I said that - in part because of the credible threat

of U.S. military force -

there is the possibility of a diplomatic solution.

Russia has indicated a new willingness to join

with the international community

in pushing Syria to give up its chemical weapons,

which the Assad regime used in an attack

that killed more than 1,000 people on August 21.

I also asked Congress to postpone a vote on the use

of military force while we pursue this diplomatic path.

And that's what we're doing.

At my direction, Secretary of State Kerry

is in discussions with his Russian counterpart.

But we're making it clear that this can't be a stalling tactic.

Any agreement needs to verify that the Assad regime and Russia

are keeping their commitments:

that means working to turn Syria's chemical weapons over

to international control

and ultimately destroying them.

This would allow us to achieve our goal -

deterring the Syrian regime from using chemical weapons,

degrading their ability to use them,

and making it clear to the world

that we won't tolerate their use.

We've seen indications of progress.

As recently as a week ago,

the Assad regime would not admit

that it possessed chemical weapons.

Today, it does.

Syria has signaled a willingness to join with 189 other nations,

representing 98 percent of humanity,

in abiding by an international agreement

that prohibits the use of chemical weapons.

And Russia has staked its own credibility

on supporting this outcome.

These are all positive developments.

We'll keep working with the international community

to see that Assad gives up his chemical weapons

so that they can be destroyed.

We will continue rallying support

from allies around the world

who agree on the need for action

to deter the use of chemical weapons in Syria.

And if current discussions produce a serious plan,

I'm prepared to move forward with it.

But we are not just going to take Russia

and Assad's word for it.

We need to see concrete actions to demonstrate that Assad

is serious about giving up his chemical weapons.

And since this plan emerged

only with a credible threat of U.S. military action,

we will maintain our military posture in the region

to keep the pressure on the Assad regime.

And if diplomacy fails,

the United States and the international community

must remain prepared to act.

The use of chemical weapons anywhere in the world

is an affront to human dignity

and a threat to the security of people everywhere.

As I have said for weeks,

the international community must respond to this outrage.

A dictator must not be allowed

to gas children in their beds with impunity.

And we cannot risk poison gas

becoming the new weapon of choice

for terrorists and tyrants the world over.

We have a duty to preserve a world free from the fear

of chemical weapons for our children.

But if there is any chance of achieving that goal

without resorting to force,

then I believe we have a responsibility

to pursue that path.

Thank you.