Fabricated Intelligence and the WMD Pretext: Obama Heads Closer Closer to War on Syria
Global Research, April 25, 2013
Url of this article:
http://www.globalresearch.ca/fabricated-intelligence-and-the-wmd-pretext-obama-heads-closer-closer-to-war-on-syria/5332965
http://www.globalresearch.ca/fabricated-intelligence-and-the-wmd-pretext-obama-heads-closer-closer-to-war-on-syria/5332965
A previous article discussed spurious
allegations of Syrian chemical weapons use. Obama calls using them a
“game changer.” He also said their use crosses a “red line.”
Syrian officials categorically deny using them. According to Information Minister Omran al-Zoabi:
Days earlier, Israeli General Itai Brun claimed Syria used chemical weapons “on a number of occasions.” He cited unspecified photo evidence. He called the weapon used sarin-based.
Former US ambassador to Israel Martin Indyk said Obama’s “red line appears to have been crossed. The administration has to take some time to decide what to do about it.”
Separately, Mossad-connected DEBKAfile (DF) said Israeli warplanes downed a Hezbollah drone eight kilometers “out at sea” from Haifa. It flew south from Lebanon.
An IDF spokesman said:
On April 23 (updated on April 25), Washington Post editors headlined “Honoring a ‘red line in Syria over chemical weapons,” saying:
“THREE MAJOR US allies – Britain, France and Israel – have now concluded that the Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad has very likely used chemical weapons, not once but on multiple occasions.”
“This would cross a ‘red line’ drawn by President Obama.” He’s been very clear saying America “will not tolerate the use of chemical weapons against the Syrian people.”
So far he stopped short of intervening. “If there is no response, Damascus may decide that it is free to use its chemicals on a larger scale.”
At the same time, “Obama has been inching toward more decisive action.”
Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.
His new book is titled “Banker Occupation: Waging Financial War on Humanity.”
http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanII.html
Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com.
Listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network.
It airs Fridays 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
Syrian officials categorically deny using them. According to Information Minister Omran al-Zoabi:
“Even if Syria does have chemical
weapons, our leadership and our military will not use them either
against Syrians or against Israelis, above all for moral reasons and
secondarily on legal and political grounds.”
On April 24, The New York Times headlined “US Says It Suspects Assad Used Chemical Weapons,” saying:
“....American intelligence agencies now
assess, with ‘varying degrees of confidence,’ that the Syrian government
has used chemical weapons, but it said it needed conclusive proof
before President Obama would take action.”
On April 25, the White House Office of Legislative Affairs director Miguel Rodriguez addressed Syria. His letter to Senators John McCain (R. AZ) ad Carl Levin (D. MI) said:
“At the president’s direction, the United
States government has been closely monitoring the potential use of
chemical weapons within Syria.”
“We have kept the relevant committees of
Congress fully informed of our assessments on this issue, consistent
with our statutory obligations.”
“Our intelligence community does assess
with varying degrees of confidence that the Syrian regime has used
chemical weapons on a small scale in Syria, specifically the chemical
agent sarin. This assessment is based in part on physiological samples.”
“Our standard of evidence must build on these intelligence assessments as we seek to establish credible and corroborated facts.”
“For example, the chain of custody is not clear, so we cannot confirm how the exposure occurred and under what conditions.”
“We do believe that any use of chemical
weapons in Syria would very likely have originated with the Assad
regime. Thus far, we believe that the Assad regime maintains custody of
these weapons and has demonstrated a willingness to escalate its
horrific use of violence against the Syrian people.”
“Because of our concern about the
deteriorating situation in Syria, the president has made it clear that
the use of chemical weapons – or transfer of chemical weapons to
terrorist groups – is a red line for the United States of America.”
“Given the stakes involved, and what we
have learned from our own recent experience, intelligence assessments
alone are not sufficient – only credible and corroborated facts that
provide us with some degree of certainty will guide our
decision-making....”
“In the interim, the administration is
prepared for all contingencies so that we can respond appropriately to
any confirmed use of chemical weapons, consistent with our national
interests.”
“The United States and the international
community have a number of potential responses available, and no option
is off the table.”
Britain’s Foreign Office claims “limited but persuasive information
from various sources showing chemical weapons use in Syria, including
Sarin.”Days earlier, Israeli General Itai Brun claimed Syria used chemical weapons “on a number of occasions.” He cited unspecified photo evidence. He called the weapon used sarin-based.
Former US ambassador to Israel Martin Indyk said Obama’s “red line appears to have been crossed. The administration has to take some time to decide what to do about it.”
“But if they end up leaving the
impression that the president is not willing to enforce his red line,
that will have consequences in the region, particularly when it comes to
Iran’s nuclear program, as well as for our ability to deter Assad’s use
of chemical weapons in Syria.”
An unnamed Israeli official told the New York Times:
“Every intelligence branch can submit its
own assessment. The issue of chemical weapons is being examined by
Israel and the United States at the most senior levels, and is still
being discussed.”
The Times added:
“Administration officials said that the
Pentagon had prepared a menu of military options for Mr. Obama if he
concluded that there was incontrovertible evidence that chemical weapons
had been used.”
“Those options, one official said, could
include missile strikes on Syrian aircraft from American ships in the
Mediterranean or commando raids.”
Days earlier in Brussels, Secretary of State John Kerry said NATO
should plan for a possible Syrian chemical weapons attack. He stopped
short of calling for NATO’s intervention.Separately, Mossad-connected DEBKAfile (DF) said Israeli warplanes downed a Hezbollah drone eight kilometers “out at sea” from Haifa. It flew south from Lebanon.
An IDF spokesman said:
“An attempt by an unmanned aerial vehicle
to enter Israel’s air space was thwarted. The UAV was identified flying
from the north past the coast of southern Lebanon and continuing
south.”
“It was tracked continuously until it was downed by Israeli fighter planes and attack helicopters.”
“They went into action after the drone
was identified as not coming from a friendly source. The Air Force gave
the order to shoot it down.”
Netanyahu said:
“We take an extremely grave view of this
attempt to violate our borders and will continue to guard them and keep
our citizens safe.”
“We are watching events in Syria and Lebanon with extreme concern. Syria is breaking up and Lebanon is unstable.”
“Both places pose not inconsiderable perils to Israel – two emanating directly from Syria.”
“The first is the possible transfer of
sophisticated weaponry to terrorist organizations and the second,
attempts by terrorists to break through our borders and attack our towns
and villages.”
“Israel stands ready to counteract any threats from Syria or Lebanon by sea, air and land.”
DF claims “there are plans afoot to spread (Syria’s) violence into
Israel.” It cites Hezbollah’s UAV incident and violent incidents on the
Israeli/Israel border.On April 23 (updated on April 25), Washington Post editors headlined “Honoring a ‘red line in Syria over chemical weapons,” saying:
“THREE MAJOR US allies – Britain, France and Israel – have now concluded that the Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad has very likely used chemical weapons, not once but on multiple occasions.”
“This would cross a ‘red line’ drawn by President Obama.” He’s been very clear saying America “will not tolerate the use of chemical weapons against the Syrian people.”
So far he stopped short of intervening. “If there is no response, Damascus may decide that it is free to use its chemicals on a larger scale.”
At the same time, “Obama has been inching toward more decisive action.”
“If (he) waffles or retreats on the one clear red line he drew, US credibility across the region will be severely damaged.”
These type reports bear watching. Their significance remains to be
seen. They may be prelude to direct US intervention. Stay tuned. More
reports will follow.Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.
His new book is titled “Banker Occupation: Waging Financial War on Humanity.”
http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanII.html
Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com.
Listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network.
It airs Fridays 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
