Asia Times Online :: Obama's weapons-for-peace program

Asia Times Online :: Obama's weapons-for-peace program Pepe Escobar

Looking For 'A New Devil’: Israeli Leaders & Supporters Scramble After Iran Election

Looking For 'A New Devil’: Israeli Leaders & Supporters Scramble After Iran Election

Bill the Butcher: Raghead: Weapons of Mass Distraction

Bill the Butcher: Raghead: Weapons of Mass Distraction: Copyright B Purkayastha 2013

Bill the Butcher: Raghead: Through A Prism, Darkly

Bill the Butcher: Raghead: Through A Prism, Darkly: Copyright B Purkayastha 2013

Not only is McCain not arrested for collaborating with al Nusra terrorists but US allows it's companies to do business with black listed terrorist group

Dear USA, 

These are Treasonous acts against US Constitution and US Law! Rise and Resist, don't you see the rest of world fighting for their lives ???


Washington eases economic sanctions on 'Syrian opposition'

Capitals, (SANA)_Weeks after Paris and London lifted an arms embargo on sending weapons to the armed terrorist groups in Syria, Washington decided to lift an economic blockade, giving permission to its companies to strike deals with the groups, which signals a dramatic change in the approach of anti-Syria powers that ban dealing with states and institutions and allow it with outlawed groups.

As it bans the medicine, communication and other exports, Washington declared on Wednesday easing economic sanctions on Syria, but restricted it to the areas in which there are armed groups.

AFP quoted a senior US official as saying that the US measures allow the exportation of a wide range of equipment to the areas in which armed groups are active.

According to analysts, Washington was galvanized into adopting the measure as it was shocked by the steadfastness of the Syrian state, so it found itself obliged to save its mercenaries who were ostracized by the Syrian people as ''traitors.''

It is clear that Washington sought to pillage the Syrian resources taking advantage of its ties with gunmen as the new US measures include giving licenses for oil transactions, including facilitating the exportation of Syrian oil by these groups. 

Observers believe that such US steps complete the roles of the US allies who now realize that the armed terrorist groups are on the verge of total collapse following a string of astounding achievements by the Syrian Arab army on the ground.

The Western statements reflect the predicament of the countries supporting terrorists, as US secretary of state John Kerry said in a joint press conference with his UK counterpart William Hague in Washington yesterday that ''The US is considering what to do to help the Syrian opposition.'' 

In turn, Hague said that ''UK believes that the situation on the ground necessitates a powerful and coordinated approach by us and our allies regarding the situation in Syria.''

M. Ismael 

Syria calls on UN to do it's job and condemn massacre of Hatla in Deir Ezzor

this is so ridiculous to have to beg and plead for the UN to do it's damn job,  ... disband the worthless politicized entity 

 

DAMASCUS, (SANA)-Foreign and Expatriates Ministry said that Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist groups perpetrated on June 12, 2013 a massacre in Hatla village in Deir Ezzor against scores of citizens, most of them women and children because they refused to support their criminal acts. 

"The terrorists also looted, burglarized the citizens' properties, burned their houses and attacked and sabotaged the worship places... the websites have broadcasted videotapes documenting Jabhat al-Nusra massacre, instigated by one of the sheikhs of salafis in Kuwait called Shafi al-Ajami who is involved in funding and sending thousands of jihadists into Syria," the Foreign Ministry said in two identical letters sent to the UN Secretary General and President of the security Council. 

It added that Syria has repeatedly warned in its pervious letters against the dangers of terrorism and extremism, as well as documented the crimes perpetrated by the armed groups. 

"Syria stresses that when a number of states refused to condemn such crimes, they would encourage the terrorist groups to go ahead in their crimes which target the innocent citizens through committing massacres, random shelling on civilian regions in addition to the suicide bombings which even didn't spare the residential buildings, public establishments, mosques, churches as well as assassinating the Islamic and Christian clerks," the Ministry said. 

It affirmed that the continuation of some countries in the region and abroad, on top, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey to offer public and direct support to terrorism in Syria through funding, arming and resorting the armed terrorist groups, in addition to the European latest decision, sponsored by Britain and France, to lift embargo on arming the opposition is a dangerous violation of the legal commitments imposed by the UN Security Council resolutions and the relevant international treaties of counter-terrorism, on top, UNSC resolution 1373 for 2001. 

"The EU decision to allow buying the Syrian oil, stolen by the armed terrorist groups, to sell weapons and military equipment is another violation of the EU states' commitment to curb the financing of terrorism," the letter said. It added that Syria once again warns against the dangers of involvement in supporting al-Qaeda-linked takfiri terrorism practiced by Jabhat al-Nusra and its allies of the "Islamic battalions", as well as the so-called "the Free Syrian Army". 

"Syria underlines that some countries' continued calls for arming the opposition or announcing their willingness to arm them under the pretext of changing the military balance won't only support terrorists, but this uncovers the hidden intentions of those states to obstruct efforts to reach a political solution among the Syrians. 

"Putting those facts in front of the UN Security council, Syria calls on it to assume its responsibilities, in light of its relevant resolutions of counter-terrorism, to condemn the massacre in Hatla village and call on the countries involved in supporting terrorism in Syria to stop such practices which pose a threat to the security and stability in Syria and the region," the Foreign Ministry concluded. 

Mazen

Jibril: Syria is Invincible, Resistance Axis will be Victorious against Aggression

DAMASCUS, (SANA)- Secretary General of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, General Command, Ahmad Jibril, stressed that Syria's steadfastness will foil the conspiracy hatched against it and the resistance axis will be victorious against the US-Zionist aggression on Syria. 

In an interview with the Syrian T.V. on Monday, Jibril said that "Syria is invincible" because it offered lots of support to the Arab nation as it supported the Palestinian factions, maintained Lebanon's unity and defended the Palestinian camps in the face of the Israeli aggression.

He stressed that the majority of the Palestinian people support Syria, asserting that the conspiracy against it aims at destroying the Syrian state as a prelude to liquidate the Palestinian cause, specially the right to return.

He criticized the Arab League (AL) stance towards what is going on in Syria due to the hegemony of some conspiratorial countries on the AL which seek to pass a pre-mediated Israeli-Palestinian agreement to liquidate the Palestinian cause.

H. Zain/ Ghossoun 

Lavrov: Syrian Opposition Responsible for Delaying Geneva Conference

 

MOSCOW, (SANA) – Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov said that the Syrian opposition is responsible for delaying the holding of the international conference on Syria in Geneva. 

In an interview on CBS TV, Lavrov said that the US officials admit that the "Syrian Coalition" is not ready to negotiate and cannot even decide who to represent it. 

Lavrov said that the Syrian government is ready to send its delegation to the conference, adding that "Moscow believes that the Syrian leadership will send its delegation to the conference, we should know if the opposition will or will not go to Geneva." 

He dismissed the reports alleging that Russia's stance on Syria is a reaction to a "US potential interference" in other countries' affairs, adding that "Our foreign policy is firm and it is not based on such approach." 

"Russia's western partners express their full understanding to the situation but they are embarrassed by their past statements", Lavrov said, adding that these countries tell Russia that " We said that President Bashar al-Assad should leave and we cannot retract our statements and swallow our tongues." 

Lavrov addressed these western officials saying "Well, you have to choose, you can think of your reputation or you can think of saving lives." 

He criticized US media which said that Russia is supporting a "loser horse", saying " It needs so much impertinence to use such terms to describe the tragic situation in Syria ". 

In a related context, the Russian Minister said that Moscow is providing Syria with defensive weapons through contracts that were signed between the two sides. 

He added that the international law does not prevent importing weapons to any sovereign country.

Lavrov expressed his country's disappointment that the International Arms Trade treaty didn't clearly tackle the issue of preventing weapons' sale to non-governmental organizations. 

He said that the opposition forces which are fighting against the Syrian Army is equipped with modern warfare as was the case in al-Qseir, adding that "The opposition had artillery and anti-aircrafts systems". 

Earlier, Lavrov and his Argentinean counterpart, Hector Tiimerman, expressed rejection of providing weapons to armed groups in Syria, reiterating their rejection to attempts to militarize the crisis in Syria. 

Russia, Argentina Renew Their Refusal to Militarize Crisis in Syria  

Earlier, Russia and Argentina have reiterated their unequivocal rejection of the militarization of the crisis in Syria, expressing their concern over the escalation of violence that actually worsens the situation in Syria. 

During their meeting in Buenos Aires on Monday, Russian Foreign Minister, sergei Lavrov and his Argentine counterpart Hector Timerman, expressed their refusal of importing weapons to illegal armed groups to be used against the army and the Syrian people. 

Lavrov and Timerman called for a peaceful and political settlement to the crisis in Syria, an immediate cessation of all acts of violence and commitment to a comprehensive dialogue between all components of the Syrian people.

H. Zain/ M. Nassr /  Ghossoun 

Salehi Hopes International Community will Help Restoring Stability in Syria

TEHRAN, (SANA)- Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi hoped that the international community will help restoring calm and stability to Syria. 

"We hope that the international community will follow its wise means to restore calm and stability to Syria," Salehi said during a meeting with Australian new Ambassador in Tehran. 

Salehi pointed out to the events taking place in Syria and the critical situation in the region due to the terrorist and extremist operations. 

Araqchi: International Conference on Syria Should Find Political Solution to End Crisis 

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Abbas Araqchi, stressed that the success of the international conference on Syria in Geneva is linked to "being comprehensive". 

"Iran's invitation to attend the conference is a right step," Araqchi said in a press conference on Tuesday.

He expressed his country's hope that the conference aims at reaching a political solution to solve the crisis in Syria and finding an appropriate ground for dialogue between the Syrian government and the opposition. 

H. Zain/ Ghossoun 

Chechen President Calls Chechen Youth Not to Be Involved in Fighting in Syria

 

DAMASCUS, (SANA)-Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov called on his country's clergymen to work to raise awareness among the Chechen youth to prevent their involvement in fighting along with the armed terrorist groups in Syria. 

"What is taking place in Syria is not for religion, but for the authority and the resources." Russia Today website quoted Kadyrov as saying during a meeting with Chechen clergymen on Monday. 

He added that the youth from the poor families in Europe are heading to Syria for looting and violence. 

He reiterated the need to prevent the involvement of the Chechen youth in the crisis in Syria. 

Media reports said that hundreds of Europeans from Chechnya and other European countries joined the armed terrorist groups in Syria after infiltrating across Turkey to Syria. 

Meanwhile, armed terrorist groups affiliated to Jabhat al-Nusra and led by Chechen gunmen kidnapped the Syriac Orthodox and Greek Orthodox Archbishops of Aleppo, Yohanna Ibrahim and Paul Yazigi north of Aleppo. 

H.Zain / Ghossoun