Posted on 07/05/2013 2:20:03 PM PDT by kristinn
UN might find out where that stockpile originated from??
http://news.yahoo.com/france-says-no-doubt-damascus-behind-suspected-chemical-164009586.html
France says ‘no doubt’ Damascus behind suspected chemical attack
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said on Sunday there was “no doubt” the Damascus regime was behind a suspected chemical weapons attack near the capital last week.
“The indications are totally convergent on the scale of the massacre and the overwhelming responsibility of the regime... As far as we are concerned, there is no doubt concerning the substance of the facts and their origin,” Fabius told a Jerusalem press conference.
Exactly! Either from Benghazi or Saddam’s old stash. Obama and the dem powers can’t let either scenario ever see the light of day because they are complicit in both.
“My greatest fear as chairman of Homeland Security is these weapons ending up in the wrong hands of some al-Qaida jihadists, who we know are there fighting in the rebel forces”
“They are travelling from all over the world, al-Qaida factions into Syria to fight the Assad regime, so I don’t really see any good outcome here, given the number one chief objective should be to secure and destroy these chemical weapons.”
Hmm ... Interesting statements. Bad guys vs. bad guys with Saddam and US stockpiles?
Pass the Advil.
Russia speaks:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/25/us-syria-crisis-us-russia-idUSBRE97O09W20130825
Sounds pretty logical to me. I truly hate that I find myself these days agreeing with so much of what Russia is doing...lol.
I can only conclude, that our entire leadership in DC, on both sides of aisle...have lost their friggin minds.
From your link:
“We once again decisively urge (the United States) not to repeat the mistakes of the past and not to allow actions that go against international law,” the ministry said.
“Any unilateral military action bypassing the United Nations will ... lead to further escalation (in Syria) and will affect the already explosive situation in the Middle East in the most devastating way.”
Moscow said any military action would severely hamper joint U.S.-Russian efforts for an international peace conference to end a civil war that has killed more than 100,000 people.
“The threat to use force against the Syrian regime sends the (Syrian) opposition conflicting signals,” the ministry said. “All sponsors of the opposition, which have influence over it, must seek the fastest possible agreement from Bashar al-Assad’s opponents to hold talks.”
Or are they complicit in massive cover-up(s)?
Team involved in tracking Benghazi suspects pulling out, sources say
Kerry Reinstates Benghazi Officials Clinton Punished
http://news.yahoo.com/libyan-army-colonel-gunned-down-benghazi-security-185813321.html
Libyan army colonel gunned down in Benghazi: security
O yeah.. I have no doubt that McCain is up to his ears in Benghazi and arming Syrian terrorists. It is the rest of them I don’t understand. Reuters poll came out today that only 9% of Americans think we should intervene in Syria!! Now along comes McCain to give the impression that the republican leadership wants to invade Syria!!
Our leadership should be jumping up and down saying no intervention in Syria!! They would have the large majority of Americans on their side.
All what you guys are talking about when it comes to who’s complicit and who’s quiet about Benghazi, Syria, Egypt and supporting al Qaeda instead of fighting it, could be explained simply:
This anti-American administration has something on everyone who’s pro or con. The intimidation is very obvious and the Congress recess is very helpful because congressmen won’t be asked to answer anything or make any statements anyway by the MSM whore lapdogs and/or in the same boat with swords over their heads!
Can you say, NSA info is put to “good use?” Remember Roberts and 0b0z0Care? Same thing here plus I’m sure it’s extended to the our military. Remember Petreus?
To get away from this Islamocommie “sword” will take some doing and I don’t know who would dare if our reps don’t?
Just my opinion.
I agree that some of that may be going on as well. I just don’t think that is the only reason with some of these rinos on our side. Some are being bought by the Muslim Brotherhood. Rove and Norquist brought some moneyed MB into the coffers long ago. I don’t trust any of them.
“Netanyahu has finally spoken. Make note that he is careful not to say the Syrian regime did this, but Peres..the perennial Israeli leftist does make the leap.”
Peres:
President Shimon Peres, meeting Sunday morning with visiting French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, .....said that the “time has come for a joint effort to remove all the chemical weapons from Syria. They cannot remain there either in the hands of Assad or of others.”
He said that while he could “understand the problems and doubts” about intervening in Syria, “the moral call is superior to any strategic considerations.” He praised Fabius for speaking out on this issue, and said his voice “has been the clearest in recent days concerning the situation in Syria.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Pen: Remember I quoted Fabius last night on the other thread.
France’s foreign minister, Laurent Fabius, said on Saturday that “all the information at our disposal converges to indicate that there was a chemical massacre near Damascus and that the [regime of Bashar al-Assad] is responsible”.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/aug/24/syria-cameron-obama-intervention
Now, Fabius is in Israel.
Reviewing all of the principal players’ comments to date, it is nearly impossible to draw any firm conclusions.
1) Unequivocally, a chem attack took place.
2) Unequivocally, US, Britain, and France are blaming Assad for the chem attack.
3) Unequivocally, Assad is blaming rebels
4) Israel-—”time has come for a joint effort to remove all the chemical weapons from Syria. They cannot remain there either in the hands of Assad or of others.”
4) Russia-—Russia said on Sunday that assigning blame too soon over the alleged chemical weapons attack in Syria would be a “tragic mistake”, ahead of a United Nations’ investigation on Monday.
YET, as of today, not a SINGLE statement of evidence that Assad launched the attack, except a mention that Assad was preventing UN inspectors from examining the site, thereby demonstrating his guilt.
KEEPING IN MIND that just yesterday Cameron had said:
The Prime Minister spoke with President Barack Obama by telephone to ask for help with convening an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council.
He wants to put forward a “game-changing” resolution that would give the Syrian government, led by Bashar al-Assad, “one last chance” to disarm.....
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/10264658/David-Cameron-to-give-Syria-ultimatum.html
NOW that Assad says UN inspectors may inspect the site (probably coercion from Russia?), OBAMA NOW says it’s too late??? because the crime scene has been contaminated!!!
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/25/us-syria-crisis-usa-idUSBRE97O08S20130825
To which Russia says: Any unilateral military action bypassing the United Nations will ... lead to further escalation (in Syria) and will affect the already explosive situation in the Middle East in the most devastating way.”
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/25/us-syria-crisis-us-russia-idUSBRE97O09W20130825
NO evidence, NO inspection...only a “justified” opportunity to take out the chem weapons.
Is Obama engaging in an erratic war of ego with Putin? with his too late for an inspection talk?
Lastly, something Peres said caught my attention:
“...here must be an international attempt to take out the weapons. It is very complicated and it is very expensive but it is more dangerous and more expensive to leave it there. It must be done,” he said.
So...sounds to me like all of the principals (except Russia) have decided that the chem weapons are going to be removed, no matter who was responsible for the attack. And even Russia has not unilaterally “forbidden” the idea.
IF, big IF, Assad agrees to peacefully disarm chem weapons, would rebels (who admit at least to having chem weapons), be equally agreeable to disarm?
Thinking out loud...and trying to connect the dots from the available sources.
Great timeline of statements!! Thanks!
I am hoping that Russia does convince Assad to disarm all chemical weapons. That would sure out a monkey wrench in Obama’s Muslim Brotherhood and Islamist’s plans. Don’t be surprised if it happens. It would be excellent way for Russia to screw with Obama and gather a whole lot of international good will.
Don’t forget that some say that this may be about that pipeline that the Sauds want through Syria. The UK wants it too so that they are not so dependent on Russia’s oil. Russia doesn’t want it.
If those people want a pipeline through Syria, they need to negotiate it or forget it. We don’t need wars for pipelines if there is any truth to the rumor.
El Beltagi arrested over an hour ago. Here’s his lousy picture:
http://almogaz.com/news/politics/2013/08/26/1065827
Interesting article on the Chemical Weapons in Syria and who fired them.....(Mesta...do you have ‘Syria’ on Matrix?)
....there were indications from Damascus that some of the army officers involved had tried to distance themselves from what happened, and insisted they were not told the rockets they were firing were loaded with toxins.
“We have heard from people close to the regime that the chemical missiles were handed out a few hours before the attacks,” said a source from a well-connected family, who has contacts with both the opposition and regime loyalists.
“They didn’t come from the ministry of defence but from air force intelligence, under orders from Hafez Maklouf . The army officers are saying they did not know there were chemical weapons. Even some of the people transporting them are saying they had no idea what was in the rockets - they thought they were conventional explosives.”
Hafez Maklouf, Mr Al Assad’s cousin, commands Syria’s air force intelligence, the most feared of all its secret police branches.
Another account of what may have taken place has been put forward by the opposition Syrian National Coalition, based on a timeline from residents inside the affected areas and information collected from sources inside the regime who leak information to the rebels.
The SNC said rockets loaded with chemicals were delivered to Gen Tahir Hamid Khalil and launched from an army base housing the 155 Brigade, a unit of the 4th Division, in the Qalamoon mountains north of Damascus.
Mahar Al Assad, the Syrian president’s brother, commands the 4th Division, an ultra-loyalist force with a key role in repressing the uprising since it began in March 2011, and, more recently, heavily involved in combat with rebels around Damascus.
After a night of fierce fighting on Tuesday in an area on the edge of Damascus known as Eastern Ghouta - once known for its clean natural water and lush orchards - regime troops moved back, leaving only aircraft overhead, the SNC said.
At 2.30am on Wednesday, regime forces under the command of Gen Ghassan Abbas began launching the rockets, 16 of which were aimed at the eastern suburbs of Damascus, and hit Zamalka and Ain Tarma, densely populated areas in the Eastern Ghouta.
see post #5076....couple takes on who fired the chemical weapons...some saying the Military but not necessarily with Assads knowledge...nor those who transported them or fired them...interesting...
>>>(Mesta...do you have ‘Syria’ on Matrix?)
Yes, ma’am.
Rosemary Church @rosemaryCNN 20m
#CNN’s Fred Pleitgen just heard a massive explosion in central Damascus. No other details at this point.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3058800/posts
How the West could smash Assad’s arsenal: UK and US military chiefs drawing up a list of targets...
Daily Mail Online ^ | 25 August, 2013 | Ian Drury
UK and US military chiefs are drawing up a list of targets for precision-guided bombs and missiles to strike at the heart of Bashar Al-Assad’s regime. Defence correspondent Ian Drury looks at the options.
WHAT TARGETS WOULD THE COALITION HIT?
The favoured option among top brass is for limited Western action using ‘stand-off’ weapons from long distance to disrupt Assad’s ability to carry out chemical attacks and damage his military machine.
Intelligence on targets would come from pilotless drones patrolling the skies above Syria and special forces on the ground.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Assad says chemical weapons claims ‘insult to common sense’
Monday, 26 August 2013
Syrians wave a flag with an image of Assad during a rally in his support in Damascus. (AFP)
Al Arabiya
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said Western claims his regime used chemical weapons were “nonsense,” warning that the United States “faced failure” if it attacked Syria, in comments to Russian newspaper Izvestia published on Monday.
“The comments (accusing the regime of using chemical weapons) made by politicians in the West and other countries are an insult to common sense... It is nonsense,” Assad said, dismissing the claims as politically motivated.
He added: “The United States faces failure (if it attacks Syria), just like in all the previous wars they waged, starting with Vietnam and up to our days.”
Russia concerned
Russia, in similar comments made by Iran, voiced concerns on Monday over the possibility Washington may respond militarily to a suspected chemical weapons attack by Syria’s government.
“The minister (Lavrov) stressed that the official announcements from Washington in recent days about the readiness of U.S. armed forces to ‘intervene’ in the Syrian conflict have been received in Moscow with deep concern,” Reuters news agency reported the foreign ministry as saying in a statement.
Lavrov also warned U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry over the “extremely dangerous consequences” of launching military action against the Syrian regime.
“Sergei Lavrov drew attention to the extremely dangerous consequences of a possible new military intervention for the whole Middle East and North Africa region,” it said in a statement.
(snip)
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/26/us-syria-crisis-russia-idUSBRE97P02820130826
Russia concerned about possible U.S. military response in Syria
http://rt.com/news/syria-russia-us-iraq-976/
Russia warned that the alleged chemical attack could have been a staged “provocation” by the Syrian opposition forces and said US rhetoric recalled the allegations preceding the invasion of Iraq.
“All of this makes one recall the events that happened 10 years ago, when, using false information about Iraqis having weapons of mass destructions, the US bypassed the United Nations and started a scheme whose consequences are well known to everyone,” the Russian Foreign ministry said in a statement.
“Once again we call not to repeat past mistakes, not to allow actions that contradict international law,” the ministry said.
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