry out a chemical weapons attack or deter his willingness to use weapons of mass destruction in the future. I am hesitant to believe such a strike would deter other would-be aggressors. And I am concerned such a strike could lead to long-term ramifications that put American lives, our interests and our allies at risk.  

“As a combat veteran who was wounded in Vietnam, I do not take the decision to authorize the use military force lightly and believe it would be irresponsible to commit to voting one way or the other until all intelligence has been reviewed and I see exactly what the authorization bill looks like. I will continue to monitor the rapidly evolving situation and work to pursue a non-military course of action that places Syria’s chemical weapons under international control.”