Peace conference needed to resolve Syria conflict: Jimmy Carter

Comments from The Carter Center – an Atlanta-based non-partisan organization, founded by Carter and his wife Rosalyn – came prior to a Friday afternoon speech by Secretary of State John Kerry.

VANCOUVER – Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter is calling for a peace conference and negotiations in order to resolve the conflict in Syria.

“The chemical attack should be a catalyst for redoubling efforts to convene a peace conference, to end hostilities, and urgently to find a political solution,” Carter said in a statement.

Comments from his organization The Carter Cen ter, strongly condemned military action by the U.S. without a UN mandate.

“A punitive military response without a UN Security Council mandate or broad support from NATO and the Arab League would be illegal under international law and unlikely to alter the course of the war,” a statement from the organization read.

Read more [HERE].

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Permalink Reply by John C. Turley on September 4, 2013 at 6:08pm

It is more difficult to work toward a peaceful solution than to launch missiles against an opponent. President Carter is to be commended for his stance on the crisis in Syria. He has done so much out of office to bring peace to the world by his good offices, negotiation skills, rational thinking, and leadership.

Use the powers of diplomacy and negotiation to set an example for the world. Here is where our efforts should be focused rather than blowing up another country and leaving a shambles behind us. More people will be killed by a missile strike and to what point?

If the UN's Security Council is unable to take the appropriate measures against Syria due to the lack of cooperation by Russia and China, then the US and its allies should continue to pressure both countries to join the other council members to commit to finding a peaceful solution. Negotiate a peaceful solution from a position of strength! The immediate problem and the top priority is to stop the use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime. Stop the wanton killing of innocents first. Separate toppling Assad from the need to cease these murderous acts.