(CBS News) Something must be done about the Syrian government's (click here) ongoing violence against its own people, but the U.S. "can't just jump up one morning and say, 'OK, let's go drop some bombs on Syrian tanks," Sen. John Kerry said Thursday.
Appearing on "CBS This Morning," the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee pushed back against colleagues, notably Sen. John McCain, who has advocated for a U.S.-led military intervention.
"I'm very sympathetic with John McCain's passion about this. I think we all share a sense of deep frustration. Nobody wants to be sitting on the sidelines watching people be killed against the tyrannical efforts of the military and a small governing fleet, which is what it's reduced to now," the Massachusetts senator said....
"I'm very sympathetic with John McCain's passion about this. I think we all share a sense of deep frustration. Nobody wants to be sitting on the sidelines watching people be killed against the tyrannical efforts of the military and a small governing fleet, which is what it's reduced to now," the Massachusetts senator said....
The Third Party is Kofi Annan. He has a along standing expertise and a respected resolve. He knows the plight of the Syrian opposition and does not want them harmed anymore, perhaps, he can find a way to end this expediently without further destabilization and massacres of innocent people.
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Former U.N. chief Kofi Annan talks during a press conference with Arab League chief Nabil Elaraby, not pictured, at the Arab league headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, March 8, 2012. (AP)
March 9, 2012 5:41 AM
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March 9, 2012 5:41 AM
(AP) BEIRUT - The leader (click title to entry - thank you) of Syria's main opposition group on Friday rejected calls by former U.N. chief Kofi Annan for dialogue between the government in Damascus and the opposition, describing them as unrealistic.
In a telephone interview from Paris, Burhan Ghalioun told The Associated Press that Annan already has disappointed the Syrian people.
Annan, who has been appointed joint U.N.-Arab League envoy to Syria, has said his mission was to start a "political process" to resolve the conflict in the country. He is due this weekend in Syria where he will meet with Assad.
In comments made in Cairo on Thursday after talks with Arab League chief Nabil Elaraby, Annan warned against further militarization of the Syrian conflict and urged the opposition to come together with the government to find a political solution.
"I hope that no one is thinking very seriously of using force in this situation," Annan said. "I believe any further militarization would make the situation worse."
Annan also said he would be making "realistic" proposals to resolve the conflict. He did not elaborate....
