Russian Foreign Ministry on Syria and Skripal Incident
by Stephen Lendman (stephenlendman.org - Home - Stephen Lendman)
At her weekly press briefing, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova (MZ below), explained counterterrorism operations in East Ghouta are nearing a successful conclusion.
Douma alone remains to be freed from US-supported terrorists, most civilians in the town able to leave through Russia’s humanitarian corridor.
Negotiations with terrorists controlling the town continue, “repeatedly been interrupted by the radical militants, who advocate the continuation of hostilities, (falsely) claiming ‘help is near,’ “ MZ adding:
“These are the real consequences of the hysteria raised in the West around Eastern Ghouta.”
“Ongoing unfounded or fabricated accusations against the Syrian government, as well as Russia, of the indiscriminate use of force, the killing of civilians and other lies, allegedly imbued with concern for the fate of the civilian population, in fact create obstacles to negotiations, reaching decisions and saving human lives.”
Most civilians held in captivity as human shields by US-supported terrorists are now free, humanitarian aid provided them.
Their rescue was conducted transparently, Russia’s Defense Ministry broadcasting the exodus on live television, including columns of terrorists boarding scores of buses, transferring them to Idlib province safely as promised.
MZ: “Every day, new facts and eyewitness accounts appear, forming an appalling picture of life in Eastern Ghouta under the rule of militants: bloody showdowns among the terrorists, violence against civilians, stolen humanitarian aid, and profiteering of medicines.”
“Like in Aleppo, cashes of food and medicines were found in tunnels where the terrorists took refuge in Eastern Ghouta. (They) were built with forced labor of captives that supported the Syrian government.”
MZ expressed concern about Washington hardening its illegal military presence in the country, including with heavy weapons and equipment in northern and southern areas they occupy.
Conflict resolution remains unattainable as long as Washington maintains a military presence in the country.
Following MZ’s report, Syria’s military reported the following:
“After a series of carefully planned battles and military operations conducted by our armed forces with the help of friendly and allied forces, control over all the cities and settlements of the Damascus suburb of Eastern Ghouta has been restored,” adding:
Douma remains the last town still held by terrorists. Negotiations continue to liberate it.
For the first time in seven years, the main highway linking Damascus with central, northern, and western Syria is now unblocked.
Separately, key Assad political and media advisor Bouthiana Shaaban said “(w)e are determined to liberate all of Syria’s territory from terrorists and Turkish and US occupation forces.” Nothing less is acceptable.
Discussing the March 4 Skripal incident, MZ explained Britain’s failure to provide Russia with evidence relating to what happened.
Nor has the May government responded to “Russia’s legitimate demands and constructive proposals seeking to establish cooperation,” MZ stressed, adding:
“We have witnessed Russian representatives being denied access to injured Russian citizens.”
“(T)he United Kingdom, openly and without scruples, is breaking international legal provisions, in particular, the Consular Convention between the Soviet Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland of 1968.”
“Notably, Article 36 of this document contains provisions that “a) a consular officer shall be entitled within the consular district to communicate with, interview and advise a national of the sending State and may render him every assistance including, where necessary, arranging for aid and advice in legal matters,” and “b) No restriction shall be placed by the receiving State upon the access of a national of the sending State to the consulate or upon communication by him with the consulate.”
Agreed on in 1968, the document remains valid today.
MZ noted “mysterious poisonings and deaths” seeming to occur in Britain with disturbing regularity - indicating its responsibility for these incidents, not other parties like Russia falsely blamed.
“…Britain has left behind a grave trail of unsolved deaths of Russian citizens and British subjects,” accountability not forthcoming, said MZ.
She noted the mysterious death of UK scientist David Kelly, saying “he…exposed the lies of London about the alleged presence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.”
He turned up dead three days after appearing before a televised government committee, assuring he’d tell no more tales with explosive smoking-gun evidence for proof. He apparently had plenty more to tell.
His death was falsely called a suicide despite no conceivable reason why he’d want to take his own life.
No autopsy was performed, no formal inquest ordered. Evidence showed his body was moved twice.
A falsely reported knife, bottle of water, glasses and cap weren’t seen by witnesses discovering his body.
Alleged hemorrhaging from a left wrist arterial wound was initially falsified as the cause of death. Little blood was found substantiating the claim.
Three doctors examining evidence agreed he didn’t commit suicide, disputing the official coverup report.
Kelly was murdered to silence him, a state-sponsored crime. He knew too much authorities wanted suppressed.
The Skipal incident followed a similar script, Russia falsely blamed for a likely US/UK orchestrated crime.
MZ: “We…continue to observe the ‘performance’ that was staged and continues to be played out by British politicians for their political purposes and for the political establishment of their country.”
They and their US counterparts bear full responsibility for what happened, not Russia.
VISIT MY NEW WEB SITE: stephenlendman.org (Home - Stephen Lendman). Contact at [email protected].
My newest book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III."
http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html
