SENATE STANDING COMMITTEE: National Security

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Mr. Chairman, what is the situation here?

Well, I've been busy

We're now opening a vote on Clarence's resolution.  Aye, Nay, or Abstain?

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

Nay

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Aye

[CLARENCE 2015!]

Aye

[Kaine for Senate '18]

The Resolution has passed, 2-1.  The Committee recommends its passage by the full Senate.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Chairman Ben, what is the next order of business here?

Also on that previous Resolution, is there a request that it be brought up in an Emergency slot? That question pertains also to the sponsor as well.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Y'all have 48 hours to set up before we begin.  I already have our first agenda item.

[Napoleon]

Alright I'm ready when you are Mr. Chair!

[Kaine for Senate '18]

We were gonna lead with Syria, but then a diplomat got arrested

Mr. President, Mr. Vice President, Mr. SoEA - comments?

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

I'll leave that to the committee's discretion

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Mr. Secretary,

Regarding Syria, should Atlasia get involved in providing an active humanitarian help to the refugees?

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Mr. Secretary,

Regarding Syria, should Atlasia get involved in providing an active humanitarian help to the refugees?

We have provided aid resources to the Jordanian-based refugee camps. Was there anything in particular, in addition to that, you'd like to suggest?

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Mr. Secretary,

Regarding Syria, should Atlasia get involved in providing an active humanitarian help to the refugees?

We have provided aid resources to the Jordanian-based refugee camps. Was there anything in particular, in addition to that, you'd like to suggest?

What about resources to the Turkish-based refugee camps?

[Kaine for Senate '18]

At what point do you think military intervention is justified?  Does Syria's use of chemical weapons not provide enough cause?

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Senator Kalweijt, I believe the Administration would be supportive of the provision of relevant support for refugee camps in Turkey.

Senator Ben, the problem is this a serious step. In my speech to the CFR last week, which I urge you to look at to get an idea of my philosophy on these things, I said that there is strong evidence that the regime has used chemical agents. The problem is we have evidence of their release, but not of where they were released, let alone against whom.

In a court of law, there has to be a solid body of evidence with causal linkages. I've said we cannot allow timidity because of past rushes to war to prevent us from dealing with this issue, equally we need to heed the lessons of Iraq and make sure everything possible is done to minimise any chance we're operating on faulty intelligence.

We have a good relationship with some of rebel leadership, however, like in Iraq a lot of information and accusations are coming from them, not independent experts who can give us as objective a dossier of information as possible.


I've been travelling the world talking to my counterparts and heads of state to deal with that key mistake from Iraq. We are not taking any, let me repeat this, any options off the table, however, I am determined that any action will represent the will of the international community.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Ben, did you name a fill-in chair yet?

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

A what? Max chairs this committee.

https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=173028.msg3730996#msg3730996

And I thought I was bad after midnight.

Maxy chairs judiciary

I mean a fill-in chairman as per the Productive committees Resolution, should Ben declare a leave of absence or vanish, said person takes over for him.

[MaxQue]

Ben, did you name a fill-in chair yet?

Talking of that, does Judiciary needs one?

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Kal is my fill in Chair.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Ben, did you name a fill-in chair yet?

Talking of that, does Judiciary needs one?

Of course.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Ben, why has this committee not discused national security, military or foriegn policy issues, or some related matter, in the last eight days?

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Because I thought I was waiting for an answer to a question I hadn't asked

Mr. Secretary, can you fill us in on the status of the arrested diplomat?

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

The information I have is that he remains in custody. Atlasian Embassy officials have had contact with him. He is not reporting any ill-treatment, however, our official protest over the management of this issue by the Russian authorities has been handed over to the Russian Foreign Ministry.

We remain committed to have him released as soon as possible, including his immediate removal from the country.

While we remain deeply troubled by the staged nature of the arrest, we see an avenue to his release sooner, rather than later.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

How do you will you be moving forward in your relationship with Russia?

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

How do you will you be moving forward in your relationship with Russia?

Look, it's not an ideal situation.

We have done virtually all we could do through diplomatic channels. The man in question is not being mistreated.

I do not have any plans to meet with Russian officials for the remainder of my term. That is not a consequence of this action, as I'm happy to meet with whomever I need to. However, should a meeting between myself and my Russian counterpart be necessary to finalise this unpleasant episode I'm prepared to do so.

My relationship with Russia, in my capacity as Secretary, remains as it should, professional and respectful.