Kerry Rejects Assad's 30-Day Timetable

(AP) Kerry rejects Assad’s 30-day timetable
By MATTHEW LEE
AP Diplomatic Writer
GENEVA
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is rejecting Syrian President Bashar Assad’s suggestion Thursday that he begin submitting data on his chemical weapons arsenal one month after signing an international chemical weapons ban.

Speaking at a news conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Kerry noted that Assad said a 30-day lead time would be standard.

Kerry cautioned that a U.S. military strike could occur if Assad doesn’t agree to dismantle his chemical arsenal properly.

He said, “There ought to be consequences if it doesn’t take place.”

Lavrov said the dismantling “will make unnecessary any strike against the Syrian Arab Republic.”