Global Research, December 20, 2015
![U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Aug. 30, 2013, claims to have proof that the Syrian government was responsible for a chemical weapons attack on Aug. 21, but that evidence failed to materialize or was later discredited. [State Department photo]](http://www.globalresearch.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/kerry-syria-remarks-300x199.jpg)
Kerry made the comment during his Tuesday Moscow visit
– at Washington’s request.
Both countries are unable to square the circle on
their differing views on Syria, despite their diplomatic rhetoric suggesting
otherwise.
Two major issues separate both sides. Washington won’t
agree to recognize certain indisputable terrorist groups, including Jabhat
al-Nusra, an Al Qaeda affiliate, responsible for gruesome atrocities against
civilians.
Russia maintains they all must be called what they
are, nations worldwide united against them.
The second sticking point is over who should lead
Syria, including its president and majority parliamentarians. Washington wants
a pro-Western puppet of its choosing, supported by likeminded legislators.
Russia insists it’s up to Syrians alone – with clear core international law
backing.
No nation may interfere in the internal affairs of any
others for any reason except self-defense if attacked – even then only if
Security Council authorized.
No Security Council resolution or Damascus permission
authorized Washington and coalition allies to bomb Syrian territory and invade
with small numbers of combat troops – on the phony pretext of combating ISIS.
Assad is fighting to keep what the vast majority of
Syrians want, namely their sovereign independence, putting them at odds with US
imperial objectives.
Syria is Obama’s war, launched in March 2011, ongoing
for nearly five years, along with other US imperial wars fully responsible for
the severest refugee crisis since WW II – besides the millions of corpses and
dismembered bodies, a stark testimony to US barbarity.
Kerry came to Moscow for another try at getting Putin
to bend to America’s will, a futile mission.
Washington escalated its military operations in Syria,
exclusively bombing infrastructure and government targets along with coalition
allies – supporting, not opposing ISIS.
Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal al-Mikdad
blasted US-led intervention in his country, saying:
“We doubt (it’s) sincere in their fight against
terrorism. They do not coordinate their actions with the Syrian Army.”
“This makes those forces illegal in Syria’s territory.
One cannot say they are fighting terrorism. (It) must be a practical task, not
this advertising gig that the West is engaged in.”
Mikdad blasted Saudi Arabia for forming a pro-ISIS
bloc, comprised of terrorists wanting Assad forcibly ousted.
“Syria does not negotiate with terrorists,” Mikdad
stressed. The only place we meet them is (on) the battlefield. He welcomed
support from any groups dedicated to combating ISIS and other terrorist groups
– at the same time praising Russia for achieving “significant successes.”
A Final Comment:
Iraqi parliamentarians want Prime Minister Haider
al-Abadi to request Russian aid in combating ISIS. Washington is going all-out
to prevent it.
On Wednesday, Defense Secretary Ashton Carter arrived
in Baghdad to warn him against accepting Putin’s help. He’s stopped short of
asking so far – for how long remains to be seen. Iraq has no chance to defeat
its scourge without it.
US-led NATO war on Libya ravaged and destroyed the
country, creating a continuing cauldron of violence in a divided country.
The West recognizes the Tobruk-based regime, led
Abdullah al-Thani. A rival power headed by Prime Minister Khalifa al-Ghawi
operates from Tripoli, the nation’s capital.
Days earlier, both sides agreed to a UN-brokered deal
to form a unity government based in Tripoli. Earlier diplomatic efforts failed
– perhaps this one as well.
General Khalifa Hafter was involved in US-led NATO’s
war to oust Muammar Gaddafi. He’s now al-Thani’s armed forces commander.
On Friday, he said “(w)e welcome support from Russia
in fighting terrorism.” ISIS has a foothold in Libya. Hafter commented after
meeting with UNSMIL (UN peacekeeping) head Martin Kobler.
“(E)very day we wait, that you wait, is a gain for
Daesh in this country,” said Kobler. “(I) am very glad to see that the general
agrees on the urgency of the matter.”
Whether Russia will be asked to help (and if Putin
will agree) remains to be seen. Washington will exert extreme pressure to
prevent it.
Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.
His new book as editor and contributor is titled
“Flashpoint in Ukraine: US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III.”
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.
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The original source of this article is Global Research
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