U.S. Senator Chris Murphy called on President Obama tp “step back, take his time, focus on diplomatic efforts and don’t do anything rash” before deciding whether to mount a military action in Syria in the aftermath of the government’s use of chemical weapons on adults and children.
“This is complicated because you have big Iranian and Russian stakes in Syria. If you are going to war with [President Bashar al-Assad], the people have to understand that we are going to war in a proxy manner with Iran and Russia, and we just have to understand that,” Murphy said in an interview during a stop in Branford Tuesday afternoon.
Murphy, a Democrat, also said Obama should consult Congress on whether the United States should launch an attack.
He said Congress should “absolutely” return to Washington, D.C. now, before the summer break ends, to take up the issue. Click on the video to view his remarks.
“I think Congress should be consulted and the president should ask for authorization from Congress to proceed. I am no dummy It is likely Congress will give him that authority but I think that he should seek it and I think the people should have the chance to debate it through their elected representatives,” Murphy said.
Murphy was asked how to balance Assad’s use of chemical weapons versus the problem of al-Qaeda possibly waiting in the wings to replace the Syrian government on the other and therefore benefiting from a U.S. strike.
“I think it is unrealistic to think that U.S. military intervention is going to stop Assad from using chemical weapons or frankly topple his regime. What we know is that Assad has used chemical weapons and that he right now has the momentum behind him in his fight against the rebels,” Murphy ressponded. “Air strikes are very dangerous. … The danger really is that if we put arms in Syria they may well find their way into al-Qaeda’s hands. If we do topple then Assad, then it is likely to be a government that takes its place will have elements of al-Qaeda in its place. ”
He said a civil war is possible that might well involve “the Iranians, the Russians, U.S. interests and al-Qaeda. This is as complicated as it gets.”
He said a massive civil war and a large number of refugees have destabilized the region. “The question is if we put our arms in will we add to this destabilization?” He said.
“There is no good solution here. Not doing anything sends the wrong message to Assad and to others who might use chemical weapons, but doing something that doesn’t actually tip the balance may end up with more people getting killed in the long run.”
A History Stop
Murphy was in Branford to visit the historic Harrison House, one of the town’s treasures. It was built in 1724. One of its rooms also serves as the town’s historical museum. Murphy is now in the process of making a statewide tour of all 169 towns in 169 days. He said he has visited about half the towns in the state so far. “We try to do as much history as we can; I am a history buff,” he said of the Branford stop.
Mary Johnson Photo
Campbell, Murphy, Knapp and Storm
Murphy also greeted the local Democratic candidates who are seeking town offices this November. He chatted with Andy Campbell, who is running for first selectman; Bruce Storm, who is running for Campbell’s current seat as second selectman; and Pam Knapp, a businesswoman who is seeking the town clerk’s position. They accompanied him on the tour of Harrison house. Chris Sullivan, the chair of the Democratic Town Committee, was also on hand.
Joe Naylor of the Branford Historical Society explained the Harrison House’s history and restoration. Murphy asked Naylor about the type of work the Harrison family did. Naylor told him they were farmers. The Branford Historical Society now owns the house and is responsible for its upkeep.
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