WASHINGTON, D.C. – The following is a statement from Senator John Kerry, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, in response to Russia’s and China’s veto today of the United Nations Syria resolution:
“Russia and China's veto of the Syria resolution is as surreal as it is dangerous. As Rome burns, they're worried about saving Nero. Bashar al-Assad and his supporters need to hear unequivocally from the international community that they are losing. They cannot be thrown a lifeline by hold-outs at the UN or allowed to cling to the illusion that they can grind and butcher their way to a stalemate. The sooner they get the message, the sooner efforts to stop the bloodshed and effect a peaceful and orderly transition can take hold.
“The international community with American leadership and support must continue to help the opposition both in ending Assad's reign of terror and in preparing for what comes after he is gone. To pull Syria back from the brink of total conflagration and chaos, the focus has to be on an orderly and inclusive new start where all groups committed to positive change feel they have a stake and a seat at the table.
“I am particularly concerned regarding the safety of the chemical weapons sites. We must ensure that nothing happens to those sites that endangers the lives of the Syrian people and others in the region."
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