Russia's shameful support of Assad lets killings continue

scotsman.com ^ | August 21, 2011 | Duncan Hamilton

[Tailgunner Joe]

The US and EU have called for Assad to stand down. Most allies of Syria have deserted him. Saudi Arabia was ultimately unable to support the oppression of the Sunni Muslim majority. Bahrain and Kuwait have recalled diplomats. Turkey, in a closer alliance with Saudi Arabia, may yet be vital in providing regional unity and leadership in removing Assad. It is surely a sign of crisis when even Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Bahrain are appalled by the Syrian record on human rights.

But major hurdles remain, not least the stance of Russia. With a veto on the UN Security Council and half a century of close ties to Syria, Russia still refuses to support Assad's removal. ....

The innocent citizens of Syria may be dying, but the Russians aren't letting that get in the way of business.

Having lost out on $4 billion of arms sales to Libya when international sanctions banned such activity last year, the Russians are determined to protect their market in Syria. The largest Russian arms exporter, Rosoboronexport, confirmed this week that the deals to sell fighter planes, cruise missiles and military hardware worth $3.5bn will continue, "to compensate for the losses we saw due to the events of North Africa". For the Russians, Assad stepping down would be very bad for business.

[Tailgunner Joe]

Syrian Citizens hoist Syrian and Russian Flags - August 20, 2011 - State-run news agency SANA reported on Friday that thousands of Syrian citizens along with members of a Russian popular delegation representing different spectrums of the Russian people on Friday hoisted the Syrian and Russian flags at Bab Touma Square in Damascus during a festival entitled" We Love Syria and its Leader."

Earlier on Thursday, the Russian popular delegation representing different spectrums of the Russian people paid a visit to one of the Syrian army unites in appreciation of its efforts in achieving security and stability in Syria.

SANA added that Russian delegation presented in turn a Russian folk dance and offered roses to the soldiers to express respect and appreciation to whoever contributes in protecting the homeland's security and stability.

Later on Thursday, the Russian delegation visited the Umayyad Mosque and was welcomed by advisor of the Minister Of Awqaf and director of the mosque who presented a detailed explanation about the history of the mosque, its parts and the restoration works.

Russian Delegation: Syria Experiencing Massive Conspiracy Targeting All Arabs - August 20, 2011 - Members of a Russian delegation including 23 scientists, social researchers, intellectual and academic figures and politicians visiting Syria affirmed on Saturday that Syria is experiencing a massive conspiracy concocted by the world's imperialistic and Zionist forces.

Deputy Chairman of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation Central Committee Andrei Filipov pointed out that they came to Syria to see what is happening and evaluate the situation, saying that they believe that the solution is in the hands of the Syrians under the leadership of President Bashar al-Assad who together can stand in the face of the conspiracy.

Chairman of the Russian Society of Friendship and Business Cooperation with the Arab Countries, Vyacheslav Matuzov, noted that Russia's stance is different from that of the U.S. not just regarding Syria, but regarding the entire Arab world as its viewpoint is geopolitical.

Matuzov said that they have precise and reliable information from western sources that prove that the west and the U.S. – particularly the Neoconservatives and the Jewish lobby – are behind the sabotage plans taking place in the Arab world, and that these plans have existed for years and that it targets all Arabs, not just Syria, adding that Syria is the first line of defense against the dangerous plots against the Arab and Islamic world.

[Marine_Uncle]

Well after so many years of carefully grooming the big lion then later his son, Putie and his crowd must feel all has gone up in smoke.

[Iron Munro]

Liberals didn’t get upset with Russia when the communists slaughtered 60 million people and imprisoned hundreds of millions for half a century.

But let them ignore an order from Obama - King of The World and the libs go into apoplectic fits.

[Cronos]

Assad and his regime are no saints, but do not forget that they protect the Christians and Alawis in Syria from the Moslem jihadis

Syria is 10% to 20% Christian (refugees from Iraq swelled the numbers recently) and Christians have been living in peace, practicing their faith with no persecution under the Baathists who whatever else we may think, are secularists

The opposition will consist of the Sunni Moslem brotherhood and IF Assad goes, expect persecutions of Christians like in Iraq (2 million Christians in 2003, now 400,000 and dropping) and Egypt.

I support Assad ONLY because the alternative is worse.

[Chiltepe]

That’s the single most glaring inconvenient truth about leftists.... their dirtiest, most heinous open secret. They really don’t care if people are slaughtered, by the tens of millions if need be. All that they have ever cared about is that they (and their “ideology”) reign with an iron fist. You see, leftists view themselves as inherently superior... born to rule. They have always wanted to throw off the old aristocracy—as well as any chance of competition via the free market and free speech—and anoint themselves the NEW nobility.

[RoadTest]

There is still an Axis Of Evil: Syria, Russia, Hezbollah, Hamas, Iran, Venezuela, China & North Korea. Our regime in Washington supports them all - even helped create some, like Communist China and haywire Iran.

[Iron Munro]

Obama’s brain dead idoliters never seem to question why he is in such a rush to overthrow mid-east governments.

Wait until the smoke clears and they are faced with the indisputable fact that he has duped them again.

Their “Muslim Spring” is really the Obama inspired and backed overthrow of existing governments to pave the way for the ascension of hard core radical Islamic governments.

[Cronos]

Exactly. Look at Egypt — Mubarak gone and the persecutions of the ancient Christians, the Copts reaches new depths.

[Marine_Uncle]

I do appreciate what you wrote. And what you wrote is verifiable as being true.