Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: U.N. Report: Chemical Weapons Use In Syria Confirmed, Details Point To Assad [View all]ProSense
(116,464 posts)95. But this part of the report is ignored:
Syrian forces may have used gas without Assad's permission: paper
(Reuters) - Syrian government forces may have carried out a chemical weapons attack close to Damascus without the personal permission of President Bashar al-Assad, Germany's Bild am Sonntag paper reported on Sunday, citing German intelligence.
Syrian brigade and division commanders had been asking the Presidential Palace to allow them to use chemical weapons for the last four-and-a-half months, according to radio messages intercepted by German spies, but permission had always been denied...This could mean Assad may not have personally approved the attack close to Damascus on August 21 in which more than 1,400 are estimated to have been killed, intelligence officers suggested.
<...>
Members of the foreign affairs committee present at the briefing told Reuters Schindler had said that although the BND did not have absolute proof Assad's government was responsible, it had much evidence to suggest it was.
This included a phone call German spies intercepted between a Hezbollah official and the Iranian Embassy in Damascus in which the official said Assad had ordered the attack.
- more -
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/08/us-syria-crisis-germany-idUSBRE98707B20130908
(Reuters) - Syrian government forces may have carried out a chemical weapons attack close to Damascus without the personal permission of President Bashar al-Assad, Germany's Bild am Sonntag paper reported on Sunday, citing German intelligence.
Syrian brigade and division commanders had been asking the Presidential Palace to allow them to use chemical weapons for the last four-and-a-half months, according to radio messages intercepted by German spies, but permission had always been denied...This could mean Assad may not have personally approved the attack close to Damascus on August 21 in which more than 1,400 are estimated to have been killed, intelligence officers suggested.
<...>
Members of the foreign affairs committee present at the briefing told Reuters Schindler had said that although the BND did not have absolute proof Assad's government was responsible, it had much evidence to suggest it was.
This included a phone call German spies intercepted between a Hezbollah official and the Iranian Embassy in Damascus in which the official said Assad had ordered the attack.
- more -
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/08/us-syria-crisis-germany-idUSBRE98707B20130908
The scenario suggest that Assad disscussed the attack with his military commanders, and there is evidence that pro-Assad Hezbollah stated that he "ordered the attack." Assad bears responsibility for his military, and this makes the situation even more precarious.
Regardless of the attempts to absolve him of personal responsiblity, his forces, at the highest level, are responsible for a massive, well-planned chemical attack designed to ensure maximum casualties.
Assad also continued to deny having a chemical arsenal up the day he accepted the proposal, and basically blamed the rebels, attempting to cover up an attack launched by his own forces.
Edit history
Please sign in to view edit histories.
97 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
RecommendedHighlight replies with 5 or more recommendations
U.N. Report: Chemical Weapons Use In Syria Confirmed, Details Point To Assad [View all]
ProSense
Sep 2013
OP
You Will Have A Hard Time, Sir, Finding Any Post By Me Calling For U.S. Bombing Of Syria
The Magistrate
Sep 2013
#6
I am having a hard time finding anything in your reply that opposes unilateral war on Syria.
Warren Stupidity
Sep 2013
#9
So Any Post That Observes Established Facts Supports Unilateral War, Sir?
The Magistrate
Sep 2013
#12
No, it was a question. A question you still have not clearly answered.
Warren Stupidity
Sep 2013
#20
I simply asked if, given the UN report, you support unilateral military action against Syria.
Warren Stupidity
Sep 2013
#29
Push That Far Enough, Sir, And You Are Just A Figment Of My Imagination....
The Magistrate
Sep 2013
#30
Just Because You Do Not Like It, Sir, Does Not Change That It Is an Answer
The Magistrate
Sep 2013
#35
So the closest you come to actually opposing unilateralism is this post:
Warren Stupidity
Sep 2013
#43
So when President Obama was proposing unilateral military action against Syria
Warren Stupidity
Sep 2013
#28
No that's fine. I'm glad you are against neocon unilateralism. We all should be.
Warren Stupidity
Sep 2013
#39
With a $20 billion+ / year Black Ops budget, I'd be SHOCKED if this were unraveled quickly.
Junkdrawer
Sep 2013
#50
This isn't my first dance. Anyone who thought they KNEW what happened 9/11/2001 on 9/30/2001....
Junkdrawer
Sep 2013
#53
It Is Always The Same Dance, Sir: Same Old Story, Same Old Song And Dance....
The Magistrate
Sep 2013
#56
In lieu of photographic evidence, they have an artist's rending of Assad carrying Sarin
rustydog
Sep 2013
#16
What you suggest bolsters the case for strikes. If Assad is no longer in control of
msanthrope
Sep 2013
#26
The point isn't to 'punish' Assad, but to ensure that chemical weapons aren't used by the
msanthrope
Sep 2013
#54
The absolving of Bashir Assad is a disgusting turn in this whole mess....I don't know
msanthrope
Sep 2013
#96
How does this change what should take place next, which was layed out in the OP I posted? n/t
Jefferson23
Sep 2013
#61
The US, Russia and international community are working on what will "take place next."
ProSense
Sep 2013
#63
No, culpability was not part of the mandate, remember? What should take place next is just that:
Jefferson23
Sep 2013
#66
Pretending what? You have no clue what you're doing here. I have presented to you
Jefferson23
Sep 2013
#70
I posted an OP making the process clear, period...you're arguing with yourself.
Jefferson23
Sep 2013
#74
I dismissed nothing, you presumed I was dismissing the UN report. The protocol is important
Jefferson23
Sep 2013
#80
And the UNSC has not voted on his reponsibility, yet. Let them all do their job, that is the point
Jefferson23
Sep 2013
#87
Nice! Now we can justify bombing the shit out of their civilians with conventional weapons
NoOneMan
Sep 2013
#57
Wait for the UN, wait for the UN .... I don't believe the UN. Here comes the bus.
pampango
Sep 2013
#76