INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Syria strikes: Theresa May said it is about a limited and targeted strike.London: British Prime Minister
Theresa May said on Saturday the British military had joined the United States and France in carrying out an attack on Syria to target its
chemical weapons capability.Here is the full text of her statement:"This evening I have authorised British armed forces to conduct
co-ordinated and targeted strikes to degrade the Syrian regime's chemical weapons capability and deter their use."We are acting together
with our American and French allies
In Douma, last Saturday, a chemical weapons attack killed up to 75 people, including young children, in circumstances of pure horror."The
fact of this attack should surprise no-one
The Syrian regime has a history of using chemical weapons against its own people in the most cruel and abhorrent way."And a significant body
of information including intelligence indicates the Syrian regime is responsible for this latest attack."This persistent pattern of
behaviour must be stopped - not just to protect innocent people in Syria from the horrific deaths and casualties caused by chemical weapons
but also because we cannot allow the erosion of the international norm that prevents the use of these weapons."We have sought to use every
possible diplomatic channel to achieve this. Syria air strikes: US President Donald Trump said the Syrian regime attacks "crimes of a
monster""But our efforts have been repeatedly thwarted
Even this week the Russians vetoed a Resolution at the UN Security Council which would have established an independent investigation into
the Douma attack."So there is no practicable alternative to the use of force to degrade and deter the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian
This is not about intervening in a civil war
It is not about regime change."It is about a limited and targeted strike that does not further escalate tensions in the region and that does
everything possible to prevent civilian casualties."And while this action is specifically about deterring the Syrian Regime, it will also
send a clear signal to anyone else who believes they can use chemical weapons with impunity."At this time, my thoughts are with our brave
British servicemen and women - and our French and American partners - who are carrying out their duty with the greatest professionalism."The
speed with which we are acting is essential in co-operating with our partners to alleviate further humanitarian suffering and to maintain
the vital security of our operations."This is the first time as Prime Minister that I have had to take the decision to commit our armed
forces in combat - and it is not a decision I have taken lightly."I have done so because I judge this action to be in Britain's national
interest."We cannot allow the use of chemical weapons to become normalised - within Syria, on the streets of the UK, or anywhere else in our
We would have preferred an alternative path
But on this occasion there is none."History teaches us that the international community must defend the global rules and standards that keep
That is what our country has always done
And what we will continue to do.© Thomson Reuters 2018(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by staff and is published
