Heading for War on Syria
Stephen Lendman
February 06, 2012
Lendman's "Russia and China Veto Syria Resolution" and "Security Council Showdown on Syria" have been included in this post. - Editor
Washington's longstanding policy is regime change in Iran and Syria. At issue is replacing independent regimes with client ones and securing unchallenged control of valued Middle East resources.
On February 4, Russia and China vetoed a largely one-sided anti-Assad resolution. A previous article called him more victim than villain. Yet he's falsely blamed for months of externally generated violence.
In fact, he confronted a Western-backed armed insurgency replicating the Libya model. By so doing he acted responsibly against a heavily armed insurrection.
Imagine a similar scenario in America. Local police, National Guard forces, and Pentagon troops would confront it violently. Combined, they'd way exceed Assad's response.
Mass killing would follow. Western media scoundrels would approve. In contrast, the New York Times calls Syria's self-defense state-sponsored "butchery."
Its position substitutes disinformation for truth and full disclosure. They're scrupulously avoided to misinform, misrepresent and betray readers. It's longstanding major media policy. The Times featured it longer than others.
Since violence erupted last March, Syria was blamed for Western-backed insurgents against him. It's part of Washington's "New Middle East" project to control North Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia to Russia and China's borders.
For over a decade, regime change plans targeted Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Iran, Somalia, Sudan, Libya, Syria, and other countries outside the region.
Replicating Libya's model is Washington's template for future NATO aggression. Whether it's employed fully in Syria remains to be seen.
So far, heavily armed insurgents entered from regional countries. Anti-government violence followed. Trapped between warring sides, civilian casualties mount. No end of conflict approaches. In fact, the worst is yet to come.
On February 5, Israel's Mossad-connected DEBKA/file said Russia put "Rapid Reaction Force (aka Spetsnaz) units in Black Sea bases on (alert) to set out for Syria to defend Damascus."
Russia's determined to avoid another Libyan-style intervention. In response, Obama said Washington, key NATO partners, and Gulf allies will (in DEBKA/file's words) "redouble their efforts to unseat Bashar Assad."
On February 4, an official White House statement said:
"Assad must halt his campaign of killing and crimes against his own people now. He must step aside and allow a democratic transition to proceed immediately."
Fact check
Since WW II, no combination of nations caused more slaughter, destruction, and human misery globally that America. Moreover, Washington won't tolerate democracy at home or abroad.
"Assad has no right to lead Syria, and has lost all legitimacy with his people and the international community. The international community must work to protect the Syrian people from this abhorrent brutality."
Fact check
International law prohibits interfering in the internal affairs of other nations, including determining the legitimacy of their leaders. Moreover, Syria's "abhorrent brutality" is entirely Western-backed. It was absent until Washington, key NATO partners, and rogue regional despots intervened, notably Saudi Arabia, and of course, Israel's very much involved.
"We must work with the Syrian people toward building a brighter future for Syria....The suffering citizens of Syria must know: we are with you, and the Assad regime must come to an end."
Fact check
Long-suffering Afghans, Iraqis, Libyans, Somalis, Bahrainis, Yemenis, Palestinians, and many others elsewhere understand the horrors when America intervenes. So do Syrians. They abhor Washington led meddling in their internal affairs and want no part of it.
In fact, a mid-December Qatar Foundation-funded YouGov Siraj poll found 55% of Syrians back Assad. It contradicts Western discourse of majority opposition. Except for the London Guardian, the findings were unreported in the West.
On February 4, Global Research editor Michel Chossudovsky explained "armed opposition groups" operating in Syria. They include the Western-backed Syria Free Army (FSA) "involved in criminal and terrorist acts."
They're killing civilians and security forces. They're reigning terror blamed on Assad. They're destroying state assets, including fuel pipelines, trains and vehicles carrying fuel, as well as buildings and other targets.
Their ranks include elements similar to Libyan insurgents, including "Al Qaeda affiliated" militants, "Muslim Brotherhood" members, and "Salafists. Turkey, Israel and Saudi Arabia" support them. So do other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) States and Jordan.
Largely the same countries behind the Syria draft resolution backed Resolution 1973 against Libya. Once passed, war followed straightaway.
They include sponsor Morocco and co-sponsors:
•Washington, Britain, France and Germany (the so-called NATO Quad - the key four) plus Portugal and Turkey;
•all six GCC states, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, UAE, and Bahrain plus Jordan and Libya;
•Colombia; and
•Togo - its UN envoy Kodjo Menan holds the rotating SC presidency during February.
Russia and China stood firm against them. Washington's UN envoy Susan Rice accused both countries of holding the Security Council "hostage." Responding, Russia's UN ambassador Vitaly Churkin said:
The Security Council decision "should be exactly such because some influential members of the international community, including those sitting at this table, from the very beginning of the crisis in Syria undermined the opportunity of political settlement calling for change of the regime and setting the opposition against the power without shunning provocation and forcing for armed means of fighting."
He added that the draft resolution didn't reflect "reality in Syria," nor did "co-authors" adopt Russia's amendments to "distance" themselves "from (culpable) extremist groups" behind the insurrection.
On February 7, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, and Foreign Intelligence Service chief Mikhail Fradkov will meet Assad in Damascus.
On February 5, a Foreign Ministry statement said:
"Russia, including in interaction with other countries, is firmly set to seek the quickest stabilization of the situation in Syria along the paths of the quickest implementation of longstanding democratic transformations."
Moscow also urged Arab League foreign ministers to continue their monitoring mission and report accurately on what they find. Russia and China stand firm against another "Libyan scenario."
A Final Comment
Washington and key NATO partners plan intervention with or without Security Council cover. Doing so violates fundamental international law that prohibits interfering in other countries' internal affairs, except in self-defense if attacked.
Syria threatens no one. Neither does Iran. Yet both are targeted for regime change. Plans are longstanding. With or without UN support, they're coming.
Expect the worst in 2012, preceded perhaps by false flag cover blamed on Assad. The strategy's used as needed. It's an America tradition to enlist public support for war.
Electoral politics may influence timing, especially in a close presidential race. According to the latest February 4 Rasmussen poll findings, "Romney now ties Obama 45/45." Moreover, "uncommitted voters (12% of its sample) have a distinctly sour take on the President," though months remain until November.
Expect unfolding events to attempt to improve Obama's chances, including perhaps war by scaring most people to support it. It's generally effective when tried. In a close election year race, odds favor it.
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Russia and China Veto Syria Resolution  Shortly before 1PM EST, Reuters headlined, "Russia, China veto UN resolution telling Assad to quit," saying: The diplomatic "setback" came the day after "Syrian opposition (elements) accused Assad's forces of killing hundreds of people (in) Homs, the bloodiest night in the 11 months of upheaval in the pivotal Arab country." Like other pro-Western media, Reuters pointed fingers the wrong way. Throughout the conflict, Assad was blamed for Western-backed externally generated violence. In fact, he's more victim than villain, but don't expect media scoundrels to explain. Shortly before the Security Council vote, Obama called the Homs violence "unspeakable," demanded Assad step down immediately, and urged Security Council action against his "relentless brutality." His public statement falsely claimed: "Yesterday the Syrian government murdered hundreds of Syrian citizens, including women and children, in Homs through shelling and other indiscriminate violence, and Syrian forces continue to prevent hundreds of injured civilians from seeking medical help." "Any government that brutalizes and massacres its people does not deserve to govern." Since 1991 alone, Obama, Bush I and II, as well as Clinton, murdered millions of Iraqis, Serbians, Kosovars, Afghans, Libyans, Somalis, Yemenis, and many others ruthlessly and maliciously. Today, Obama supports atrocities in Bahrain, Yemen, Somalia, Colombia, Saudi Arabia, and elsewhere, as well as Israel's decades-long war on Palestine. Major media Scoundrels ignore them. Instead, they cheerlead imperial US wars. Power takes precedence over truth and full disclosure. John Pilger once called journalism the first casualty of war, adding: "Not only that: it has become a weapon of war, a virulent censorship (and deception) that goes unrecognized in the United States, Britain and other democracies; censorship by omission, whose power is such that, in war, it can mean the difference between life and death for people in faraway countries...." In their book titled, "Guardians of Power,” Davids Edwards and Cromwell explained why today's media are in crisis, putting free societies at risk. It's because fiction substitutes for fact. News is carefully filtered, dissent marginalized, and supporting wealth and power replaces full and accurate reporting. For over a century, The New York Times notoriously served as America's lead print propaganda instrument. On February 4, it headlined, "Russia and China Block UN Action on Syrian Crisis,” saying: Hours before the Saturday Security Council vote, "the Syrian military attack the ravaged city of Homs in what opposition leaders described as the bloodiest government assault" so far. Hours later, "(t)he Security Council voted 13 to 2 in favor of a resolution backing an Arab League peace plan for Syria, but the measure was blocked by Russia and China (as a) potential violation of Syria's sovereignty." In fact, calling for "further measures" if Assad failed to comply gave Washington and rogue partners enormous wiggle room for military intervention. It also largely pointed fingers one way, absolving Western-backed insurgents. Current Security Council members include the five permanent members plus Azerbajan, Colombia, Germany, Guatemala, India, Morocco, Pakistan, Portugal, South Africa and Togo. On February 4, Russia Today (RT.com) reported: "Russia and China were the only permanent Security Council members opposing the draft, reminding others that it was not their place to intervene in another country's domestic affairs." Under international law, it's illegal. Russia's UN envoy Vitaly Churkin said: "The co-sponsors of the resolution have not, in the wording of the draft, taken into account that the Syrian opposition must distance itself from extremist groups committing acts of violence or called on states with the ability to use their influence to prevent such acts." As a result, "(t)he Russian delegation was forced to vote against this draft resolution. We seriously regret this outcome of our joint work." Attending a Munich security conference, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov diplomatically condemned the resolution for making false accusations and "taking sides in a civil war." In response, US envoy Susan Rice said she was "disgusted" by vetoes "prop(ping) up desperate dictators." French ambassador Gerard Araud said "history will judge (Assad supporters) harshly." In Munich, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, a notorious war goddess, said, "To block this resolution is to bear the responsibility for the horrors on the ground in Syria." Throughout his tenure as UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan was a notorious imperial tool. So is Ban Ki-moon. He called vetoing the Security Council resolution "a great disappointment to the people of Syria and the Middle East, and to all supporters of democracy and human rights." He said doing so "undermines the role of the United Nations and the international community in this period when the Syrian authorities must hear a unified voice calling for an immediate end to its violence against the Syrian people." Ban serves at the behest of Washington. He hasn't disappointed supporting years of imperial crimes, as well as Israel's against Palestine. No wonder Gazans pelted him with shoes during his February 2 visit. Human Rights Watch (HRW) UN director Philippe Bolopion called last October's vetos by Moscow and Beijing "irresponsible," but today, "after weeks of Russian diplomatic game-playing and in the middle of a bloodbath in Homs, they are simply incendiary." More often than not, HRW speaks for power, not human rights. Amnesty International also falls far short of its founding principles. Urging Russia's anti-Assad support, it called on Moscow to back Security Council actions against him instead of blaming perpetrators, not victims. It also falsely accused Gaddafi of Western-backed crimes. Libya's now ravaged. Will Syria be next? Veto power does little to stop it. A Final Comment On Press TV Saturday, this writer said Washington prefers diplomatic cover for planned aggression. However, with or without it, imperial wars aren't deterred. In 1999, it bypassed Security Council approval against Serbia/Kosovo. It claimed NATO authorization alone mattered. Obama plans regime change in Syria and Iran. As a result, expect a similar scenario to unfold. Perhaps a false flag incident will precipitate conflict. What Washington wants, it gets, using whatever pretext fits the plan. With major media support, getting away with murder is simple as bombs away. Expect it. |
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Security Council Showdown on Syria 
Slowly things are coming to a head. America, Israel, rogue NATO partners, and regional despot allies are itching for a fight with Syria. Russia and China stand firmly opposed. On February 3, Reuters headlined, "UN council to vote on Syria resolution Saturday," saying: Britain's UN mission said the "UN Security Council is set to meet 9:00 a.m. Saturday. Plan is to vote on Syria resolution." Reuters said "(o)ther missions confirmed the announcement." On February 3, Deputy Foreign Minister Gannady Gatilov said resolution revisions were "not enough for us to be able to support...." Qatar Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim al-Thani accepts no further draft resolution changes, saying: "The version which we have is the minimal which we can accept." On February 4, Lebanon's Al-Manar satellite TV (Lebanese Media Group Company, Beirut) reported Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov saying: At issue is an expected Saturday Security Council vote Russia opposes. Lavrov added: "The draft does not suit us at all and I hope that is is not put to a vote." Russia's views are well known. "There can be no doubt about the sense and the objectivity of (its) amendments. I hope that a prejudiced approach does not prevail over common sense," Lavrov stressed. On February 4, Associated Press headlined, "Russia warns UN vote on Syria will end in scandal," saying: Interviewed on Russian state television, Lavrov was blunt, saying Russia's prepared to use its veto. Calling the current Syrian resolution draft unacceptable, Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Gatilov said: "Some of our concerns and the concerns of those who think the same as (we do) have been taken into consideration, but all the same (it's) not enough for us to be able to support it in this form." At issue is what major media scoundrels ignore - a Western-backed externally generated insurgency responsible for most violence. Washington plans regime change in Iran and Syria. At issue is replacing current leaders with pro-Western ones. Syria's target one to isolate Iran. Escalated measures against Tehran will follow. Strategy involves whatever it takes to achieve longstanding objectives, including war. Pressure's building. Expect it perhaps later in 2012. Meanwhile, conditions in Syria keep deteriorating. Under attack, its currency lost half its value. Ordinary people suffer most. Hunger and severe privation threaten. Escalated violence promises worse, including full-blown Western-backed war. To achieve unchallenged Middle East hegemony, including control of its oil and gas resources, Washington won't quit until the entire region burns. In 1970, Richard Nixon ordered making Chile under social democrat Salvador Allende "scream." Seventeen reign of terror Pinochet years followed. Middle East plans today are worse, including full-blown war for control. Expect it, with or without Security Council help. Hardball Washington tactics don't compromise. |
Stephen Lendman: I was born in 1934 in Boston, MA. Raised in a modest middle class family, attended public schools, received a BA from Harvard University in 1956 and an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of PA in 1960 following 2 years of obligatory military service in the US Army. Spent the next 6 years as a marketing research analyst for several large US corporations before becoming part of a new small family business in 1967, remaining there until retiring at the end of 1999. Have since devoted my time and efforts to the progressive causes and organizations I support, all involved in working for a more humane and just world for all people everywhere, but especially for the most needy, disadvantaged and oppressed. My efforts since summer 2005 have included writing on a broad range of vital topics ranging from war and peace; social, economic and political equity for all; and justice for all the oppressed peoples of the world like the long-suffering people of Haiti and the Palestinians. Also co-hosting The Global Research News Hour, occasional public talks, and frequent appearances on radio and at times television. I also am a Research Associate of the Centre for Research on Globalization. I live in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. Also visit my blog site sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to The Lendman News Hour on RepublicBroadcasting.org Monday - Friday at 10AM US Central time for cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on world and national issues. All programs are archived for easy listening. My new book "How Wall Street Fleeces America: Privatized Banking, Government Collusion and Class War" can be ordered HERE.
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Illustration: National Turk
Photo 1: Getty Images
Photo 2: naharnet.com
URL: http://www.a-w-i-p.com/index.php/2012/02/06/heading-for-war-on-syria-1
