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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsMedecins Sans Frontieres says it has treated about 3,600 patients with "neurotoxic symptoms"
MSF confirms Syria 'chemical deaths'
Medecins Sans Frontieres says it has treated about 3,600 patients with "neurotoxic symptoms" in Syria, of whom 355 have died.
It said the patients had arrived in three hospitals it supports in the Damascus governorate on 21 August - when opposition activists say chemical attacks were launched against rebels.
It appears to be the first confirmation that chemical weapons were used.
Western countries have accused the government. Damascus accuses rebels.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-23827950#TWEET867197
They have enormous credibility.
Sunlei
(22,651 posts)why can't they send a sample to a lab?
They can find trace chemicals in blood tests on humans, race horses, animals and measure trace on foods, water. Have results in a day. Where are the test reports!
nadinbrzezinski
(154,021 posts)The UN is asking for access to site. That would give you the soil samples.
Sunlei
(22,651 posts)nadinbrzezinski
(154,021 posts)That is all I can do.
I know that once you treat it goes away. It is truly an antidote
The samples from dead people would be the best.
Are_grits_groceries
(17,111 posts)there goes their access and credibility.
It may seem simple to have a sample sent out and tested. However, in that extremely volatile situation, even that act could be seen as provocative. They operate in dire circumstances and this is performing on a high wire while everything is flying around them.
My thoughts are with them and all the innocents.
NuclearDem
(16,184 posts)And a lot of them (particularly the V series) started as pesticides.
Syria is supposed to have a large stockpile of sarin, so that's likely what it is. Who used it though...
muriel_volestrangler
(101,405 posts)It seems unlikely. No, they wouldn't have 'results in a day'. It would take them longer than that just to get them through the Syrian bureaucracy and to a country where they can get tests done - if they can get them out at all. This is a country where the movements of journalists and any foreigners is highly controlled. You can't just stick an address label on a sample and expect it to get to another country in a few hours.
stevenleser
(32,886 posts)The only question is who is using the Chemical weapons. We don't know.
We should stay away from involvement in Syria.
freshwest
(53,661 posts)It's on a thread calling for involvement now with the words:
Plan it carefully, then let it rain. Humanity said "never again" following the Holocaust. Let's hope we meant it.
Tell me if you think my reasoning is off...
JustAnotherGen
(32,008 posts)The Genocide Conventions say - the members of the UN must act. I fear we won't though . . .
reusrename
(1,716 posts)Are we interested in complying with the law? Find the guilty and prosecute them for war crimes?
Oh wait, never mind.
stevenleser
(32,886 posts)die to achieve justice a few times before its our turn again.
That's fair, no?
reusrename
(1,716 posts)Why should anyone except for the individual war criminals themselves be made to suffer?
If we are going to make killing legal during a war, then let's at least enforce those simple laws that make it legal.
I don't understand why this concept is so difficult. It's super-simple and easy if you're a rational person.
Are you part of the "torture makes us safer" crowd? That would explain a lot.
stevenleser
(32,886 posts)I'm arguing against that. I dont think the US should intervene. Are you trying to argue for war here?
reusrename
(1,716 posts)A for-profit business. And I also do not believe "we" don't know who are the war criminals in this conflict.
The official US policy is to protect war criminals. Unless more money can be made by fighting them.
stevenleser
(32,886 posts)period.
reusrename
(1,716 posts)In order for that to ever happen, we have to make it a lot less profitable.