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October 7, 2013

Kerry: Destruction of Syrian Chemical Arsenal "A Good Beginning" 
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International weapons inspectors have begun destroying Syria's chemical
weapons stockpile. It is the first step under the U.N. resolution that
followed the August 21 attack in Ghouta and threats of a U.S. military
strike. The Assad regime faces a deadline of mid-2014 to abandon its
full chemical arsenal. Speaking today in Indonesia, Secretary of State
John Kerry welcomed the initial progress.

Secretary of State John Kerry: "I think it's also credit to the Assad
regime for complying rapidly, as they are supposed to. Now we hope that
will continue. I'm not going to vouch today for what happens months down
the road, but it's a good beginning. And we should welcome a good
beginning."

The United States and Russia say they hope to convene an international
peace conference on Syria in about a month.

 

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