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Panetta: Syrian chemical-weapon preparations have slowed
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Tuesday that the Syrian government has slowed preparations to use its chemical-weapon stockpiles against the opposition.
Panetta told reporters on his flight to Kuwait that Syrian President Bashar Assad seemed to have “got the message” after the White House and others warned Assad there would be severe consequences for using the weapons.
There were reports last week that Syrian forces had started mixing the chemicals to potentially use sarin in bombs.
“At this point the intelligence has really kind of leveled off,” Panetta said, according to The Associated Press. “We haven’t seen anything new indicating any aggressive steps to move forward in that way.”
Asked if Assad had heard the warnings from the West, Panetta said, “I like to believe he’s got the message.
Obama administration officials, including Panetta, last week warned Assad that using chemical weapons would cross a red line for the United States that would have consequences. A group of senators also said they would support the use of military action in Syria if it became apparent that Assad’s forces would use chemical weapons.
Panetta said that the biggest concern is as the rebel forces close in and put more pressure on Assad, he might then use the chemical weapons in a last-ditch effort.
“Our concern is that if they feel like the regime is threatened with collapse, they might resort to these kinds of weapons,” he said.
