Uncategorized

Microwave weapons being used by U.S. military/Kiev against Donbass? LPR leader Plotnitsky slams OSCE and EU for appeasing Kiev war criminals

Posted by

0

Medics have reported a sharp increase in nerve and cardiovascular diseases in frontline cities and villages.

Certainly stress is a factor, but the electromagnetic and microwave weapons of the American military could be the main culprit. The U.S. government has even used them on American protesters, including at Standing Rock and Flint, Michigan.

From Fort Russ

January 28, 2017 – Fort Russ –
RusVesna – translated by J. Arnoldski –
The leader of the Lugansk People’s Republic, Igor Plotnitsky, has promised a harsh response to those guilty for shelling the republic. His statement has been issued by the LPR’s Ministry of Communications:
Unprovoked attacks on the territory of the Lugansk People’s Republic by armed groups controlled by Kiev have recently intensified and become more frequent. In the majority of cases, they are carried out with the use of arms that should be, as agreed upon in the Minsk Agreements, withdrawn from the demarcation line and remain under the control of the Special Monitoring Mission of the OSCE.
 
Moreover, these attacks are carried out with targeted, live ammunitions. As a result, almost every day peaceful civilians are killed and injured and houses and infrastructure are destroyed. Medics have reported a sharp increase in nerve and cardiovascular diseases in frontline cities and villages. 
 
In connection with this, I declare the following with all liability: We will not succumb to provocations intended to give reason for accusing us of disrupting the Minsk peace agreements. But we will not let attacks go without consequences. 
 
I have given instructions to relevant security agencies to conduct an investigation on the deliberate attacks on the territory of the Republic between January 24th and 27th as instances of actions of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. [I have also] given instructions to carry out operations to identify the direct perpetrators of these criminal attacks, the commanders giving their orders, and their relatives and criminal ties. 
 
Our response will be carefully prepared, timely, asymmetrical, and undeniable. However, first and foremost, the Republic will take care of the victims of shellings by Kiev’s punitive forces.
I am confident that the responsibility for the bloodshed in Donbass lies with Poroshenko along with the OSCE and the leaders of Germany and France who are not taking advantage of opportunities to force the Kiev regime to make peace. The policy of appeasing the aggressor is an illusion that the flames of war can be deflected in only one direction. This already brought catastrophe to Europe once. I invite them to remember the lessons of the Second World War. 

http://www.fort-russ.com/2017/01/lpr-leader-plotnitsky-slams-osce-and-eu.html

Состоялся телефонный разговор Владимира Путина с Президентом США Дональдом Трампом.

Posted by

0

Состоялся телефонный разговор Владимира Путина с Президентом США Дональдом Трампом.

English http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/53787

28 января 2017

Владимир Путин поздравил Дональда Трампа с официальным вступлением в должность, пожелал успехов в предстоящей деятельности.

В ходе беседы с обеих сторон был продемонстрирован настрой на активную совместную работу по стабилизации и развитию российско-американского взаимодействия на конструктивной, равноправной и взаимовыгодной основе.

Обстоятельно обсуждены актуальные международные проблемы, включая борьбу с терроризмом, положение дел на Ближнем Востоке, арабо-израильский конфликт, сферу стратегической стабильности и нераспространения, ситуацию вокруг иранской ядерной программы и Корейского полуострова. Затронуты также основные аспекты кризиса на Украине. Условлено наладить партнёрское сотрудничество по всем этим и другим направлениям.

При этом выделена приоритетность объединения усилий в борьбе с главной угрозой – международным терроризмом. Президенты высказались за налаживание реальной координации российских и американских действий с целью разгрома ИГИЛ и других террористических группировок в Сирии.

Подчёркивалась важность восстановления взаимовыгодных торгово-экономических связей между деловыми кругами двух стран, что могло бы дополнительно стимулировать поступательное и устойчивое развитие двусторонних отношений.

Владимир Путин и Дональд Трамп договорились дать поручение проработать возможные сроки и место проведения их личной встречи.

Дональд Трамп попросил передать пожелания счастья и процветания российскому народу, отметив, что народ США с симпатией относится к России и её гражданам.

Владимир Путин, в свою очередь, подчеркнул, что в России испытывают аналогичные чувства к американцам. Он напомнил, что наша страна на протяжении более чем двух столетий поддерживала Америку, была её союзником в двух мировых войнах и сейчас рассматривает США в качестве важнейшего партнёра в борьбе с международным терроризмом.

Лидеры условились поддерживать регулярные личные контакты.

Беседа прошла в позитивном и деловом ключе.

http://www.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/53787

Telephone conversation between President Trump and President Putin, January 28, 2017

Posted by

0

[The White House has not yet posted a statement on this conversation]

From the Kremlin

January 28, 2017

Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump.

Vladimir Putin congratulated Donald Trump on taking office and wished him every success in his work.

During the conversation, both sides expressed their readiness to make active joint efforts to stabilise and develop Russia-US cooperation on a constructive, equitable and mutually beneficial basis.

Mr Putin and Mr Trump had a detailed discussion of pressing international issues, including the fight against terrorism, the situation in the Middle East, the Arab-Israeli conflict, strategic stability and non-proliferation, the situation with Iran’s nuclear programme, and the Korean Peninsula issue. The discussion also touched upon the main aspects of the Ukrainian crisis. The sides agreed to build up partner cooperation in these and other areas.

The two leaders emphasised that joining efforts in fighting the main threat – international terrorism – is a top priority. The presidents spoke out for establishing real coordination of actions between Russia and the USA aimed at defeating ISIS and other terrorists groups in Syria.

The sides stressed the importance of rebuilding mutually beneficial trade and economic ties between the two counties’ business communities, which could give an additional impetus to progressive and sustainable development of bilateral relations.

Mr Putin and Mr Trump agreed to issue instructions to work out the possible date and venue for their meeting.

Donald Trump asked to convey his wishes of happiness and prosperity to the Russian people, saying that the American people have warm feelings towards Russia and its citizens.

Vladimir Putin, in turn, emphasised that the feeling is mutual, adding that for over two centuries Russia has supported the United States, was its ally during the two world wars, and now sees the United States as a major partner in fighting international terrorism.

The two leaders agreed to maintain regular personal contacts.

The conversation took place in a positive and constructive atmosphere.

http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/53787

 

He calls them “heroes”; George Clooney pushes ahead with feature film glorifying Al Qaeda-ISIS terrorist group The White Helmets.

Posted by

0

From The Duran


January 10, 2017

Liberal, Hollywood love for Al Qaeda and ISIS wrapped up in a featured film.

In December, Variety reported that George Clooney is in early development on a feature film of Netflix’s “The White Helmets” documentary, about “first responders” in Syria’s war.

Clooney and producing partner Grant Heslov are seeking a writer through their Smokehouse Pictures production company. CAA is representing the rights to the documentary.

“The White Helmets,” directed by Orlando von Einsiedel and produced by Joanna Natasegara, is on the documentary shorts Oscar shortlist.

The Syrian Civil Defense, better known as the White Helmets, consists of about 3,000 volunteers. The organization has has been credited with saving more than 60,000 people from the bombed buildings in war-torn Syria. The group has lost about 150 members during the war.

“In the White Helmets, we have a motto: to save one life is to save humanity,” one volunteer says in the documentary.

Netflix released “The White Helmets” in September.

The Duran has reported extensively on the real identity of The White Helmets, and we would suggest George Clooney seriously examine the overwhelming amount of evidence that exposes The White Helmets as the Al Qaeda-ISIS terrorists fakes that they are:

The continuing story of ‘the White Helmets’ hoax

Internet blows up over bizarre video showing White Helmets doing ‘mannequin challenge’ (VIDEO)

CrossTalk: White Helmets, really? Just because they wear “white” does not make them the good guys [Video]

Netflix and Al-Qaeda working together to promote The White Helmets as hero group [Video]

The ‘White Helmets’ Hoax and the Information War against Syria

MUST SEE: Assad interview, Syrian President debunks “barrel bombs” and “boy in Aleppo” White Helmet hoax

Unfortunately, Clooney is pushing forward with the making of a film that will glorify Al Qaeda and ISIS operating in Syria, and will forever connect the Hollywood actor to the most brutal terrorists on the planet.

Then again, Clooney was a big Hillary Clinton surrogate, so his support for Al Qaeda and ISIS does make some sense when placed under the context of who he rubs shoulders with in Washington DC.

While attending a reception in London for a documentary on the ISIS organization known as The White Helmets, George Clooney backtracked a bit on his hard stance against the President-elect, and said he hopes Trump succeeds in office.

“We have to hope that he can do a decent job, because when the president of the United States fails, really terrible things happen.”

The AP reports that Clooney is making progress on the production of an ISIS-Al Qaeda (aka The White Helmets) hero film…

Clooney’s production company is working on a feature-film version of the story of the Syrian Civil Defense “White Helmets,” search-and-rescue teams who have gained international recognition for rescuing people from bombed-out buildings in the Syrian city of Aleppo.

He and his lawyer wife, Amal Clooney, have given their support to the Netflix-backed documentary, which is on the 10-strong Academy Awards shortlist for best documentary short.

Clooney said that as a celebrity, “I can’t change policy … but I can make things louder.”

“The White Helmets are the heroes. So if I can help them out at all, and people can know about it, in any way possible, that’s a good use of celebrity, I think.”

http://theduran.com/george-clooney-comes-out-in-support-of-isis-al-qaeda-terrorist-organization-the-white-helmets-calls-them-heroes/

ALEPPO: Open Letter to French President Hollande ~ from Pierre Le Corf

Posted by

0

I use the term « terrorist » because there are no rebels in Aleppo, at least nothing that could allow us to consider them as such. It is irresponsible to continue qualifying them as rebels in Syria while we list them as terrorist organizations in France.

On the White Helmets which actor George Clooney supports:

The « White Helmets » the French government financed among others like UK and that we received at the Élysée are, for most of them, first aid workers by day and terrorists by night, or vice versa. They pledge allegiance to Jabhat al-Nosra (Al-Qaeda), as shown by documents found after their departure and as civilians testify. The majority of their teams rescued fighters first, and civilians every once in a while.

A noteworthy feature is that each team had a cameraman, and the team of rescuers helped only while the camera was filming. A lot of civilians have told me that others had stayed under the rubbles because the rescuers refused to go there. Others told me the rescuers even staged fake attacks, fake bombings, fake wounds and interventions.

January 27, 2017


by Pierre Le Corf

Mr President,

Today, I question all the values I have been raised with, the values of a country I love, my country: France. I am writing to you as a French citizen who arrived without any preconceived ideas in Syrian territory and lives in what was previously known as Western Aleppo, now Aleppo. I am a politically neutral humanitarian, and I have been here for a year.

The situation I am in is tough. First of all, because I am the only French citizen living here, which makes me an easy target because of the testimony I offer that often goes against the official line. Second of all, because what we witness here everyday is outraging and hard to talk about. I have been the witness of a massacre and humanitarian crisis in which we, as a nation, are actors and even backers by supporting terrorism. I address this message to you, and to all the others who could have the decision making power to make peace and make all civilian populations a priority.

Every single day, I had to face death as everyone else in this city. The mission I gave myself led me to visit families living close to the ones we have been labeling as « opponents » since the beginning of the conflict. However the only elements I witnessed were black flags – and I have pictures – on all of the front-lines. These signs are the symbols used by the groups that France has been fighting against for years.

Today, the Syrian people stands united to fight not against the government but against terrorist groups, no matter what we call them to hold them accountable for their actions or the reason they have to exist. These terrorist groups are named Al-jaïch al-hour (Free Syrian Army), Jabhat al-Nosra (or Fatah al-Cham, branch of Al-Qaïda), Jaïch al-Islam, Harakat Nour al-Din al-Zenki, Brigade Sultan Mourad, etc. An anti governmental opposition exists, as for every government. This opposition is more or less peaceful, but represents a minority of the population. Since the beginning of the conflict and until now, almost all the forces on the ground that have kept bombarding Aleppo are armed fighters belonging to terrorist groups.

I use the term « terrorist » because there are no rebels in Aleppo, at least nothing that could allow us to consider them as such. It is irresponsible to continue qualifying them as rebels in Syria while we list them as terrorist organizations in France. The terrorists have been forced out with their weapons following agreements with the government and « all » went to Idlib, an area now almost entirely occupied by fighters and their families. However, many of the terrorists left Idlib to come back to Aleppo to resume bombings and suicide attacks, here as everywhere else in Syria.

I have evidence for everything I am writing. For months I have been gathering the testimonies of civilians on video and on paper, independently of their religion or political opinion and without any member of the military or government around. I publish these testimonies and occasionally give them to a UN Commission of Inquiry in charge of studying terrorist attacks and crimes, while putting the commission in contact with witnesses.

We have directed the attention of the public opinion and the bombing of zones in which were a minority of opponents but a majority of terrorists. Civilians were dying every day in these zones, without us saying that the majority of civilians in Eastern Aleppo could not run away because they were held back by the terrorists. It is by trying to run away by using the humanitarian corridors organized by the Russian and Syrian governments that many civilians were targeted and killed by armed forces (corridors indicated one to two days earlier, with precisions on the time of opening by a text message directed to all mobile phone owners using the syrian networks MTN and Syriatel, including me). Thankfully, thousands of civilians were able to make it out alive by using alternative routes, sometimes even passing through mined zones.

Few are the media which stated that these civilians were used as human shields, which the testimonies corroborate. Medias have preferred describing them as caught in the crossfire of a fight opposing revolutionary armed forces to their government, while this government was protecting its people against terrorists who are primarily foreign mercenaries. They came to Syria heavily armed and are fanatics for whom human lives hardly matter. To talk only about Aleppo, these mercenaries invaded the surroundings and the center of the city, shelling the population of Western Aleppo every day and allowing themselves to murder civilians in the eastern part of the city for no reason.

Continue reading →

Outgoing German FM Steinmeier: the West was wrong about Assad

Posted by

0

From The Duran

By Alexander Mercouris
January 27, 2017

In newspaper interview outgoing German Foreign Minister says he repeatedly called for cooperation with President Assad, but was constantly overruled by Paris and Washington.

Outgoing German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier has given an interview to the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung in which he has slammed Western policy on Syria.

According to Steinmeier he always called for cooperation with President Assad’s government in Syria only to face rejection from the ‘regime change’ coalition in Washington and Paris.

Steinmeier’s claim is probably true, but it does him little credit.  In truth it is typical of the way he conducted Germany’s foreign policy as Foreign Minister.  On Ukraine, Syria and Russia he repeatedly dropped hints that he disagreed with the West’s policies.  He then as German Foreign Minister unswervingly carried out the same policies he was privately criticising.

Steinmeier is now due to become German President, the post he might have been working towards all along.  It remains to be seen whether as President he finds the courage to articulate his opinions, which he conspicuously failed to find as Foreign Minister.

Outgoing German FM Steinmeier: West was wrong about Assad

South Dakoka officials seek to repeal voter-approved anti-corruption reforms; “Across the board, the state lacks robust laws to prevent corruption”; state received ‘F’ in report

Posted by

0

From RT

Fraud on voters? S. Dakota lawmakers repeal lobbying, financing reforms passed by residents

January 26, 2017

The South Dakota Legislature has wasted little time in attacking an ethics reform package approved by state voters in November that limits lobbyist gifts, lowers campaign contribution limits and creates public funding for campaigns.

Beginning Monday, the Republican-led Legislature in Pierre has sought to pass a repeal bill that would void the ethics provisions passed via a ballot initiative two months ago. The measure, passed by more than 51 percent of voters, is known as Initiated Measure 22 (IM 22).

IM 22’s provisions also include the formation of a state ethics commission, more frequent campaign contribution reporting and limits on when former lawmakers can become lobbyists.

The repeal bill was scheduled for a full state Senate vote on Thursday after passing through a Senate committee on Wednesday and a full House of Representatives vote on Tuesday. However, further debate on the legislation was postponed in the afternoon. The Senate will pick up debate next week, according to AP.

Read more

© Joshua Roberts
GOP bails on ethics office overhaul after outcry from Democrats & Trump

Like his fellow state Republicans, Governor Dennis Daugaard, who is supportive of the repeal effort, has argued that IM 22 was poorly written, overly broad, possibly unconstitutional and pushed by influences outside of South Dakota.

“[Voters] were hoodwinked by scam artists who grossly misrepresented these proposed measures,” Daugaard said, according to the New York Times.

Republicans and others have filed a lawsuit against the state that challenges IM 22, prompting a judge to grant a preliminary injunction on the reform effort while the legal process unfolds.

Supporters of ethics reform are calling on lawmakers to heed the voters’ wishes and follow IM 22’s demands. On Monday, at a legislative committee hearing on the repeal bill, supporters said voiding IM 22 would send a dangerous precedent.

“The problem with repeal and replace is, what we’ve said from the beginning, that it repeals what the voters asked for and replaces it with something we didn’t have a direct say in,”said Doug Kronaizi, spokesman for Represent South Dakota.

Common Cause

✔@CommonCause

Gutting our ethics laws didn’t fly in Congress. It won’t fly in South Dakota. http://bit.ly/2jfOvXv 

3:10 PM – 6 Jan 2017

Speaking of the numerous scandals that have occurred within state government in recent years, the Capital Journal editorial board wrote that IM 22 came about because voters “were fed up” and chose to back IM 22, despite its flaws.

“We say South Dakotans voted for more transparency and better accountability from their elected officials when they passed IM 22 last year,” the board wrote this week. “The legislature owes it to their constituents to give them what they asked for.”

On Monday, the same day the state House debated the repeal bill, a legislative committee met to discuss disciplinary action regarding Rep. Matthew Wollman, a Republican, who admitted last week to having consensual sex with multiple legislative interns. Wollman resigned Monday.

In its 2015 report on each state’s government transparency and accountability, the Center for Public Integrity gave South Dakota the second-worst score out of all 50 states.

“Across the board, the state lacks robust laws to prevent corruption, apparently the result of a sense, at least among South Dakota’s ruling class, that burdensome controls are not needed in a rural state with a supposedly high degree of familiarity, trust and cordiality,” the nonprofit said.

Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard’s press release on her trip to Syria — January 25, 2017

Posted by

0

I was asked, ‘Why is the United States and its allies helping al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups try to take over Syria? Syria did not attack the United States. Al-Qaeda did.’ I had no answer.

From Tulsi Gabbard

Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard Returns From Syria with Renewed Calls: End Regime Change War in Syria Now

January 25, 2017
Press Release

Washington, DC—Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) returned to Washington, DC after a week-long visit to Damascus, Aleppo, and Beirut to see and hear firsthand the impact of the war in Syria directly from the Syrian people. She heard stories of suffering, pain, courage and hope from people all across the country. She met with refugees, Syrian opposition leaders who led protests in 2011, widows and family members of Syrians fighting alongside groups like al-Qaeda, as well as those fighting on the side of the government. The Congresswoman also met with Lebanon’s newly-elected President Aoun and Prime Minister Hariri, U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Elizabeth Richard, Syrian President Assad, Grand Mufti Hassoun, Archbishop Denys Antoine Chahda of Syrian Catholic Church of Aleppo, humanitarian workers, students, small business owners, and more.

Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard released the following statement upon her return:

“My visit to Syria has made it abundantly clear: Our counterproductive regime change war does not serve America’s interest, and it certainly isn’t in the interest of the Syrian people.

“As I visited with people from across the country, and heard heartbreaking stories of how this war has devastated their lives, I was asked, ‘Why is the United States and its allies helping al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups try to take over Syria? Syria did not attack the United States. Al-Qaeda did.’ I had no answer.

“I return to Washington, DC with even greater resolve to end our illegal war to overthrow the Syrian government. I call upon Congress and the new Administration to answer the pleas of the Syrian people immediately and support the Stop Arming Terrorists Act. We must stop directly and indirectly supporting terrorists—directly by providing weapons, training and logistical support to rebel groups affiliated with al-Qaeda and ISIS; and indirectly through Saudi Arabia, the Gulf States, and Turkey, who, in turn, support these terrorist groups. We must end our war to overthrow the Syrian government and focus our attention on defeating al-Qaeda and ISIS.

“From Iraq to Libya and now in Syria, the U.S. has waged wars of regime change, each resulting in unimaginable suffering, devastating loss of life, and the strengthening of groups like al-Qaeda and ISIS.

“Originally, I had no intention of meeting with Assad, but when given the opportunity, I felt it was important to take it. I think we should be ready to meet with anyone if there’s a chance it can help bring about an end to this war, which is causing the Syrian people so much suffering.

“The U.S. must stop supporting terrorists who are destroying Syria and her people. The U.S. and other countries fueling this war must stop immediately. We must allow the Syrian people to try to recover from this terrible war.”

B-roll footage from Aleppo and Damascus is available here

The photos below are available here for download 

Above: Rep. Tulsi Gabbard met these children at a shelter in Aleppo. Their families fled the eastern part of the city. Many of these children have only known war, loss and hardship. Their families’ only wish is for peace. Photo courtesy of Abraham Williams.

Above: Rep. Tulsi Gabbard meets with Syrian religious leaders in Aleppo, led by Archbishop Denys Antoine Chahda of the Syrian Catholic Church of Aleppo, and joined by Archbishop Joseph Tabji of Maronite Church of Aleppo, Rev. Ibrahim Nseir of the Arab Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Aleppo, and others. Each called for peace, and an end to foreign support of terrorists who are trying to rid Syria of its secular, pluralistic, free society. Photo courtesy of Abraham Williams.

Above: Rep. Tulsi Gabbard met these women at the Barzi Community Center. Many of these women have husbands who are fighting on opposite sides of the war, but who find friendship and empowerment together in their daily sewing classes.  They have hope to be able to provide for their family and take care of their children.  When asked, “Where is your husband?” many reply, “He is lost.” Photo courtesy of Abraham Williams.

Above: Rep. Tulsi Gabbard visits with Syrian Arab Red Crescent and other humanitarian workers at the Jibreen shelter, housing nearly 1,400 families who fled mostly the eastern part of Aleppo City. Photo courtesy of Abraham Williams.

Background: Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) is a twice-deployed combat veteran who has served as the United States Representative for Hawaiʻi’s 2nd congressional district since 2013. As a member of the House Armed Services and Foreign Affairs Committees, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard traveled to Lebanon and Syria as part of a delegation led and sponsored by the Arab American Community Center for Economic and Social Services (AACCESS)–Ohio. The 7-day trip was approved by the House Ethics Committee, as required by House rules, and was not taxpayer funded. The trip included visits to Aleppo, Damascus, and Beirut from January 14-22, 2017. Other members of the delegation included former Congressman and Presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich and his wife, longtime peace advocates Elie and Bassam Khawam, and Rep. Tulsi Gabbard’s husband, Abraham Williams.

Earlier this year, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard introduced the Stop Arming Terrorists Act (H.R.608), legislation that would prohibit U.S. government funds from being used to support al-Qaeda, ISIS or other terrorist groups. In the same way that Congress passed the Boland Amendment to prohibit the funding and support to CIA backed-Nicaraguan Contras during the 1980’s, this bill would stop CIA or other Federal government activities in places like Syria by ensuring U.S. funds are not used to support al-Qaeda, Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, ISIS, or other terrorist groups working with them. It would also prohibit the Federal government from funding assistance to countries that are directly or indirectly supporting those terrorist groups. The bill achieves this by:

  1. Making it illegal for any U.S. Federal government funds to be used to provide assistance covered in this bill to terrorists. The assistance covered includes weapons, munitions, weapons platforms, intelligence, logistics, training, and cash.
  2. Making it illegal for the U.S. government to provide assistance covered in the bill to any nation that has given or continues to give such assistance to terrorists.
  3. Requiring the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) to determine the individual and groups that should be considered terrorists, for the purposes of this bill, by determining: (a) the individuals and groups that are associated with, affiliated with, adherents to or cooperating with al-Qaeda, Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, or ISIS; (b) the countries that are providing assistance covered in this bill to those individuals or groups.
  4. Requiring the DNI to review and update the list of countries and groups to which assistance is prohibited every six months, in consultation with the House Foreign Affairs and Armed Services Committees, as well as the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
  5. Requiring the DNI to brief Congress on the determinations.

 

###

https://gabbard.house.gov/news/press-releases/congresswoman-tulsi-gabbard-returns-syria-renewed-calls-end-regime-change-war

Open letter from Syrians and Syrian-Americans on Rep. Gabbard’s trip

Posted by

0

From Progessive Democrats of America

We Thank You, Congresswoman Gabbard, for Your Courageous Trip to Syria!

Jan 26, 2017

By Salah Zakkour, Press Release

We, members of the Syrian American community, wholeheartedly support Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard’s courageous fact-finding trip to Syria in January. With this trip Rep. Gabbard demonstrated her strong commitment and determination to bringing about an end to all forms of support by the United States Government and its allies to the extremists and terrorists who have been destroying Syria and other countries of the Middle East during the past several years. 

Rep. Gabbard’s trip to Syria was only a logical next step toward gathering the necessary first hand information in support of her similarly courageous bi-partisan bill, the Stop Arming Terrorists Act.  We consider her trip a significant step toward ending the U.S. government’s illegal policy of forced regime change in other countries, including Syria, with the help of extremist and terrorist groups. We urge all other members of Congress to follow Rep. Gabbard’s steps in order to directly see for themselves what is really happening in Syria, instead of relying on dubious information and fake news that is being fabricated by all those who are bent on overthrowing the Syrian government. Those people are blatantly ignoring the wishes of the majority of the Syrian people and closing their eyes to the humanitarian catastrophe it has created.

As they have done so after every fact-finding trip to Syria by concerned citizens of a number of countries, including those from the U.S., Australia and Britain, the same pro-regime-change people in the U.S. are once again repeating the same worn out and baseless argument that such fact finding trips to Syria, especially the one made by a member of U.S. Congress, “legitimizes” Assad government. They further argue that Rep. Gabbard’s “Stop Arming Terrorists Act” will result in sacrificing the “moderate” opposition to Assad under the cover of fighting terrorism.

But neither of these arguments bears any relationship with reality.

As to the claim of “legitimization” of Assad government, it should be understood that the legitimacy of any government, Syrian government included, is derived from the support of its own citizens, not from a trip by a member of Congress of another country. Without taking sides about merits and demerits of the Assad government, we have to acknowledge that report after report by impartial observers has shown that the Assad government, and the Syrian Arab Army, has the support of the majority of Syrian people. These repeated reports were further confirmed by the last presidential election of June of 2014 in Syria, carried out in the presence of international observers, in which 73.4 percent of legitimate voters participated and 88 percent of them voted for President Assad. Moreover, the legitimacy of Assad government is officially recognized by the international community and the United Nations — a fact that nobody can deny. It is, therefore, upon the deniers of these facts to back up their claims to the contrary.

As to the claim of distinction between the so-called “moderate” opposition and the terrorist organizations, one does not have to look far to disprove it. First, it should be noted that these armed fighters are not the same people who were peacefully marching on the streets of Syria five years ago. In fact the peaceful opposition movement has been silenced and hijacked by the violent acts of extremist and terrorist groups like al-Nusra, Jebhat Fateh al-Sham, ISIS, al-Qaeda, Muslim Brotherhood, and the like. The so-called “moderate” fighters have been fighting shoulder to shoulder in the past five years, and have refused to separate themselves from these terrorist groups, even when U.S. government asked them to for the sake of establishing a ceasefire. And their leaders have conceded that their members have joined these terrorist groups in droves and have turned the weapons they have received from the U.S., Saudi Arabia and Qatar, over to these terrorists. Even the U.S. government has conceded that a significant part of the arms delivered to these “moderate” groups has ended up in the hands of the terrorists. Moreover, the numerous testimonies of liberated citizens in Aleppo have clearly shown that the so-called “moderates” have been committing the same crimes against innocent people, as did the terrorists.

Such arguments are aimed at putting obstacles on the path of a peaceful, diplomatic resolution of the Syrian crisis. They are aimed at making a forced regime change in Syria a precondition for achieving a political resolution. And this can only be achieved through continued arming of terrorists in order to bring the Syrian government down before any negotiations can start.

It is in light of these facts that we consider Rep. Tulsi Gabbard’s fact-finding trip and her Stop Arming Terrorists Act as a courageous move toward bringing a just peace to Syria. The Syrian people will be able to freely exercise their political and national rights only when these external terrorist attacks on their country have stopped.

We will be more than happy to do everything we can to help Congresswoman Gabbard in her courageous efforts to bring a just peace to Syria and the whole Middle East by putting an end to all forms of support for terrorists, especially by the United States and its allies.

Salah Zakkour

 

Co-signed by fellow Syrians and Syrian Americans: Rami Muamar • Micheile Muamar • Immanuel Kaplo • Hannah Youssef • Nabil Kaplo • Bairt Alkass • Malk Kouki • Ghazoah Hanna • Zane Alabdine Zakkour • Fahed Zakkour • Nahla Zakkour • Saleh Zakkour • Khaled Baram • Afif Ghalwanji • Nadeem Habbal • Simon Khoury • Shawqia Adboudan •Mamoun Alabbassi • Amen Tomeh • Rana Kouki • Mario Tomeh • Georgio Tomeh • Emanuel Wasouf • Tigram Hanonick • Lena Obied • Jamil Ibrahim • Talal Bitar • Mike Matook • Basal Rahal • Silva Barsoum

http://pdamerica.org/we-thank-you-congresswoman-gabbard-for-your-courageous-trip-to-syria/

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard makes fact-finding trip to Syria

Posted by

0

“If you or I gave money, weapons or support to al-Qaeda or ISIS, we would be thrown in jail,” she said. “Yet the U.S. government has been violating this law for years, quietly supporting allies and partners of al-Qaeda, ISIL . . . and other terrorist groups with money, weapons and intelligence support, in their fight to overthrow the Syrian government.” — Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard

From Salon

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard embarks on “fact-finding” mission to Damascus, Syria; Gabbard’s Middle East trip won’t earn the Hawaii Democrat any favors among her Democratic colleagues

January 18, 2017

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, a sophomore Hawaii Democrat and Iraq War veteran, recently embarked on what her office called a “fact-finding” mission to Damascus, in Syria.

Per Foreign Policy:

Congressional travel to the devastated country is exceedingly rare, especially as fighting continues in direct violation of a recent cease-fire agreement brokered by Turkey and Russia. This week, Syrian government forces backed by Lebanese militants attempted to recapture a rebel-controlled area near Damascus that includes a pumping station that supplies most of the city’s water.

Spokeswoman Emily Latimer told FP that Gabbard “felt it was important to meet with a number of individuals and groups, including religious leaders, humanitarian workers, refugees, and government and community leaders.”

“Gabbard has long been committed to peace and ending counterproductive, interventionist wars,” Latimer added, declining to disclose whether her boss had met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Gabbard’s foreign policy stances — e.g. that Assad should remain in power for so long as the U.S. is battling ISIS — starkly contrasts those of most House Democrats.

“I don’t think Assad should be removed,” she told CNN’s Chris Cuomo in November. “If Assad is removed and overthrown, ISIS, al Qaeda, Al Nustra, these Islamic extremist groups will walk straight in and take over all of Syria . . . they will be even stronger.”

The Washington Post called Gabbard “The Democrat that Republicans love and the DNC can’t control.” And as The Atlantic notes, she is a favorite of former Breitbart News chairman and current top adviser to isolationist President-elect Donald Trump, Steve Bannon.

Bannon . . . has praised Gabbard’s views on guns — she supports some gun restrictions, but not others; her alignment with Republican senators on Syrian refugees coming to the U.S.; and, of course, Islamist terrorism. Indeed, Gabbard’s name was not among the 169 Democratic lawmakers who wrote to Trump criticizing his hiring of Bannon.

In 2016, Gabbard resigned as vice chair of the Democratic National Committee in order to throw her support behind Bernie Sanders, citing, “my strong belief that we must end the interventionist, regime change policies that have cost us so much.”

“This is not just another ‘issue.’ This is THE issue, and it’s deeply personal to me,” she continued in an email to the DNC obtained by Politico. “This is why I’ve decided to resign as vice chair of the DNC so that I can support Bernie Sanders in his efforts to earn the Democratic nomination in the 2016 presidential race.”

Brendan Gauthier is a freelance writer.
http://www.salon.com/2017/01/18/rep-tulsi-gabbard-embarks-on-fact-finding-mission-to-damascus-syria/
From Activist Post
Tulsi Gabbard, Dennis Kucinich Travel To Syria On Fact Finding, Peace Mission
January 20, 2017

By Brandon Turbeville

In a surprise revelation, U.S. Representative from Hawaii, Tulsi Gabbard, has embarked upon an unannounced visit to Syria for a “fact-finding trip . . . to promote and work for peace.” Gabbard did not announce her trip publicly for obvious safety and security reasons. However, now that the news is out, the Western corporate press is reacting in apoplectic rage at her audacity to act in a manner unapproved by the establishment.

These press outlets have attacked her for not giving “advance notice” to Democratic Party leadership, for not yet disclosing who funded the trip, and for possibly meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. [We are sure the same reaction would be provided if she had traveled to Israel, right?] Gabbard has even been maligned as the GOP’s favorite Democrat, a wholly unfair label but one ironically hoisted upon her because of her opposition to international destabilization and imperialist wars.

What her office did say in regards to the trip was that, “She felt it was important to meet with a number of individuals and groups including religious leaders, humanitarian workers, refugees and government and community leaders.”

Gabbard is a member of the House Foreign Affairs and Armed Services Committee and is herself an Iraq war veteran. She has repeatedly called for an end to America’s arming and assisting of terrorist groups in Syria, even introducing the Stop Arming Terrorists Act, which would bar the U.S. government from providing money or assistance to al-Qaeda, al-Nusra, Jobhat Fatah al-Sham, and the Islamic State.

“If you or I gave money, weapons or support to al-Qaeda or ISIS, we would be thrown in jail,” she said. “Yet the U.S. government has been violating this law for years, quietly supporting allies and partners of al-Qaeda, ISIL . . . and other terrorist groups with money, weapons and intelligence support, in their fight to overthrow the Syrian government.”

Gabbard is not alone on the trip, however. Former Ohio Congressman and Presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich is also in Syria, according to reports, having visiting both Damascus and Aleppo. Kucinich has long been a critic of U.S. aggression both under the Bush and Obama regimes.

As he stated to Sputnik in November of last year, “The United States has made wrong decisions and needs to change its course, and change it quickly. We need to back away from this idea that somehow we are going to usurp the administration of [Syrian President] Bashar al-Assad. That is not our job. It is not for us to determine who the leaders of any country should be.”

He also added that, “It does not do us any good to continue to spread Cold War psychology, to engage in fantasies and lies about Russia’s role in the United States and to build policies upon those fantasies and lies.”

According to Syrian Pastor, Ibrahim Nasser, both Gabbard and Kucinich, as part of the delegation, affirmed their opposition to America’s foreign policy under the Obama administration of the destabilization and destruction of Syria. Pastor Nasser stated, “During the meeting [with the church officials] as members of the US Congress they confirmed that they oppose the policy of their administration, especially with regard to the issue of support of terrorists and they will try to convey the real picture to the US people.”

Brandon Turbeville – article archive here – is the author of seven books, Codex Alimentarius — The End of Health Freedom, 7 Real Conspiracies, Five Sense Solutions and Dispatches From a Dissident, volume 1 and volume 2, The Road to Damascus: The Anglo-American Assault on Syria, and The Difference it Makes: 36 Reasons Why Hillary Clinton Should Never Be President. Turbeville has published over 850 articles on a wide variety of subjects including health, economics, government corruption, and civil liberties. Brandon Turbeville’s radio show Truth on The Tracks can be found every Monday night 9 pm EST at UCYTV. His website is BrandonTurbeville.com He is available for radio and TV interviews. Please contact activistpost (at) gmail.com.

This article may be freely shared in part or in full with author attribution and source link.

http://www.activistpost.com/2017/01/tulsi-gabbard-dennis-kucinich-travel-to-syria-on-fact-finding-peace-mission.html

From RT, Watching the Hawks

January 27, 2017

Coverage of Rep. Gabbard’s factfinding trip to Syria

https://www.rt.com/shows/watching-the-hawks/375241-blockade-syria-dakota-us/video/

At 6:48

Also,
https://www.rt.com/usa/374263-tulsi-gabbard-syria-trip/