The Guardian: Vladimir Putin under growing pressure (over Syria)

[Turborama]

Last edited Wed Sep 4, 2013, 10:11 AM - Edit history (3)

Russian president to be urged at G20 summit to come closer to accepting that Bashar al-Assad has to stand aside



Vladimir Putin is to be confronted at the G20 summit of world leaders in St Petersburg this week with an array of western intelligence including damning new French evidence directly linking Syrian government forces with a massive and co-ordinated chemical attack on 21 August that led to hundreds of civilian deaths.

The Russian president will also be urged to show a new diplomatic flexibility and come closer to accepting that the Syrian leader, Bashar al-Assad, has to stand aside.

A nine-page declassified French intelligence report was released on Monday which claimed to show Assad forces had launched an attack on Damascus suburbs held by opposition units using a combination of conventional weapons and "the massive use of chemical weapons".

The report follows similar documents from British and American intelligence.

The Nato secretary-general, Anders Fogh Rasmussen also insisted that "personally I am convinced, not only that a chemical attack has taken place … but I am also convinced that the Syrian regime is responsible."

The French intelligence includes satellite imagery showing the attacks coming from government-controlled areas to the east and west of Damascus and targeting rebel-held zones. The report said Assad's forces had since bombed the areas to wipe out evidence.

"Unlike previous attacks that used small amounts of chemicals and were aimed at terrorising people, this attack was tactical and aimed at regaining territory," the report said.

The full article: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/02/vladimir-putin-syria

[Little Star]

1. Have the world leaders said who they will have replace Assad if he steps aside?

[Turborama]

2. Good question

That goes to the heart of this enormous problem.

[Turborama]

3. Putin: Russia 'doesn't exclude' backing Syria strike

PUTIN: RUSSIA 'DOESN'T EXCLUDE' BACKING SYRIA STRIKE

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Russia "doesn't exclude" supporting Western military action in Syria, so long as it is approved by the United Nations Security Council and based on conclusive proof that President Bashar al-Assad's government used chemical weapons against civilians.

In a joint interview with Russian state television network Channel One and the Associated Press, published Wednesday, Putin appeared to strike a more diplomatic tone ahead of a G20 summit in St. Petersburg this week that will likely be dominated by the Syrian crisis.

While he renewed what have become routine warnings by the Kremlin against a unilateral US strike against the Assad regime, Putin also said that Russia had suspended shipments to Damascus of its S-300 missiles. Only some components of the powerful surface-to-air missiles have been delivered, according to comments reported by the Associated Press.

Russia's multi-billion-dollar arms trade with Damascus, including its shipments of the S-300 rockets, has become a sticking point for Western critics who have slammed what they say is Russia's tacit backing of Assad.

More: http://www.denverpost.com/nationworld/ci_24012055/putin-russia-doesnt-exclude-backing-syria-strike

[gordianot]

4. The S-300 Surface to Air missiles were dismantled.

There is more going on than is readily apparent.

[Turborama]

5. Apparently

The deal wasn't completed: http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014585200

[msanthrope]

6. Defending someone who gassed their own people is hard werk, Pootie.

Best to let the good doctor go.

[Turborama]

7. Have you seen this?

Hopefully this is a sign of a significant shift: http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014585200