NY Times: U.N. Is Expected to Pass Measure Pressuring Syria

[Marie26]

UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 30 - Security Council diplomats worked out final details on Sunday on a tough resolution against Syria, an action that will forcefully step up international pressure on the country's embattled president, Bashar al-Assad, and deepen his government's struggle to ward off increasing isolation.

Diplomats from the resolution's three co-sponsors, Britain, France and the United States, said they expected passage on Monday and did not foresee a veto from either China or Russia, the two countries most reluctant to punish Syria.

The resolution threatens Syria with economic penalties if it does not give full cooperation to the United Nations investigation that has identified high-ranking security officials as suspects in the assassination of a former Lebanese prime minister, Rafik Hariri.

The measure also orders Syria to take into custody and make available to the investigators people they suspect of involvement in the killing.

That provision in particular could pose a problem for Mr. Assad, a relatively inexperienced leader perceived as weak and vulnerable in the power politics of the Middle East. Among the suspects are his brother, Maher Assad, and his brother-in- law, Asef Shawkat, the chief of military intelligence, who is considered the most powerful man in the country aside from the president.

The expected censure of Syria comes at a time when Mr. Assad's government has been thrown on the defensive by a deeply incriminating report on the Hariri killing delivered Oct. 20 by Detlev Mehlis, the German prosecutor who leads the United Nations investigation.


http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/31/international/middleeast/31syria.html?hp&ex=1130734800&en=7694bd8979b67368&ei=5094&partner=homepage

[daleo]

1. It will have to be quite watered down for Russia and China to go along

I don't see Russia and/or China going along with a new middle east adventure.

[bemildred]

2. Yeah. This is blather.

It's going to be interesting to see what actually goes down.

[Marie26]

7. It might be blather...

but it's the number one story in the NY Times this Sunday. Why would they report something as being so important if it's not going to happen? It's weird how the AP & NY Times stories are so different. If Russia or China opposes it, would they be able to stop this measure?

[bemildred]

8. Sanctions Dropped From Syria Resolution (last-minute effort)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1889746#1889841

Got a unanimous vote by removing all content.

[daleo]

9. NYT hasn't exactly covered itself in glory recently

So, I wouldn't base much on the fact they are playing up the story. The played up Judith Miller's stories too.

[Marie26]

10. That's what bugs

Supposedly the NY Times has "cleaned house" now, yet here they are playing up a dubious story about Syria, that we now know isn't accurate. The AP version comes much closer to how the vote actually went down. This story sounds like it came straight from Bolton. Is the NY Times still acting as a mouthpiece for the Bush Administration? Cause if it is, we've got problems.

[daleo]

11. That's a point

Propaganda can signal long range intentions, and NYT has allowed itself to be a propaganda organ in the past. So, it is worth watching.

[Eugene]

3. So says John Bolton.

The AP reports it a little differently:

U.N. Council Divided Over Syria Resolution


Monday October 31, 2005 6:46 AM

AP Photo DAM101

By EDITH M. LEDERER

By Associated Press Writer

UNITED NATIONS (AP) - The United States, France and Britain remained
at odds with Russia and China Sunday over a tough U.N. resolution
demanding that Syria cooperate with a probe into the assassination
of a former Lebanese prime minister or face possible sanctions.

But U.S. Ambassador John Bolton predicted the resolution will be
approved at a Security Council meeting Monday to be attended by
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and other foreign ministers.

<snip>

Russia, China and Algeria, a non-permanent council member and its only
Arab representative, oppose the threat of sanctions, saying that would
be premature given that the U.N. investigation into Hariri's
assassination has been extended until Dec. 15 and no final results
have been produced.

Russia's Lavrov and China's Li, who met for about 45 minutes before
Rice's dinner, refused to say how they will vote. "Just wait and see,"
said Li.

<snip>

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5381214,00.html

[ngGale]

4. I see Bolton's job at the UN ...

is going according to plan.:grr:

[leveymg]

5. That plan was written in 1997 by Feith, Wurmser and Perle for Netayahu

It's entitled, "A Clean Break: A New Strategy for Securing the Realm" http://www.israeleconomy.org/strat1.htm

It is quite interesting for the rank-order of the regime change it calls for: Iraq first, then Syria, and finally Iran.

Right on track, so far. Looks like they're succeeding in moving that agenda while the Bushites are still in power. How many more Americans have to die for this?

[unhappycamper]

6. Marie26:

Please be aware that DU copyright rules require that excerpts of copyrighted material be limited to four paragraphs and must include a link to the original source.

Thanks,

unhappycamper
DU Moderator