Obama: We need proof of Syria chemical weapons use

David Jackson, USA TODAY | USATODAY

Weapons of mass destruction took center stage at the White House on Tuesday as President Obama met with South Korean counterpart Park Geun-hye.

First, Obama vowed to defend South Korea against provocations by nuclear-armed North Korea, saying the American defense alliance with the south "will never waver."

Then Obama said he would act against Syria is it is proven that the government of Bashar al-Assad use chemical weapon – but he warned against precipitate action based on "perceptions," citing the Iraq war as a cautionary tale.

"I don't make decisions based on 'perceived,'" Obama said at a news conference after meeting with the president of South Korea. "And I can't organize international coalitions around 'perceived.'

"We tried that in the past, by the way, and it didn't work out well," Obama said, referring to Iraq. "So we want to make sure that, you know, we have the best analysis possible."

The George W. Bush administration launched the 2003 invasion of Iraq because of concern that Saddam Hussein's government had weapons of mass destruction, but such weapons were never found.

Obama said his administration is investigating reports of chemical weapons use and will act if necessary.

If anyone doubts his resolve, Obama said, he cited the deadly military actions against 9/11 organizer Osama bin Laden and Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi.

"Whether it's bin Laden or Gadhafi, if we say we're taking a position, I would think at this point the international community has a pretty good sense that we typically follow through on our commitments," the president said.

Obama said the United State has both moral and national security interests in Syria, but must be sure that Bashar Assad crossed a "red line" when it comes to use of chemical weapons.

Again calling on Assad to step down, Obama cited the non-lethal aid and humanitarian assistance that the United States and allies are supplying to Syrian rebels.

"We're not doing nothing," Obama said.

The president also said of Syria: "I think that, understandably, there's a desire for easy answers. That's not the situation there."