Hundreds Dead in Latest Syrian Assault China and Russia Block Security Council

[Conley]

Russia and China vetoed a United Nations resolution Saturday calling on Syrian President Bashar Assad to step down, despite fresh appeals by President Obama and other world leaders following the deadly assault by Syrian forces on the city of Homs.

Activists say Syrian forces killed more than 200 people in what may be the bloodiest confrontation of the uprising against Assad's regime. Leading up to the U.N. Security Council meeting, Obama condemned the "unspeakable assault" and called on other nations to support the Arab League-backed resolution.

The other 13 members, including the U.S., France and Britain, supported the resolution. But Russia and China, which both have veto power, blocked the measure. Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had said the resolution made too few demands of anti-government armed groups, and that Moscow remains concerned that it could prejudge the outcome of a national dialogue among political forces in Syria.

The vote forces diplomats at the U.N. to try to work out what could be a more watered-down version, despite the new wave of violence in Syria.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/02/04/obama-decries-unspeakable-assault-in-syria-builds-case-for-un-resolution/#ixzz1lR4eXhDZ

They are saying this is the bloodiest confrontation yet. What purpose do these resolutions serve anyway? Have they ever stopped anything without threat of military action or sanctions?

[Alias]

Two votes by Russia and China ensure the continued slaughter of innocent human beings. Nice. Democracy is messy.

[Conley]

Two votes by Russia and China ensure the continued slaughter of innocent human beings. Nice. Democracy is messy.

That was my reaction at first too, that this is BS. But honestly what would this UN resolution do? The only thing that's going to stop Assad is killing him. I do believe Assad is the bad guy here but it's hard to point fingers in a civil war and whoever replaces Assad could be even worse.

[Mister D]

I have a feeling whatever replaces Assad (assuming he is in fact overthrown) won't be "democracy".

[Conley]

Right.

[Mister D]

We should probably stop referring to democratic elections as democracy. AT that point, the term is just meaningless.

[Peter1469]

It is an internal Syrian problem. At least until such time as the rebels obtain the internationally recognized status of a belligerency. At that time the rebels become a sovereign entity in its own right and the conflict is now international. Then foreign powers can legitimately overtly intercede. Even in that case I would not advocate for direct US involvement, without adequate compensation that is- we do have a big debt that needs tackling.

[Mister D]

It is an internal Syrian problem. At least until such time as the rebels obtain the internationally recognized status of a belligerency. At that time the rebels become a sovereign entity in its own right and the conflict is now international. Then foreign powers can legitimately overtly intercede. Even in that case I would not advocate for direct US involvement, without adequate compensation that is- we do have a big debt that needs tackling.

The global elite makes everything its business.

[Conley]

We should probably stop referring to democratic elections as democracy. AT that point, the term is just meaningless.

True, but politicians will continue to throw that term around if it aligns with whatever special interest they are working for.

[Peter1469]

The global elite makes everything its business.

You are correct about the global elite. But they are concerned with oil. Hence the difference in treatment that Libya and Syria get. We actually let the al Qaeda rebels in Libya use our air force and naval air power.... Because that oil had to get back on the market....

[Mister D]

You are correct about the global elite. But they are concerned with oil. Hence the difference in treatment that Libya and Syria get. We actually let the al Qaeda rebels in Libya use our air force and naval air power.... Because that oil had to get back on the market....

No doubt. That's also why only lip service is paid when a bunch of people get slaughtered in Africa but I also think that there is a large segment of said elite that is concerned with getting their values spread around the world: materialism and "democracy". I hate the way we preach to the world and assume our way of life applies universally and for all time.

[Conley]

No doubt. That's also why only lip service is paid when a bunch of people get slaughtered in Africa but I also think that there is a large segment of said elite that is concerned with getting their values spread around the world: materialism and "democracy". I hate the way we preach to the world and assume our way of life applies universally and for all time.

It really is disgusting on a couple of levels.

[Mister D]

True, but politicians will continue to throw that term around if it aligns with whatever special interest they are working for.

I think that that is their interest in part. We've disagreed about this in the past but I do thin we invaded Iraq to transform the Mid East culturally.

[MMC]

The State Department announced Monday that it is withdrawing Ford and other U.S. government personnel from Syria and suspending operations of the U.S. Embassy in Syria amid worsening violence there. While the State Department said Ford would remain ambassador to Syria and would continue to meet with Syrian democracy activists abroad, current and former American and Iraqi officials told Yahoo News that the Obama administration is considering tapping Ford as Washington's envoy to Iraq--overseeing the largest U.S. embassy in the world. Another official being considered for the post is Assistant Secretary of State for the Middle East Jeff Feltman, the U.S. source said.

American officials described plans to cut the 16,000 US personnel and contractors in Iraq by half as a normal cost-saving measure. (The U.S. currently has about 2,000 diplomats in Iraq and 16,000 personnel including contractors posted to the country, the Times said.)

But regional diplomats tell Yahoo News the United States is also under pressure from Iraqi Shiite leaders to reduce the American presence in the country.

"This is what's happening," one regional diplomat told Yahoo News Tuesday on condition of anonymity. "First the U.S. gets the troops out. Then [the Iraqi Shiite] Sadrists say publicly, 'what kind of withdrawal is this, the Americans still have 16,000 diplomats in the country.' So first they force the military out. Now the anti-American elements force the diplomats out. This is what it is.".....snip~

So much for waiting on that Offical Recognition!!!!! Moreover why are we telling people that we are just now pulling people out of Syria. When we did this already and about 6 months earlier. With regards to the newbreaks that we are pulling our Embassy peeps out.

[Conley]

Are those two separate articles you're posting? What is the connection between closing the embassy in Syria and the contractor levels in Iraq? Just that Ford might end up as ambassador to Iraq?

[MMC]

In the first hour or so, we heard a lot of gunfire from rebel fighters of the Free Syria Army. It was a futile gesture - Kalashnikovs against artillery......snip~

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-16912756

Ah.....but it is okay for the West to back Sunni Rebels so they can take the Country From Assad. This way when attacking Iran then none need worry about getting hit in the ass by Syria. Yes yes......the Sunni cry and the world listens. The Sunni says they accept Democracy, they are moderate and they will find a way to adopt sharia law into Democracy. So says the MB. I say tell the MB to kiss our ass and watch what comes out of their mouths. We have our eye on them.....ALWAYS!!!!!

There is also another group of Rebels with a Name. National Transitional Government. So which Sunni will make the grab for power. Guess it really doesnt matter as the West will kiss all Sunni Ass until they wake to reality!

[MMC]

Are those two separate articles you're posting? What is the connection between closing the embassy in Syria and the contractor levels in Iraq? Just that Ford might end up as ambassador to Iraq?


No, One article and the reason I posted it is due to the Embassy being closed prior to this release by the Press.....and due to the fact of How The Syrian Activists will be allowed to leave Syria and have all those talks about taking over Syria with Ford even tho they are not officially recognized as the Ruling Authority in Syria.

So why is the US meeting with Terrorists???

[MMC]

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/55834000/jpg/_55834354_jex_1189076_de27-1.jpg

Susan Rice walked out of the UN meeting when Syria's envoy criticised the US.

But the resolution - which was drafted by France with the co-operation of Britain, Germany and Portugal - was still defeated because of the vetoes from two of the council's five permanent members.....snip~

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-15177114

France in the UN.....always into other countries affairs. Always filing resolutions, always finding away to say they are promoting Democracy. To bad France don't LEAD THE FREE WORLD!

Which is the next concept that must be driven into their heads, non-stop. Until they conform and do the world a favor and Shut the Fuck Up!!!!!

[MMC]

The rare double-veto was issued following days of high-level negotiations aimed at overcoming Russian opposition to the draft resolution. In a true display of diplomatic brinksmanship, the U.S., European nations and the Arab League ultimately decided to call Russia's bluff on its threats to block the measure (http://thepoliticalforums.com/#) despite its overwhelming support among council members. Moscow went ahead and used its veto, bringing Beijing along in support.

British Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant said his country was "appalled" by the double veto, but would continue efforts to get the Security Council to take action.
"Despite this veto, we will continue as the United Kingdom to strongly support the Arab League plan and we will bring this issue back to the Security Council if the Syrian regime does not end the bloodshed and implement the plan as has been demanded," Lyall Grant said.

"It is a sad day for this council, a sad day for Syrians and a sad day for all friends of democracy," French Ambassador Gerard Araud said after the vote.

"Assad has no right to lead Syria, and has lost all legitimacy with his people and the international community," Obama said.
To the Syrian people, Obama pledged U.S. support and vowed to work with them to build a better future in their country.....snip~

http://ktar.com/509/1409006/UN-council-to-meet-Saturday-on-Syria

Heres one for Obama.....how about worrying about building a better future for America and it's people!!!!!

[RollingWave]

I don't think a highly destablized world would mean a better future for anyone, not to meantion the US have not actually committed anything in this yet. those diplomats will be out there even in peace times.

Also, classifying just about all Sunnis (or Muslims) as terrorist is a surefired way to make sure the US will be fighting a war somehwere in the middle east for the rest of our lifes.

[Conley]

I don't think a highly destablized world would mean a better future for anyone, not to meantion the US have not actually committed anything in this yet. those diplomats will be out there even in peace times.

Also, classifying just about all Sunnis (or Muslims) as terrorist is a surefired way to make sure the US will be fighting a war somehwere in the middle east for the rest of our lifes.

Destabilization along with nuclear proliferation is a real problem and one that our foreign policy should begin addressing immediately. Even if Iran's project is set back temporarily it is just a matter of time. Pakistan is a problem no one is talking about but a very real concern.