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Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Annan tells UN Syria hasnÂ’t withdrawn heavy weapons
2012-04-26
I was contemplating the 'Master of the Obvious' graphic for this story as well.
BEIRUT/UNITED NATIONS: Syria has failed to comply with a pledge to withdraw weapons from population centers, and towns where citizens met with UN truce monitors may have been attacked, international mediator Kofi Annan told the UN Security Council on Tuesday.

As violence flared in the Syrian capital of Damascus, Annan told the 15-nation body “we need eyes and ears on the ground, able to move freely and quickly” to watch over the ragged cease-fire. But the head of UN peacekeeping said deployment was moving slowly.
Send in the mighty Uruguayans!
Annan made clear that Syrian forces had not withdrawn heavy weapons from urban centers and returned to barracks, as they are required to under a six-point peace plan he drew up.

“The situation in Syria continues to be unacceptable. The Syria authorities must implement their commitments in full, and a cessation of violation in all its forms must be respected by all parties,” Annan said, according to a transcript of his remarks.

He suggested the Syrian government was targeting people in areas where the monitors had met with civilians. He noted that he was “particularly alarmed by reports that government troops entered Hama yesterday after observers departed, firing automatic weapons and killing a significant number of people.”

“If confirmed, this is totally unacceptable and reprehensible,” Annan said. “Two observers have been stationed in Hama today.”
So expect some more dead civilians...
The US ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice, sent a Twitter message from inside the council where Annan was briefing via video link, saying, “targeting by Syrian regime of those speaking with UN monitors is outrageous but not unexpected.”
Boy howdy, what resolute diplomacy by the U.S. ambassador...
Rice said that was a direct violation of two resolutions the Security Council adopted this month to authorize the deployment to Syria of 300 monitors and an unspecified number of civilians as part of a UN observer mission called UNSMIS.
Posted by:Steve White

#5  Grom - I pick whoever is losing at any given moment as the one to quietly help.
Posted by: Glenmore   2012-04-26 20:46  

#4  This is a civil war, either pick a side and help of shut up and leave them alone.

Already picked a side. And are helping it. But the narrative must be preserved.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru   2012-04-26 11:10  

#3  The thing that gets me about this is "Where do you expect them to be withdrawn too?"

I assume that it's expected that all the troops and weapons be stored in a warehouse/base somewhere and just allow the rebels to have freedom of movement and freedom to fire but c'mon that's ridiculous. This is a civil war, either pick a side and help of shut up and leave them alone.
Posted by: AlanC   2012-04-26 10:59  

#2  Thats actually par for the Syrians, be it Bashir = Baby Assad, or his late Daddy-o.

* TOPIX > SYRIA FACES NEO-MUJAHIDEED STRUGGLE.

I'll say - the Hard Boyz back in AFPAK are wearing raggedy traditional Islamic wear, the Syrian Hard Boyz are post-modern le chic.

versus

* DEFENCE.PK/FORUMS > TURKISH LEADERS: [JDP] GOVT. HAS TURNED TURKEY INTO A BASE FOR TERRORISM, + Imperialism.

PM Erdogan attempting to enforce a unilateral PRO-TURKIC/KEMALIST "GREATER MIDDLE EAST" AGENDUM???

* SAME > TURKISH ReSIGNED OFFICIALS: ERDOGAN IS TOOL WHOM IS CARRYING OUT THE PROJECTS OF SUPERPOWERS, not Turkey's interests.

* SAME > TURKEY TO STAGE [Aegean]MARITIME EXERCISES UNDER IRANIAN SUPERVISION | IRANIAN FORCES TO OBSERVE TURKISH MILITARY EXERCISES.

* TOPIX > IRANOLOGIST: AZERBAIJAN ARMY TOO WEAK TO DEFEND PIPELINE, REGION DURING [any]IRAN-AZERI WAR, IRAN ONLY NEEEDS 10% OF ITS ARMY TO REACH [take] BAKU.

* SAME > IMF ASKS CAUCASUS + CENTRAL ASIA TO CREATE MORE JOBS, espec to deter or defeat Rising Islamism among the youths + working-class [males].
Posted by: JosephMendiola   2012-04-26 01:52  

#1  Did they piss on your shoes too, Kofi?
Posted by: tu3031   2012-04-26 00:15  

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