Russophobia Gone Wild
by Stephen Lendman (stephenlendman.org - Home - Stephen Lendman)
Accusations without evidence are baseless. It hasn’t deterred Western officials from allying against Russia, piling on, blaming the Kremlin for the alleged Skripal poisoning incident it had nothing to do with.
The incident took Russophobia to a new level, matching Star Trek, going where no one has gone before, unchartered territory, risking serious consequences.
The official UK narrative claims father and daughter Skripal, along with police detective Nick Bailey, were poisoned by a military-grade Novichok nerve agent.
If true, they and anyone else exposed would have died in minutes at most. Yet Public Health England said “the immediate risk to those affected is extremely low” - exposing the official narrative’s Big Lie without admitting it.
Brussels united with Britain in condemning Russia. Theresa May, along with Trump, Merkel and Macron issued a deplorable joint statement days earlier, saying the following:
“We, the leaders of France, Germany, the United States and the United Kingdom, abhor the attack that took place against Sergei and Yulia Skripal in Salisbury, UK, on 4 March 2018.”
“A British police officer who was also exposed in the attack remains seriously ill, and the lives of many innocent British citizens have been threatened.”
“We express our sympathies to them all, and our admiration for the UK police and emergency services for their courageous response.”
“This use of a military-grade nerve agent, of a type developed by Russia, constitutes the first offensive use of a nerve agent in Europe since the Second World War.”
“It is an assault on UK sovereignty and any such use by a State party is a clear violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention and a breach of international law. It threatens the security of us all.”
“The United Kingdom briefed thoroughly its allies that it was highly likely that Russia was responsible for the attack.”
“We share the UK assessment that there is no plausible alternative explanation, and note that Russia’s failure to address the legitimate request by the UK government further underlines its responsibility.”
“We call on Russia to address all questions related to the attack in Salisbury.”
“Russia should in particular provide full and complete disclosure of the Novichok program to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).”
“Our concerns are also heightened against the background of a pattern of earlier irresponsible Russian behavior.”
“We call on Russia to live up to its responsibilities as a member of the UN Security Council to uphold international peace and security.”
Fact: Based on the official narrative, no one was exposed to a military-grade nerve agent. If so, they’d have died straightaway - so far, no fatalities reported since the reported March 4 incident.
Fact: No evidence links Russia to what happened. Nothing explains what happened in medical terms. The whereabouts of both Skripals and Bailey remain unknown, along with their health status other than saying they’re seriously ill - no satisfactory medical diagnosis.
Fact: No assault on Britain’s sovereignty occurred, no Chemical Weapons Convention of other international law violations by Russia - just baseless accusations without proof.
Fact: Blaming Russia without it is a bald-faced lie.
Fact: The Kremlin has no legal obligation to supply Britain with information on what it had nothing to do with.
Separately, Angela Merkel disgracefully said Russia must prove its noninvolvement in the Skripal incident.
“We believe that there is strong evidence that Russia is involved in that (incident), and now Russia must prove that this is not true,” she roared.
Not according to Western legal standards. Merkel got it backwards. The burden of proof in on the accuser (Britain), not the accused (Russia).
Further, asking Moscow to prove a negative demands the impossible.
According to Western legal standards, prosecutors bear the burden of proof. They must demonstrate the guilt of defendants beyond a reasonable doubt - not the other way around.
Reasonable doubt is the highest standard of proof in judicial proceedings - whether against individuals, groups or nations.
Credible tribunals consider no one guilty by accusation alone. A high evidentiary standard is required to prove it, especially n criminal cases.
The standard has not been met or approached in blaming Russia for the Skripal incident.
No one is guilty of any wrongdoing without credible evidence proving it.
None exists against Russia in the Skripal incident. If so, it would have been revealed by now.
A Positive Sign in an Ocean of Turmoil and Trouble
On Tuesday, Trump congratulated Putin on his reelection, according to the Kremlin.
Both leaders spoke by phone, including about Syria, North Korea, Ukraine and improving bilateral relations.
As long as Russophobes infest Washington, expect nothing positive ahead - no matter what Trump may genuinely prefer in his heart of hearts.
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