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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsUN Sources Say Syrian Rebels — Not Assad — Used Sarin Gas
ADAM CLARK ESTES MAY 5, 2013
A member of the United Nations commission of inquiry announced on a Swiss-Italian television show that they believe the Syrian rebels have used chemical weapons on Assad's troops. "Our investigators have been in neighboring countries interviewing victims, doctors and field hospitals and, according to their report of last week which I have seen, there are strong, concrete suspicions but not yet incontrovertible proof of the use of sarin gas, from the way the victims were treated," said Carla Del Ponte, a member of the commission. "This was use on the part of the opposition, the rebels, not by the government authorities."
Well, this complicates matters. It was just ten days ago that the United States shook its fist and officially declared that chemical weapons were being used by the Assad regime against its own people. This indicated that the Syrian government had crossed the "red line" that Obama determined last year and opened the possibility of greater U.S. involvement. But if it was the other way around if the good guys sprayed sarin gas on the bad guys? That makes assisting the rebels a much more complicated transaction. Chemical weapons are horrible, no doubt about that. And sarin gas is absolutely off limits, according to the Geneva Protocol, and with three reported uses in Syria, it's not like it was an accident. Also, chemical weapons are horrible.
Before anybody does anything, though, the U.N. commission's claims need to be verified. There's been nothing but misinformation spewing out of Syria, as the conflict turned to an all out civil war, and it's not unimaginable that the Assad regime has been able to spin some information to their advantage. Plus how in the world would the rebels even get sarin gas? It doesn't grow on trees, and though the government does have a bunch on hand, they've been guarding it heavily. That said, it's not like it's the Syrian state news agency that's making the sarin claim. It's the United Nations or at least their sources. They seem like honest, human rights-loving world citizens, right?
While it'll take a little more sleuthing before we can positively confirm who's using what weapons, one thing is for sure: Things have gone from bad to worse to really bad in Syria these past few months. And now that Israel's started shelling the country, it'll probably keep getting worse before it gets better.
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http://www.theatlanticwire.com/global/2013/05/un-sources-say-rebel-forces-not-assad-used-sarin-gas/64897/
BlueCaliDem
(15,438 posts)and if this UN report is correct, President Obama was 100% correct in holding off sending weapons to them - something Warmonger McCain and the Lady Lindsey were pushing the president to do.
Xithras
(16,191 posts)They're openly swearing allegiance to Al Qaeda and posting videos to Liveleak for the world to see. Western media just refuses to report most of it because it undermines their "freedom loving rebels" meme.
BlueCaliDem
(15,438 posts)Even I didn't know, and I consider myself pretty politically astute.
I'm so sick of the U.S. media refusing to report that there are many "rebels" swearing their allegiance to one of America's worst enemies, and giving way to pushing for more war while backing up warmongers in our gov't.
byeya
(2,842 posts)eissa
(4,238 posts)The rebels are trying desperately to get western powers involved in the conflict. The more guns pointed at the Assad regime, the better for their cause. The recent Israeli airstrikes were like manna from heaven for them. Knowing other countries would align against the government if chemicals were used gives them all the more reason for the rebels to use them. Glad we have a president who investigates thoroughly before jumping into wars, unlike his predecessor.
pampango
(24,692 posts)to investigate the sites where the chemical weapons may have been used.
mojowork_n
(2,354 posts)Really?
It would seem to defy credibility, as far as getting returns on a risk-reward balance, for anyone to use that stuff.
That would be like an Elvis Impersonator using Ricin to try to poison....
....Oh, wait, never mind.