Syria chemical weapons potential of 'grave concern' to Canada

Foreign Minister John Baird said today Canada has grave concerns that Syria might be ready to use chemical weapons on its own people or its neighbours, or that the weapons could fall into the hands of a radical extremist group, but he didn't confirm Canada wouldjoin any NATO coalition against Syria or deploy its disaster reliefteam in theregion.

Baird, speaking to reporters on a teleconference call from Morocco, said he agreed with U.S.President Barack Obama that Syria would face "grave international consequences" if itused its supply of chemical weapons on Syrian rebels engaged in a civil war with the Bashar al-Assad regime.

Baird stopped short of confirming that Canada would use its military to be part of a NATO force if Syria resorts to chemical weapon use, but his tone indicated that Canada likely would be part of an international coalition.

"There is considerable concern that some recent actions by the Syrian regime have indicated that they are beginning to mobilize to be in a position where they could use them [chemical weapons].

"We will work with our collegues on that to speak out very loudly and clearly on thatI think, as I said in the House of Commons the other day, President Obama spokefor the civilized world when he said if Syria took those actions, there would be grave international consequences, and I certainly concur with President Obama in that regard."

Baird is inMorocco to meet with 120 countries that are part of the Friends of Syria, aninternational diplomaticgroup of countries and bodiesthat meets outside the realm of the United Nations.

Baird says chemical concerns taken 'seriously'

In Morocco, Baird said he would also talkwith the Syrian opposition to Assad's regime, adding that the potential of chemical weapon use by the Syrian governmentwould be "top of mind" in the discussions.

There is widespread international worry that Assad, increasingly boxed-in in Damascus and in a last-ditch effort to save his regime, mightunleashwhat's believed to be a supply of mustard gas and sarin against civilians.

"We do take the concern incredibly seriously, as do most plausible observers, for several months now. This is not just something in the last week or two. When someone has this large a stockpile of such dangerous weapons of mass destruction, we better take the issue as seriously as it requires," said Baird.

Baird also indicated that Canada was concerned about an al-Qaeda groupsaid to be operating in Syria that is known as Jabhat al-Nusra.

During the teleconference, Baird announcedmeasures targeted at the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and the Basij paramilitary organization in Iran, as well as amended regulationsaimed at any Canadian economic sectors that indirectly support or provide funds for Iran's nuclear program, oil and gas industry, metal mining operationsand shipping industry.