thank you. [ speaking in foreign language ] >> the long friendship between the united states and franceld frenchman named lafayette set sail to join america's fight for independence. he quickly won the trust of george washington, fought bravely in the battle and helped secure the aid of france for the american cause. decades later, president andrew jackson wrote that the memory of lafayette will be second only to that of washington in the hearts of the american people. [ speaking foreign language ] >> the beautiful friendship between the united states and france forged in revolution has changed the course of history. exactly 100 years ago this spring, americans fought side by side with the gallant french in world war i. a generation later, in the second world war, hundreds of thousands of young americans and free french sacrificed together to save civilization in its hour of greatest need. [ speaking foreign language ] [ speaking foreign language ] >> 60,000 american service members rest for eternity beneath the peaceful hills of the french countryside and in the soil of virginia and ge

united states. long-lived france. thank you.♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ [background sounds] [background sounds] [background sounds] >> president trump and the first lady will be hosting the first state dinner of the trump presidency for the president of france and we will have live coverage on c-span3. you can watch online or listen live with the radio app starting at 6:30 p.m. eastern time. during the state visit the acting secretary of state john sullivan who we saw in the crowd all while ago has been taking part in the ceremonies as the presidents nominate to take up the post mike pompeo continues to make his way through the confirmation process. the senate foreign relations committee voted yesterday to support the nomination of the cia director to be secretary of state. the vote came after kentucky senator rand paul who would oppose the nomination announced he changed his mind. we'll take a look at some of the confirmation hearing from yesterday. >> the foreign relations committee will come to order. we pride ourselves on starting

thank you. [ speaking foreign language ] >> the long friendship between the united states and france began 241 years ago this month when a 19-year-old frenchman named lafayette set sail to join america's fight for independence. he quickly won the trust of george washington, fought bravely in the battle and helped secure the aid of france for the american cause. decades later, president andrew jackson wrote that the memory of lafayette will be second only to that of washington in the hearts of the american people. [ speaking foreign language ] >> the beautiful friendship between the united states and france forged in revolution has changed the course of history. exactly 100 years ago this spring, americans fought side by side with the gallant french in world war i. a generation later, in the second world war, hundreds of thousands of young americans and free french sacrificed together to save civilization in its hour of greatest need. [ speaking foreign language ] >> 60,000 american service members rest for eternity beneath the peaceful hills of the french countryside and in the soil

vice president, honorable members of the united states congress, ladies and gentlemen, it is an honor for france, for the french people, and for me to be received in the sanctuary of democracy where so much of the history of the united states has been written. we're surrounded today with portraits and symbols been written. which reminds us that france has participated with heart in hand in the story of this great nation. from the very beginning. we have fault shoulder to shoulder many battles, starting with those that gave bisht -- girth to the united states of america. since--birth of the united states of america. since then we have shared a common humanity. our two nations are rooted in the same soil, grounded in the same ideals of the american and french revolutions. we have worked together for the universal ideals of liberty, tolerance, and equal rights. human, this is also gutsy, throughout history. and benjaminfrench franklin met in paris. john adams tells the story that after they shook hands they embraced the shoulder by hugging one another in their arms and kissing each other's cheeks.

france, people of america, now is the time for strength. so, let us be strong. let us be united. past andnor our face our future with confidence and pride and let the united statesand forever in solidarity for the noble cause of liberty and peace. thank you very much. [laughter] -- [applause] >> [translation in french] >> ladies and gentlemen, the president of the french republic. president macron: [speaking french[ french]king translator: president trump, dear melania, dear bridget, madames and monsieurs, thank you for your warm welcome and welcoming france for this first state of your presidency, which shows the true bond of our two countries. translator: [translation in french] translator: first, please allow me to join your condolences addressed to the french people, to the canadian people, and to give our deepest sympathies to president bush and his family. it is a sad moment as well. and it is in these sad attacks that we stand together. -- nslation in french] translator: [speaking french] -- president macron: [speaking french] translator: two centuries ago it was lafayette who was welcomed here to the united states, 30 years after the war of independence.

bashar al-assad's barbaric use of chemical weapons against his penal, the united states -- his own people, the united states, france and the united kingdom joined together to strike at the heart of the syrian chemical weapons program. these actions were designed to establish a strong deterrent against the use of these heinous weapons. president macron, i thank you for your leadership in this effort. and it was a well executed effort at that. and i thank you and the members of the french military for

the united states is france's first scientific partner. our economic ties create hundreds of thousands of jobs on both sides of the atlantic. the story of france and the united states is a story of an endless dialogue made of common dreams, of a common struggle for dignity and progress it is the best achievement of our deck dep cattic principles and values. this is this very special relationship. this is us. but we must remember the warning of president roosevelt. freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. we didn't pass it to our children. it must be fought for. protected. hand ed on for them to do the same. this is an urgent reminder because going beyond our ties, beyond our r very special relationship, europe and the united states must face together the global challenges of the century. and we cannot take for granted our transatlantic history and bonds. at the core, our worst value resembles our at risk. we have to succeed facing these challenges and we cannot succeed in forgetting our principles and our history. in

vice president, honorable members of the united states congress, ladies and gentlemen, it is an honor for france, for the french people, and for me to be received in the sanctuary of democracy where so much of the history of the united states has been written. we're surrounded today with portraits and symbols been written. which reminds us that france has participated with heart in hand in the story of this great nation. from the very beginning. we have fault shoulder to shoulder many battles, starting with those that gave bisht -- girth to the united states of america. since--birth of the united states of america. since then we have shared a common humanity. our two nations are rooted in the same soil, grounded in the same ideals of the american and french revolutions. we have worked together for the universal ideals of liberty, tolerance, and equal rights. human, this is also gutsy, throughout history. and benjaminfrench franklin met in paris. john adams tells the story that after they shook hands they embraced the shoulder by hugging one another in their arms and kissing each other's cheeks.

traditional speeches from two leaders there bringing up history between the united states and france o omaha beach but the french leader macron also, i think, with a message to president trump about what he would like to see from the united states in the coming days and weeks in the rest of the trump administration. i'm joined again by amber phillips of the "the washington post" and retired admiral john kirby, cnn political -- diplomatic and military analyst admiral, first to you, what did you hear there? >> very interesting speech by president macron. both speeches all said the right things about the relationship and the history but then he dove into some policy. he talked about the importance of protecting the oceans and bio diversity and he did mention climate change. he linked the threats of iran and north korea together, which was sort of, i thought a very subtle way of talking about the importance of preserving the iran deal as president trump begins to start negotiations with north korea about a nuclear deal for that country and for the korean peninsula. and then he also very,

weapons were used against the population by the regime of bashar said two weeks ago the united states and france together with the united kingdom acted to destroy chemical facilities and to restore the credibility of the international community this action was one of the best evidence of this strong multilateralism. absolutely and i want to pay special tribute for soldiers because they did a very great job in this region and in this occasion. i absolutely beyond this action we will together work for humanitarian solution on the short term on the ground and contribute actively to a lasting political solution to put an end to this tragic conflict and i think one of the very important decision we took together with president trump was precisely to include syria in this large framework for the overall region and to decide to work together and this politic will deal for syria for syrian people even after our war against isis in the center where terrorist networks span a footprint as large as europe french and american soldiers are confronting the same enemy and risking their lives together here i wou

it is said that france has renewed with the optimism it sometimes envied the united states. france shares with your country an ideal of freedom and peace. [ speaking foreign language ] >> translator: over the last centuries, we have weaved our histories, our common struggle, where each time together we have forged the western world and aspired to universality. [ speaking foreign language ] >> translator: through our resolutions, from the very beginning. yesterday evening we were at mt. vernon at the residency of the first president of the united states, george washington, on whose tomb i wish to play tribute together with you. inside the mansion, the key to the bastille prison which was sent to him by lafayette as a symbol of unbreakable bond. [ speaking foreign language ] >> translator: this year, our struggles for freedom, this year as we commemorate the end of world war i, i wish to offer you. from this forest, north of my country, where in 1918 u.s. soldiers and marines in particular displayed courage and devotion. [ speaking foreign language ] >> translator: i am pleased that

president, excellencies, i've been following the reports of airstrikes in syria conducted by the united states, france,

truly one of our great allies and we appreciate it we will always be there for you both the united states and france are dealing with a challenge that has gone on for a long long time it's uncontrolled migration in the united states we are taking strong action to regain control over our borders and over our sovereignty it's gone on for too long and we've slowed it down very substantially but we're going to stop illegal immigration i know that you face similar challenges in france and mr president i admire the leadership you have shown in addressing them in a very honest and direct fashion and not always popular both of our elections so much of the success to the desire of every day citizens to be heard to be listened to edge of control over their own nations and their own futures let us demonstrate through our partnership that the voice of the people will always rain at all times it will rain during our meetings today we also discussed the robust economic relationship between our countries the united states is setting records in business and we will continue and i know that france will be setting re

both the united states and france are dealing with a challenge that has gone on for a long long time it's uncontrolled migration in the united states we are taking strong action to regain control over our borders and over our sovereignty it's got on for too long and we slow it down very substantially that we're going to stop illegal immigration i know that you face similar challenges in france and as the president i admire the leadership you have shown in addressing them in a very honest and direct fashion and not always popular both of our actions all much of the success to the desire of every day citizens to be heard to be listened to edge of control over their own nations and their own futures let us demonstrate through our partnership that the voice of the people well always rain at all times it will rain during our meetings today we also discuss the robust economic relationship between our countries the united states is setting records in business and we will continue and i know that france will be setting records under your leadership very soon. look forward to exploring increas

trying to figure out a way to work together, the united states and france and other allies to choose her or not they want to fix this or next it. there is a debate in the united states. i do not think it should be congress passes decision. it should be on iran. that, it isdo important for the united states and france and other allies to get as much as possible on the same page going in. missileg the ballistic program and trying to curb the influence in the region, do you believe this is something iran could except if the cornerstone is still the jcp l.a.? >> that, i cannot even try to attempt to speak for iran. i know what brought them to the table, all the sanctions. a lot of money in a time to appease hardliners and elections coming up here at it put them in a place where they were able to stay in power and grow with outside influence all across the entire region in the middle east and in other places. i certainly can't try to speak for how they want to handle it but i think it will be important for the united states and france and allies to be able to hold our ground. demonstrating

why are the united states, france and the uk, the west, in a sense, so cleaved from russia in syria? ey so far are part? —— far apart. well, the united states, britain and france, traditionally, they have a regime in syria which was not literally genocidal, and they value that. bashar al—assad's regime has been under pressure from his own population since the arab revolt in 2011. russia swoop in to help save along with the iranians. that really puts russia and iran and the syrian regime of assad on one side. typically that is going to be saudi arabia and united states and its allies on the other side. so relations between the us and russia could hardly be worse, of course. trump is part of the problem. he has no credibility as an interlocutor with the russians, as somebody who could sit down at the table and have a deal with them, because so many people in america right now see him as being in bed with putin. we also have to bear in mind the political situation he faces at home right 110w. situation he faces at home right now. he needs a distraction. the last few days has been a disas

the united states is france's first scientific partner. our economic ties create hundreds of thousands of jobs on both sides of the atlantic. the story of france and the united states is a story of an endless dialogue, made of common dreams, of common struggles for dignity and progress. it is the best achievement of our democratic principles and values. this is a very special relationship. this is us. [applause] but we must remember the warning of president theodore roosevelt. freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. we didn't pass it to our children in the blood stream. it must be fought for, protected, handed on for them to do the same. [applause] this is an urgent reminder indeed. because now going beyond our bilateral ties, beyond our special relationship, europe and the united states must face together the global challenges of the century. and we cannot take for granted our history and bonds. our values are at risk. we have to succeed facing these challenges and we cannot succeed in forgetting our principles and

both the united states and france are dealing with a challenge that has gone on for a long, long time. it's uncontrolled migration. in the united states we are taking strong action to regain control over our borders and over our sovereignty. it's gone on for too long. we've slowed it down substantially but we're going to stop illegal immigration. i know you've experienced imilar things in france. both of our elections owe much of the success to the desire of everyday citizens to be heard, to be listened to, and to have control over their own nations and their own futures. let us demonstrate through our partnership that the voice of the people will always reign at all times, it will reign. during our meetings today, we also discussed the robust economic relationship between our countries. the united states is setting records in business and we will continue and i know that france will be setting records under your leadership very soon. we look forward to exploring increased opportunities for bilateral trade and investment based on the principle of fairness and, importantly, reciprocity

because this is getting to be too normal and this is something the united states, france, the u.k. and all of the international community is saying we can't absolutely have this. in terms of what's going on in d.c. and with the president, we had meetings in the white house yesterday. i will be going back to d.c. for meetings today. i will tell you that first of all, did a chemical weapons attack happen? yes, the u.s. has analyzed, yes, it has happened. the u.k. has analyzed, yes, it has happened. france has analyzed, yes, it has happened. three separate analysis all coming back with the same thing. there is proof that this happened. but what i will tell you is as a mother of two children, as a wife of a combat veteran, i am unbelievably proud of how president trump has looked at the information, analyzed, not let anyone rush him into this because he has said from the beginning, we have to know if we're right and we have to know all the information and that there is proof and we have to know that we're taking every precaution necessary should we take action. and so for that i'm very

both the united states and france are dealing with a challenge that has gone on for a long, long timed migration. in the united states we are taking strong action to regain control over our borders and over our sovereignty. it's gone on for too long. and we've slowed it down very substantially. but we're going to stop illegal immigration. i know that you face similar challenges in france. mr. president, i admire the leadership you have shown in addressing them in a very honest and direct fashion. and not always popular. both of our elections owe much of the success to the desire of everyday citizens to be heard, to be listened to, and to have control over their own nations and their own futures. let us demonstrate through our partnership that the voice of the people will always reign at all times. it will reign. during our meetings today, we also discussed the robust economic relationship between our countries. the united states is setting records in business and we will continue. i know that france will be setting records under your leadership very soon. we look forward to exploring

you have the united states, canada, uk, france and germany pulling together. ong sought to break apart the gulf coast states. and you've got the uae, qatar and saudi arabia pulling together behind the united states. i think russia and syria and iran come off poorer after tonight. >> i have to ask you, in saying that you list all the countries on the support of standing up against the use of chemical weapons. yet, russia is still a major player in syria. russia continues to complicate how the west can respond in syria. >> so i think people forget that russia, syria andu r iran are a allies in syria, but they actually have very different interests. the russian interests are controlling the ports. it gives them access to the mediterranean. it's a strategic advantage for them. they want to keep assad in power. he is a check against the expansion of islamist influence against russia. they have business dealings, maintaining those business dealings are important. iran would like to use syria as a place to build a greater strategic threat against israel and the syrian

france had joined forces to launch air strikes in syria. let's listen in to what he had to say. >> our fellow americans, a short time ago i ordered the united states armed forces to launch precision strikes on tarpggets associated with the chemical weapons capabilities of syrian dictator bashar al assad, a combined operation with the armed forces of france and the united kingdom is now underway. we thank them both. tonight, i want to speak with you about why we have taken this action. one year ago, assad launched a savage chemical weapons attack against his own innocent people. the united states responded with 58 missile strikes that destroyed 20% of the syrian air force. last saturday, the assad regime again deployed chemical weapons to slaughter innocent civilians, this time in the town of douma, near the syrian capital of xm damascus. this massacre was a significant escalation in a pattern of chemical weapons use by that very terrible regime. the evil and the despicable attack left mothers and fathers, infants and children thrashing in pain and gasping for air. these are not the actions of a man. they are crimes of a monster, instead. following

came in after the united nations just made the united states france and canada and the western powers out through where we bush regime change in two thousand and four the democratically elected president of haiti which i used to represent so we're talking about the you win and the charitable workers who come in. to cover that this is an occupation because if it was acknowledged openly that this is a humanitarian front to occupation then the public of these various nations would oppose it but if you say haiti needs charity and look at these haitians and all their problems and you say these things all the time this is what they say about haiti we are the poor some trying. to mouth i don't understand it's not like they're there by force right someone is certainly inviting them why can't you just be like we don't need you by what is a problem as i said the u.n. came in in two thousand and four after the united nations shows me the united states france and canada in their deep state cia agents helped take down the democratically elected president what we have in haiti right now is an occup

the united states is france's first scientific partner. our economic ties create hundreds of thousands of jobs on both sides of the atlantic. it's the story of france and the united states. it's a story of an endless dialogue made of demon -- common dreams, for dignity and progress. it's the best achievement of our democratic principles and values. this is this very special relationship. this is us. we best remember the warning of president roosevelt. freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. we didn't pass it to our children. it must be fought for, protected, handed on for them to do the same. this is an urgent reminder, indeed, because now going beyond our bilateral ties, beyond our very special relationship, europe and the united states must face together the global challenges of the century. and we cannot take for granted our transatlantic history and bonds. at the core our worth and values themselves are at risk. we have to succeed facing the challenges, and we cannot succeed in forgetting our principles and our h

both the united states and france are dealing with a challenge that has gone on for a long, long timencontrolled migration. in the united states we are taking strong action to regain control over our borders and over our sovereignty. it has gone on for too long. and, we slowed it down very substantially. but we're going to stop illegal immigration. i know that you face similar challenges in france, and mr. president, i admire the leadership you have shown in addressing them in a very honest and direct fashion and not always popular. both of our elections oh much -- owe much of the success of the desire of everyday citizens to be heard, to be listened to, and to have control over their own nations and their own futures. let us demonstrate through our partnership that the voice of the people will always reign at all times, it will reign. during our meetings today we also discussed the robust economic relationship between our countries. the united states is setting records in business and we will continue, and i know that france will be setting records under your leadership very soon. we

both the united states and france are dealing with a challenge that has gone on for a long, long time uncontrolled migration. in the united states we are taking strong action to regain control over our borders and over our sovereignty. it's gone on for too long. and we've slowed it down very substantially, but we're going to stop illegal immigration. i know that you face similar challenges in france, and mr. president, i admire the leadership you have shown in addressing them in a very honest and direct fashion and not always popular. both of our elections owe much of the success to the desire of everyday citizens to be heard, to be listened to, and to have control over their own nations and their own futures. let us demonstrate through our partnership that the voice of the people will always rein. at all times it will rein. during our meetings today, we also discussed the robust economic relationship between our countries. the united states is setting records in business, and we will continue. and i know that france will be setting records under your leadership very soon. we look for

the united states and france are also cooperating to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons. we are grateful for france's key partnership in our campaign of maximum pressure on the north korean regime. as you know, i will soon be meeting with kim jong un, as we seek a future of peace, harmony and security for the whole korean peninsula, and in fact for the whole world. however, in pursuit of peace, we will not repeat the mistakes of past administrations. the campaign of maximum pressure will continue. france and the united states also agree that iran cannot be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon. and that regime must end its support of terrorism.

they risk losing influence if it doesn't go in lockstep with united states. france, as well. trump is being very clear now. he is blaming president putin directive of the first time. he is in that something has got to happen before 2a hours, and he is creating his own red lines. but if you did 90, his own red lines. but if you did go, he said we have got to get at syria, let's it to someone else. it's in second madman‘s strategy, but it is chaos, and it is very dangerous. you know how you look at history, the first rapport with a good example, these powers stealing seemingly —— seemingly reluctantly stumbling towards wars. we have got one thing, i am good to tell you how lam going one thing, i am good to tell you how i am going to respondent 48 hours. you have got the other side saying that if you respond there will be gravest consequences, survey that if you respond there will be gravest consequences, survey both produce something from which it will be difficult to go back. if they keep credibility at home. and i think one thing that putin has really not played well is, i th

came in in two thousand and four after the united nations has made the united states france and canada in their deep state cia agents helped take down the democratically elected president what we have in haiti right now is an occupation a military occupation with the u.n. serving as proxy military are you saying your government is in conspiracy with the united nations because no organization including that salute including the united nations can be on a territory of a country without a consensus of the government of that country after the earthquake we had bill and hillary clinton essentially take over haiti and take over the aid to haiti they were i do think there was no interest in haiti what what why such interest on behalf of the clintons and your country why. i am so happy you asked because haiti lies between two nations city united states want to become client states that they dislike that has not fall and into a the line with manifest destiny and the one road doctrine and so on that's cuba and venezuela we are right in between we are that weakest link in their horseshoe also so

as well as business and innovation are also a significant part of our shared journey the united states is france'sfirst scientific. our economy time was created hundreds of thousands of jobs on both sides of the atlantic. the story of france and the united states is a story of an endless dialogue made of common dreams of a common struggle for dignity and progress it is the best achievement of our democratic principles and values. this is this very special relationship this is us absolutely . but we must remember as a warning of president throw the results freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction we didn't pass it to our children in the blood stream it must be fought for protected handed down for them to do the same. absolutely this is an urgent reminder indeed because now are going beyond our bilateral ties beyond all very special relationship europe and the united states must face together the global challenges of this century and we cannot take for granted outfront that history and dance as a core our worth and values and souls are at risk we have to succeed facing this cha

these are our top the united states, france and britain have carried out cruise missile strikes against targets in syria. the purpose of actions to do is to establish a strong deterrent against the establishment, spread and use of chemical weapons. the us military says strikes were conducted against three sites involved in the research, production and use of chemical weapons. the united states has a vital national interest in averting a worsening catastrophe in syria and specifically deterring the use and proliferation of chemical weapons. syrian state television claims that 13 missiles were shot down — but there's been no confirmation of that. welcome to the programme. the united states, france and britain have carried out air strikes on three sites in syria in response to the alleged chemical weapons attack last week. multiple explosions have been heard in damascus and the city of homs. in a statement announcing the attacks, president trump said they were precision strikes on targets associated with the syrian government's chemical weapons capabilities. the us defence secretary says t

the netherlands for testing the united states france and the united kingdom have launched airstrikes on syrian government targets after that alleged attack but the assad regime and russia deny using poisonous gas on the syrian people and say reports of such an attack have been fabricated. now amid the deep division between nations on how to end the conflict in syria the fifteen security council members and the u.n. secretary general antonio terrace have met to hold informal talks in sweden the un special envoy for syria is expected to join them on sunday. that's a relaxed atmosphere in this remote parts of southern sweden one many of the diplomats here hope will set a new tone for talks on the syrian conflict the u.n. security council and secretary general a meeting here for informal talks outside of new york for the first time you need to put lots of scenes. but let's be clear we are still a long way to go to bring together the members of the suitable terrorist describe the meetings farmhouse location as highly symbolic it was the summer residence of. the u.n. secretary general from

approach to take, and the vice president stating there from lima peru today that the united states, the u.k. and france had the moral right to act the way they did to take out chemical weapons. tell me your response to that, and going forward, what should the united states be looking at? should it be a sustained approach when the necessity rises or if it rises again? >> absolutely because what we're telling now is the world leaders out there, that want to try to do this, know now that they will be hit hard, swiftly and abruptly. and not without regard for the human life that we are trying to protect. we struck this without causing any casualties. and that is remarkable, when you look at that. not only that, our targets were on point. we were in and out. they were unable to even defend themselves, but we also have to know that if we do nothing, then it will go on again and again. right now the president has drawn a red line. and president trump's red line won't get crossed because in 2014, kerry had stated to this nation that unequivocally 100% of the chemical weapons had been detained by our ally or ru

the united states is leading, acted decisively. we have the uk and franceined us in this military strike and it is going to be incredibly important for the world looking at these images here to see that once again it is the united states that stood up and said we will not accept a world like this. it has to be the act of an international community. we can't have our allies standing on the sidelines. the united states shouldn't necessarily be alone on this. >> what do you say to people, controversial attack, you see those images, they say we need to be there and help the syrian people and other people say we have no right sending our troops into a fight we don't need to be fighting, what do you say to them? >> this is a serious question. we have to debate constructively here at home and answer the question. both parties need to understand what we are going to do in this world. here is the bottom line. you have a world where you have tyrants that are going to destabilize the world. let me say something about syria more broadly. i heard gen. david petronius sa

we continue to follow the news the united states, france and the united kingdom taking action in syria. thank you for joining us. i'm natalie allen. >> i'm george howell. the u.s., uk and france have launched military strikes against syria and its chemical weapons program in the skies above damascus. these images show what many saw. weapons of some kind streaking across the night sky. we also know aircraft, missiles and warships were used in the strike. this video was posted online by the

continuing special coverage of the overnight military operations carried out by the united states, britain and france syria. today the united states described the operation as overwhelming, precise and effective. the un security council has been meeting an emergency session today to discuss the aftermath of this unprecedented show of force. britain, france and the united kingdom say they struck three chemical science with more than 100 missiles. the pentagon says that the target was a scientific research laboratoryjust outside damascus as well as two near the central syrian city of holmes. today at the united states nations in the united states said it was ready to strike again if necessary but from russia there was harsh condemnation for it condemned as an act of aggression. for ourfirst for it condemned as an act of aggression. for our first report tonight we have this from our north american correspondentjohn sobol. from a french warship in the eastern mediterranean... toa to a british raf base in cyprus. in cyprus to the uss monterey in the red sea, days of planning was replaced by execution, wit

the united states is deeply grateful to the united kingdom and france in its part in the coalition toend the prohibition of chemical weapons. we worked in lockstep. we were in complete agreement. last night our allies shouldered a burden that benefits all of us. the civilized world owes them its thanks. in the weeks and months to come the security council should take time to reflect on its role in defending the international rule of law. the security council has failed in its duty to hold those who use chemical weapons to account. that failure is largely due to russian obstruction. we call on russia to take a hard look at the company it keeps, and live up to its responsibilities as a permanent member of the council and defend the actual principles the united nations was meant to promote. last night we success. i hit the heart of syria's chemical weapons enterprise and because of these actions, we are confident we have crippled syria's chemical weapons programs. we are prepared to sustain this pressure. if the syrian regime is foolish enough to test our will. thank you. >> i want to th