Protests in Syria - Discussion Thread

[Flamming_Python]

I wonder why Russia only voices its concerns when it comes to the wrongdoings of the opposition and never address the crimes of Assads side? Wouldn't Russia's position in a future Syria (with an uncertain outcome of this civil war) be better if it would remain neutral and position itself as some sort of neutral broker? Isn't Russa in danger to lose its favorable position in Syria should Assad lose?

It is being fairly neutral and has been critisising Assad plenty. It's not reported in the Western media but Russia has been calling from dialogue between the opposition and Assad from the beginning, as well as advocating free elections and so forth. The only side it has taken with Assad is that against possible external intervention and interference. Between Assad and the opposition however, it has attempted to maintain neutrality.

[Herman the II]

It is being fairly neutral and has been critisising Assad plenty. It's not reported in the Western media but Russia has been calling from dialogue between the opposition and Assad from the beginning, as well as advocating free elections and so forth. The only side it has taken with Assad is that against possible external intervention and interference. Between Assad and the opposition however, it has attempted to maintain neutrality.

Im not talking about "western" media. In the case of the German media I feel well informed and think they have a somewhat neutral and unbiased view on the whole affair, this not my point however.

Whenever I look at ria novosti and other "Russian" sources the first thing that pops up is "negative" news about the opposition, I was wondering why and whats the purpose of that. I believe government circles have a certain influence in the Russian media and I don't see what Russia can gain from positioning itself the way it does.

e.g. a snap form RIA:

Headline:
UN Finds Human Rights Violations by Syria Opposition




Related News

• Syrian Internal Opposition Could Back Military Intervention
• Moscow Criticizes Call to Arm Syrian Opposition
• FACTBOX: Syrian Opposition Profile
• UN Observers Begin Mission Work in Syria – Ban Ki-moon
• Lavrov Tells ‘Third Parties’ to Stay Out of Syrian Conflict

The "direction" of most articles is clear, don't you think?

It's very easy. Because Russia supports freedom of speech it voices its concerns when it comes to the crimes of the opposition and wrongdoings of Assads side. As you don't get an info about opposition crimes at all it seems that Russia supports opposition if a source is prepared and distorted, some parts omitted, before representing it to match required anti-Assad propaganda pattern.

So you are saying that Russia media supports the freedom of speech whereas "western" media doesn't?

[Combat-Master]

Turkey Intercepts Ship With Suspected Arms Headed for Syria

Turkey has intercepted a vessel in the Mediterranean suspected of carrying weapons and ammunition to Syria, a diplomatic source told AFP on April 18.


“We received information that the vessel has a cargo of arms and ammunition headed for Syria,” the source said on condition of anonymity, adding that Turkish authorities would search the vessel later in the day.


The Antigua- and Barbuda-flagged Atlantic Cruiser belongs to a German company, the source added.


The German shipping firm denied allegations April 16 that its vessel was carrying Iranian arms to Syria, violating European Union sanctions against the Damascus regime.


Newsweekly Der Spiegel reported over the weekend that the Atlantic Cruiser, owned by German company Bockstiegel but chartered by a Ukrainian firm, had been stopped on the high seas with Iranian weapons on board. Bockstiegel said they had no indication that the cargo included arms or ammunition as stated in the press, and the Ukrainian company that chartered the ship further testified that the cargo contained no weapons.


The ship was stopped close to the Turkish port in Iskenderun for a cargo inspection. Bockstiegel acknowledged that the ship’s crew had only been able to check “the container stacked at the top,” and the ship would continue its journey only after it passes the inspection.


Iran is under a United Nations arms embargo imposed in 2007 because of its alleged nuclear activities while Western countries have declared a similar embargo against Iranian ally Syria since a bloody crackdown on dissent began over a year ago.


Amid Damascus’ violent crackdown, Turkey imposed gradual sanctions against its neighbor — including interception of arms shipments there by air, land and sea.


Throughout last year, Turkey intercepted several ships and trucks suspected of carrying weapons into Syria through Turkish territory.




http://www.defensenews.com/article/2...sey=nav%7Chead

[geolocator]

So you are saying that Russia media supports the freedom of speech whereas "western" media doesn't?

Yes, I just a bit changed the entry point to avoid above-mentioned distortions. Please, point me to a western source of the same scale that will report that rebels commit crimes too.

http://en.rian.ru/world/20120417/172875641.html
Related News

• Lavrov Tells ‘Third Parties’ to Stay Out of Syrian Conflict
• Annan Plan 'Last Chance' for Syria – Opposition Figure
• UN Observers Begin Mission Work in Syria – Ban Ki-moon
• First UN Monitors Arrive in Syria
• Syrian Opposition Delegation Heads to Moscow
• Syrian Government Forces Shell Homs Before UN Visit
• UN Security Council Adopts Plan to Send Observers to Syria
• Security Council Schedules Syrian Observers Vote for Sat.

Multimedia

• People Injured and Homes Destroyed Amid Continued Clashes in Syria
• Dire Consequences of Confrontation in Syria

[Camera]

A video uploaded to YouTube on Wednesday evening showed what appeared to be Syrian soldiers kicking and mocking the dead bodies of Syrians they had killed.

GRAPHIC WARRANT:

[Camera]

Shots fired as U.N. observers visit Syria, activists say


By the CNN Wire Staff

(CNN) -- Security forces fired at demonstrators in a Syrian city Wednesday while United Nations observers were visiting, activists said.

The incident took place near Damascus in the city of Arbeen where, activists said, demonstrators congregated near the Grand Mosque in Arbeen's market to welcome the observers, who are in the country monitoring the country's shaky cease-fire.

One video shows demonstrators surrounding U.N. vehicles before gunfire sends all of them running. A second video shows people running while the narrator says, "they are firing on demonstrators while the observers are visiting."

Another video shows protesters surrounding a U.N. vehicle with the crowd chanting that "the people want the arming of the Free Syrian Army." It shows a pink handwritten sign on the back of one of the U.N. vehicles that says, "the killer is still killing, the observers are still observing, and the people still rebelling."

CONTINUED + CNN VIDEO REPORT: http://edition.cnn.com/2012/04/18/wo...html?hpt=hp_t1

[Nyusu]

Shots fired as U.N. observers visit Syria, activists say


By the CNN Wire Staff

(CNN) -- Security forces fired at demonstrators in a Syrian city Wednesday while United Nations observers were visiting, activists said.

The incident took place near Damascus in the city of Arbeen where, activists said, demonstrators congregated near the Grand Mosque in Arbeen's market to welcome the observers, who are in the country monitoring the country's shaky cease-fire.

One video shows demonstrators surrounding U.N. vehicles before gunfire sends all of them running. A second video shows people running while the narrator says, "they are firing on demonstrators while the observers are visiting."

Another video shows protesters surrounding a U.N. vehicle with the crowd chanting that "the people want the arming of the Free Syrian Army." It shows a pink handwritten sign on the back of one of the U.N. vehicles that says, "the killer is still killing, the observers are still observing, and the people still rebelling."

CONTINUED + CNN VIDEO REPORT: http://edition.cnn.com/2012/04/18/wo...html?hpt=hp_t1

Lol at this BS Report. Especially the "sniper nest". Lot of snipers in civilian clothes dancing on a roof...

[Laworkerbee]

(CNN) -- Security forces fired at demonstrators in a Syrian city Wednesday while United Nations observers were visiting, activists said.

I'm sure those "activists" had nothing to do with the gunfire, nothing at all. Why is it Palestinian, or Bahraini, or Iraqi activists are laughed at but these Syrian ones taken so seriously, as if every word they utter is truth? Fuck CNN.

[machiavelli]

hey herman

and good english language german news u can recommend

[machiavelli]

It weakens military activity of opposition, but strenghten civilian activity like mass demonstrations.

great point kalerab

non violent protests are the way to go

[Camera]

France urges humanitarian corridor in Syria

By REUTER$
04/19/2012 10:37

UN's Ban says Assad regime has yet to send "a clear signal" on peace; China considering sending observers.

PARIS - French President Nicolas Sarkozy said on Thursday that the solution for the crisis in Syria was the establishment of humanitarian corridors which would allow the opposition to President Bashar Assad to survive.

Ahead of a foreign ministers' meeting on Syria in Paris on Thursday, Sarkozy also said that he was convinced that China and Russia would drop their support for Damascus if the international community showed unity.

"Bashar al-Assad is lying ... He wants to wipe Homs off the map just like (former Libyan President Muammar) Gaddafi wanted to destroy Benghazi," Sarkozy said.

CONTINUED: http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=266673

[themacedonian]

..... and Sarkozy wanted to sell him a nuclear reactor. By next week he will not be in office.

[gresh]

Funeral for demonstrator killed by the regime, thousands attend:


Report from Wednesday:
Wednesday drew to an end with 46 martyrs
Posted by abeer on April 19th, 2012
Local Coordination Committees Wednesday drew to an end with 46 martyrs killed at the hand of security forces and Shabiha, including a child and a woman; 27 martyrs fell in Homs, 3 martyrs fell in each of Hama and Boukamal in Deir Ezzor, 4 martyrs fell in each of Idlib and Daraa, 2 martyrs fell in each of Damascus and Aleppo, and one martyr fell in Damascus Suburbs


Damascus: A demonstration started with the participation of "Damascus' Youth Union for Change", near the Ministry of Islamic Endowments on the road between Shahbandar square and Mesat square, a few meters away from the Ministry of Education in the center of the capital


Damascus: Security forces arrested the activist and former detainee, young Diab Saria with 3 of his friends: Mohannad Darkhabany, Mohammad Zareq, and young Ahmad Zaghlol. It should be noted that Saria was detained for five years for the youth democratic movement, and he was released only months ago. It is believed that he was arrested for the detainees activism in the field of aiding people who fled from Homs to Damascus


Damascus Suburbs: Jesreen: Regime's army hid armored vehicles and tanks, and changed their clothes to maintenance of order in case the observers committee arrived


Aleppo: Mohammad Abdul Hameed Al-Abd Al-Majeed after regime forces shot at a demonstration in Maisar neighborhood


Homs: A massive demonstration started in Waeer neighborhood, demonstrators demanded toppling the regime and called the international observers to visit Homs


Daraa: Daeel: Regime's army violated the truce and shot from heavy machine guns near Al-Hasan mosque to intimidate residents


Homs: Martyrs and wounded fell from continuous shelling on Jobar and Soltania neighborhoods. The shelling continues for the seventh day in a row


Homs: Qusair: Manu injuries were reported as a result of sporadic shelling that is targeting the city. The shelling is ongoing since the early morning and up until now


Hama: Injuries were reported in Mazareb neighborhood as a result of security members' sporadic gunfire form heavy machine guns


Damascus: Tadamon: The security forces conduct a raid campaign in Daaboul street amid heavy security deployment


Hama: Kafar Zeta: Many wounded fell in the town after the security forces opened fire at demonstrators demanded the criminal regime's ouster


Hama: Maardbes: Security forces dispersed an evening demnostration that started in the city and arrested a few demonstrators


Damascus: Naher Aisha: Gunfire in the neighborhood after a demonstration started in the area


Damascus: Revolutionists blocked Reasat Majles Al-Wuzara Road in front of the Faculty of Medicine in solidarity with disaster-stricken cities


Daraa: Basr Hareer: The town is suffering from a humanitarian crisis after it was stormed by the regime's army amidst violent random shelling, martyring several residents and injuring many, some of which are in a critical condition. Some houses were demolished and others were damaged. Furthermore, the town is witnessing a vast exodus of its residents due to the heavy shelling and the panic that especially the children are suffering from. Regime forces have raided one of the refugee camps giving shelter to about 50 families and arrested many of them. It is to be noted that the town also suffers from a shortage of medical equipment and medical staff after many physicians have been arrested. One of the physicians was shot dead as he tried to flee.


Homs: Qosair: Violent shelling of the city with mortars and missiles from Daba'a Airport and Jissr Shanshar and Sayegh Checkpoint


Homs: Hawleh: Intense gunfire from anti-aircraft systems towards houses in Kafar Laha from the direction of the checkpoints in Taldo


Evening Demonstration in Manbaj in Aleppo Chanting for Syrian Unity

[Camera]

..... and Sarkozy wanted to sell him a nuclear reactor. By next week he will not be in office.

Really?
Aren't you confusing Sarkozy with Chirac, Assad with Saddam, and the 1970s with the 2010s?

[Camera]

Syrian regime set on 'repression', France says


Following a "Friends of Syria" meeting in Paris, French Foreign Minister Alain Juppé (left) said the Syrian opposition has abided by the requirements of a proposed peace plan while the regime has pursued its "repressive tactics" despite a ceasefire.


AFP - France warned on Thursday that Syria is on course for civil war, calling for a more robust UN mission there and accusing Bashar al-Assad's regime of failing to honour a ceasefire pledge.


Foreign Minister Alain Juppe was speaking in Paris at a conference of more than a dozen senior officials from states that support sanctions against Syria to force Assad to comply with United Nations envoy Kofi Annan's plan.


"The Annan plan is a chance for peace, a chance that should not be missed," he said, praising the pro-democratic revolution against Assad for playing its part and denouncing what Paris sees as the regime's intransigence.


"The opposition has fulfilled its obligations under the Annan plan, which was welcomed by the Syrian National Council," he said, referring to the main umbrella body representing the diverse anti-regime forces.


"The groups on the ground have respected the ceasefire, despite the fact that coordination between them has been made very hard by the provocations of the regime," he argued.


"We cannot say the same for the Syrian regime. It is pursuing without shame repressive tactics that have already left dozens more dead since the ceasefire was due to go into effect," he said.


He called for tough sanctions against Damascus and for the small UN observer team on the ground to be boosted to 300 or 400-strong and made "robust and credible" by being given land and air transport to cover the country.

CONTINUED: http://www.france24.com/en/20120419-...ds-syria-paris


On a side note, the Socialist candidate for the Presidency, François Hollande who leads in the polls, stated that he is in favor of a French military intervention in Syria.