July 24, 2012 (TSR) – The Syrian Foreign and Expatriates Ministry Spokesman, Dr. Jihad Makdissi (or Maqdisi) gave a press conference in Damascus on Monday and slammed efforts on U.S. and its allies seeking military intervention in Syria. As soon as it was done, the West and their media outlets around the world negatively dealt with his statements deliberately taking it out of context and portraying it as a declaration of possessing non-traditional weapons by Syria.
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However, Dr. Makdissi clarified that the goal of the statement and the press conference wasn’t to declare but rather to respond to a methodical U.S. media propaganda campaign targeting Syria, the same way the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya experienced in 2011.
The tsunami of out-of-context news is an obvious deliberate attempt to prepare the world public opinion for the possibility of military intervention under the false premise of weapons of mass destruction (similar to what happened with Saddam Hussein and Iraq) or the possibility of using such weapons against terrorist groups or civilians, or transporting them to a third party.
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The tsunami of out-of-context news is an obvious deliberate attempt to prepare the world public opinion for the possibility of military intervention under the false premise of weapons of mass destruction (similar to what happened with Saddam Hussein and Iraq) or the possibility of using such weapons against terrorist groups or civilians, or transporting them to a third party.
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Dr. Makdissi affirmed that such allegations are completely false. These dangerous allegations are made by the same parties that are rallying against Syria in mass media and international circles who also fabricated lies about Iraqi weapons of mass destruction which turned out to be false later.
Makdissi’s statements were meant to explain Syrian Arab Republics’s general defensive policies in response to false media speculations and allegations, stressing the need to commit to precision and professionalism in news related to Syria and putting them in the proper context.
SYRIAN INFORMATION MINISTER REITERATES AND AFFIRMS THE ‘OUT OF CONTEXT’ STATEMENTS
The Syrian Information Minister Omran al-Zoubi also affirms that foreign media and diplomatic sides misconstrued the Foreign Ministry’s statements and interpreted it however they like, taking it out of context and therefore in need of further clarification.
Al-Zoubi told Sham FM Radio on Monday that there’s an international campaign led by US-Israeli diplomacy under the guise of warning against alleged chemical weapons that Syria supposedly possesses, and that this campaign is part of ongoing pressure to pass an international resolution under the pretext of preserving world peace.
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Syria has been calling for dismantling weapons of mass destruction in the region for more than two decades, which includes Israeli nuclear weapons, upon which Israel admitted to possessing… When Syria discussed these allegations, it’s merely responding to claims and lies from western diplomatic or intelligence sides, no more, no less. Thus, when the Foreign Ministry spokesman says that Syria will not use chemical weapons against its people, this doesn’t mean that Syria has such weapons in the first place.
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Al-Zoubi also noted that Syria has been calling for dismantling weapons of mass destruction in the region for more than two decades, which includes Israeli nuclear weapons, upon which Israel admitted to possessing.
He explained that when Syria discussed these allegations, it’s merely responding to claims and lies from western diplomatic or intelligence sides, no more, no less. Thus, when the Foreign Ministry spokesman says that Syria will not use chemical weapons against its people, this doesn’t mean that Syria has such weapons in the first place.
“They interpreted this answer as a saying that Syria admits to possessing chemical weapons; these are their wishes and obsessions, but the meaning is in a whole other context,” he concluded.
It is the same thing they did during the Geneva Communiqué
BRIEF SNAPSHOT OF THE PRESS CONFERENCE THAT U.S. MEDIA ARE DELIBERATELY TAKING OUT OF CONTEXT TO FOOL PEOPLE LIKE THEY DID WITH SADDAM HUSSEIN AND IRAQ:
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These dangerous allegations are made by the same parties that are rallying against Syria in mass media and international circles who also fabricated lies about Iraqi weapons of mass destruction which turned out to be false later.
Head of UN Team Confirms U.S. Propaganda War on Syria; Annan Purposely Shut Out from U.S. News Media. Read here.
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DEVELOPMENTS & UPDATES ON THE GROUND
Earlier, Makdissi responded to a question on developments in some neighborhoods in Damascus and outskirts by saying that “it is clear that the Syrian army is defending the Syrians and that we are in state of self-defense. There might be clashes in certain areas but the security situation is much more better.”
He added that the state will respond to those who carry weapons in the same way, stressing that doors are open those who call for dialogue and adopt political solution.
Makdissi noted that the “great battle of Damascus”, as what the media calls it, was messy and ignorant reporting. He wondered how such a battle against armed sides be fought if not in a military manner, even if some civilians were forced out of their houses. However, the Syrian residents are taken care off as the Damascus State Office cooperates with charity organizations to provide help for those people in need of assistance and protection.
He stressed that this is an urgent situation that won’t last for more than one or two days before things go back to normal, pointing out that those who follow the Syrian media can see those who are arrested and the operations being carried out to establish peace.
ARMED TERRORISTS ENTERING THE SYRIAN BORDERS
Regarding news on armed terrorist groups taking control of border crossings with Turkey and Iraq, Makdissi said that two such border crossings are out of control which were already abandoned and out of service since last June.
Commenting on the statement of the Arab Ministerial Committee in Doha, Qatar, Makdissi said that changing Annan’s mission is not at the hands of the Arabs saying that “it’s mere wishes they make and constitutes political hypocrisy” and that “talking about a transitional authority system constitutes a flagrant interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign state”.
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Syrian people make their own decisions and that they are the ones who will meet for dialogue, and the results of this dialogue will be binding as the decisive factor is the ballot boxes and sitting down for dialogue serving Syria’s interests and not the interests of others.
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Makdissi regretted that the Arab League has descended to this immoral level in dealing with a founding state and the fact that instead of helping Syria, they are complicating the situation further.
He said, “Syrian people make their own decisions and that they are the ones who will meet for dialogue, and the results of this dialogue will be binding as the decisive factor is the ballot boxes and sitting down for dialogue serving Syria’s interests and not the interests of others.”
Qatari official defects to Venezuela due to Doha policies against Pro-Palestinian countries, Qatar angry at Jordan for Preventing Terrorists Enter Syria
Makdissi also said that if these Arab countries “were honest in wanting to end the shedding of Syrian blood, then they should stop arming and harboring terrorists and instigating through the media against Syria because these acts do not contribute to overcoming the crisis in peaceful ways.”
He added that the alleged keenness of these Arab countries is fake and proves their political hypocrisy.
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If these Arab countries “were honest in wanting to end the shedding of Syrian blood, then they should stop arming and harboring terrorists and instigating through the media against Syria because these acts do not contribute to overcoming the crisis in peaceful ways.”
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As for the statements of the Russian ambassador in Paris, Makdissi stressed that the Russian diplomat is the only one to clarify his statements, not the Syrian Foreign Ministry.
He went on to add that Syria has agreed to a political process within Annan’s plan which was approved by the UN Security Council and agreed to a political process led by Syria and the Syrians, “We will commit to what the Syrians agree upon, but not what America and the West agrees upon.”
“Syria didn’t request Annan’s mission; rather the international community pretended that it wanted to help Syria, noting that they had sent an Arab observer mission earlier then they themselves foiled it, not Syria,” Makdissi highlighted regarding the recent Security Council decision to extend the UNSMIS observer mission for “final” 30 days.
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“We will commit to what the Syrians agree upon, but not what the America and the West agrees upon…the obstacles hindering Annan’s plan aren’t caused by Syria, but rather by those who fund, arm and harbor terrorists; and those who speak of weapons of mass destruction and prepare the public opinions for things that will not happen…They are making a media and political campaign; and they are leading it, and we are in a state of self-defense.”
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Makdissi hopes that the UN observer mission will be successful, noting that shifting or amending this mission is entrusted to the Security Council and the Assad Administration reaffirms its commitment to the success of Annan’s plan, “the obstacles hindering Annan’s plan aren’t caused by Syria, but rather by those who fund, arm and harbor terrorists; and those who speak of weapons of mass destruction and prepare the public opinions for things that will not happen.”
On the external political escalation, that parallels with a visit of the US Secretary of Defense to Israel to discuss the possibility of targeting the sites of Syrian weapons, Makdissi said, “Even though I don’t know the agenda of the visit, the reasons can’t be good… They are making a media and political campaign and they are leading it, and we are in a state of self-defense.”
On the possibility of a comprehensive war taking place in the region in case Israel decided to attack Syria, he said, “Don’t ask a diplomat about a war option, I’m not talking about a war and, God willing, there will be no war.”
Regarding the issue of the appearance of Hussam Hussam, the “witness” in the assassination of former Lebanese Premier Rafik Hariri, in a video broadcast by some channels in which he claimed that he has surprises regarding that case, Makdissi said he saw that Youtube clip like everyone else, noting that Hussam contradicted himself, adding “we don’t want to spoil the surprise… we will wait and hear these surprises.”
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“Don’t ask a diplomat about a war option, I’m not talking about a war and, God willing, there will be no war.”
– Dr. Jihad Makdissi on the possibility of a comprehensive war taking place in the region
in case Israel decided to attack Syria
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THE BRIEF FACTS: SYRIA’S “WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION” VERSUS ISRAEL
Syria has long sought missiles and weapons of mass destruction to match Israel‘s capabilities. In practice, however, it has never had the resources or technology base to compete with Israel.
Israel is widely believed to possess weapons of mass destruction, and to be one of four nuclear-armed countries not recognized as a Nuclear Weapons State by the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The US Congress Office of Technology Assessment has recorded Israel as a country generally reported as having undeclared chemical warfare capabilities, and an offensive biological warfare program.
It is believed that Israel had possessed an operational nuclear weapons capability by 1967, with the mass production of nuclear warheads occurring immediately after the Six-Day War. Although no official statistics exist, it has been estimated that Israel possesses from 75 to as many as 400 nuclear weapons, which are reported to include thermonuclear weapons in the megaton range. Israel is also reported to possess a wide range of different systems, including neutron bombs, tactical nuclear weapons, and suitcase nukes. Israel is believed to manufacture its nuclear weapons at the Negev Nuclear Research Center.
Nuclear-Weapon States:
The nuclear-weapon states (NWS) are the five states—China, France, Russia, United Kingdom, and the United States—officially recognized as possessing nuclear weapons by the NPT. Although the treaty legitimizes these states’ nuclear arsenals, it also establishes that they are not supposed to build and maintain such weapons in perpetuity. Article VI of the treaty holds that each state-party is to “pursue negotiations in good faith on effective measures relating to cessation of the nuclear arms race at an early date and to nuclear disarmament.” In 2000, the five NWS committed themselves to an “unequivocal undertaking…to accomplish the total elimination of their nuclear arsenals.” But for now, the five continue to retain the bulk of their nuclear forces. Because of the secretive nature with which most governments treat information about their nuclear arsenals, most of the figures below are best estimates of each nuclear-weapon state’s nuclear holdings, including both strategic warheads and lower-yield devices referred to as tactical weapons. Russia and the United States also retain thousands of retired warheads planned for dismantlement, not included here.
China: About 240 total warheads.
France: Fewer than 300 operational warheads.
Russia: Approximately 5,500 total warheads: 1,492 operational strategic warheads [1], approximately 2,000 operational tactical warheads (not deployed), and approximately 2,000 reserve warheads in storage.
United Kingdom: Fewer than 160 deployed strategic warheads, total stockpile of up to 225.
United States: Approximately 5,000 [2] total warheads: 1,737 deployed strategic warheads [1], approximately 500 operational tactical weapons (some 200 deployed in Europe), and approximately 2,700 reserve warheads (active and inactive) in storage.
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Israel is widely believed to possess weapons of mass destruction, and to be one of four nuclear-armed countries not recognized as a Nuclear Weapons State by the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The US Congress Office of Technology Assessment has recorded Israel as a country generally reported as having undeclared chemical warfare capabilities, and an offensive biological warfare program.
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Non-NPT Nuclear Weapons Possessors:
Three states—India, Israel, and Pakistan—never joined the NPT and are known to possess nuclear weapons. Claiming its nuclear program was for peaceful purposes, India first tested a nuclear explosive device in 1974. That test spurred Pakistan to ramp up work on its secret nuclear weapons program. India and Pakistan both publicly demonstrated their nuclear weapon capabilities with a round of tit-for-tat nuclear tests in May 1998. Israel has not publicly conducted a nuclear test, does not admit to or deny having nuclear weapons, and states that it will not be the first to introduce nuclear weapons in the Middle East. Nevertheless, Israel is universally believed to possess nuclear arms. The following arsenal estimates are based on the amount of fissile material—highly enriched uranium and plutonium—that each of the states is estimated to have produced. Fissile material is the key element for making nuclear weapons. India and Israel are believed to use plutonium in their weapons, while Pakistan is thought to use highly enriched uranium.
India: Up to 100 nuclear warheads.
Israel: Between 75 to 200 nuclear warheads.
Pakistan: Between 90 to 110 nuclear warheads.
Source: Armscontrol.org
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Syria, not a signatory to either the CWC or the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), and not having ratified the BWC, began developing chemical weapons in 1973 prior to the Yom Kipper war when the Egyptian government reportedly gave Syria artillery shells capable of delivering chemical weapons. Since then Syria has developed a robust chemical weapons program, perhaps one of the most advanced in the Middle East, and a variety of delivery methods. The country is still very depending on outside assistance in procuring important precursor chemicals and equipment.
Apparently, during the early 80’s, a policy decision within the Syrian government, led to the rapid development of non-conventional weapons. It is likely this decision was the result of the realization that Syria could not reach conventional military parity with Israel.
Syria is not able to internally produce many of the necessary precursors to create chemical weapons and is dependent upon importing production equipment. The CIA reports in nearly every declassified acquisition report to the US Congress over the last five years the efforts of Syria to obtain precursor chemicals and equipment from external sources. The chemicals were stockpiled prior to international export controls but those initials supplies have likely long been exhausted. Syria’s principle suppliers of CBW production technology were reported to be large chemical brokerage houses in Holland, Switzerland, France, Austria and Germany.
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Apparently, during the early 80’s, a policy decision within the Syrian government, led to the rapid development of non-conventional weapons. It is likely this decision was the result of the realization that Syria could not reach conventional military parity with Israel. Syria is not able to internally produce many of the necessary precursors to create chemical weapons and is dependent upon importing production equipment.
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In 2001 the CIA reported that:
Syria is a major regional producer of phosphates that “could” conceivably be used for WMD. The country produces 2 million tons of phosphate per year and has an estimated reserve of around 2 billion tons. In October 2002 it was announced that a major “super” phosphate plant was to be constructed near Palmyra with a partnership between Russia and the state-owned General Company for Phosphate and Mines. A similar project is underway with the Indian firm, Dharmasi Morarji Chimicals Ltd.
Syria has used the expansion of its pharmaceuticals industry as a cover for purchases relating to its chemical weapons program. Since 1988, protected from competing imports and without patent protection, the Syrian pharmaceutical industry has expanded rapidly and provides about 85% of the country’s needs for products. The volume of the domestic market is expected to grow at a rate of 5-7% per annum, and there is the possibility to expand domestic production to meet the additional 15% of demand being met by imports. The state organization “Saydalaya” has a monopoly on the importation of drugs not produced in Syria and controls arrangements for technical appraisal and price negotiation. Syrian companies, however, may apply for a license to manufacture a drug that is being imported, and if permission is granted, imports of the drug end after six months. There is no active material production in Syria, and all active materials are imported from a wide range of overseas sources (Germany, Switzerland, Russia, Spain, Italy, Austria, the Netherlands, USA, Slovakia and Oman, by order of value). Exports are confined to finished products and go to countries of the Middle East and North Africa. The vast size of these markets and the relative ease with which many pharmaceutical chemicals can be manufactured suggest a broad avenue of potential for development. Foreign companies may also outsource secondary production to Syrian companies with high quality production facilities, and some manufacturers have licenses from overseas companies to produce their medicines and market them under the brand name.
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There is no active material production in Syria, and all active materials are imported from a wide range of overseas sources (Germany, Switzerland, Russia, Spain, Italy, Austria, the Netherlands, USA, Slovakia and Oman, by order of value). Exports are confined to finished products and go to countries of the Middle East and North Africa. Syrian production facilities are notoriously small in comparison to other CBW facilities in other states and are difficult to conclusively identify. Syria is significantly dependent upon outside assistance for all of its WMD programs.
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Production
Syria is now believed capable of producing several hundred tons of CW agents per year. Syrian production facilities are notoriously small in comparison to other CBW facilities in other states and are difficult to conclusively identify. Presently there are four suspected sites. One located just north of Damascus, and the second near the industrial city of Homs. The third, in Hama, is believed to be producing VX agents in addition to sarin and tabun, and a forth near Cerin. Several other sites are monitored by intelligence agencies and are listed only as suspect.
Outside Assistance
Syria is significantly dependent upon outside assistance for all of its WMD programs. There have been reports over the life of the Syria program that Syria has obtained significant assistance from various states, significantly Russia and France.
Russian General Anatoly Kuntsevich was suspected of smuggling VX precursors to nerve gas for research purposes. The materials shipped to Syria were intended for the production of the Soviet/Russian version of the VX nerve agent – code-named Substance 33 or V-gas. Such a deal might have been made in the early ’90s or late ’80s during a visit to Syria by the then-commander of the Russian Chemical Corps, General Pikalov.
French support came in the form of pharmaceutical imports. In the early eighties, French companies provided an significant portion of pharmaceuticals imported by Syria. By the middle of the decade France provided nearly 1 quarter of pharmaceuticals coming into Syria. Certainly some of the imports were legitimate, but many were “dual use” items that could be directed to clandestine programs. In 1992 following French acceptance of the Australia Group, all exports became to be monitored for chemicals and equipment that could be directed to chemical and biological weapons programs.
Source: Globalsecurity.org
LMJS
