SYRIA: #AleppoIsBurning campaign — US-NATO sponsored NGOs and social media in support of “moderate terrorists”
Global Research, May 04, 2016
21 Century Wire 3 May 2016
I would like to point out something, if you open the trending section in Facebook you will see that Aleppo, Syria is trending. They say the Syrian government is continuing air-strikes on Aleppo. The funny thing is we don’t see or hear any planes.” ~ Marianne R Bedoun, Aleppo
The following photo was taken from US funded ANA Press director, Deiaa Dughmoch’s Facebook page. Translated as Aleppo citizens searching the skies for war-planes. According to Marianne Bedoun, they might be there some time.
Marianne was immediately targeted by hate speech from the followers of mainstream media and the US NATO governed propaganda outlets who are controlling the Aleppo narrative. This from one UK based Facebook responder:
“Its about hiding the truth that Assad is massacring the Syrian people to keep himself in power and the US and NATO are backing him up rather than engaging in any Wahhabi terrorist support operation. Its really quite racist to call those defending their homes and lives NATO backed terrorists but I guess you are so deep in this shit you cant see.”
Dick Gregory. [Juggler, also available for children’s parties]
Marianne responded from inside Aleppo:
“You are right I am so deep in this I cant exit because I am a Syrian living in Aleppo. And please tell me where did you get your facts? Your brain-washing western media? I am telling you what I see every minute. Racist? We are the ones defending our homes against their brutal ways…hell cannons, hand-made missiles etc every day since day one”
This social media exchange exemplifies the ever widening chasm between the reports from the Syrian people living in areas under siege or occupied by US NATO backed terrorists and the blatant bias from western and gulf funded journalists.
“The Pentagon has now designated “information operations” as its fifth “core competency” alongside land, sea, air and special forces. Since October 2006, every brigade, division and corps in the US military has had its own “psyop” element producing output for local media.
This military activity is linked to the State Department’s campaign of “public diplomacy” which includes funding radio stations and news websites. InBritain, the Directorate of Targeting and Information Operations in the Ministry of Defence works with specialists from 15 UK psyops, based at the Defence Intelligence and Security School at Chicksands in Bedfordshire.
In the case of British intelligence, you can see this combination of reckless propaganda and failure of oversight at work in the case of Operation Mass Appeal.
This was exposed by the former UN arms inspector Scott Ritter, who describes in his book, Iraq Confidential, how, in London in June 1998, he was introduced to two “black propaganda specialists” from MI6 who wanted him to give them material which they could spread through “editors and writers who work with us from time to time”.
The Aleppo Spin
A very quick look at who has rapidly generated the #AleppoIsBurning campaign that has made red the new black on Facebook and Twitter brings us rapidly to the Purpose Manhattan PR company and their Syria cohorts. Syria Campaign, the White Helmets are implicated and the actual event has been created by none other than Rami Jarrah of Soros funded ANA Press based in Southern Turkey and operating with the explicit approval of chief terrorism supporter, Sultan Erdogan.
Photo Caption: Rami Jarrah meeting with Erdogan to discuss the “difficulties” in maintaining media coverage of the “Syrian revolution”.
Note in this image, Erdogan makes no effort to conceal his support for the mythical Syrian revolution.
Rami Jarrah’s connections to Soros and his commitment to promoting the US NATO narrative are discussed in the two following articles:
If we go to the Aleppo is Burning event page on Facebook, the producers are clearly visible:
Deiaa Dughmoch and Rami Jarrah are co-founders of ANA Press. Sarah Dadouch works for ANA Press and is based in Istanbul, Turkey according to her Facebook page.
Co-initiator of the #AleppoIsBurning campaign is Lilah Khoja who has been instrumental in promoting the “Worldwide Red Protest”. Khoja is on the team of the Karam Foundation as their advocacy co-ordinator. While there is minimal financial information on the Karam Foundation, set up in 2007 by co-founder and CEO, Lina Sergie Attar, Attar is on the board of the Muslim Brotherhood Syrian American Council.
“The Syrian American Council is one of the largest American based Syrian lobbying organizations and key SAC leaders are tied to the Muslim Brotherhood in the US:
The last known SAC President was Talal Sunbulli (aka Talal Sunulle ) who was listed as the Syrian coordinator in the international phone book of Muslim Brotherhood members seized by federal investigators during the Holy Land Foundation investigation.
The last known SAC Chairman was Hussam Ayloush, Executive Director of the California office of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), a part of the Us Muslim Brotherhood.
US Muslim Brotherhood figure Louay Safi is known to have been a leading member of the SAC.”
Attar is in fact Chair of the Humanitarian Committee as well as being on the National Board of Directors under one of her many name variations, Lina Segie.
According to Attar’s biography on the Karam Foundation site, she is a Syrian-American architect and writer from Aleppo.
“Sergie Attar frequently travels to the Syrian border in southern Turkey to run Karam’s Smart Aid programs.”
Perhaps of even greater interest, Attar “serves on the board of directors” of the Avaaz/Purpose created Syria Campaign.
“Heimans, the Avaaz front man of Purpose, is a darling of the high-finance corporate world. “In 2011, Jeremy received the Ford Foundation’s 75th anniversary Visionaries Award. The World Economic Forum at Davos has named him a Young Global Leader, and the World e-Government Forum has named Jeremy and Purpose co-founder David Madden among the “Top 10 People Who Are Changing the World of the Internet and Politics.” [Source]
The New York public relations firm Purpose has created at least four anti-Assad NGOs/campaigns: The White Helmets, Free Syrian Voices , The Syria Campaign and March Campaign #withSyria.” ~ Cory Morningstar
Photo caption: Lina Attar of Karam Foundation/Syria Campaign/SAC with Ex US Ambassador to Syria and known terrorism supporter, Robert Ford.
In February 2016 Attar appeared with alleged death squad creator and ex US Ambassador to Syria, Robert Ford at the “War on the Innocents: The Syrian Humanitarian Crisis” conference held at Phillips Exeter Academy. Ford has been singularly involved in the creation of the so called “moderate rebels” in Syria, a euphemism that is rapidly losing all credibility despite his best efforts to shore up their crumbling facade of respectability.
The final member of the #AleppoIsBurning marketing team we will discuss is Noha Kamseh, based in Gazientep, Turkey. Kamseh works for the Syrian Forum.
According to their website, the Syrian Forum is registered in Turkey, Austria and the US. It supports “Local Administration Councils as an utmost priority” and “Aspires to contribute to the rebuilding of a democratic Syria under the Rule of Law.”
“Local Administrative Councils (LACs) are well positioned to take the place of government municipalities, especially in the areas of the north devoid of government services. The SOC [Syrian Opposition Council] should provision funding and resources to the identification, development, and training of civil society groups in watchdog functions so that they can monitor the LACs for transparency and accountability where appropriate.”
Are we seeing a US NATO funded Syrian Shadow State creation supported by the Syria Forum? They aspire to “rebuilding a democratic Syria under the rule of Law”, one wonders which law they are talking about as there is no mention of the existing Syrian constitution, nor any reference to the recent widely accepted, reformed and democratic elections.
“The Syrian Forum operates with institutionalized, yet dynamic processes that seek out unique and creative initiatives. Its work is supported through private donations from Syrians, and international partnerships with governments, foundations, academic institutions, and other non-profit organizations”
So which governments and foundations are supporting the formation of a “Syrian shadow state”?
The Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development and the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs, various UN Agencies and a few other organisations heavily invested economically and geopolitically in “regime change” in Syria.
Qatar has defended Riyadh funded and Al Qaeda affiliate Ahrar Al Sham currently besieging and daily shelling or sniping the Idlib villages of Kafarya and Foua among many others across Syria including the village of Madaya where Ahrar Al Sham terrorist factions are occupying the village and stockpiling humanitarian aid before selling it at extortionate prices to the civilians. This narrative was naturally distorted by many members of the same team, now generating the #AleppoIsBurning reports.
“I am telling you that Ahrar al Sham is a Syrian group, they look for their liberation, and they are working among other moderate groups,” ~ Qatari Foreign Minister Khalid al Attiyah
As Canadian peace campaigner and writer, Ken Stone said in 2013, Canada has also been pivotal in the war against Syria and the “regime change” objectives of the US and NATO alliance.
“1. Organizing the covert mercenary war against Syria through the Group of Friends of the Syrian People (“Friends of Syria Group”);
2. Establishing a regime of economic sanctions against Syria and hosting, in Ottawa, the Friends of Syria Group’s International Working Group on Sanctions;
3. Funding and supporting the so-called “rebel” side;
4. Planning for an overt western military action against Syria;
5. Working with Syrian-Canadians antagonistic to the Assad government;
6. Contributing to the demonization of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and to the de-legitimation and isolation of his government.”
Photo caption: Burned out bus in Aleppo. Photo: Shababeek Media
The Aleppo Narrative from Doctors in Government Held Areas
On the 30th April we received an exclusive report from Dr Nabil Antaki also based in western Aleppo, in which he stated the following facts:
1: The majority of Aleppo civilians are living in the Syrian government held sectors of western Aleppo. Over 1.5 million in these areas compared to 300,000 in the primarily Al Nusra occupied eastern sectors.
2: The western media lies and distorts the truth. They do not mention the terrorist blockade of western Aleppo or the constant food, water and electricity shortages.
3: Terrorist bombardment of civilians in western Aleppo is relentless and unreported. Mosques and hospitals are regularly targeted. No sector is spared the onslaught.
We also asked Dr Antaki to verify the existence of the MSF “supported” Al Quds hospital allegedly bombed by Syrian or Russian air-strikes, consistently denied by both governments. We sent him the Channel 4 video allegedly taken from the hospital CCTV recording of the last moments before the attack. This was his response:
“This hospital [Al Quds] did not exist before the war started. It must have been installed in a building after the war began. I dont know anyone in the East of Aleppo who could confirm this hospital is Al Quds.”
Dr Zaher Hajo who is head of Forensic Medicine in Aleppo also confirmed the deaths of 90 civilians of whom 30 were children from the US and NATO backed terrorist hell cannon and mortar fired into western Aleppo sectors over the last week. 8 of those murdered were targeted as they left the Mosque in the Bab al Faraj area after Friday prayers on the 30th April 2016.
Dr Hajo reported over 500 civilians injured in the ongoing terrorist attacks.
The following report has just come in from Al Masdar News on Tuesday 3rd May 2016:
“The jihadist rebels from the Free Syrian Army (FSA) and Jabhat Al-Nusra (Syrian Al-Qaeda group) fired several rockets at the Dubayt Hospital in government controlled Aleppo City on Tuesday, killing and wounding several patients and staff members.
According to local reports from Aleppo City, the Jihadist rebel forces were seen targeting the Dubayt Hospital with multiple rockets; these fighters were from the Free Syrian Army and Jabhat Al-Nusra. The total death toll is unknown at the moment; however, local activists stated the dead and wounded are still being rescued from the burning hospital.”
On the 29th April, Al Alam reported:
“Terrorists targeted al-Razi Hospital with rocket shells and fired others on al-Jamiliyeh and al-Mohafaza (governorate) neighborhoods, leaving 4 people dead and 38 others injured and causing material damage to the hospital and the locals’ houses.”
Aleppo Christian Community Responds to Western Media Lies
“We have been under continuous bombardment over the past few days in Aleppo with civilian deaths, injuries and destruction.” Last night “in our neighborhoods we had four dead and over 15 injured, in addition to homes and buildings damaged. And these attacks are being carried out by the so-called “moderate opposition groups”. ~ Vicar of Aleppo: Msgr. Georges Abou Khazen
The Vicar went on to say that “foreign jihadists have been given the green light to intensify the bombing of civilians” by the US and NATO in response to recent Syrian Arab Army advances towards the liberation of Aleppo from the occupying and surrounding terrorist factions.
On a recent trip to Canada, Archbishop Jean-Clément Jeanbart, Melkite Catholic archbishop of Aleppo, Syria spoke about one Christian neighbourhood targeted by the US NATO “moderate rebels”. The 13 year old son of one family, Fouad Banna, was killed instantly in the attack:
“It was awful: a bomb that the rebels deliberately launched on a Christian neighbourhood, on a popular borough. It has blown everything apart, destroyed countless houses. Such was the case of Fouad’s home” ~ Catholic Herald
Where are the Syria White Helmets and Western Media?
One can be forgiven for asking where the neutral and unarmed saviours of all Syrians are when the US NATO terrorists rain missiles down upon Syrian people living in the government held western sectors of Aleppo. While photos circulating in western media are entirely of White Helmet “first responders” during the bombing of known Al Nusra terrorist zones, they are conspicuously absent from photos & scant reports covering the “moderate rebel” murderous excesses.
However one video released by the Syria White Helmets during the massacres of the Syrian people and targeting of civilian facilities in Aleppo, reveals what they were doing, while on the other side of the demarcation line, Syrians were dying.
The White Helmets are embedded in the eastern, terrorist held sectors of Aleppo. While the western media runs unquestioningly with the US NATO narrative of Syrian and Russian aggression against terrorists portrayed as civilians we have to ask the question, where is their objective reporting? Why are the massacres of Syrian civilians in western Aleppo being ignored?
Why are the White Helmets, icons and heroes for the misled and deceived, busy filming a promo video for the Soros “turn the world red” campaign when the Syrian people they claim to defend and cherish are being maimed and murdered a few blocks away?
As Doctor Nabil Antaki said on the 30th April:
“With regards to recent events in Aleppo, I state very clearly that the mainstream media are lying by omission. Since the beginning of the war in Aleppo that began 4 years ago, they have consistently failed to report all the facts.”
In 2013 Al Kindi hospital in Aleppo was targeted by the US NATO “moderate rebels”. Al Kindi was the 4th biggest hospital, specialising in cancer treatment, in the Middle East.
After days of heavy shelling, the terrrorists drove a truck up to the front of the hospital and detonated it. The remaining Syrian Arab Army soldiers defending Al Kindi were executed and this horrific execution was filmed by the US and NATO terrorists. Their videos are still available but are graphic and not for the faint hearted.
A Syrian tragedy ignored by a western media in the midst of fomenting anti Assad fervour.
The US NATO Media Campaign Objectives
The US NATO campaign driven by this team of Soros funded agents of change depends entirely upon unproven accusations levied against the Syrian & Russian governments of bombing civilians in Aleppo and the alleged bombing of an MSF “supported” hospital in eastern Aleppo, the Al Quds.
From the German Federal Press conference 29th April 2016
[Germany conducts aerial reconnaissance of Syria with Tornado units and they survey airspace]
“It is not very likely, but we cannot completely rule out the possibility that the anti-ISIS coalition [US NATO] has been responsible for the attack on the MSF hospital.”
Taken from campaign organiser, Fahtme Otman’s facebook page.
We have come full circle from the early “No Fly Zone” to the “Safe Zone” and finally to the “No Bomb Zone”. The objective is clear. This campaign like so many before it,is attempting to re-generate public outrage and support of the implementation of a No Fly Zone in Syria. A No Fly Zone that would ensure the unmitigated devastation of Syria and its reduction to a Libya style failed state in preparation for Imperialist looting and pillaging.
So our media are working as a megaphone for US and NATO propaganda, the Humanitarian NGOs in Syria are embedded in terrorist areas and are not saving lives, rather they are prolonging the suffering of the Syrian people.
The humanitarians who are calling Syrians “racist” for telling the truth should perhaps have more respect for those who are living through hell because they have consciously chosen to remain ignorant of the facts.
Author Vanessa Beeley is a contributor to 21WIRE, and since 2011, she has spent most of her time in the Middle East reporting on events there – as a independent researcher, writer, photographer and peace activist. She is also a member of the Steering Committee of the Syria Solidarity Movement, and a volunteer with the Global Campaign to Return to Palestine. See more of her work at her blog The Wall Will Fall.
The original source of this article is 21 Century Wire
Copyright © Vanessa Beeley, 21 Century Wire, 2016
Supported by US-NATO: Thousands of Al Qaeda terrorists arrive in Syria
Global Research, May 04, 2016
FARS News Agency 2 May 2016
Syrian Information Minister Omran al-Zoubi informed on Tuesday that thousands of terrorists have crossed the border into his country in the last few days.
“Around 6,000 terrorists have crossed the border and entered Syrian territories in recent days,” the Arabic-language media outlets quoted al-Zoubi as saying on Tuesday.
Late in April, Syrian Prime Minister Wael Nader al-Halqi also warned that more than 5,000 fresh militants crossed the border into the Northwestern provinces of Aleppo and Idlib from Turkey, stressing that the ceasefire agreement was being violated by certain parties.
“In the end we see that Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Qatar, as well as Western countries such as Great Britain and France have no real desire to move the process of the political settlement in Syria forward,” al-Halqi said.
The Syrian prime minister stressed that it’s “just the opposite, they are aiding in the escalation of terrorist activity and arming terrorists. Over the last week, more than 5,000 troops crossed the border with Turkey into the provinces of Aleppo and Idlib.”
As terrorist groups continue to target residential areas in Aleppo city, al-Zoubi stressed that Turkey and Saudi Arabia are responsible for the bloody acts of Takfiri militants against innocent civilians.
“Turkish and Saudi commanders have issued the order for targeting Syrian civilians and army troops in Aleppo,” the Syrian information minister said.
Al-Zoubi also criticized the international bodies and countries for keeping mum about the crimes of the Takfiri terrorists in Aleppo, calling it as “suspicious and questionable”.
Violence in Syria, and particularly in Aleppo, has intensified in recent days, despite a partial truce.
Almost a dozen civilians were killed and several more wounded in the terrorist groups’ rocket attack on a hospital inside Aleppo earlier today.
“The terrorist groups’ shelling of the hospital of al-Deet in the Central part of Aleppo city has ended in a large number of civilian casualties,” local residents said on Tuesday.
“The number of civilian casualties is on the rise,” they further added.
Meanwhile, The Takfiri terrorist groups’ rocket units, once again, targeted two neighborhoods and a hospital in Aleppo, inflicting heavy casualties on the civilians, patients and hospital staff.
“At least 11 civilians were killed and many more were wounded in over 65 cases of terrorists’ rocket attacks on residential areas along the streets of al-Neel, al-Sabeel, Mocambo and al-Razi hospital,” the sources said, adding, “The terrorist groups also detonated a tunnel-bomb near Air Force Intel before launching attacks on the army-controlled Jam’iyat al-Zahra area.”
The attacks by terrorists against civilian targets come as Syrian Army forces and their allies are surging in Aleppo to begin a massive operation against the Takfiri militants that are mostly from the Al-Nusra Front – the Al-Qaeda’s official branch in Syria – and a number of other allied terrorist groups, including several units of the Free Syria Army (FSA) that has been branded by the US and the West as “moderates”.
The original source of this article is FARS News Agency
Copyright © Fars News Agency, FARS News Agency, 2016
Ukrainian armed forces (UAF) moves units from Battalion “Lugansk-1” and Special Forces to the front line
From Fort Russ
Translated by Ollie Richardson for Fort Russ
4th May, 2016
LPR intelligence revealed the arrival of new units from the Ukrainian Army to the contact line. This was stated today to a correspondent from the Novorossia news agency by Andrey Marochko – the official speaker of the people’s militia.
“Our intelligence revealed that in the settlement of Stanitsa, Lugansk, a number of units from the battalion “Lugansk 1″ arrived to strengthen their checkpoints. We also detected the movement of personnel and equipment along the contact line near the settlement of Staryi Aidar,” he said.
“In Stanitsa, Trokhizbenka, and Schastia the arrival of the Special Operation Forces (SSO) of the UAF was observed, who’s primary purpose is sabotage on the territory of the Republics – against both military facilities and civilian infrastructure,” said the representative of the LPR Defense Ministry.
“This and similar facts give a pretext for the leadership of the Republic and the people’s militia to remain vigilant, paying particular attention to the protection and security of the LPR, especially on the eve of Victory Day,” concluded Andrey Marochko.
Europeans now have one choice: recognize Crimea or live without heating
Frightening statistics:
more than 50 million people in the European Union are forced to choose between buying food and paying electricity bills…Bulgarians find themselves in the most critical such situation, where such a choice haunts 40% of the population. In such a civilized country as the United Kingdom, moreover, according to “Home and Renting” magazine, 2,700 people die every year from hypothermia, as heating homes with electricity is too expensive.
From Fort Russ
May 4, 2016 –
Boris Stepnov, PolitRussia –
Translated by J. Arnoldski
As is well known, the contract on the transit of natural gas through Ukraine ends in 2019 and alternative supply routes to Europe are required to be built before this time. During recent discussions at the European Parliament, delegates from the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine and Naftogaz called the “Nord Stream-2” a “gas-killer” and appealed to the mercy of Europeans.
Just the other day during the Central European Gas Forum in Bratislava, “Gazprom Exports” advisor Andrey Konoplyanik mentioned the possibility of resuming the “South Stream” project in a new version based out of Crimea. He stated: “Russia has the right to seek a route for gas exports with the lowest risk for the fulfillments of agreements.”
Such statements are far from groundless, and there is a serious probability that South Stream will be revived. Meanwhile, Nord Stream and its extension is all well and good, but guaranteeing an alternative and, most importantly, a reliable path for deliveries would be well advised. Therefore, according to Konoplyanik, Russia is developing routes which can bypass Ukraine and avoid Turkey’s participation.
Moreover, it has been reported that the Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Boyko Borisov, even hinted at the unofficial continuation of work on the project.
Poor Bulgaria is being shoved around here and there. In December, Borisov pointed to the reason for the cancellation of the project as being Brussel’s orders. Borisov stated: “Today the Russian President confirmed the understand that the halt to the South Stream project has occurred not because Bulgaria is against Russia, but because, as a loyal member of the EU, Bulgaria must fulfill all demands [of the European Commission], comply with the sanctions regime, and fulfill provisions for a third energy packet and other requirements related to gas projects.”
In January 2016, the news appeared that the South Stream project would be revived, but in February the Bulgarian Parliament once again, finally rejected the idea of the gas pipeline.
Why is Bulgaria so feverish? Or, more precisely, why is Brussels hampering its will? Or even more precisely: Why is Washington so nervous?
Russia firmly intends to supply gas to Europe and, moreover, intends to strengthen its position in the energy market, something that the US is not too comfortable with. In order to undermine the position of our country, at the very onset the US yanked Bulgaria into rejecting the South Stream, and then Turkey into rejecting the Turkish Stream. The US even began shipping its own liquified natural gas to Europe, something that our domestic experts even dared to call a “gas attack.”
But Nord Stream-2 has still managed to get off the launch pad since Germany still considers itself strong enough to have its own opinion despite Merkel’s apparent obedience to Washington. And, of course, it is clear that Germany is very aware of the benefits of the pipeline – it’s not a bad idea to be at the center of the distribution of Russian gas to the rest of Europe.
Washington, in turn, is perfectly aware that such a course would significantly strengthen the position of Germany in Europe, and that then Berlin would become even less bendable to its will. Against this background, a few [US] tankers carrying liquified gas or shale gas pale in comparison [to the prospects of Russian gas]. Even more so if the South Stream is added to all of this.
At the same time, as the studies of “Energy Insight” show, more than 50 million people in the European Union are forced to choose between buying food and paying electricity bills. Impressive, is it not? Bulgarians find themselves in the most critical such situation, where such a choice haunts 40% of the population. In such a civilized country as the United Kingdom, moreover, according to “Home and Renting” magazine, 2,700 people die every year from hypothermia, as heating homes with electricity is too expensive. And, mind you, this is not Soviet central heating…
Germany is additionally motivated to obtain Russian gas because of the Green Party’s (with Merkel’s support) imposition of the necessity of destroying nuclear power plants. The result is the following:
“Germany is planning to abandon nuclear and conventional energy. This is a utopian plan that will never work. 85% of the population still support this idea, but this will change once it becomes clear just how much energy will actually start to cost. The laws of economics and physics are apparently being thrown out the window with this…Despite the fact that solar and wind generators are being actively constructed in Germany, they provide on average less than 3% of the energy consumed, and guarantee a minimum generation of only .4%…In order to reach 3% of the guaranteed energy generation and abandon Germany’s three nuclear power plants, the Germans will need the same amount of funds for which 85 new nuclear power plants could be built.”
The absurdity of such a path is clear, but Sweden is also phasing out nuclear power under “green” pressure. Alternative energy using renewable resources has become quite fashionable in today’s Europe even though it has a fairly narrow niche – using such energy is only logical in a specific climate and under particular conditions. In Germany, in the conditions of the Old World, “green” energy is doomed to fail.
Back in 2014, President Jerome Ferrier of the International Gas Union openly assessed the situation in the following way:
“In the current situation of tension between Russia and Ukraine, some activists are trying to convince us that Europe can get along without Russian gas by seeking other supplies. This is a completely false conviction.”
Although news is spreading of the possible resumption of negotiations on the South Stream project, there is yet another interesting point. Not a single European country officially recognizes Crimea as Russian.
As they say, however, hunger is not an aunt, especially not energy-related hunger. Europe and especially Bulgaria’s needs for gas could ultimately overcome all political factors. In fact, the carrot has already been hung in front of Bulgaria’s nose: if you want gas, then recognize Crimea.
We will find out later what the final decision will be. In the meanwhile, Russia is already very successfully probing the soil.
http://www.fort-russ.com/2016/05/europeans-now-have-one-choice-recognize.html
How Ukraine and Donbass appreciate the deeds of veterans — yearly cash assistance payments in contrast
From Fort Russ
Translated by Ollie Richardson for Fort Russ
4th May, 2016
Donbass, which today is the subject of a humanitarian, financial and transport blockade by the Ukrainian authorities, as well as being constantly shelled and destroyed, has already paid a one-time cash assistance to veterans for Victory Day, but the Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman is still looking for reserves.
Last week the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine adopted a decree that establishes the amount and procedure of payment of a one-time annual cash assistance on May 9th to combatants, war invalids, participants of war, persons who have special merits from the Homeland, and persons subject to the law of Ukraine, “On the status of war veterans and guarantees of their social protection”, as well as victims of Nazi persecution.
According to the document, the participants of war will receive 170 UAH. However, Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman said at a Cabinet meeting broadcasted to the whole country that this amount is too low for veterans, so he search for some reserves, and now the combatants in world war II will receive 400 UAH.
Note that this money is not enough for veterans to even pay monthly utility bills, and when you consider today’s gas prices, which the same Groysman raised, it is not enough to pay even half the community.
However, the Cabinet’s website published a resolution dated May 3rd, 2016, which clearly states: to pay 170 UAH to war veterans and former prisoners of concentration camps, ghetto, other places of forced detention, people who were violently exported for forced labor, children of guerrillas, underground workers, and other participants of fight against the national socialist regime in the enemy’s rear. And there is not a single word about 400 UAH.
At the same time, Donbass, which today is suffering a humanitarian, financial, and transport blockade by the Ukrainian authorities has already paid a one-time cash assistance for Victory Day. Moreover, the amount of the payments, given the time at war, is pretty decent in the DPR and LPR.
The relevant decrees of the heads of the two Republics was published at the official sites of the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics.
Thus, invalids of war, persons categorised as disabled war veterans, former minor (which at the time of conclusion was 14 years of age) prisoners of concentration camps, ghettos, and other places of detention that are recognized as being disabled from general disease, labour mutilation, and for other reasons are paid:
- Disabled of group I – 6,000 rubles (about 2,400 UAH);
- Disabled of group II – 5,200 rubles (about 2,050 UAH);
- Disabled of group III – 4,700 rubles (about 1,900 UAH);
- Combatants during the great Patriotic war of 1941-1945 and war invalids of groups II and III over the age of 85 years and more – 6,000 rubles (about 2,400 UAH).
In addition, persons having the legal status of a combatant and a former minor (those who at the time of conclusion did not attained the age of 18) prisoner of a concentration camp, ghetto, and other places of detention, as well as children who were born in the specified places of their parents’ forced detention with the appropriate license are paid the amount of 2,000 rubles (about 800 UAH).
Persons who have special merits from the Motherland received a grant in the amount of 6,000 rubles (about 2,400 UAH). And the families of the victims and wives/husbands of deceased disabled veterans and participants of hostilities in the war and participants of war and victims of Nazi persecution received 1,000 rubles (about 400 UAH) from the state.
In addition, veterans in the two Republics were given food packages. Thus, we can see how the veterans are today cared for in the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, and the attitude of the Rada towards the people who were involved in the feat that we are able to live today because of. And this is not to mention how today there are parades in Kiev with the St. George’s ribbon and honorary awards for veterans.
As a reminder, it was earlier reported that under the government of ex-Minister Azarov, veterans received a lump sum payment of between 1,720 to 2,200 UAH.
US-Panzer in Osteuropa – MdB Neu: „Bundesregierung ist hirnlos konform“
Sputnik Deutschland
31.03.2016
Mit Soldaten, Panzern und schwerem Kriegsgerät wollen die USA ihre Präsenz im Osten Europas verstärken. Die Bundesregierung schweigt offiziell, viele Regierungspolitiker stehen dabei aber ganz offen hinter Washington. „CDU, SPD und Grüne gehen damit hirnlos konform“, kritisiert Dr. Alexander Neu, der die LINKE im Verteidigungsausschuss vertritt.
Herr Dr. Neu, die USA verlegen eine ganze Brigade ihres Militärs in den Osten Europas. Dort soll sie zwischen verschiedenen Staaten rotieren. Wie bewerten Sie dieses Vorhaben?
Laut Medienberichten soll die Verlegung ja Anfang 2017 bis 2018 stattfinden. Das heißt: Wenn Russland so provokativ ist, wie es die Amerikaner behaupten, wundert mich vielmehr, dass man sich bis Februar 2017 Zeit lässt. Angesichts einer so großen Bedrohung durch die Russen, wie es die Amerikaner suggerieren, hätte ich mir doch gedacht, dass das viel schneller geht. Das zeigt mir, dass der Hintergrund nicht eine Aggression Russlands ist, sondern dass man hier eine Gefahr suggeriert, die so nicht gegeben ist. Man versucht, die Russophobie in Europa zu steigern.
In einer Mitteilung des Verteidigungsministeriums in Washington hieß es, man reagiere mit dieser Truppenverlegung auf den „aggressiven Kurs Russlands”. Das klingt ja fast, wie eine Argumentation aus dem kalten Krieg…
Ich sehe nicht, wo die Aggressivität Russlands gegeben ist. Man kann natürlich über die Krim streiten, da kann man unterschiedliche völkerrechtliche Bewertungen anlegen. Ich habe da eine ganz eigene Bewertung, auch vor dem Hintergrund der Zerschlagung Jugoslawiens durch den Westen und der Anerkennung der jugoslawischen Teilstaaten, sowie des Kosovo. Da kann man bei der Krim nicht anders argumentieren, als bei Jugoslawien.
Der Westen hat diesen Präzedenzfall selbst geschaffen. Auch bei der Ost-Ukraine muss man sagen: Der Putsch ging nicht von Russland aus, sondern vom Westen — als die gewählte Regierung Janukowitsch nicht das EU-Assoziierungsabkommen unterzeichnen wollte. Ich sehe also nicht, dass das Baltikum, Rumänien, Bulgarien, Polen in irgendeiner Weise territorial bedrängt oder bedroht werden. Insofern ist das eine sehr abstrakte und fiktive Bedrohung. Man hat das Gefühl, dass sich gewisse osteuropäische Staaten und deren Eliten, sowie amerikanische Eliten gegenseitig in Bedrohungsszenarien befruchten. Und somit wird ein Aggressionskurs Russlands suggeriert, der aber keine materielle Grundlage hat.
Die geplante US-Truppenverlegung soll 4200 Soldaten, 250 Panzer und weiteres Kriegsgerät umfassen. Die Aufrüstung im Osten Europas soll Anfang 2017 beginnen. Präsident Obama hat außerdem eine Aufstockung der US-Verteidigungsausgaben für Europa angekündigt. Wohin steuern die USA außenpolitisch?
Die US-Amerikaner wollen offensichtlich in Osteuropa und Mittelosteuropa die Suppe gegen Russland weiter beim Kochen halten. Irgendwie ist man der Auffassung, dass man Russland auf Distanz halten muss, weil Russland sich den westlichen Vorstellungen nicht unterordnen will. Man ist der Auffassung, dass man Russland in einem Dauerkonflikt unterhalb eines militärischen Konfliktes halten muss. Dafür braucht man hörige Vasallen in Europa — und die hat man. Man könnte mit Polen und dem Baltikum natürlich noch argumentieren, dass sie eine eigene Geschichte haben, die sie geprägt hat. Aber diese Rechtfertigung trifft auf die heutige Zeit nicht mehr zu. Und auf Bulgarien und Rumänien trifft das schon einmal gar nicht zu. Diejenigen, die neben den Russen darunter zu leiden haben werden – und Russland wird natürlich entsprechend militärisch reagieren — das wird der bulgarische, der rumänische, oder auch der polnische Steuerzahler sein.
Das Ganze ist in jedem Fall ein Schritt gegen die Abrüstung in Europa. Eine offizielle Reaktion der Bundesregierung gibt es darauf noch nicht. Aber was glauben Sie, wie wird diese Reaktion wohl ausfallen?
Die wird nicht negativ ausfallen. Die Bundesregierung ist bei der Eskalationspolitik der US-geführten NATO immer dabei. Und die Bundesregierung ist mit der Bundeswehr ein wesentliches Element der NATO-Speerspitze in Osteuropa. Hier findet eine Eskalation statt, die Europa nicht braucht, die auch Osteuropa de facto nicht braucht, die Russland nicht braucht — aber offensichtlich unser “großer Bruder” jenseits des Teiches benötigt.
Sie selbst sind Mitglied im Verteidigungsausschuss des Deutschen Bundestages. Wie beobachtet man dort die Entwicklung der US-Außenpolitik? Geht man damit völlig konform, oder gibt es hinter vorgehaltener Hand einige Bedenken?
Also bei den übrigen Parteien — von SPD über CDU und Grüne — sehe ich da keinerlei Bedenken. Selbst bei den Grünen sehe ich da keine lautstarken Bedenken. Bei der CDU und der SPD findet man das alles richtig, was die USA sagen. Das ist eine Transatlantiker-Gruppierung innerhalb der Politik in Berlin, und nur wer ein strammer Transatlantiker ist, kann auch im Verteidigungs- und im Auswärtigen Ausschuss sitzen. Da ist die LINKE die einzige Partei, die einzige Fraktion, die eine ganz andere Auffassung vertritt. Aber alle übrigen Parteien gehen da in gewisser Weise hirnlos mit konform.
Interview: Marcel Joppa
Germany’s “brainless compliance” with US military build-up in Eastern Europe — interview with Dr. Alexander Neu
From Fort Russ
“For this you need obedient vassals in Europe – and they have them” — Alexander Neu
Sputnik Germany, March 31, 2016
Translated from German by Tom Winter, May 2, 2016.
News items based on this interview are showing up on the web. We found the original. Marcel Joppa, for Sputnik.de, interviews Dr. Alexander Neu, Bundestag member from Die Linke.
The US wants to strengthen its presence in Eastern Europe with soldiers, tanks and heavy military equipment. The federal government is silent officially, but many government politicians are openly standing behind Washington. “CDU, SPD and Greens go along with brainless compliance,” criticizes Dr. Alexander Neu, who represents the Left Party Defense Committee.
MJ: Dr. Neu, the USA is locating an entire brigade of its soldiers in the east of Europe. They are supposed to rotate between different States. How do you rate this project?
AN: According to media reports the transfer is supposed to take place in early 2017 to 2018. That is, if Russia is so provocative as the Americans claim, it rather surprises me that they can let it go till February 2017. Given such a big Russian threat, as suggested by the Americans, I would have thought that it would have to be more immediate. That shows me that Russian aggression is not the basis, but that they are propounding a risk that isn’t there. They are trying to generate Russophobia in Europe.
In a statement by the Defense Department in Washington, this redeployment was a reaction to the “aggressive course Russia is on.” That sounds like an argument straight out of the Cold War.
I do not see where the aggressiveness of Russia is. One can of course argue about the Crimea, as you can create different assessments of international law. I have my own assessment, in light of the destruction of Yugoslavia by the West and the recognition of the Yugoslav states and Kosovo. After all, one can not argue one way in Crimea and another way in Yugoslavia.
The West has created this precedent itself. Also in the eastern Ukraine one has to admit: The coup did not come out of Russia, but from the West – as the elected government of Yanukovych did not want to sign the EU Association Agreement. So I do not see that the Baltic states, Romania, Bulgaria, Poland are territorially harassed or threatened in any way. So this is a very abstract and fictitious threat. One has the feeling that certain Eastern European countries and their elites, and American elites, are all of them sowing and fertilizing threat scenarios. And thus, a Russian policy of aggression Russia is suggested, but has no material basis.
MJ: The planned US troop redeployment is to include 4200 soldiers, 250 tanks and other military equipment. The upgrade in Eastern Europe will begin in early 2017. President Obama has also announced an increase in US defense spending for Europe. Where is United States foreign policy headed?
AN: The Americans obviously want to keep their anti-Russian brew simmering in Eastern Europe and Central Europe. Somehow, it is believed that you have to keep Russia at bay, because Russia will not submit itself to Western ideas. They consider that they have to keep Russia in a period of conflict, under a military conflict. For this you need obedient vassals in Europe – and they have them.
With Poland and the Baltic states, one could of course, argue that they have their own history which has shaped their views. But this justification is no longer true at the present time. And with Bulgaria and Romania it doesn’t hold at all. Those who will suffer alongside the Russians include – and Russia will naturally react militarily – will be the Bulgarian, Romanian, or even the Polish taxpayers.
MJ: The whole thing is in any case a step against disarmament in Europe. There has not been an official response of the federal government. But can you imagine how the reaction will turn out?
AN: It will not be negative. The federal government is on board in the escalation policy of US-led NATO, always. And the federal government with its Bundeswehr are an essential element of NATO’s spearhead in Eastern Europe. Here is where an escalation takes place, which Europe does not need, that also Eastern Europe de facto does not need, that Russia does not need – but that obviously our “big brother” on the other side of the pond needs.
MJ: You yourself are a member of the Defence Committee of the German Bundestag. How do they look upon the development of US foreign policy? Are they completely in agreement, or there is some concern behind closed doors?
AN: So within the other parties – the SPD plus the CDU and the Greens – I see no objections. Even amog the Greens, I see no vociferous concerns. In the CDU and the SPD they think it’s all good, what the US says. This is a transatlanticist-grouping within the policy in Berlin, and only those with a strong transatlanticist bent, can sit in the Defense and the Foreign Affairs Committee. That leaves the Left as the only party, the only fraction that represents an entirely different view. But all the other parties go there somehow with mindless conformity.
http://www.fort-russ.com/2016/05/germanys-brainless-compliance-with-us.html
Basurin: UAF soldiers awarded for Elenovka tragedy; Pyatt visit is no coincidence
From Fort Russ
May 1, 2016 –
Mikhail Ryabov, PolitNavigator –
Translated by J. Arnoldski
Ukrainian soldiers have received awards for their shelling of the Elenovka checkpoint, as a result of which peaceful civilians were killed. This was stated by the representative of the Ministry of Defense of the DPR, Eduard Basurin. Basurin reported:
“On April 29th, the Chief of the General Staff of the UAF, General Muzhenko, arrived at the residential area of Volnovakha. He was transported by an armored AT-105 Saxon car. It should be noted that Muzhenko’s visit was associated with preparations for intensified military operations for the coming days. In addition, in order to maintain the morale of commanders forced to perform criminal orders, Muzhenko awarded the most distinguished soldiers of the 14 brigade for shelling peaceful civilians at Elenovka.
In addition, the US Ambassador to Ukraine, Geoffrey Pyatt has been in Mariupol since April 28th, where he has held meetings with the local administration and the commanders of nationalist groupings. In tandem with Pyatt’s visit, Ukrainian security forces evacuated children from a number of a residential areas, which, as we have stated earlier, is connected with the preparation of terror attacks and UAF shelling. The US Ambassador plans to visit Odessa, where he will meet with the leadership of security structures and the sponsors of nationalist units participating in the “Kulikovo Field Operation” planned by the Ukrainian leadership to last from April 30th to May 3rd.”
“White Helmets” exposed as US UK agents embedded with Al Nusra and ISIS (VIDEO)
May 1st, 2016 ~ Fort Russ News ~
~ Video by: www.handsoffsyriasydney.com ~ text: J. Flores ~
Investigative journalist, Vanessa Beeley gives an excellent summary and explanation of the ‘White Helmets’ organization, and with it gives us words that will no doubt bear some prescience in the weeks and months to come.
This organization is rightly considered to be the clean-up crew and public relations face to the west, for the activities of Wahhabi and Qutbist terrorist/invasion groups operating in Syria.
The US has admitted to funding this organization, and as well we know that they are funded through the UN’s NGO structures.
Free Ukraine Now 