Former Russian Prime Minister
<http://www.itar-tass.com/en/c53/491098.html>Yevgeny Primakov
calls it "full-scale civil war." It's full-scale but not civil.
Syria's been invaded. Civil war implies two internal warring sides.
That's very much not the case. Primakov said:
"Mercenaries and volunteers from other states are fighting (Assad) jointly
with" violent internal forces. Most Syria opponents are nonviolent.
They want peaceful conflict resolution. Washington has other ideas.
"President Obama has given a direct order to the CIA to support the
Syrian opposition."
"That is flagrant interference in internal affairs of a sovereign state,
which does not endanger the United States or anyone else."
"Saudi Arabia and Qatar are funding militants. Turkey is giving them
active support." So are other regional countries.
"Russia holds the only correct position," he added. "We have a moral
position: we care for life and security of millions of people and for
stability of the huge and important region."
Syria is strategically important for Moscow. Tartus is its only Mediterranean
base. Protecting it is key. Assad is a valued regional ally. It's in
Russia's interest to support him.
Moscow backed Annan's peace plan dependent on keeping him in power and
having Syrian sovereignty be respected. Its strategy also lets other
global allies know it's committed to back them if needed. Some have
their own internal problems and need reassurance.
Regional economic interests are also important. Much more is involved
than weapons.
Russia constructed Iran's Bushehr nuclear facility and agreed to build
three more. Both countries have strategic ties. They also have other
economic relations.
Russian Federation regions have additional ones. Both countries cooperate
on oil and gas interests.
Russian expertise and technology helped build Syrian infrastructure.
It's also responsible for dozens of industrial facilities. It includes
about one-third of its electrical power capacity, another third of its
oil-related operations, and help building the Euphrates dam.
Maritime interests are important. Linking Latakia, Syria with Novorossiysk,
Russia on the Black Sea facilitates cargo shipments. Gazprom has oil
and gas development operations.
Both countries have nuclear energy ties. They also cooperate on other
commercial, scientific, military, and environmental issues.
Russia and Syria enjoyed strategic relations for decades. Patrick Seale
called Moscow Hafez Assad's main ally. Given Washington's regional ambitions,
both countries serve each other strategically.
Greater Washington Eurasian control threatens Moscow directly. Preventing
it is key. Standing firm on Syria and Iran is vital.
America infests the region with military bases. Offensive missile shield
installations target Russia and China. Both countries partnered with
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan in a Shanghai Cooperation
Organization (SCO) alliance.
India, Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, and Mongolia have observer status.
Belarus and Sri Lanka are dialogue partners. Expanding the organization
is planned.
SCO supports economic cooperation, peace, and national sovereignty.
Member states are a potential bulwark against Washington-led NATO aggression.
On June 6 and 7, members met in Beijing. Security and economic cooperation
issues were discussed. Washington's missile shield was condemned.
Its North Africa/Eurasian militarization threatens Russia, China, Iran,
and other countries. Syria is ground zero. Holding the line is vital.
Odds of succeeding are uncertain. Washington doesn't quit once strategic
plans are implemented.
Assad promises to try. On August 8, <http://sana.sy/eng/21/2012/08/08/435220.htm>SANA
state media said he's determined to defeat terrorists responsible for
mass killings and atrocities.
He spoke during a meeting with Iran's Supreme National Security Council
Secretary Saeed Jalili. They met on issues affecting both countries.
They agreed that resolving Syria's crisis depends on internal solutions.
Separately, <http://sana.sy/eng/22/2012/08/08/435339.htm>SANA
reported Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi warning about:
"plots which aim at destabilizing peace and stability in the region,
instigate conflicts among the minorities and sects which lived together
in peace in order to change the situations in the region."
Salehi met with Turkish officials in Ankara. They discussed 48 Iranian
visitors abducted by Syrian insurgents. At issue is ensuring their safety
and release. Reportedly three were killed.
Syrian captors said one was a Russian general. They identified him as
Major General Vladimir Kuzheez. Moscow's Defense Ministry called the
claim "complete lies." An <http://en.rian.ru/russia/20120808/175062759.html>official
statement added:
"The goal of broadcasting such statements is not just to cause a sensation,
but a clear attempt at a slur toward the Russian Army."
<http://en.rian.ru/russia/20120808/175062759.html>Kuzheev is very
much alive. He met with journalists and dismissed reports of his death,
saying:
"I want to express thanks to the media for their attention to my person....I
want to confirm that I am well and alive in Moscow....I realize that
this information is a provocation not only against me but against my
country."
Saudi controlled Al Arabiya broadcast a video featuring Free Syrian
Army representatives claiming Kuzheev was killed. They showed what they
called his photo ID identity card. It was fake.
The battle for Aleppo continues. Government forces cleared insurgents
from Salaheddin. They're gaining the upper hand. Reports are the city
is surrounded.
Five Saudi and two Turkish military officers were captured. One was
a Turkish general. Earlier insurgent claims about controlling most of
the city were false.
They're outmanned, outgunned, and outmaneuvered. They're being defeated.
Nonetheless, clearing them from neighborhoods takes time.
<http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2012/08/08/255173/syria-insurgents-receive-stinger-missiles/>Press
TV cited reports about insurgents supplied with chemical weapons. It
said Turkey gave them surface-to-air Stinger missiles. They came with
"thermal rockets and sophisticated weaponry."
"More than 100 Turkish troops backed with armored vehicles and helicopters
entered the Syrian border town of Cerablos in the Kurdish region of
Kobani on Tuesday."
"A spokesman for the Kurdish militias in the border towns of Kobani
and Efrin accused the Turkish forces of supplying arms and ammunition
to insurgents fighting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government."
"NBC News also reported on July 31 that nearly two dozen MANPADs (man-portable
air-defense systems) have been delivered to the insurgents in Syria
by Turkey."
<http://rickrozoff.wordpress.com/2012/08/07/turkey-natos-neo-ottoman-spearhead-in-the-middle-east/>Rick
Rozoff also said Turkey has troops in Syria. They threatened to use
them to protect a site agreed to in 1921.
Ankara was guaranteed the right to station forces at the Suleyman Shah
mausoleum. He's the grandfather of Ottoman Empire founder Osman I (Osman
Bey).
Turkey considers the site and surrounding area sovereign territory.
A small military contingent protects it. Whether it's a wedge for larger
numbers and planned belligerency remains to be seen.
Rozoff said the site was "proclaimed a NATO outpost in Syria." Developments
ahead warrant close monitoring. Incrementally they head toward Western
and/or regional intervention.
On August 6, <http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article32107.htm>Ron
Paul warned about more war, saying:
"The administration seems determined to fight yet another war in Syria
that has nothing to do with American national interests."
"Neoconservatives have long demanded that we overthrow the Syrian government
before moving on to war against Iran. This bellicosity continues regardless
of which party is in the White House."
"In Syria we see once again we see how our interventionist policies
backfire and make us less secure."
Washington has no business being involved in Syria, he added. "When
will we learn our lesson and stop intervening in conflicts....having
nothing to do with American national interests?"
Republican and Democrat hawks way outnumber Paul and other congressional
doves. Obama heads toward war. Electoral politics dictate timing. Post-election
may be planned. He and Romney are like-minded.
It doesn't matter who wins. Both men support war. Expect it. Only its
timing is unknown. Catastrophic consequences look certain.
Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at <mailto:lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net>lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.
His new book is titled "How Wall Street Fleeces America: Privatized
Banking, Government Collusion and Class War"
<http://www.claritypress.com/Lendman.html>http://www.claritypress.com/Lendman.html
Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to cutting-edge
discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News
Hour on the Progressive Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central time
and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy
listening.
<http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/the-progressive-news-hour
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