By Li Hongmei
U.S. President Barack Obama is insisting that any use of chemical weapons by Syria would change his "calculus" about U.S. military involvement in the 2-year-old civil war - but said Friday that too little is known about a pair of likely sarin attacks to order aggressive action now.
The president's public response to the latest intelligence reflected the lack of agreement in Washington over whether to use America's military to intervene in the civil war - and if so, how. But lawmakers in both parties expressed concern that inaction could "embolden Syrian President Bashar Assad."
U.S. officials declared on Thursday that the Syrian government probably had used chemical weapons twice in March - newly provocative acts in a civil war that has killed more than 70,000 people and displaced hundreds of thousands more.
The U.S. assessment followed similar conclusions from Britain, France, Israel and Qatar - key allies eager for a more aggressive response to Syrian conflict.
Obama, in his first comments about the new intelligence disclosure, said Friday, "For the Syrian government to utilize chemical weapons on its people crosses a line that will change my calculus and how the United States approaches these issues."
He has issued similar warnings for months, saying the use of chemical weapons or transfer of the stockpiles to terrorists would cross a "red line" and carry "enormous consequences."
Seeking to show resolve, Obama added Friday, "I've meant what I said."
The U.S. president is facing political pressure from a familiar contingent of senators, led by Republican John McCain, favoring a quick and strong U.S. response. But even those lawmakers appear opposed to an American military invasion and are instead supporting creation of a protective no-fly zone or another narrow, safe zone inside Syria along its border with Turkey.
Some lawmakers voiced concern that if Obama doesn't make good on his promise to respond aggressively if it is shown that Assad used chemical weapons, his inaction could send a damaging message to the world.
Analysts say the White House's statement that it wants further proof from the United Nations or other investigators effectively pushes off the need for a decision.
On the other hand, the Assad government has refused to let the investigators into the country, demanding that the inquiry be limited to its claims that chemical weapons were used near Aleppo on March 19.
At least currently, there is little likelihood of a major U.S. military presence in Syria under any circumstances, according to analysts.
