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President al-Assad to Lavrov: Syria Determined to Fulfill National Dialogue with Participation of Government, Opposition and Independent Figures

DAMASCUS, (SANA)_ President Bashar al-Assad on Tuesday received Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

President al-Assad reviewed the current events in Syria and the timetables of the ongoing reforms as well as the nature of the terrorism practiced against the Syrian citizen and the state establishments by the armed terrorist groups which are backed by foreign sides.

President al-Assad: Syria is Determined to Carry Out National Dialogue with the Participation of the Government, the Opposition and Independent Figures

On behalf of the Syrian people, President al-Assad thanked Russia for its stances at the UN Security Council and its commitment to supporting dialogue and national solutions instead of escalation and dictations practiced by some countries which do not take into consideration the interests of the Syrian people and their vision for achieving the reforms internally and without foreign interference, stressing that Syria is determined to carry out national dialogue with the participation of representatives of the government, the opposition and independent figures.

President al-Assad said that Syria welcomed from the beginning any efforts exerted to support the Syrian solution to the crisis and was committed to the Arab League work plan which was approved on November 2, 2011, and that Syria cooperated fully with the Arab League observer mission in spite of the obstacles set by some Arab sides, reiterating Syria’s readiness to cooperate with any efforts exerted to support stability in Syria.

Lavrov: Russia’s Stance at Security Council Stems from Its Objective and Balanced Assessment of Events

For his part, Minister Lavrov  said that Russia’s stance at the Security Council stems from its objective and balanced assessment of the events witnessed in Syria , its respect of international law and the people’s right to decide their destiny, as well as Russia’s rejection of foreign interference and incitement instead of encouraging dialogue.

The Minister reiterated his country’s commitment to the stability of Syria and its independent decision, in addition to its commitment to the interests of the Syrian people and the ongoing democratic reforms in Syria.

He expressed Russia’s hope in speeding up the implementation of reforms and the participation of all Syrians in a national dialogue that protects the sovereignty, security and stability of their country.

The meeting was attended by Vice President Farouk al-Sharaa, Foreign and Expatriates Minister Walid al-Moallem, Presidential Political and Media Advisor Bouthaina Shaaban, Deputy Foreign and Expatriates Minister Fayssal Mikdad, and Assistant Foreign Minister Abdul-Fattah Ammoura.

The delegation accompanying Minister Lavrov consists of Director of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service Mikhail Fradkov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mikhail Bogdanov, Deputy Director of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service Vladimir Zimakov, Director of the Middle East and North Africa Department of Russia’s Foreign Ministry Sergey Vershinin, and Russia’s Ambassador to Damascus Azamat Kulmukhametov.

Lavrov: Russia is Prepared to Assist in Emerging from the Syrian Crisis as Soon as Possible on the Basis of Arab Work Plan

In a statement to the press after his meeting with President al-Assad, Minister Lavrov said that he conducted very important meetings with the Syrian leadership, primarily with President al-Assad, Vice President Farouk al-Shara, and Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem, during which he affirmed Russia’s readiness to assist in emerging from the Syrian crisis as soon as possible on the basis of the Arab League plan dated November 2nd 2011.

“President al-Assad affirmed his commitment as per the Arab plan to the task of putting an end to violence regardless of its source. To this end, Syria affirms its interest in continuing work with the Arab League observer mission and increasing observer numbers to cover all points and verify any breaches or violations to the principle of not allowing violence regardless of source,” he said.

He added that he had told Arab League Secretary General Nabil al-Arabia in a phone call on Monday that Russia believes it necessary to preserve and expand the observer mission.

Lavrov stressed the need to activate dialogue with the participation of all Syrians, the government and all groups with the help of the Arab League.

“President al-Assad affirmed today that the committee which was formed to carry out dialogue with all opposition group under the chairmanship of the Vice President still has all the necessary authority to carry out this dialogue… It must be assisted by those who can, including those who reject dialogue up until now,” he said.

The Russian Minister said that he mentioned the content of the letter sent by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev regarding the need to expedite political reforms and undertaking constitutional reform, adding that President al-Assad affirmed that he will meet the committee tasked with preparing a new constitution as soon as possible and that a referendum on it will be held after it’s official presentation, and afterwards general elections will be held with the participation of the parties formed as per the new political parties law.

Lavrov said that the results of his visit are very important and that it came just in time, adding that Russia believes that the message it sent on the need to move forward has been received.

“We believe in the necessity of continuing the efforts aiming at finding a solution and settlement to the Syrian crisis… the Russian side intends to work actively with the Syrian side and with Syria’s neighbors and the Arab League… naturally, we will continue work with opposition groups which, for one reason or another, haven’t agreed until now to participate in general national dialogue… we believe it’s necessary for the countries that have more influence on these groups to work with them,” he said.

Lavrov concluded by saying that Russia has simple and clear goals which can be summed up in not allowing the death of civilians, adding “we also believe that the region needs peace and that Syria needs peace… all external forces must assist in national dialogue and reaching national agreement and reconciliation away from interference in Syrian internal affairs.”

Earlier, Minister Lavrov arrived in Damascus amid a massive popular reception in appreciation of Russia’s support to Syria, people and its reform program.

Huge crowds flocked to south bypass in Mezzah to greet Lavrov and express appreciation of Russia’ stances.

Similar crowds streamed to Saadallah Al-Jabiri Square in Aleppo, highly lauding Russia’s positions, rejecting foreign interference in Syria’s internal affairs and supporting combating terrorism.

Thirty Army and Law-Enforcement Forces Martyrs Laid to Rest

Damascus, Lattakia (SANA) – The bodies of 30 army and law-enforcement forces martyrs on Tuesday were escorted from Tishreen and Lattakia military hospitals to their final resting place.

The martyrs were killed by the armed terrorist groups while on duty in Damascus Countryside, Daraa, Idleb, Hama and Homs.

Solemn funeral ceremonies were held for the martyrs, as they were carried on shoulders while the music of the “Martyr” and “Farewell” was playing.

The martyrs are:

-Colonel Ahmad Mohammad Hamdan, from Lattakia.

-Colonel Samir Youssef Ahmad, from Lattakia.

-Major Mohammad Ali Khudr, from Lattakia.

-First Lieutenant Kanaan Saeed Khaskih from Homs.

-First Lieutenant Moin Nadim Ismael, from Tartous.

-First Lieutenant Dibo Jamil Tahan, from Idleb.

-Second Lieutenant Ali Jawdat Ali, from Lattakia.

-Chief Warrant Officer Haitham Ibrahim Issa, from Lattakia.

-Chief Warrant Officer Hassan Munir Saleh, from Lattakia.

-Warrant Officer Muhannad Abdul-Halim Ghanem, from Tartous.

-Sergeant Major Ihsan Jamil Eddin, from Sweida.

-Sergeant Major Issa Nadim al-Atem, from Lattakia.

-Sergeant Hussein Akeel, from Homs.

-Sergeant Talal Ali Hilal, from Lattakia.

-Sergeant Ammar Nawar Taleb, from Lattakia.

-Sergeant Hazem Mohammad Hassan, from Tartous.

-Corporal Abdul-Nasser Abdul-Razzaq Qassem, from Aleppo.

-Private Ahmad Fawaz al-Shaaban, from Der Ezzor.

-Conscript Majed Mohammad Khankarli, from Aleppo. -Conscript Ibrahim Mustafa Qassem, from Idleb.

-Conscript Mahmoud Imad Eddin Nazee, from Aleppo.

-Conscript Fayssal Abdullah al-Othman, from Aleppo.

-Conscript Ahmad Thrar Ali, from Daraa.

-Conscript Hamad Youssef Kahil, from Sweida.

-Conscript Mohammad Rida Ghazi, from Daraa.

-Conscript Zak Amro Ibo, from Aleppo.

-Conscript Ali Omar Qari, from Aleppo.

-Conscript Abdul-Qader Abdul-Qader Habbo, from Aleppo.

-Policeman Rayan Mahmoud Subh, from Lattakia.

-Policeman Irwa Abdul-Rahman Hassan, from Lattakia.

Families of the martyrs expressed confidence that Syria will overcome the crisis through the Syrian people’s adherence to their national unity, adding that the blood of the martyrs will fortify Syria against all challenges.

They stressed that the Syrian people’s unity and their rallying around their leadership will foil the conspiracy and other schemes aiming at undermining their homeland.

The families condemned the crimes committed by the armed terrorist groups, adding that they will not weaken the Syrians’ determination to confront the conspiracy hatched against it.

Armed Terrorist Groups Attack Civilians and Law-Enforcement Forces, Authorities Confront Terrorists and Dismantle Explosives

GOVERNORATES, (SANA) – Armed terrorist groups on Tuesday continued their attacks against civilians in Daraa and Homs.

In Daraa, two brothers and another civilian were martyred while a school teacher was injured by the gunfire of armed terrorist groups.

A source at the governorate told SANA correspondent that an armed terrorist group opened fire on Mohammad Said Abu Nabout (36 years old) and his brother Mousa (22 years old) from Daraa City after which the terrorist group set fire to their car.

Another armed terrorist group shot and killed citizen Ahmad al-Rwaisi from Nasib village in Daraa and threw his body into a sewage manhole in Um al-Meizan village.

In the same context, an armed terrorist group opened fire on teacher Jawdat al-Wazani from al-Sheikh Miskeen city, causing severe injury in the leg.

Armed Terrorist Group Kidnaps an Ambulance Carrying Martyr’s Body

An armed terrorist group kidnapped an ambulance carrying the body of martyr Bilal Hassan who was found dead in Ma’aret al-Numan.

The martyr was killed by gunfire of an armed terrorist group which kidnapped him yesterday.

In Idleb City, an armed terrorist group opened fire near Idleb National Hospital, injuring pharmacist Abdel Raoof Milano.

Armed Terrorist Groups Attack Law-Enforcement Posts, Residential Neighborhoods in Homs

Meanwhile, armed terrorist groups attacked a number of law-enforcement posts in Homs Province.

The armed terrorists also attacked with mortar shells a number of residential neighborhoods in the city of Homs.

Earlier, an armed terrorist group attacked with 3 mortar shells the area of Homs Refinery.

Terrorists Attack Citizens and Law-Enforcement Forces in al-Bayyada, Homs

Armed terrorists groups attacked citizens and law-enforcement forces in al-Bayyada area in Homs, martyring a number of civilians and law-enforcement personnel.

SANA’s correspondent was informed that the authorities pursued these groups, killing a number of them and arresting others.

Meanwhile, in the town of Al-Hosn Citadel (Krak des Chevaliers), armed terrorist groups set up blockades, preventing citizens from moving around.

Armed terrorists groups are also holding up public transport and personal cars and stealing them at gunpoint in Homs and Idleb.

Four members of the authorities martyred during clashes with armed groups in al-Zabadani

Four members of the competent authorities were martyred today during clashes with the armed terrorist groups at al-Zabadani in Damascus Countryside.

An official source told SANA that clashes led to the killing of a number of terrorists.

The Army Engineering units also dismantled big explosives planted by the terrorists to kill innocents in the region.

Authorities Release a Number of Abducted Military Members in al-Rastan

Authorities clashed with armed terrorist groups in al-Rastan city in Homs Countryside and released a number of military members who were abducted in the last few days.

SANA correspondent said that few of these terrorists fled while others were killed or injured.

Military Engineering Units Dismantle Mines and Explosive Devices in Damascus Countryside

Military engineering units dismantled mines and explosive devices planted by armed terrorist groups in Madaya streets, allies and some buildings in Damascus Countryside.

SANA’s correspondent said the authorities seized automatic firearms, large amounts of ammunition and military uniforms in one of the houses.

In the same context, armed terrorist groups ransacked and trashed some buildings and villas in Bloudan area in Damascus Countryside.

Huge Crowds in Damascus and Aleppo Express Appreciation for Russia and China

DAMASCUS/ ALEPPO, (SANA) – In appreciation of Russia’s honorable stance at the UN Security Council to defend the people’s rights, huge crowds of Syrians gathered at the south bypass in Mezzah to greet the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov who arrived in Damascus today afternoon.

The crowds wanted to express appreciation for Russia’s rejection of any foreign interference in Syria’s internal affairs and its support to Syria, the Syrian people and the announced reform program.

The participants raised the Syrian and Russian flags and chanted national slogans, expressing gratitude for Russia whose stances showed its care for protecting international security and peace, especially rejecting interference in the internal affairs of other states.

The crowds surrounded the Russian Minister’s car which passed through the gathering people slowly, chanting songs about their love of the homeland and their readiness to sacrifice their dearest for the sake of Syria.

Student Ali al-Jahni said that he came here with 300 other students from the Communication Faculty at Damascus University to express deep appreciation for Russia’s stances and efforts to achieve peace in the whole world.

The participants affirmed that the conspiracy aims at undermining Syria’s national unity, sovereignty and independence.

The gathering people stressed the Syrian people’s determination, side by side with the Syrian army, to foil all fragmentation schemes and sectarian sedition targeting Syria.

Citizen William Rassouq said the Syrian people came out to greet Russia’s Foreign Minister and to thank his country and send a clear message to the whole world that the Syrians chose national unity in the face of all foreign interference attempts.

He added that the Syrian people are the only ones who can solve their problems and implement the desired reforms to meet their aspirations for freedom and democracy.

The participants said that today the Syrian people proved that they are united, contrary to the news broadcast by misleading satellite channels, stressing the importance of the Syrian army in preserving security and stability and their sacrifices to eliminate armed terrorist groups that destroy the country.

The crowds stressed that the Russian and Chinese vetoes ended the Arab and Western conspiracy against Syria.

In Aleppo, masses of Syrians crowded at Saadallah al-Jaberi Square in appreciation of the Russian and the Chinese stances in support of Syria.

The participants expressed support to the reform program led by president Bashar al-Assad, rejecting foreign interference in their country’s internal affairs.

The crowds condemned the crimes and sabotage acts committed by armed terrorist groups, chanting national slogans that stress the Syrian people’s national unity and their rallying around their leadership in the face of all pressure and challenges.

Teacher Nadia Younes said the stances of Russia and China at the UN Security Council support the independence of people and preserve their sovereignty and right to live in peace, adding that this move enhanced bilateral relations between Syria and these two countries.

Sheikh Ahmad al-Salem from Al-Bou-Massareh tribe in Aleppo countryside said that the Syrian tribes reiterate commitment to the reform process led by President al-Assad, hailing the role of the Syrian army in defending Syria’s security and stability.

Syrian Draft Constitution Completed

DAMASCUS, (SANA – The national committee tasked with preparing the draft Constitution for the Syrian Arab Republic has finished its work.

The Committee, according to a statement received by SANA would submit the draft Constitution to President Bashar al-Assad to complete the reasons for its issuance according to the constitutional measures.

On October 15th, President Bashar al-Assad issued presidential decision No. 33 on forming the national committee for preparing a draft Constitution for the Syrian Arab Republic to be issued later according to the constitutional principles.

According to the decree, the Committee must complete its mission within a period not exceeding four months from the date of issuing the decree and it has the right to consult whoever it finds appropriate to accomplish the mission.

The committee chairman is Mazhar al-Anbari and the members are Abdel Karim Oudi, Dr. Kamal Sharaf, Muhram Tayyareh, Dr. Adel Jamous, Mumtaz Fawakheri, Dr. Aziz Shukri, Dr. Abboud al-Saraj, Dr. Fuad Deib, Dr. Sam Delleh, Dr. Said Nehayli, Dr. Mikhael Nacol, Dr. Farouk Basha, Qadri Jamil, Nizar Skeif, Ahmad Eido, Abdel Rahman al-Zakahi, Dr. Jasem Zakariya, Dr. Mohammad Kheir Akkam, Dr. Kinda al-Shammat, Dr. Abdel Hai al-Sayyed, Dr. Jamileh Sharbaji, Dr. Amal Yazji, Ahmad Saleh Ibrahim, Omran al-Zoubi, Nabih Jalahej, Ismat Anabri, Mahmoud Younes and Ahmad Kazbari.

China Stresses Veto against Draft Resolution on Syria Consistent with UN Charter

BEIJING, (SANA) – China stressed on Tuesday that it used the veto against a draft resolution on Syria at the Security Council in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter  and as to prevent the repercussions of such a draft resolution.

China’s Middle East Envoy, Wu Sike, said in an exclusive interview with the Chinese News Agency Xinhua that china has vetoed the draft resolution for two reasons: the first reason is because china is committed to the principles of the UN Charter; the second reason is because in case the draft resolution had been adopted, violence would have been escalated.

Xinhua added that China vetoed the Arab-Western-drafted resolution to express absolute rejection of paving the way for military intervention in Syria and change the regime by force which violate the charter of the United Nations and the principles of international relations.

Earlier, China’s Ambassador to the UN, Li Baodong, said after the UNSC vote that china believes that imposing unilateral pressures and prejudging the outcome of dialogue or imposing any settlement by force would further complicate the situation.

China Calls for Adopting Dialogue and Political Solutions in Syria and Ceasing Violence

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin affirmed that his country will continue to support a political resolution to the crisis in Syria and that China is considering sending diplomats to visit specific countries in the near future.

In a press conference on Tuesday, Weimin said that China has always believed that all sides in Syria must cease acts of violence and resolve their issues through dialogue and coordination to reduce tension in the region.

Gatilov: Western Undiplomatic Reactions on Russia’s Stances Affirm Correctness of Russia’s Approach

MOSCOW, (SANA) _ Undiplomatic response of the West to Russia’s stand on Syria proves Moscow’s strategy to be correct, Russia’s Vice Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov said Tuesday.

“We’d better look for compromises,” Gatilov said in a statement, adding that Moscow is determined, as before, to look for a compromise regarding a possible Security Council’s resolution on Syria.

Earlier, the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, affirmed Russia’s firm stance regarding the situation in Syria.

Russian Figures, Analysts: Russian Public Opinion Supports Moscow’s Stances Towards Syria

A number of Russian analysts and figures expressed their support to the Russian veto taken at the UN Security Council.

Dean of the Russian Diplomatic Academy Nikolay Tikhomirov said he is sure that there is a solution for Syria’s crisis.

He told SANA correspondent that Russia’s stance is very clear and calls for holding a dialogue to stop violence in Syria.

For his part, Chairman of the Association of Russian Diplomats (ARD) Pogos Akopov, said that the Russian stance reflects the attitude of the Russian public opinion.

He added that the Russian people believe that the Syrians are the only side responsible for reaching a solution for their crisis, hailing the efforts exerted by President Bashar al-Assad and the Syrian leadership in this regard.

Nasrallah: There is Arab, US and Israeli decision, represented by so-called Moderate States to overthrow Syria

BEIRUT, (SANA)-Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasserallah on Tuesday said that there is an Arab, Israeli and US decision, represented by the so-called the Arab moderate states to overthrow the regime in Syria, adding that the aim is not democracy or reform, but it is the head of resistance in Lebanon and Palestine.

“The Syrian government has stressed it is ready to carry out the reforms, it formed a committee to study a new constitution that realizes political and party pluralism, run transparent elections and conduct national dialogue, but there are sides who don’t want neither dialogue nor reform,” Sheikh Nasserallah said in a speech celebrating the anniversary of Prophet Mohammad’s birthday, broadcast by al-Manar TV.

He considered that whom he claims commitment to Syria should go to the table of dialogue, but betting on the west, the US, money and weapons to overthrow Syria is a lost bet that will lead to more killing and destruction.

Sheikh Nasserallah added that a lot of what is broadcast on TV channels is not true and baseless, adding “it is an exploitation for mass media, facts, senses, feelings and blood.

He made clear that media depicted Homs as a flaming city before the session of the UN Security Council, they started reporting about 50 killed persons and ended by 350, hundreds of wounded and the demolishing of 39 houses, in a bid to affect the peoples’ stance.

“We contacted our friends in Homs who have no relation with the Syrian government, they stressed that there is nothing in Homs of what has been broadcast.. but there were some clashes and shootings ,” Nasserallah said.

“Without the Iranian material and moral support as well as the great Syrian role, the resistance in Lebanon wouldn’t achieve the biggest and most important Arab victory over Israel in May, 2000,”

He called for “coming out from the details into the biggest scene to see what is right and wrong in order to go in this direction to think in Syria and its people, Palestine and its sanctities.”

Sheikh Nasserallah added “there is still a leadership in Syria with a constitution and Army and the people support this leadership and take to streets to show this support… so the supposition that the regime is isolated is untrue.”

Mansour: Lebanon Will Not Be Weak Flank of Targeting Syria

BEIRUT, (SANA)_ Lebanese Foreign and Expatriates Minister, Adnan Mansour, stressed that Lebanon will not become the weak flank of targeting Syria as it will exert all efforts to stop any infiltration operation or smuggling weapons into Syria through its borders.

In a phone call with the Lebanese New TV on Tuesday, Mansour said ” There are historical, geographic, economic and security ties between Lebanon and Syria which we take into consideration”, asserting that Lebanon’s stance towards Syria emerges from Lebanon’s high interest in and its keenness on the agreements signed between the two countries on fraternity, security and defense.

Mansour pointed out that Lebanon doesn’t interfere in others’ internal affairs and is keen on Syria’s security and stability.

With wide participation of Syrian and Iraqi clans, Tent of Homeland held in Sweida

Sweida, (SANA)-With wide participation of sheikhs and notables of the Syrian and Iraqi clans, the religious, popular and civil activities at Salim village in Sweida held on Tuesday “the Tent of Homeland.”

The participates expressed their rejection of any foreign intervention in Syria’s domestic affairs, stressing support to the comprehensive reform program led by President Bashar al-Assad.

They denounced the acts of killing, sabotage and terrifying citizens, perpetrated by the foreign-supported armed groups, calling for striking with an iron fist anyone who destabilizes the situation in Syria.

The participants underlined the importance of adhering to the national unity among all Syrian society spectrums, showing confidence in Syria’s ability to overcome the conspiracy to which the country is exposed.

Governor of Sweida Ali Malek underlined that the Syrian people are immune to all conspiracies and plots, saying “they will remain as one body and Syria will come out of the crisis stronger.”

Sheikh Saleh al-Naemi, Founder of the Syrian Clans’ Forum Initiative said that the history will record that the Syrian tribes had national and important role in protecting the Syrian blood and deepening the national unity.

Other Iraqi and Syrian participants stressed that Syria would come out of this crisis victorious due to the Syrian people’s awareness and their commitment to the national unity.

Syria News on 15th Feb, 2012

Thirteen Army and Law-Enforcement Martyrs Laid to Rest

PROVINCES, (SANA) – The bodies of thirteen army and law-enforcement martyrs on Tuesday were escorted from Tishreen Military Hospital in Damascus, Zahi Azraq Military Hospital in Lattakia and the Military Hospital in Homs to their final resting places.

The martyrs were killed in the line of duty by armed terrorists groups in Damascus Countryside, Homs and Idleb.

Official funeral ceremonies were held for the martyrs, as they were carried up on shoulders while the music of “The Martyr” and “The Farewell” was played.

The martyrs are:

-Sergeant Mohammad Shahoud al-Nabhan from Idleb.

-Sergeant Firas Abdul-Hamid Sheikh-Mous from al-Hasaka.

-Sergeant Saleh Suleiman Sakr from Tartous.

-Sergeant Hassan Hani al-Sheikh from Lattakia.

-Corporal Ahmad Khalaf al-Ali from al-Hasaka.

-Conscript Mohammad Ali Zarour from Aleppo.

-Conscript Fayez Taha al-Dairi from Idleb.

-Conscript Samo Hussein al-Shikh Taha from Aleppo.

-Conscript Majid Adel Jneid from Aleppo.

-Conscript Majd Hussein Hammoudi from Hama.

-Conscript Mohammad Ibrahim al-Hawamda from Daraa.

-Conscript Mohammad Fayez Katb from Damascus Countryside.

-Policeman Rafat Yahya Hassan from Homs.

The martyrs’ families stressed their confidence in their homeland and its capability to overcome the crisis through adherence to national unity.

They expressed their pride in the martyrdom of their sons, hoping that security and stability will prevail again in the country.

Foreign and Expatriates Ministry: Human Rights High Commissioner Turned into a Tool for Targeting Syria

DAMASCUS, (SANA) – The Foreign and Expatriates Ministry stressed in a letter to the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights Syria’s absolute rejection of the allegations made by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay regarding Syria which add up to the history of the Commissioner in dealing with Syria from the beginning of events.

The Ministry pointed out that the Commissioner has been turned into a tool in the hands of some countries targeting Syria and ignoring the terrorist crimes committed by the armed groups, while Syria provided all available information to clarify the situation, yet Pillay turned a blind eye to facts.

The letter said that Pillay chose this path despite having clear evidence of the non-credible nature of the information she receives from sources known to be working against Syria, trying to cover up the fake numbers and information she published.

The Ministry affirmed that the Commissioner’s duty entails denouncing the terrorism afflicting Syria, calling for dialogue and supporting reforms, demanding that Pillay deal with the events in Syria objectively and denounce strongly the two terrorist attacks which took place in Aleppo on February 10th, adding that this seems unlikely since she declined to denounce any of the terrorist attacks that took place and Damascus or the crimes committed by terrorists against civilians and law-enforcement personnel and the destruction of infrastructures.

The letters was concluded by stressing that Syria is the only one responsible for protecting the Syrian people, and that no-one has the right or the authority to demand foreign interference which would kill innocents and destroy public and private property, adding that terrorism will not dissuade the authorities from fulfilling their duties of keeping order and uprooting terrorism.

Masses Gather in Lattakia to Voice Support for Reform and Denounce Arab Role in Conspiracy against Syria

LATTAKIA, (SANA) – Large masses from Lattakia governorate gathered in an event organized by youth and popular group at the Governorate Square on Tuesday, voicing support for the reform process, rejecting foreign interference, denouncing of the Aleppo terrorist bombings and the Arab role in the conspiracy against Syria, and thanking Russia and China for their support of the Syrian people.

Participants carried Syrian, Russian and Chinese flags and banners denouncing the conspiracy targeting Syria and those who are part of this conspiracy, affirming that what took place in the Arab League Council recently is a continuation of the plot which reflects its failure in the face of the Syrians’ resilience.

They affirmed that Syria has always been and always will be immune to conspiracies thanks to the awareness of its people and their rallying around their leadership.

Participants decired the stances of the Arab Gulf countries and expressed sympathy for the people of Aleppo, saluting the martyrs of the terrorist bombings which reveal the truth of the democracy which the neo-colonialists are promoting.

They thanked Russia and China for their honorable stances, calling on the Syrian people to rise up to their responsibilities and support the army, adding that conspirators must realize that Syrians are prepared to protect their country no matter the cost.

The participants also called for striking firmly against those who dare to tamper with Syria’s security, stressing that the language of bloodshed and terrorist bombings will not faze the Syrians.

A blood donation campaign was announced during the gathering in appreciation of the sacrifices of the Syrian army.

Arms Smuggling Tunnels Discovered, Houses Detonated  by Terrorists in Homs… Colonel, Lieutenant and 3 Army members martyred in Aleppo

PROVINCES, (SANA) – Armed terrorist groups on Tuesday detonated some citizens’ houses in different neighborhoods of Homs City to spread panic, film the explosions and send the footage to some satellite channels to accuse the Syrian army and law-enforcement members of committing such crimes.

Authorities continue pursuing these groups’ members with firm determination to restore security and stability in Syria.

At Baba Amr neighborhood, the law-enforcement forces discovered tunnels used by the armed terrorist groups to smuggle arms and move from one place to another.

Another armed terrorist group attacked with shells and machineguns the University Housing in Homs City causing great damage to the building, spreading fear among students and forcing the students to leave their units.

Colonel, Lieutenant and 3 Army members martyred in Aleppo

Colonel Issam Ibrahim and First Lieutenant Luai Issa, three other army members were martyred today in Aleppo countryside.

SANA reporter quoted an official source in Aleppo as saying that an armed terrorist group attacked law-enforcement members at al-Atareb town in Aleppo Countryside.

Nine terrorists were killed and many others wounded during the clashes.The majority of terrorists came from Idleb city.

Authorities Storm a Den of Armed Terrorist Groups in Damascus Countryside, Confiscate Amounts of Explosive Devices

Authorities stormed a den of armed terrorist groups in Harasta district in Damascus countryside and confiscated large amounts of explosive devices set to be remotely detonated.

SANA reporter said that the authorities also confiscated tools for making explosive devices and materials to make explosives as well as 3 Kalashnikovs and a number of military suits.

Four Employees Wounded by Terrorists Gunfire, Terrorists Burglarize Truck Loaded with Flour in Hama

Four employees, working for Hama Lead Company, were wounded on Monday by an armed terrorist groups’ gunfire in Hama countryside.

An informed source told SANA reporter that an armed terrorist group attacked a bus coming from Kawkab village to the company, northern the city of Hama, as four employees were wounded some of them are in a grave situation.

The source added that an armed terrorist group burglarized a Pickup carrying mill workers and attacked them and stole the car.

In the same context, the informed source told SANA reporter that four terrorists robbed a double-cabin car belonging to Hama Electricity Station.

Another armed terrorist group burglarized a truck carrying 26 tons of flour in Hama countryside, the source added.

Authorities found yesterday the body of citizen Mulham Hassan al-Ahmad after an armed terrorist group abducted him three days ago.

Authorities Confiscate Weapons in Terrorist Hideout in al-Baroudiyeh Neighborhood in Hama

After receiving tips from the locals, the authorities in Hama city raided a terrorist hideout in al-Baroudiyeh neighborhood in the city, arresting a number of terrorists.

An official source told SANA’s correspondent that the hideout contained various types of assault rifles, an RPG launcher and rounds, dynamite sticks, a walkie-talkie, military uniforms, ammo, fake license plates, and a field hospital.

The authorities also seized a stolen governmental Cham car which was fitted with fake license plates, arresting three wanted men who were in it.

The car contained 20 assault rifles, a PKC machinegun, an RPG launcher with rounds, 15 military pouches, two grenades, machinegun ammo, three ammo belts, 48 magazines and ammo, in addition to a military uniform, masks and a walkie-talkie.

Lavrov: Establishing the So-called ‘Friends of Syria’ Group Is Call for Siding with One of the Parties

AMSTERDAM, (SANA)- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday said that the idea of establishing the so-called ‘Friends of Syria’ group is considered a call for the international community to side with one of the parties in Syria.

“The international community has made quite a few efforts to incite the Syrian opposition not to enter into any dialogue with the government,” Lavrov was quoted by the site of Russia Today TV as saying to the press upon his arrival in the Netherlands.

He warned of an underway process to prepare files of libel about Syria that can be used to justify something like what happened in Libya.

Lavrov noted that the Arab League’s decision to halt the Arab monitoring mission, that worked with the Syrian government’s approval, and its proposition of an alternative initiative on forming a joint mission of the League and the United Nations raise questions for Russia and aim at provoking the Syrian government into rejecting this mission as it did announce its rejection.

Salehi: Support for Syria’s People and Government Priority for Iran

TEHRAN, (SANA) – Iran’s Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi on Tuesday said “supporting Syria’s government and people is among Iran’s top Priorities,” stressing that Iran opposes any foreign interference in Syria’s affairs.

Salehi’s remarks came during a meeting with Lebanese Health Minister Ali Hassan Khalil who is visiting Tehran.

“Iran supports legitimate demands of the people and the Syrian government’s efforts to carry out reforms,” said Iranian Foreign Minister, underscoring the need for standing by the Syrian government and people in the face of the international pressure.

Salehi stressed that Iran’s comprehensive and main policy is based on supporting the Resistance in the region.

The Iranian foreign Minister indicated that the enemies cannot impose their plots and demands on the people who are able to shape their future in accordance with their aspirations.

Mehmanparast: Russian-Chinese Veto on Syria Prevented the West from Meddling in the Middle East

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast affirmed that the use of veto by Russia and China against the western-Arab resolution on Syria at the Security Council prevented the west from meddling in the Middle East.

During a meeting with a Chinese delegation, Mehmanparast said that the world expects China to play a vital role in the UN to prevent the United States from taking control of international decisions, underlining China’s important role in international economy and policy, and adding that Beijing is one of Iran’s primary economic and political partners.

Venezuela Strongly Condemns Terrorist Acts Committed by Armed Groups in Syria

NEW YORK, (SANA)- Venezuela strongly condemned the terrorist acts perpetrated by the armed terrorist groups against the Syrian people, stressing its support to dialogue in order to get out of the crisis Syria is going through.

The Venezuelan Ambassador to the United Nations Jorge Valero said in a speech before the UN General Assembly that the imperialist powers and their allies have been arming and funding the terrorist groups in Syria to destabilize it, adding these powers do not want peace to prevail in Syria, nor do they care for human rights as they claim.

Valero rejected the media campaign against the Russia-China veto that is aimed at distorting the two countries’ stance which came in the interest of the Syrian people and the interest of stability in the Middle East, calling on all powers to stop these campaigns that lead to more violence in Syria.

World Peace Council: Arab League Resolutions Constitute Interference into Syria’s Internal Affairs, Violate Rules of Regional Entity and Discredit It

ATHENS, (SANA)_ The World Peace Council (WPC) voiced publicly its concern with the serious threats of imperialism to peace in the Middle East, which becomes once more theatre of its ambitions as well as its internal competitions.

In a statement issued in Athens, WPC added ”the United States of America and European Union, accompanied by Israel and the Gulf monarchies, plan moves, create pretexts, generate internal interference, set on de¬stabilizing the countries in the region that do not fit into their plans and interests. Their current targets are Syria and Iran. The general plan is NATO’s “Great Middle East” aiming at the control of energy resources and pipelines as well as markets for the multinational corporations and spheres of influence.”

”In Syria they repeat the methods used against Libya: sabotaging infrastructure, backing terrorist acts, infiltrating mercenaries and smuggling weapons into the country. The objective is to create instability and chaos, in order to justify foreign intervention,” said WPC in its statement.

The WPC underscored that the USA and EU use front men in the region, the Gulf monarchies, to impose sanctions through the Arab League along with the government of Turkey who harbors the so-called opposition in order to bring the matter of Syria to the Security Council, an antechamber for military action.

The WPC asserted that the Arab League resolutions constitute ‘interference into Syria’s internal affairs’ and ‘violate the rules of this regional entity and further discredit it,’ voicing concern over ”the deployment of large number of US troops’ into the Gulf region, and Israel’s provocation against Iran. The unilateral measures of embargoes and economical sanctions, put forth by the US and the EU violate repeatedly the UN Charter.

”We take note of the imperialist powers complicit silence towards the selective murder of Iranian scientists by Israel’s secret service, with evident US approval. Crimes against science are crimes against humanity. We express our support to the complex struggle of the Iranian people for peace, democracy and social justice and reject any interference in the internal affairs of Iran under any pretext. We state once more the inalienable right of every nation to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes,” added the WPC in its statement.

”We defend the elimination of all existing nuclear weapons, starting with those of the big powers; the creation of a nuclear free zone in the Middle East, fulfilling the resolutions of the last Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT) review. However, it is upon the sovereign rights of the individual nations to develop nuclear energy for civilian purposes, more so the signatories of the NPT,” said the WPC in its statement.

”We call on the attention of the world, of the forces that defend peace, sovereignty and self determination to these serious events. In doing so we express our solidarity with the Syrian and Iranian peoples, victims of sordid actions of destabilization, and at the same time condemn this criminal aggressions,” the WPC pointed out.

Popular Gathering before China’s Embassy in Appreciation of Beijing Stances

DAMASCUS, (SANA) – Mass popular crowds gathered on Tuesday in front of the Chinese Embassy in Damascus in appreciation of the Chinese stances in rejection of the foreign interference attempts in Syria’s internal affairs.

Members of Damascus Youths Voluntary Team handed over a 50-meter long and 2-meters width Chinese flag in appreciation of Beijing’s stances in support of the Syrian people in the face of the plot targeting Syria’s security and stability.

Head of the team, Mirzat Abboud, told SANA that the flag carried the signature of thousands of Syrian citizens, adding that the activity embodies the appreciation of the Syrians to the Russian and Chinese stances, particularly their last veto at the UN Security Council.

For his part, Ratib Barniah, said that Syria is immune to enemies because of the awareness of the Syrians and their support to the comprehensive reform program.

Mansour: AL Resolutions about Syria Included Dangerous Items Incompatible with Lebanon’s Stance

BEIRUT, (SANA)- Lebanese Foreign and Expatriates Minister Adnan Mansour reiterated that Lebanon reserved on the Arab League (AL) latest resolutions about Syria because they included dangerous items that are incompatible with Lebanon’s stance towards Syria as it has been for many years seeking to have diplomatic relations with Syria.

“Breaking ties with Syria and going along with the sanctions on it is something that can’t be pursued because it harms Lebanon before it harms Syria,” said Mansour in a press statement on Tuesday, wondering whether the Arab ministers “really” want reforms in Syria.

The Lebanese Foreign Minister pointed out that his country warned of the issue of internationalizing the crisis in Syria since months and questioned this openly at the latest meeting of the Arab Foreign Ministers in Cairo but it did not receive any positive or negative respond.

He continued that ten minutes after inquiring about the issue of internationalizing Syria’s crisis, a statement was circulated related to recognizing the so-called ‘Syrian National Council’, noting that this is planned to be announced in Tunisia on February 24.

“This is very dangerous because it will take things away from the political solution and will affect Lebanon’s security and stability,” said Mansour, highlighting the necessity of taking Lebanon’s interest into account as it has signed bilateral agreements with Syria that should be adhered to.

He made clear that when Lebanon dissociated itself from the Arab League’s resolutions on Syria it wanted to keep away from interfering in the Syrian affair or in any Arab affair, considering that any danger or any fire flame that might devour Syria would reach Lebanon, “therefore this should be averted.”

People of Occupied Syrian Golan Stress Adherence to Syrian Identity

QUNEITERA, (SANA) – People of the occupied Syrian Golan reiterated on Tuesday their adherence to their Syrian Arab identity and their belonging to the homeland, considering their affiliation to the homeland as “an order of pride and dignity” against the practices of the Israeli occupation aiming at Judaizing the occupied Golan.

During a rally staged on the occasion of the 30th anniversary for the Open Strike announced by the Syrian citizens in the occupied Syrian Golan, the people stressed that the Israeli occupation will inevitably end, expressing their rejection of the attempts of the occupation to impose the Israeli identity on them.

The Golan people hailed the sacrifices of the Syrian Arab army to protect the security of the homeland, underlining the stances of Russia, China and Iran and other countries which supported Syria against the US and western dictations.

The Golan people staged the Open Strike on Feb 14, 1982 in rejection of the Israeli Knesset decision issued on Dec 14, 1981 stipulating for applying the Israeli laws on the occupied Syrian Golan.

The Open Strike lasted for more than 5 months and it was called later “the Grand Strike”. Israel was forced to abandon its decision on imposing the Israeli identity on the Syrian people in the Golan.

Cuba Condemns Misleading Campaigns and Media War against Syria

HAVANA, (SANA)_ Cuba has condemned the misleading campaigns and media war launched against Syria which aim at justifying the foreign interference in its internal affairs.

Cuba’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Pedro Nunez Mosquera on Monday denounced the role played by the US, the West and some Arab countries through interfering in Syria’s internal affairs instead of contributing to finding a peaceful solution through holding dialogue and negotiations among all the Syrian sides.

Mosquera said ” Cuba rejects all kinds of foreign interference in Syria’s affairs whether the direct interference or through supporting the armed terrorist groups or any attempt to undermine Syria’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

He expressed Cuba’ support to the peaceful solution through dialogue.

Mosquera also criticized the UN Security Council double standards in dealing with the international issues and its silence regarding issuing any resolution towards the Israeli crimes against the Palestinian people.

The Cuban Representative called on the international community to help maintaining peace and stability in Syria instead of the sanctions and pressures policy which help in fomenting violence.

Twenty-eight Martyrs, 235 Wounded in Twin Terrorist Bomb Blasts in Aleppo City

ALEPPO/DAMASCUS, (SANA) – The Ministry of Interior issued a statement on Friday, in which it said that after the escalation of instigation campaigns and foreign logistic and media support  to armed terrorist groups, the city of Aleppo was the target of two terrorist bombings on Friday morning carried out by two suicide bombers in cars, martyring 28 and injuring 235 including military personnel, civilians and children, some of which are in critical conditions.

“At 9 AM on Friday morning, a terrorist bomber driving a whit microbus with a fake license plate carrying the number 475475-Syria broke through the security barrier at the entrance of a law-enforcement department in the crowded area of al-Arkoub, blowing himself up,” the statement said, adding that 11 were killed in the attack and 130 were wounded, both civilians and law-enforcement personnel.

The statement said that a few minutes later, another suicide bomber driving a white microbus blew himself up while trying to break into the military security branch in New Aleppo area, claiming 17 lives and wounding 105 people including military personnel, civilians and even children who were in the park near the branch.

Both bombings caused significant damage to nearby buildings and cars, and the first explosion left a crater two meters deep, the statement added.

The Ministry’s statement said that the authorities immediately arrived at the scene and collected evidence which are being analyzed to identify the terrorists and the owners of the human remains found at the site and identify the type of explosives used in this cowardly terrorist act.

Interior Ministry: Terrorist Acts Will Not Dissuade Authorities from Preserving Security and Order and Uprooting Terrorism

The Ministry affirmed that such terrorist acts will not dissuade the authorities from fulfilling their duty of preserving security and order, uprooting terrorism, and pursuing every criminal who dares to tamper with the security of the country and its citizens.

The Ministry also held the regional and international forces and countries which support terrorist groups and provide them with funds and weapons responsible for the Syrian blood which is being shed every day in several Syrian cities.

The Ministry called upon citizens to continue reporting any suspicious activities and provide any information on terrorist activities to the authorities.

Earlier, the Ministry of Health said in a statement that the death toll of the twin terrorist bomb blasts which hit Aleppo city on Friday rose to twenty-eight martyrs and 235 wounded, including soldiers, civilians and children.

The two terrorist bombings targeted Military Security Branch at the western bypass and headquarters of law-enforcement forces in al-Arkoub area in Aleppo city.

The bombings caused great damage to the two headquarters and the nearby residential buildings.

Medical teams are helping injured civilians and military members and pulling bodies from under the rubble.

Minister of Health Wael al-Halki said that the toll is poised to rise due to the critical condition of some of the injured and the ongoing rescue operations, hailing the people of Aleppo who rushed to donate blood.

He affirmed that all medical cadres at state and private medical hospitals joined their work so as to serve their national and humanitarian duty in saving the lives of the injured, adding that the Ministry has a strategic storage of medicine necessary for emergency cases.

Later, the Health Minister visited the injured and wounded victims of the terrorist bombings in al-Razi Hospital and checked on them, with the medical staff briefing him on their conditions.

During the visit, the Minister said that medical establishments in Aleppo governorate have been on alert since Friday morning and that all their resources, staff and emergency services were employed to help the victims of the bombing, lauding the people of Aleppo and residents in the city for rushing to donate blood for the victims.

Citizens Rush to Donate Blood to Victims of Aleppo Terrorist Bombings

Masses of citizens flocked to the Blood Bank in Aleppo to donate blood for the victims injured in the two terrorist bombings which took place on Friday in Aleppo.

The blood donors affirmed that they will not hesitate for a second to give all they can for the sake of Syria’s security and stability and for foiling the conspiracy against it, denouncing the terrorist attacks and affirming adherence to national unity.

The donors said that donating blood is the least they could do for their countrymen, stressing that those who committed these terrorist acts have nothing to do with religion, adding that the Syrians’ spontaneous rushing to donate blood shows their unity and solidarity in the face of conspiracies and plots.

Crowds gathered and marched in the streets of Aleppo towards Saadallah al-Jaberi Square as soon as the bombings took place, denouncing these crimes and foreign interference in Syria’s internal affairs.

The masses, carrying Syrian flags and banners affirming adherence to national unity and resilience in the face of plots, affirmed that the events that took place in Aleppo on Friday are distant from religion and Islam, and that they will not dissuade Syrians from pursuing reforms and rallying around their leadership.

They said that there’s no reason to fear for Aleppo, because Syrians are aware of the conspiracies against their homeland, calling for dealing sternly with those who dare to tamper with Syria’s security and stability and spill Syrian blood.

President al-Assad Receives Copy of the New Draft Constitution

DAMASCUS, (SANA)- President Bashar al-Assad on Sunday received a copy of the new draft constitution from the head of the National Committee charged with drafting a new constitution for the Syrian Arab Republic, during a meeting with the Committee’s members.

President al-Assad is to review the draft constitution before putting it to referendum.

The Committee’s members stressed their determination, since the Committee’s first meeting after the presidential decree on forming it, to prepare an integrated formula of a constitution that guarantees the dignity of the Syrian citizen and secures his basic rights.

They reiterated their keenness on a constitution that allows to turn Syria into an example to follow in terms of public freedoms and political plurality in a way to lay the foundation for a new stage that will enrich Syria’s cultural history.

The members briefed President al-Assad on the standards and mechanisms they have adopted to reach this end starting with the national principles, transparency and the peculiarity of the Syrian reality, along with preserving the achievements made over the past stage.

President al-Assad expressed appreciation of the Committee members’ efforts to carry out this national task, calling upon them to shoulder their responsibility as a Committee charged with preparing the draft constitution to explain its articles to the citizens with all possible means so that the citizen is the one to have the final decision to approve the constitution.

“When the new constitution is approved, Syria will have passed the most important stage of laying down the constitutional and legal structure through the reforms and laws that have already been issued to take the country to a new era in cooperation with all spectrums of the Syrian people to achieve what we all aspire for in terms of developing our country to draw a brilliant future for next generations,” said President al-Assad.

On October, 16th, 2011, President al-Assad issued a presidential decision to form a national committee to prepare a draft constitution for Syria within a period of four months starting of the date of issuing the decree

In Solemn Official & Popular Procession, Martyrs of Aleppo Two Terrorist Attacks Laid to Rest

ALEPPO, SANA_ The bodies of the martyrs of twin Aleppo terrorist blasts were escorted on Sunday from al-Iman Mosque to their final resting place.

Popular and official solemn procession were held for the martyrs amid massive popular and official crowds flocked to the mosque to participate in the procession.

Syria categorically Rejects the Arab League’s Resolutions as hostile act

CAIRO, (SANA)-Syrian Arab Republic categorically rejects the Arab League resolution issued on Sunday, Syria’s Ambassador in Cairo Yousef Ahmed said today, reminding that, since the beginning, Syria was not concerned in any resolution issued within its absence.

“The Arab Ministerial Council’s decision has shamefully reflected the reality of abducing the Arab joint action, the League decisions and falsifying the Arab collective will by governments of Arab Countries led by Qatar and Saudi Arabia.. it also showed a state of Hysteria and stumble that these governments are passing through after their failure in the UN Security council to call for foreign intervention in the Syrian affairs,” Ahmad, Syria’s permanent Representative to the Arab League added.

He considered that the dominance of some Arab governments , particularly Qatar and Saudi Arabia on the mechanism of the Arab work and resolutions regarding Syria is a flagrant violation of the Arab League convention and a hostile act that targets Syria’s security and stability.

Ambassador Ahmad said that such Arab governments are those who stand against any balanced, political solution to the crisis in Syria, reject calls for putting an end to terrorism and violence, impose sanctions on the Syrian people and destruct the infrastructure.

He underlined that the press show practiced by some Arab Ministers today during the Council’s meeting reflected the hostile and unbalanced stances of those countries against Syria.

Ambassador Ahmad called on the countries who have commitment to the independency of their national and pan-Arab decision to confront attempts of abducting the Arab decision, making it subject to Arab governments’ agenda and policies who seek, through money, Gas and oil, and in alliance with the US and west to impose hegemony on the Arab joint action and exploiting it in favor of foreign agendas.

Lebanon, Algeria Made Reservation on the Arab Ministerial Council Decisions

Lebanon reserved on all the decisions taken by the Arab Ministerial Council on Syria.

Algeria d also reserved on the 5th and 6th articles of the decisions, which call on the UN Security Council to issue a resolution on forming joint Arab and foreign peace-keeping forces to supervise a cease-fire in Syria.

The articles also call on the Arab group in the UN to submit a draft resolution to the UN General Assembly (UNGA) including the Arab work plan and the rest of the decisions taken by the Arab League in this regard.

Meeting of Arab Ministerial Committee on Syrian Crisis held

The Arab Ministerial Committee concerned with the Syrian crisis was held on Sunday to discuss the latest developments on the Syrian file.

The Committee will discuss the results of the ministerial meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council’s countries held earlier on the day regarding the stance towards the Syrian crisis.

The Committee is expected to refer its views to the resumed extraordinary session of the Arab League Council at the ministerial level, which is to be held immediately after the Committee’s meeting.

Nabil al-Arabi, the Arab League Secretary General presented a proposal to the Arab Ministers to return to the UN Security Council in coordination with different sides concerned to issue an immediate resolution which reflects the AL determination to bring the foreign intervention into Syria.

He claimed that the Arab Observer mission “was shocked” since the beginning that the Syrian commitments were not fully implemented, ignoring the existence of armed terrorist groups that perpetrate crimes against civilians and law enforcement members.

Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal presented fallacies about what is really happening in the country, expressing support, along with Qatari counterpart to hold the so-called “Syria Friends Conference.”

Twenty-two Army, Law-enforcement Martyrs Laid to Rest

PROVINCES, (SANA) – The bodies of 22 army and law-enforcement martyrs on Sunday were escorted from Tishreen Military Hospital in Damascus, Martyr Zahi Azraq Military Hospital in Lattakia and the Police Hospital in Harasta to their final resting place.

Official funeral ceremonies were held for the martyrs, who were targeted while they were on duty in Damascus and its Countryside, Homs and Daraa, as they were carried up on shoulders while the music of “The Martyr” and “The Farewell” was played.

The martyrs are:

– Brigadier General, Doctor Issa Ahmad al-Kholi, from Lattakia.

– Major Ali Mahmoud Trabulsi, from Hama.

– Chief Warrant Officer Mohammad Ahmad Kousa, from Homs.

– Chief Warrant Officer Asef Hassan al-Hamoui, from Homs.

– Warrant Officer Ahed al-Mahmoud, from Homs.

– Sergeant Major Ali Ismael Ismael, from Lattakia.

– Sergeant Major Salim al-Sheikh Suleiman Mohammad, from Lattakia.

– Sergeant Major Abdel Kareem Ahmad al-Arjeh, from Hasaka.

– Sergeant Mohammad Hussein Azizi, from Aleppo.

– Sergeant Ghiath Ghazi Salloum, from Lattakia.

– Sergeant Haidar Adnan Ghadir, from Lattakia.

– Corporal Feras Salman Mohammad, from Lattakia.

– Conscript Abdullah Mohammad al-Ahmad, from Aleppo.

– Conscript Mohammad Akleh al-Hussein, from Hasaka.

– Conscript Saleh Obeid al-Juma’, from Deir Ezzor.

– Conscript Basrawi Ali Hamad, from Aleppo.

– Conscript Ibrahim Khalil al-Wadi, from Daraa.

– Conscript Mohammad Yousef Hawamdeh, from Daraa.

– Conscript Majd Suleiman Barakat, from Hama.

– Conscript Salman Hassan al-A’klak, from Hasaka.

– Soldier Mustafa Nidal Qassab, from Idleb.

– Policeman Rawad Jadallah Dawara, from Sweida.

The martyrs’ families stressed their confidence in the Syrian people’s ability to overcome the crisis through adherence to national unity, affirming their belief that the martyrs’ blood that was shed while defending the homeland will fortify Syria and make it stronger and more steadfast against the challenges.

They stressed that the Syrian people’s unity and their rallying around their leadership will foil the conspiracy and other schemes aiming at undermining their homeland’s stability.

Foreign Ministry Vehemently Denounces Israeli Likud Officials’ Calls for Storming al-Aqsa Mosque

DAMASCUS, (SANA)- The Foreign and Expatriates Ministry vehemently denounced reports by news agencies on statements made by officials from the Israeli Likud Party in which they called for storming al-Aqsa Mosque in the occupied Palestinian territories on Sunday.

“The ministry considers such declaration as a very serious development and comes in the framework of the systematic provocation to attack a Mosque that enjoys a religious status and a referential value among all the Muslims in the world,” said a press statement issued by the Ministry’s official spokesman.

The Ministry called on the international community to assume its responsibilities towards this serious development.

The statement, which SANA got a copy of, said that the city of Jerusalem is still under the Israeli occupation and that it is the responsibility of the Israeli occupation authorities to protect the properties and sanctities that are under occupation.

“Israel will bear the consequences and implications of this uncalculated venture,” added the statement, saying that the holy al-Aqsa Mosque is “much more than a card to be used up in the elections of an entity that has been evading the requirements of the just and comprehensive peace.”

The statement considered the Israeli calls to storm al-Aqsa Mosque as “a direct threat and disregard for the feelings of the Arabs and the Muslims everywhere.”

Armed Terrorist Groups Burglarize Agricultural Bank, Abduct Colonel in Homs, Authorities Clash with Terrorists in Damascus Countryside

GOVERNORATES, (SANA) – An armed terrorist group on Sunday burglarized the Agricultural Bank in al-Qseir city in Homs Countryside.

An official source told SANA reporter that the terrorist group wreaked havoc on the furniture and other contents and stole SYP 1 million, 4 computers and a television.

In al-Qarabees neighborhood in Homs, another armed terrorist group abducted Colonel Issam Fayyad al-Numan from a bus while he was on way to his workplace at al-Assad Academy of Military Engineering.

SANA reporter added that the terrorists got on the bus, searched the passengers and kidnapped Colonel al-Numan.

Authorities Clash with Armed Terrorist Group in Damascus Countryside, Kill Two Terrorists, Wound One and Arrest Six

The authorities raided a farm in Tel Kerdi area in Damascus Countryside and clashed with an armed terrorist group hiding in it, leading to the death of two terrorists.

One terrorist was wounded during the raid, and six were arrested. The authorities also confiscated a Kia car and a van, both of which were used for transporting weapons to other terrorist groups, and an amount of weapons and ammo.

Confiscated weapons include AK-47 rifles, a PKC machinegun, and large amounts of ammo.

Authorities Arrest Terrorists and Confiscate Weapons, Explosives and Night-Vision Goggles in Hama

During their pursuit of an armed terrorist group operating in Masha’a Wadi al-Jouz area in Hama, the authorities arrested a number of terrorists confiscated the weapons in their possession.

An official source told SANA’s correspondent that confiscated weapons include RPG launchers and rounds, AK-47 rifles and pump-action shotguns, in addition to military uniforms, explosive devices weighing between 10 and 200 kg, offensive and defensive grenades, night-vision goggles, magazines and ammo, and computers.

The source added that the authorities raided a terrorist den in the fields of al-Hersh area on Saturday, arresting gunmen and confiscating their weapons which included assault rifles and RPG launchers.

Authorities Arrest Wanted Men, Confiscate Weapon and Ammo During Raid of Terrorist Den Containing Workshop for Manufacturing Explosives in Daraa Countryside

The authorities raided the den of an armed terrorist group in eastern Daraa countryside, arresting a number of wanted men.

A source told SANA’s correspondent that during the raid, the authorities found a workshop used for making handmade explosives containing materials such as fertilizer, iron fillings, detonators, batteries and remote controls.

Items confiscated during the raid include hand grenades, AK-47 rifles, handguns one of which is equipped with a silencer, two night-vision goggles, computers, welding equipment, advanced communication devices, ammo, military uniforms, four remote-activated explosive devices, a handmade anti-armor missile, TNT sticks, a machinegun, a hunting rifle, RPG rounds.

The den also contained a field hospital stocked with medical equipment and supplies.

In Daraa city, terrorists tossed an explosive at law-enforcement sources in Basra Square. Upon examination, the authorities saw that the device was cylindrical in form and had openings that launch explosive projectiles in all directions.

Mikdad: Syrian-Russian Views Regarding Most Issues Identical

DAMASCUS, (SANA) – Deputy Foreign and Expatriates Minister Dr. Fayssal Mikdad on Sunday said that the Syrian-Russian views are identical in international forums in most of the issues.

In a meeting with a Russian delegation comprising researchers, journalists and writers, Dr. Mikdad added that the Syrian leadership and people highly appreciate the Russian stances towards Syria.

Mikdad pointed out to the latest Russian veto at the UN Security Council, saying that this stance foiled the unjust resolution which contradicts the UN Charter and calls upon foreign interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign country.

He highlighted that the mass popular reception for the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov proves the gratitude of the Syrian people for Russia’s brave stance.

Mikdad added that the misleading media campaign escalated against Syria before the last UN Security Council’s session in an attempt to affect the public opinion and the international stances.

“This escalation started after the Arab League mission submitted its report to the Arab League. Despite the report being professional and objective, the Arab Ministerial Committee didn’t study the report because it didn’t please some countries in the region and at the UNSC.” He added.

He stressed that Syria provided all facilitation to the Arab League observers mission, provided protection to its members and didn’t interfere in its work.

He indicated that the USA has dominated all the region except for Syria which is standing against the colonialist schemes aimed at serving Israel interests, adding that the excellent Syrian-Russian relations confronted the US haughtiness.

Dr. Mikdad pointed out that the situation in Syria is improving, adding that President Bashar al-Assad met the members of the National Committee charged with drafting a new constitution and received a copy of it.

He said that the new constitution will be submitted to referendum before the end of this month and that the parliamentary elections will be held in May with the participation of all political powers in the country.

People’s Assembly Condemns Aleppo Terrorist Bombings as Targeting National Unity

DAMASCUS, (SANA)- The People’s Assembly strongly condemned the two terrorist bombings which targeted Aleppo last Friday, considering that these bombings target the structure of national unity and Syria’s security and future.

In a statement on Sunday that SANA got a copy of, the Assembly placed the responsibility of those two terrorist acts fully on all the countries that have been supplying criminals and assassins with money and weapons and issuing “black fatwas” and inciting “blind sedition”.

It said that these criminal acts come at a time when the Syrians are close to implementing qualitative comprehensive reforms and conducting a promising national dialogue.

“The enemies, close or far, went crazy to target this time the city of Aleppo, the symbol of resistance, for being the capital of victory over the conspiracy,” added the statement.

“Now it’s more clear than ever that the barbarity of the armed terrorist groups that have been hitting the homeland and attacking the citizens, law enforcement forces and the state institutions only carries the ‘bloody chaos’ project which has nothing to do with the Syrians’ morals and values,” the statement pointed out.

It continued that this project is aimed at destroying the homeland backed by the flagrant U.S.-Israeli-Western-Arab support and carried out by terrorist means.

Lebanese Foreign Minister Warns Against Foreign Interference in Syria

BEIRUT, (SANA) – Lebanese Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour on Sunday warned against foreign interference in Syria which would spread chaos and destruction in it, affirming that dialogue is the only way to resolve the Syrian crisis.

During the meeting of the Arab Ministerial Council held in Cairo to discuss the situation in Syria, Mansour pointed out that the Arab League’s decisions have so far held one side responsible and overlooked the opposition groups that bear arms and carry out military operations that they acknowledge in public.

He said that each Ministerial Council meeting resulted in new decision which shows that the Arab League failed to carry out dialogue and achieve security which is unacceptable.

Mansour said that if the Arabs want a political solution, then how can they stand with one side against another, stressing that the decision issued on Sunday increases economic sanctions which will do no good and will affect the Syrian people.

He added that the decision calls for providing political and financial support for the opposition, wondering if such a thing would bring stability to Syria.

“If the Arab League couldn’t rely on itself to resolve the Syrian crisis, then how can it rely on international sides and authorize them to resolve it?” he wondered.

Mansour: Lebanon Won’t Be a False Witness at the Arab Foreign Ministers’ Meetings on Syria

Earlier, Mansour reiterated his country’s rejection of any form of interference in Syria’s internal affairs.

“Lebanon will never be a false witness at the meetings of the Arab foreign ministers in Cairo,” said Mansour in an interview with the Kuwaiti al-Rai newspaper, adding that if there were any comments on the decisions to be taken at the meetings, Lebanon would say them out loud courageously, especially if they would threaten Syria’s security and stability.

“What we want is to help Syria find a solution and come out of the crisis and not complicate the situation on the ground,” he added, considering that any solution outside the frame of dialogue will further complicate things.

The Lebanese Foreign Minister stressed Lebanon’s rejection of internationalizing the crisis in Syria as it will further complicate the situation and won’t ensure stability for Syria.

He said that there are some powers in the world that want to get even with Syria because of its rejection of the hegemony policies in the region and Israel’s expansionist plans.

Mansour added that Syria’s firm stance in refusing to subjugate the region to foreign policies that do not serve the interests of the Syrian people nor those of the region’s peoples pushed some powers to further escalate the situation in Syria.

He said Russia and China are familiar with the political equation in the region’s arenas and found in the draft Security Council resolution on Syria things that might disturb the balance because it takes into account the view of one party without the other, which is why they vetoed it.

“If the world really wants to get things back on the track and ensure stability, security and reform to Syria, it shouldn’t place the responsibility on one party against the other,” Mansour added.

He reminded of the US’s use of veto at the Security Council 14 times since 1994, 13 of which were on issues related to Israel’s settlement activities and its unfair practices, in addition to its aggression on Gaza.

Responding to a question on sharing Russia’s stance which holds the Syrian opposition responsible for the blood-shed in Syria, he said that there are two sides in any fight and that each country in the world has its dignity and position and it is the one responsible for protecting its sovereignty whenever there is a fight.

“No one can ignore the presence of armed groups in Syria, which is something undeniable,” said Mansour, adding that the Syrian opposition itself has declared in its statements its responsibility for carrying out armed operations.

He stressed the need for stopping the bloodshed in Syria and starting dialogue, pointing out that the Syrian state is ready for dialogue whereas the other side should help conduct it.

The Lebanese Foreign Minister said that Lebanon is concerned with what is taking place in Syria, stressing that Syria’s stability and security guarantee those of Lebanon, adding that Lebanon can’t isolate itself from the situation in Syria.

Asked about the request of the Syrian Ambassador in Beirut from the Lebanese government to take measures to stop smuggling of weapons and men, Mansour said what the Ambassador has asked for is not an interference in the Lebanese affair or an objection to Lebanon’s policy and it does not harm Lebanon given the security agreement signed between both countries.

He added that what is happening in Syria is very important as it is related to the national security of the country as well as its unity and stability.

Parties Affairs’ Committee Licenses New party

DAMASCUS, (SANA)-Parties’ Affairs Committee on Sunday licensed a new party called “the Democratic Arab Solidarity Party”, with its HQs in al-Rakka, to raise the number of parties licensed to five.

“The Committee gave the license to the new party after verifying its papers submitted by its founders according to the new Parties’ Law,” Interior Minister Mohammad al-Shaar, Head of the Committee said in statement.

During recent meetings, The Committee approved four new parties to work, they are “the Solidarity”, “Syrian Democratic”, “al-Ansar” and “Democratic Taliaa.”

Lebanese Hezbollah Party Condemns Aleppo Terrorist Blasts

BEIRUT, (SANA)- Lebanese Hezbollah Party condemned the two terrorist blasts hit Aleppo on Friday claiming the lives of 28 martyrs and injuring more than two hundreds civilians and military members.

In a statement, Hezbollah said the blind criminal act transformed from the political capital of Syria into its economic capital, Aleppo to kill the innocent civilians, demolish the buildings and to threaten the safety of the civilians.

“The double terrorist crime targeted Aleppo is a copy of what the foreign sides and their allies are preparing to Aleppo and other Syrian cities,” the statement said.

It asserted that the Syrian people are aware of the volume of the scheme targeting their country and they reject to be dragged into projects which aim at undermining Syria’s security and stability to serve the US-Zionist agenda in Syria and the region.

“Condemning this heinous terrorist crime, Hezbollah expresses heartfelt condolences to the families of the martyrs, wishing quick recovery to the wounded,” The statement said.

Press Statement by Narabail Virodi Vedike

The human sacrifice that took place at Thirumaladevara Koppa in Ranebennuru taluk of Haveri district of Karnataka State, India on 26 November 2011 has already drawn the attention of the people allover the state. A 17 year old dalit boy by name Basavaraja Kadimani was sacrificed to set right Vastu Dosha (Inauspicious faults and shortcomings in a building) of the house of Basavanagowda of the same village. Basavaraja was working with Basavanagowda , a land lord. as a tractor driver. In fact almost all the members of his family had worked for the land lord at one time or the other in the past.

Nijalinga swamy, popularly known as Tatu Ajja of Niralagi near Gadag used to visit Basavanagowda very often . Under his guidance the land lord had already performed many rituals on various occasions. On 26th November, 2012 Basavaraja went to his master’s place at night and did not return. Next day early in the morning the members of his family, father, mother and elder brother were informed by the police of Haligeri police station that Basavaraja had been injured in a fight with Ninganagowda, the son of Basavanagowda and had been hospitalized. The police took them not the hospital, but to the police station where they told them that their boy had been killed and not just injured. They were brought to a spot near their village where they saw a gunny sack containing the dead body of Basavaraj. The body bore marks of vermilion and turmeric . It also had a hole on the forehead. An eye had been plucked out and a few teeth ere missing. The parents and others suspected that it was a case of sacrifice and complained to the police on those grounds. But the police did not register it as case of sacrifice but continued to maintain that it was only a murder . Later on the villagers also found traces of blood sprinkled all over around the house. When the police opened the doors of the house nearly 50 days after the incident blood marks were also found inside the building. Still the police were not ready to consider the angle of human sacrifice in this case. Ninganagowda , the son of Basavanagowda had surrendered to the police saying that he had killed Basavaraja.

Members of Peoples’ Democratic Forum and Swabhimani Dalita Shakti visited the village on 9th January 2012 met the villagers including the parents and relatives of Basavaraja and also the police officer(Dy S P of Ranebennuru) investigating the case. We found that in spite of the evidence and complaint by the parents the police are not ready to consider the angle of human sacrifice seriously. They have been insisting that it was only a murder committed by Ninganagowda suspecting illicit relationship between Basavaraja and his (Ninganagowda’s) wife which on verificatio does not sound credible. The people of the village and also various other progressive elements of the area held a protest rally and demonstration at Ranebennuru on 30th January 2012 to press the demand to consider it as not merely a murder but as human sacrifice. It is only then that the sorcerer, Tatu Ajja’s role will be exposed. It is essential not merely to find out the truth but also to prevent any recurrence of such superstitious practices in future. But some how the police of Ranebennuru are not prepared to move in that direction . This will only protect the sorcerer and the head of the family Basavanagowda.

Already an application has been made to the State Human Rights Commission and an appeal to the honourable governor of Karnataka has been submitted through the Tahasildar of Ranebennuru.

Demands:

1)The police of Ranebennuru should take the complaint of the parents of Basavaraj seriously and treat it as a case of human sacrifice.

2)In case of the local police failing to do so the case should be handed over to the CBI by the state government.

3)The sorcerer Tatu Ajja and the head of the family Basavanagowda who was responsible for the murder/sacrifice should be arrested.

3)Compensation should be paid to the family according to rules existing in such cases.

Shivalingam

(Swabhimani Dalita Shakti)

Nagari Babaiah

(People’s Democratic Forum)

Nagaragere Ramesh

(Peoples’ Democratic Form)

Kranti Govind

(Swabhimani Dalita Shakti)

Ramadas Rao

(P U C L)

By Narabail Virodi Vedike

16 February 2012

@ Countercurrents.org

The world watches as tragedy unfolds beneath its gaze. Khader Asnan is entering his 61st day as a hunger striker in an Israeli prison, being held under an administrative detention order without trial, charges, or any indication of the evidence against him.

From the outset of his brutal arrest in the middle of the night – in the presence of his wife and young daughters – he has been subject to the sort of inhumane and degrading treatment that is totally unlawful and morally inexcusable. Its only justification is to intimidate, if not terrify, Palestinians who have lived for 45 years under the yoke of an oppressive occupation. This occupation continuously whittles away at Palestinians’ rights under international humanitarian law – especially their right to self-determination, which is encroached upon every time a new housing unit is added to the colonising settlements that dot the hilltops surrounding Jerusalem and the West Bank.

The case of Khader Adnan is a revealing microcosm of the unbearable cruelty of prolonged occupation. It draws a contrast in the West between the dignity of an Israeli prisoner and the steadfast refusal to heed the abuse of thousands of Palestinians languishing in Israeli jails through court sentence or administrative order.

Mr Adnan’s father poignantly highlighted this contrast a few days ago by referring to Gilad Shalit, the Israeli soldier held by Hamas in captivity for several years and recently released in good health: “Where are the mother and father of Gilad Shalit? Do they not feel for me in this humanitarian case? Where are they?” He went further in drawing this comparison: “My son was arrested from his house, from among his wife and children, was taken prisoner. He was not carrying any weapon. Whereas Shalit was fighting against the people of Gaza, and destroying their homes, and firing upon, and Shalit was released.”

It is true that foreign authority figures, from the UN Secretary General on down, showed their empathy for the agony experienced by Israelis concerned for the wellbeing of Shalit, but these same personalities are notably silent in the much more compelling ordeal being experienced before our eyes in the form of Mr Adnan’s captivity, seemingly unto death. It should not be surprising that surviving family members of IRA hunger strikers should step forward expressing solidarity with Mr Adnan and compare the Irish experience of resistance to that of the Palesinians.

And who is Khader Adnan? We do not know very much about him except that he is a member of the Islamic Jihad Party. There are no accusations against him that implicate him in violence against civilians. His fellow prisoner from an earlier period of confinement in Ashkelon Prison, Abu Maria, recalls his normalcy and humanity while sharing a cell, emphasising his interest in informing other Palestinians: “Prison was like a university in those times and he was one of the professors.” Commenting on his hunger strike that has brought him extreme pain, Abu Maria says he is convinced that Khader Asnan wants to live, but will not live in humiliation: “He is showing his commitment and resistance in the only way he can right now, with his body.”

Adameer, the respected Palestinian NGO concerned with prisoners, “holds Israel accountable for the life of Khader Adnan, whose health has entered an alarmingly critical stage that will now have irreversible consequences and could lead to his fatal collapse at any moment”. Physicians who have observed his current condition conclude that, at most, he could live a few more days, saying that such a hunger strike cannot be sustained beyond 70 days in any event. Any attempt at forced feeding to keep a prisoner from dying is widely viewed as an additional abuse, a form of torture.

Finally, the reliance by Israel on administrative detention in cases of this sort is totally unacceptable from the perspective of the Geneva Convention, especially so when no disclosure of the exceptional circumstances that might warrant for reasons of imminent security the use of such an extra-legal form of imprisonment. There are currently at least 300 Palestinians being held in a manner similar to that of Mr Adnan, and so it is no wonder that sympathy hunger strikes among Palestinians are underway as expressions of solidarity.

Have we not reached a stage in our appreciation of human rights that we should outlaw such state barbarism? Let us hope that the awful experience of Khader Adnan does not end with his death, and let us hope further that it sparks a worldwide protest against both administrative detention and prisoner abuse. The Palestinian people have suffered more than enough already.

By Richard Falk

17 February 2012

@ Al Jazeera

Richard Falik is Albert G. Milbank Professor Emeritus of International Law at Princeton University and Visiting Distinguished Professor in Global and International Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He has authored and edited numerous publications spanning a period of five decades, most recently editing the volume International Law and the Third World: Reshaping Justice (Routledge, 2008). He is currently serving his third year of a six-year term as a United Nations Special Rapporteur on Palestinian human rights. Follow him on Twitter: @rfalk13

The hopes vested in last year’s uprising have ended in continued censorship, growing intolerance and unemployment, says Robert Fisk in Tunis

Want to remember what Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali was like? Just walk down the Avenue Habib-Bourguiba – until a few weeks ago still cordoned off by armoured vehicles and barbed wire – and drop by your local bookshop for Z’s wonderful Révolution! Des années mauves à la fuite de Carthage. Z always painted Ben Ali’s sycophants purple; his cartoons were the joy of the revolution, Ben Ali’s bloated relatives flaunting their new shopping malls while the people – 96 per cent of whom were always said to be Ben Ali’s secret police – are beaten by thugs in black uniforms and shades. Ben Ali receives support even from his telephone, his lampshade and the national flag in his office until he does a bunk on his jet while flunkies load aboard chests of cash along with the ginger family cat. Even the press get a run for their money.

“The huge number of young people signing up for the Charter of Tunisian Youth demonstrates the support of young Tunisians for the reforming project of President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, their attachment and loyalty to their country and their willingness to contribute to the development of Tunisia…” A fictional editorial from 2009 – until you realise it really is a leader from the 29 March edition of La Presse.

Thank God for freedom, then. Saloua Rachdi’s tribute to the Tunisian writers who worked courageously under the dictatorship – Plumes de mon pays – sits in the bookshop window alongside French editions of Tariq Ramadan’s Islamic scholarship.

But then I’m driving in the suburbs with an old Tunisian journalist friend. “Don’t tell me about liberal writers, Robert,” he snaps at me. “Do you know that of all the books now published in Tunisia, 92 per cent are Islamist? Outside Tunis, the bookshops just sell school notebooks and these tracts. Don’t you think we should be worried?” I tell him about Egypt – there are no military rulers like Field Marshal Tantawi in Tunisia – and the violence of Bahrain and Syria. He’s a lucky guy.

But he doesn’t think so. Nasreddine Ben Saida, the managing editor of the newspaper Attounisia, Habib Guizani, the editor-in-chief, and the journalist Mohamed Hedi Hidri have just been arrested for publishing a photograph of a German footballer of Tunisian origin holding his half-naked German wife in his arms. It’s the old story: morality versus freedom. But the elected government (with the Islamic Ennahda Party holding 40 per cent of the October 2011 vote) has used article 121 of the penal code to detain the three journalists, a law dating back to the Ben Ali era. Mongi Khadraoui, a senior member of the Tunisian journalists’ union, points out that 121 was introduced to lock up all kinds of opponents of the regime, and that, while the publication of the photo was a mistake, it “should be treated as a professional error rather than a crime.”

What happened, then, to decree-law 115 on the freedom of the press, passed under last year’s provisional administration? Two days before the arrests, the Ennahda Party was already being condemned by journalists’ groups for supporting a free press while at the same time claiming that 115 was no longer valid. Attunisia suddenly disappeared from the news-stands.

All this might be a luxury in a country of 10 million whose 3.5 million working population now boasts a terrible 800,000 unemployed, whose Central Bank announced a growth rate of zero for 2011, which 80 international companies have already abandoned, and whose government will only last for a maximum of 18 months, the time it takes to come up with a new constitution. But this is not the only legacy of the Ben Ali years. His fawning governments poured money into Tunis and starved the countryside; and this is where the Salafists – hated by Ben Ali, amnestied after the revolution – first made their appearance.

The town of Sejnane, north-west of Tunis, witnessed, briefly, the existence of an “Islamic emirate” at the end of last year when around 200 Salafists took control, turned government buildings into prisons for “sinning” – in most cases for drinking alcohol – and beat inmates. A shop selling CDs of western songs in Arabic was set on fire and a self-proclaimed Islamist “judge” announced to the owner that “if you try once more to distract Muslims from the mosque, it will be your home and all those in it who will burn”.

Women began to wear the niqab, men to grow beards and wear Afghan-style clothes. The government did nothing. Was the Ennahda Party supporting the Salafists?

Attacks on cinemas began shortly afterwards, the owner of Nessma TV, Nabil Karoui, put on trial for showing Persepolis – about the reactions of a young girl growing up in the 1979 Iranian revolution – a film deemed “contrary to the values of the people”. Two intellectuals were savagely beaten and 10,000 demonstrators marched through Tunis and other cities to protest at the increase of extremism.

In the much-underrated French magazine Jeune Afrique, Amel Grami, head of the Islamic Studies department at Manouba University, described how a dispute over a female student who insisted on wearing full head-covering to college resulted in an invasion of the campus by sword-carrying Salafists, some of whom shouted “dirty whore” when staff objected to the separation of male and female students. According to Amel Grami, the Salafists were supported by two sons of the Tunisian Interior Minister, Ali Laarayedh.

Little wonder, then, that the impending arrival in Tunisia of the Egyptian preacher Wajdi Ghanim created such anger among secular Tunisians. Ghanim supports the Tunisian Salafists, advocates a return to an older, more “genuine” Islam and – in the view of human rights groups – wants to “create hatred between Tunisians”. It all has the feel of Algeria before the army’s cancellation of the second round of elections which would have brought the Islamic Salvation Front to power in 1992. We shall not dwell on the carnage and bloodletting that followed.

But in this context, the voice of secular Tunisia sounds familiar. Tunisia has given the world great heroes – Hannibal, Jugurtha, Ibn Khaldoun, even Habib Bourguiba – the Tunisian writer Abdelhamid Gmati pointed out. “So why do we bring here these Salafists, these Islamists, these Wahabis, these Afghanists, these preachers (sexually obsessed and probably paedophiles), who speak of the mutilation (of women), who make fatwas … who have nothing to do with our civilisation, our idea of religion, our values which have developed over thousands of years? Sorry – but their beards, their niqabs, their robes, their blackness, their “Middle Ages” are not ours.” Even if they were born Tunisian, “they are not Tunisians”.

All well and good. Until, of course, one notes that Gmati is writing in that fine newspaper La Presse. Was this not, after all, the same paper Z quotes so maliciously from the days of Ben Ali. Couldn’t the Salafists claim that they, too, now represent a “Charter of Tunisian Youth”? Too awful to contemplate…

By Robert Fisk

21 February 2012

@ The Independent

The Pentagon has drawn up plans for military intervention in Syria.

A military strike would be coordinated with Turkey, the Gulf States and the NATO powers, according to reports that acknowledge such plans officially for the first time. The plan is described as an “internal review” by Pentagon Central Command, to allow President Barack Obama to maintain the pretense that the White House is still seeking a diplomatic solution.

This is considered vital, as military intervention would most likely be conducted through various Middle East proxies, which the US and NATO could then back with airpower. Turkey and the Arab League states, led by Saudi Arabia and Qatar, do not want to be seen for what they are: stooges of the US. Deniability for them therefore requires the US to conceal the full extent of its involvement.

In the February 6 Financial Times, Anne-Marie Slaughter, a former director of policy planning for the US State Department, argued for “A little time… for continued diplomatic efforts aimed at shifting the allegiances of the Sunni merchant class in Damascus and Aleppo.”

As with the war against Libya last year, military intervention would again be justified citing the “responsibility to protect” civilians. But its real aim is regime change to install a Sunni government beholden to Washington, allied with the Gulf States, and hostile to Iran.

A State Department official told the UK’s Daily Telegraph that “the international community may be forced to ‘militarise’ the crisis in Syria” and that “the debate in Washington has shifted away from diplomacy.”

Jay Carney, the White House press secretary, said, “We are, of course, looking at humanitarian assistance to the Syrian people, and we have for some time.”

The Telegraph noted, “Any plan to supply aid or set up a buffer zone would involve a military dimension to protect aid convoys or vulnerable civilians.”

Leading US political figures have also been calling publicly for the arming of the Free Syrian Army, an exclusively Sunni force stationed in Turkey and backed and funded by Ankara, Riyadh and Doha. They include Joe Lieberman, John McCain and Lindsey Graham.

The issue was discussed this week in Washington directly with the FSA, whose logistical coordinator, Sheikh Zuheir Abassi, took part in a video conference call Wednesday with a US national security think tank.

The US, France, Britain and Arab League are already operating outside the framework of the United Nations as a “Friends of Syria” coalition, in order to bypass the opposition of Russia and China to a Libya-style intervention.

Qatar and Saudi Arabia are known to be arming the FSA and to have their own brigades and advisers on the ground, as they did in Libya.

According to the Israeli intelligence website Debka-File, both British and Qatari special operations units are already “operating with rebel forces under cover in the Syrian city of Homs just 162 kilometers from Damascus… Our sources report the two foreign contingents have set up four centers of operation—in the northern Homs district of Khaldiya, Bab Amro in the east, and Bab Derib and Rastan in the north. Each district is home to about a quarter of a million people.”

But the Gulf States do not have the firepower required to overthrow the Assad regime. For that Turkey is the key player. Debka-File notes in the report that the presence of the British and Qatari troops “was seized on by Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan for the new plan he unveiled to parliament in Ankara Tuesday, Feb. 7. Treating the British-Qatari contingents as the first foreign foot wedged through the Syrian door, his plan hinges on consigning a new Turkish-Arab force to Homs through that door and under the protection of those contingents. Later, they would go to additional flashpoint cities.”

Turkey is publicly debating military intervention based on establishing “safe havens” and “humanitarian aid corridors,” with Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu visiting Washington this week after stating that Turkey’s doors are open to Syrian refugees.

Writing in the February 9 New Republic, Soner Cagaptay argues, “Washington’s reluctance to lead an operation may prove a blessing, leaving space for Turkey to take the reins… Turkey would support an air-based intervention to protect UN designated safe havens—as long as the mission is led by a ‘regional force,’ composed of both Turkish and Arab militaries. Qatar and Saudi Arabia, who are funding the opposition, should be happy to work with their new ally in Ankara to protect the safe havens; Washington and European powers could then remotely back the operation, facilitating its success.”

The aim of isolating Iran has become the stated aim of US and Israeli officials, backed by a media campaign prominently involving the liberal press, mixing anti-Iranian sentiment with humanitarian hyperbole professing concern with the fate of Syria’s people.

Efraim Halevy, a former Israeli national security adviser and director of the security service Mossad from 1998 to 2002, wrote in the February 7 New York Times describing Syria as “Iran’s Achilles’ Heel.”

He writes, “Iran’s foothold in Syria enables the mullahs in Tehran to pursue their reckless and violent regional policies—and its presence there must be ended … Once this is achieved, the entire balance of forces in the region would undergo a sea change.”

The New York Times’ British counterpart, The Guardian, entrusts Simon Tisdall with the task of endorsing such anti-Iranian sentiment. He cites favourably Hillary Clinton’s ridiculing of Assad’s claims of foreign intervention in support of the opposition as being “Sadly… fully justified.” Rather, he insists, “The foreign power most actively involved inside Syria is not the US or Britain, France or Turkey. Neither is it Russia, Saudi Arabia nor its Gulf allies. It is Iran—and it is fighting fiercely to maintain the status quo.”

The appalling consequences of an American war against Syria would dwarf those of its Libyan adventure. Syria is only the ante-chamber of a campaign for regime change in Iran and its targeting poses ever more clearly conflict with Russia and possibly China.

Moscow last month sent three warships, including an aircraft carrier, to its only Mediterranean naval base, the Syrian port of Tartus. This followed its blocking of the US, France and UK-backed Arab-League resolution, meant to pave the way for intervention, with the dispatch of Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to Damascus for talks with Assad, Tuesday, in a further show of solidarity. Lavrov was accompanied by Mikhail Fradkov, the head of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Office.

Of greater significance still were comments made the following day by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, linking efforts to overthrow Assad with a direct Western threat to the stability of Russia through its support for opposition protests there. “A cult of violence has been coming to the fore in international affairs in the past decade,” he said. “This cannot fail to cause concern… and we must not allow anything like this in our country.”

By Chris Marsden

10 February 2012

@ WSWS.org

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Thursday that U.S. intelligence shows Iran is enriching uranium in a disputed nuclear program but that Tehran has not made a decision on whether to proceed with development of an atomic bomb.

Fears of a nuclear-armed Iran produced tough talk from Panetta and the nation’s top intelligence officials, all of whom offered insights and observations on the secretive regime in separate congressional hearings. Their testimony came amid increasing international fears of a Mideast conflagration as Iran boasted of major advances in producing nuclear fuel and threatened an oil embargo in retaliation for economic and diplomatic sanctions.

Israel has accused Iran of being behind recent attacks on its diplomats in Thailand, Georgia and India and has threatened military strikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities.

“We will not allow Iran to develop a nuclear weapon. This isn’t just about containment. We will not allow Iran to develop a nuclear weapon,” Panetta told the House Appropriations defense subcommittee. “We will not allow Iran to close the Straits of Hormuz. And in addition to that, obviously, we have expressed serious concerns to Iran about the spread of violence and the fact that they continue to support terrorism and they continue to try to undermine other countries.”

The Pentagon chief delivered President Barack Obama’s oft-repeated statement that “we do keep all options on the table.”

Panetta, the former CIA director, said U.S. intelligence shows that Iran is continuing its uranium enrichment program. “But the intelligence does not show that they’ve made the decision to proceed with developing a nuclear weapon. That is the red line that would concern us and that would ensure that the international community, hopefully together, would respond,” he said.

Testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee, National Intelligence Director James Clapper said the decision on a nuclear weapon would be made by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, raising questions about the role of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in the process.

“He (Khamenei) would base that on a cost-benefit analysis in terms of, I don’t think he’d want a nuclear weapon at any price,” Clapper said. “So that I think plays to the value of sanctions, particularly the recent ratcheting up of more sanctions and anticipation that that will induce a change in their policy and behavior.”

Clapper said it’s “technically feasible” that Tehran could produce a nuclear weapon in one or two years if its leaders decide to build one, “but practically not likely.”

The Obama administration recently imposed sanctions on Iran’s Central Bank, the latest round of penalties that have widespread bipartisan support in Congress. The Treasury Department announced Thursday that it was slapping sanctions on Iran’s ministry of intelligence and security, asserting that it supports global terrorism, commits human rights abuses against Iranians and participates in ongoing repression in Syria.

The first round of penalties on the Central Bank go into effect Feb. 29, and would prohibit any foreign financial institution from conducting business in the United States if Obama concludes that it has conducted or facilitated a significant financial transaction with the Central Bank or other sanctioned Iranian financial institutions.

Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., a chief sponsor of the sanctions, met with David Cohen, the Treasury Department’s undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, and said the administration was eager to press ahead despite reservations last year that the penalties could drive up oil prices and benefit Iran’s economy.

“I have no sense that they’re looking to get an extension,” Menendez said in an interview. “The administration shares with us that this is our best hope of deterring Iranian action and their march to nuclear weapons.”

Panetta and lawmakers insist the sanctions are taking an economic toll on Iran, reflected in their erratic response. But Israel is not speaking with one voice on the issue. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the sanctions haven’t been effective yet, while his defense minister and vice premier said the penalties are strong and have the Iranians panicking.

Despite the tough talk from Netanyahu, Clapper and the head of the Defense Intelligence Agency, Lt. Gen. Ronald Burgess, said they do not believe Israel has decided to strike Iran.

But if Iran is attacked, Burgess said, it “can close the Straits of Hormuz, at least temporarily, and may launch missiles against United States forces and our allies in the region.”

“Iran could also attempt to employ terrorists’ surrogates worldwide. However, the agency assesses Iran is unlikely to initiate or intentionally provoke a conflict,” he said.

Clapper said Iran has a “kind of shotgun marriage” with al-Qaida despite the fact that Iran is a Shia state and al-Qaida is Sunni Muslim.

“The Iranians may think that they might use perhaps al-Qaida in the future as a surrogate or proxy,” he said.

Ratcheting up the pressure, a bipartisan group of senators unveiled a non-binding resolution that rules out containment of a nuclear weapons-capable Iran and backs U.S. policy to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons capability. Republicans and Democrats said the purpose of the measure was to show support for the Obama administration as they likened the situation to a slow-moving version of the Cuban missile crisis.

“It is a statement to Iran, the international community and President Obama that if Iran refuses to negotiate an end to their nuclear program, and President Obama decides a military strike is necessary in the interests of our national security, he can count on strong bipartisan support in Congress for that decision,” Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., said at a news conference.

Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said the message on sanctions to the administration was, “Do it faster.”

“We will end their nuclear weapons program,” said Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del.

At a news conference, House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, said that for the sake of Israel and moderate Arab nations, “We need to take further action.”

“We gave the president a lot of tools to use,” he said, referring to the Iran Sanctions Act. “He’s used some of them, but there are more tools available to the president to try to bring Iran into the world community.”

By DONNA CASSATA

16 February 2012

@ ABC News

Associated Press writers Kimberly Dozier, Larry Margasak, Matthew Lee and Alan Fram contributed to this report.

Russia and China made up for their shameful conduct in the Libyan tragedy by vetoing the UN ploy to invade Syria, temporarily muffling those war drums. But the crazed drumbeat about Iran continues even though cooler heads argue against military action. This while they impose punishing sanctions on Iran in order to avoid diminished funds for Obama in an election year when American Zionist money is vital for the purchase of American Christian votes.

Wikileaks documents revealed Israel behind a group that murdered several Iranian scientists and when an attack was made on Israeli diplomats in the same fashion, charges that the Iranians were behind it all but drowned out the American presidential campaign farce. In all this fantasy, mainstream media are not just stenographers but leaders in hyping information poor Americans into believing Iran, Syria, Muslims and socialists are menacing the USA. A severely damaged global economy is major reason for this epidemic of unreason and its capitalist class becomes further detached from reality as the situation grows more critical.

After a recession bordering on a depression the U.S. continues economic war on its people by cutting public spending while other nations reduce their populations to even more misery. Greece slashes its minimum wage and lays off more than a hundred thousand public employees so that private investors can collect interest on the national debt. That is the same situation all over the capitalist world, including Russia and China. Though they have only recently jumped into that economic frying pan they seem to have noticed it has become so overheated that the entire kitchen may burst into flames at any moment.

The attack on economic survival is what financial rulers call an austerity program. It means the majority is being forced to pay for the profits of a small minority. As one example, the U.S. Postal Service – the nation’s number one public employer – is under assault because it uses too many workers in an electronic age that finds profits increasing even faster for the few by loss of jobs for the many. These economic rules are a malignant social disease which is at the root of much that threatens humanity’s future.

As western people suffer this austerity assault, those in countries not yet totally under the smothering blanket of finance capital are menaced with the even more deadly threat of war.

Like Libya, Syria has played according to rules not wholly in accord with global capital’s political priests and rabbis and for this reason they are treated as aberrations. They, and nations like Cuba , Iran and Venezuela are labeled anti-democratic by perverters of language who define democracy as the minority rule which exists everywhere in the western world. Libya is now controlled by foreign capital and much less a unified state than it ever was under Kaddafi’s rule. Syria has been run by a party and dynasty for a longer time and is less dependent on a single figure but more on a bureaucracy , a military and a middle class which probably supports the regime, including many who want change but not if it’s imposed on them for the benefit of the west. The depiction of a murderous dictator is a gross simplification, as in Libya, with infiltration and financing from outside the nation helping to foment violence among people with honest grievances, dishonestly provoked. Divisions are heightened among Islamic groups and economic classes with contradictions that find America’s supposed arch enemy al-Qaida now often aligned with its program.

While Syrian people are bombarded with violence and suffering at least partly caused by the west, western people are bombarded by media with inflated death tolls seemingly coming from the only Syrian not yet murdered but whose calculator may soon need new batteries so he can keep counting the slaughters he miraculously avoids.

Bloody foreign policy is an extension of America’s domestic problems, with a billion dollar presidential race that reduces social and moral issues to a battle between religious fanatic patriarchy and secular obsessed bigotry providing a distraction from the reality of a collapsing political sham resting on a precarious economic foundation. An emerging trend towards real democracy offers hope for the future but little immediate relief.

So we continue enduring attacks on our sanity and intelligence that claim Iran is a threat to the planet, especially Israel, while we pile embargos, sanctions and hostilities short of overt war on a nation which has never done anything to the USA or Israel, except rebel against our interference in its rule and criticize that apartheid state , a crime of genocidal anti-Semitism in the mental health crisis center of USraeli misinformation.

Surrounded by American and NATO military bases, without nuclear weapons and no history of invading any nation in modern times, Iran is a threat. Israel, with hundreds of nukes and a record of assaulting its neighbors, and the U.S, with hundreds of military bases all over the world and the only nation to ever use nuclear weapons, are guardians of the peace. If you believe that, you need to take a sedative and see a mental health professional. The rest of us need to further investigate our supposed democratic reality before we allow it to be imposed on other nations.

196 individuals – less than one millionth of a percent of our population! – – have each already given 100,000 dollars or more to “our” presidential candidates, and there are still nine months to go before the election. If excrement is cuisine and war is peace, that’s democracy. We’d better Occupy our government before it destroys us and the rest of the world as well.

By Frank Scott

18 February 2012

@ Countercurrents.org

Frank Scott writes political commentary and satire which appears in print in The Independent Monitor and online at the blog Legalienate http://legalienate.blogspot.com Email: fpscott@gmail.com

Aquino Aligns with U.S. Military Build-Up in Asia-Pacific, a Threat to Peace in the Region

Filipino-Americans across the U.S., under the banner of BAYAN USA, express condemnation and disgust over the efforts of Philippine President Benigno Simeon “Noy-Noy” Aquino III to accommodate the “new” U.S. defense strategy that entails a so-called “rebalance to Asia”, including an increase in U.S. military presence in the Philippines. BAYAN USA also denounces the U.S. government’s Cold War-style media offensive against economic rival China as a pretext to justify its gross expansion of U.S. military powers in the Asia-Pacific in order to increase U.S. economic, political, and military investments in the region.

Economically-Motivated

Under neoliberalism, the U.S. economy is largely dependent on the Pacific Rim, particularly because of its export position. In 2010, the 21 economies that make up the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum accounted for 61% of U.S. exports ($775 billion) and 37% of private services exports ($205 billion). The U.S. economy’s export position in the region accounts for nearly 5 million U.S. jobs. But for countries such as the Philippines, the U.S. investment and export position is at the heart of deepening crisis and poverty due to lack of sovereign claim to natural resources and territory. In line with their national interests, countries like the Philippines must wage fierce struggles against U.S. interventionism in order to assert their right to chart their own economic and political paths.

With China’s economic growth threatening U.S. dominion over the region, and with Obama’s push for a Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement that would outline a US-dominated free trade zone in the region, the U.S. government has announced it will shift its military focus away from Iraq and Afghanistan and renew its commitment to assert its position in Asia-Pacific. It has found a reliable stooge in the Aquino government. Recent negotiations framed as a Strategic Dialogue between top Washington security and defense officials and the Aquino administration have laid the ground work for the consolidation of the Philippines as a key U.S. military base location, serving as a permanent staging ground for U.S. military offensives, storage space for surveillance drones, resupply and refueling station for U.S. warships and aircrafts, as well as rest and recreational facility for U.S. servicemen.

In addition to violating Philippine national sovereignty, Aquino’s compliance in accommodating U.S. saber-rattling seeks to undo the 1991 landmark decision of the Philippine Senate to reject the U.S. bases treaty that essentially shut down permanent U.S. military bases in Subic Bay and Clark Air Field by once again opening these ports for indefinite and “rotational” basing of U.S. troops and throughout the archipelago.

Aquino Positions the Philippines in the Crossfire

Not only does the Aquino government reach an all-time high in the barometer of U.S. puppetry with these negotiations, it is aligning the Philippines with a military scheme that will threaten peace in the entire Asia-Pacific region. The U.S. government, driven by its war-dependent economy, is expanding its military presence in Asia-Pacific region under the rhetoric of security in the South China Sea and in particular the territorial dispute over the Spratly Islands, when in fact it seeks an excuse to provoke military aggression and create a war-like situation against China that will boost its military-industrial complex at the expense of surrounding countries. Such compliance on the Aquino government’s part will surely position the Filipino people in the middle of the crossfire.

Starting with the Philippine-American War of 1899, which marked the advent of U.S. imperialism onto the global stage at the turn of the 20th century, 113 years of U.S. geopolitical strategy in the region has left the Philippines with a tragic history and ongoing reality of U.S. military infestation whose social costs have burdened its people with untold pain and misery. From hosting the largest U.S. permanent foreign military bases to succumbing to the onerous US-RP Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT)—the mother of all unequal military treaties and agreements—to the virtually permanent Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), over one century of U.S. military presence in the country has been directly linked to the indiscriminate killings, rape and other sexual offenses, massive displacement of rural communities, waste, disease, and other forms of human rights abuses.

Call for Resistance & Solidarity

As Filipinos in the U.S., BAYAN USA sees concretely how both the Aquino and Obama governments—guardians of financial oligarchy—are acting in betrayal of the broad interest of the Filipino and American peoples. Just as the poor grow poorer in the Philippines under Aquino’s failed economic policies, so are the working people in the U.S. forced to carry the heavy burden of paying for a debt crisis they did not create. As people’s resistance to the intolerable 1% escalates amidst the crisis, BAYAN USA joins the call for greater solidarity between people in the U.S. struggling against the U.S. military-industrial complex and for economic equality and the Filipino people’s ongoing struggle for genuine national independence and democracy. This must translate to greater efforts to expose and oppose the U.S. geopolitical strategy in the Asia-Pacific region as a scheme of the purveyors of crisis and war to maintain tight control over the region’s wealth. People’s resistance and firm solidarity are key in our efforts to frustrate U.S. interventionism in the region!

U.S. OUT OF THE PHILIPPINES!

U.S. OUT OF ASIA!

JUNK THE US-RP MUTUAL DEFENSE TREATY!

JUNK THE US-RP VISITING FORCES AGREEMENT!

UPHOLD PHILIPPINE NATIONAL SOVEREIGNTY!

LONG LIVE INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY!

Reference:

Bernadette Ellorin

Chairperson, BAYAN USA

chair@bayanusa.org

— BAYAN-USA is an alliance of 15 progressive Filipino organizations in the U.S. representing youth, students, women, workers, artists, and human rights advocates. As the oldest and largest overseas chapter of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN-Philippines), BAYAN-USA serves as an information bureau for the national democratic movement of the Philippines and as a campaign center for anti-imperialist Filipinos in the U.S. For more information, visit www.bayanusa.org