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by American Dream » Thu Mar 22, 2018 2:28 pm
by Elvis » Thu Mar 22, 2018 2:55 pm
The campaign over the Skripal poisoning: An international war provocation
17 March 2018
The campaign by the imperialist powers in Europe and the United States over the poisoning of former Russian spy and British double agent Sergei Skripal stinks to high heaven. The most far-reaching claims are being made, with the most far-reaching consequences, without any substantiation.
The propaganda offensive is not about what may or may not have happened in a park in Salisbury, England on March 4. It is about creating the pretext for a massive escalation of the war drive in Syria, the broader Middle East, and against Russia itself.
When Skripal and his daughter were first discovered on a park bench, the police declared that establishing what had happened would take weeks, if not months. The British government, however, has wrapped up the case far more quickly than any conventional criminal inquiry.
On March 12, Prime Minister Theresa May’s declared that Russia was “highly likely” to have been responsible for “an indiscriminate and reckless act against the United Kingdom.” This has been followed by the declaration of UK Foreign Minister Boris Johnson Friday that “our quarrel is with Putin’s Kremlin, and with his decision—and we think it overwhelmingly likely that it was his decision—to direct the use of a nerve agent on the streets of the UK.”
The assertions of the British government were endorsed by the US, France and Germany on Thursday, which declared the poisoning “the first offensive use of a nerve agent in Europe since the Second World War.” "It certainly looks like the Russians were behind it,” Trump declared on Thursday, with the administration announcing new sanctions against Russia.
The rapidity with which the major imperialist policies have signed on to the statements of the UK makes clear that a plan was worked out beforehand. It required only the appropriate occasion to unveil it.
The story as told by the UK government is full of contradictions, without a shred of probative evidence. The entire pretext is based on the analysis coming out of Porton Down, the biochemical warfare facility dedicated to developing weapons of mass destruction, which is located only 10 miles from Salisbury. After first asserting that the poison was a nerve gas like Sarin or VX, the agency now claims that the toxic agent is “of a type developed by Russia,” namely Novichok.
As former UK ambassador and author Craig Murray has noted, the phrase “of a type developed by Russia” is carefully chosen. He cited a source within the British government as confirming that “Porton Down scientists are not able to identify the nerve gas as being of Russian manufacture, and have been resentful of the pressuring being placed on them to do so.”
Even if one were to accept the conclusion of the British government about the use of Novichok—and it has refused to provide samples to Russia or anyone else—this does not constitute proof that Russia directed the attack. The chemical was researched during the era of the Soviet Union. There is no evidence that Russia ever produced it, and it could just as easily have been manufactured in London, Langley or one of the states in the former Soviet Union that are now bitterly hostile to Russia.
And if a Russian was in fact involved, this is a far cry from proving the responsibility of the Russian government.
The Russian government has strenuously denied any involvement. Presidential press secretary Dmitri Peskov said on Friday, “In international practice we never encountered such behavior at the state level when very serious accusations are being brought up against a country—our country in this case—with such wording as ‘apparently,’ ‘most likely’ and so on.” Such an approach, he noted, “contradicts not only international law, but common sense as a whole.”
The Putin regime is deeply reactionary, governing on behalf of a criminal financial oligarchy that grew rich by plundering the assets of the former Soviet Union. But there is no proof that it was involved in the attack on Skripal and many reasons to question why it would want do so, as it provides a ready-made pretext for aggression by the US and Europe.
From the standpoint of who benefits, the most likely guilty parties in the Skripal affair are London and Washington, rather than Moscow. They are furious that the Russian government is obstructing their operations in Syria, aimed at removing the Assad government and setting up a puppet regime.
The events of the past two weeks were preceded by a significant escalation in Syria. On February 7, US warplanes and artillery batteries carried out a massacre in the north-eastern province of Deir Ezzor—knowing that the bulk of hundreds of casualties would be Russian mercenaries. On February 25, the Trump administration declared that it no longer needed further approval for a vast expansion of military operations against Syria and its allies, including Iran.
Preparations have also been made for a direct conflict with Russia itself. It was only on January 19 that US Defence Secretary James Mattis announced a new National Defence Strategy that declared, “Great power competition—not terrorism—is now the primary focus of US national security.”
All the governments involved in the present campaign are warmongering regimes, run by the military-intelligence agencies. They all, moreover, face deep internal crises. The UK is riven by internal conflicts over Brexit. The Trump administration in the US staggers from crisis to crisis and is currently carrying out a purge of top government officials. In Germany, the major parties have finally formed a government, nearly six months after elections in September—the last piece of the political machinery required to secure the US-led anti-Russian alliance now in operation.
In addition to justifying the expansion of war abroad, the campaign against Russia provides a pretext for an escalation of attacks on democratic rights at home. In the United States, the campaign over “Russian meddling” has already been used by the ruling class—led by the Democratic Party and the CIA—with the pretext for censoring the Internet.
March 20 marks the 15th anniversary of the launching of the 2003 Iraq war based on a torrent of lies. As part of a concerted campaign to “prove” the existence of weapons of mass destruction, the US and UK spent months manufacturing intelligence, producing two “dodgy dossiers,” and even sending in weapons inspectors to Iraq. After these inspectors found no evidence of a nuclear or chemical weapons programme, on February 5, US Secretary of State Colin Powell appeared before the United Nations to present his infamous and wholly manufactured slide show, purporting to show photographic “evidence” of Iraq hiding unconventional weapons. On March 18, on this basis, the Labour government of Tony Blair committed the UK to support a US-led war.
The same playbook is being used again, only the case now being made against Russia regarding Skripal is even flimsier than that offered up to justify war against Iraq.
Within the political establishments in all the imperialist powers involved, there is no significant opposition to the present disastrous course. The Labour Party in Britain, like the Democrats in the US, are the most bellicose advocates of anti-Russian measures. In the media, not a single major publication has come out against the filthy campaign waged because the hallowed “free press” is nothing but a mouthpiece of the financial oligarchy and its drive to seize the markets and resources of the entire world.
The working class can only combat the growing danger of war by its own independent political action, in opposition to all parties of the ruling class. The formation of a new anti-war movement, uniting the great mass of working people and youth in opposition to capitalism and imperialism, is the most urgent political task.
Chris Marsden
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2018/0 ... d=mostread
The same playbook is being used again
DrEvil wrote:^^Yeah, wow, that article was pretty fucking bad. One long character assassination. The guy could have just tweeted "Corbyn is a swivel-eyed loon. LOL!" and saved himself some time.
by American Dream » Thu Mar 22, 2018 3:08 pm
by DrEvil » Thu Mar 22, 2018 3:14 pm
American Dream » Thu Mar 22, 2018 8:28 pm wrote:George Galloway is still a piece of work...
by Sounder » Thu Mar 22, 2018 5:51 pm
Elvis wrote....
"Conner P" wrote:While he has never entered the same realms of brazen dictator worship as Galloway (with the notable exception of Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez and Nicolas Maduro), Corbyn’s tendency towards tyrants of a certain nature
The quote above is all I need to know about "Conner P"—whether he consciously promoting the neoliberal line, or is merely their dupe. Literally wrapping Chavez and Maduro—both popular elected leaders (in case people need to be reminded)—in the words "dictator" and "tyrant."
I don't see anything "Pro-Democracy" about Thegerasites, in fact I see the opposite, I see all the usual neoliberal propaganda talking points
Here's what makes the article especially worthless, except as an example of imperialist opinion-making to be studied:
What is so frustrating about Corbyn is his ability to disguise his conspiracism in the language of measured, calm rationalism.
The last thing we need is measured, calm rationalism, right? And conspiracies exist only in the fervid imaginations of democracy-haters, right?
As much as anyone, "Conner P" and Theresa May and all the others are putting forward conspiracy theories. Like most of the worst, most gullible and adamant "conspiracy theorists," they have all the evidence they need.
What makes May's conspiracy theories so much more dangerous than those of the 500-lb guy in his mother's basement is that depending how she acts on them, a million people might be killed as a result.
More examples: Robert Mueller's investigation is based on developing conspiracy theories—that's how prosecutors proceed in such cases. Manafort was indicted for conspiracy. Watergate convictions were for conspiracy. Forged Niger documents were the product of a conspiracy. Etc. ad nauseum.Has the question been answered, why Putin and/or "the Russians" waited eight years to kill Skripal?
And, who benefits?
by Sounder » Fri Mar 23, 2018 5:57 am
by American Dream » Fri Mar 23, 2018 8:56 am
by seemslikeadream » Fri Mar 23, 2018 8:58 am
Russian spy poisoning: Police officer says 'life will never be the same' as judge allows experts to take blood samples
The policeman who rushed to help poisoned Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter said his life will “never be the same” as he was released from hospital.
Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey said he was now having to concentrate on rebuilding his life after suffering from the effects of the deadly nerve agent used to target Col Skripal, 66, and Yulia, 33, in Salisbury.
The development came as a High Court judge gave doctors permission to take blood samples from the pair while they are still alive so that tests can be carried out by chemical weapons experts.
The Skripals may have suffered permanent brain damage and their condition could “rapidly deteriorate,” tests have shown.
As Bailey returned home following his ordeal, he said in a statement: “I recognise that ‘normal’ life for me will probably never be the same- and Sarah and I now need to focus on finding a new normal for us and for our children.”
He added: “I have spent all my time since the incident really focusing on trying to get better and trying not to think about anything else.
“I want people to focus on the investigation- not the police officer who was unfortunate enough to be caught up in it. All I have done is represent every police officer who goes out there every day and puts their life at risk.”
But DS Bailey’s wife Sarah described her husband as a hero.
She said: “Nick doesn’t like the term hero, but he has always been a hero to me and our children.”
Mrs Bailey, who said she and her husband had been overwhelmed by messages of support from the public and the wider “police family”, added: “This has quite simply been the most traumatic event of our life and it feels like our world has been turned upside down in a really short space of time.”
DS Bailey will continue to receive intensive occupational therapy and occupational psychotherapy while his wife and their two young children are receiving specialist support to help them overcome the “horror” of seeing their father injured in the line of duty, it emerged.
The couple spoke through Wiltshire’s temporary chief Constable Kier Pritchard after reports emerged that a second police officer investigating the nerve agent attack is receiving treatment for suspected poisoning.
The uniformed constable is understood to have developed minor symptoms, including skin irritation, and is receiving treatment as an outpatient at Salisbury District Hospital.
He is reported to have come into contact with an object that possibly had 'secondary contamination from the nerve agent used to target the Skripals nearly three weeks ago.
Court of Protection hearing
Meanwhile, Mr Justice Williams heard details about the case at a private Court of Protection hearing in London, after which he gave permission for blood samples to be taken from the Skripals to enable international chemical weapons experts to carry out crucial tests.
In a detailed judgment, he said the pair lacked the mental capacity to give permission and revealed that they remain in a critical condition under heavy sedation and may never recover from the nerve agent attack.
He said Col Skripal was unable to communicate at all, while his daughter could not communicate “in any meaningful way.”
Not a single relative has sought information from the hospital about their condition since they were admitted almost three weeks ago, the court heard, meaning that the judge was unable to consult them about his decision.
“The evidence is that samples taken from living individuals are of more scientific value than post mortem samples,” he said.
“The precise effect of their exposure on their long term health remains unclear, albeit medical tests indicate that their mental capacity might be compromised to an unknown and so far unascertained degree.
“At present both Mr and Ms Skripal are critical but stable; it is not inconceivable that their condition could rapidly deteriorate.”
He said it was not possible to say whether the “current lack of capacity” was temporary or permanent.
“On balance the lack of capacity arises from an impairment or disturbance of the brain arising out of both sedation and the impact of the exposure to a nerve agent,” he added.
The judge heard evidence from five witnesses, from Porton Down scientists to senior Foreign Office and Home Office officials who addressed “sensitive” issues.
He heard that security measures were in place at Salisbury District Hospital, where they are both in intensive care, “to ensure their physical safety.”
The judge had to make his decision in the absence of information about the beliefs and values of the Skripals but noted that most people had an “acute” sense of justice would want to “truth spoken to power” when a serious crime had been alleged so that “no-one whether an individual or a State is above or beyond the reach of the law”.
“An individual subjected to such an attack with personally catastrophic consequences would want to see it fully and properly investigated and that all appropriate steps to identify the perpetrators (individual and state) have been taken so that they can be held to account,” he said.
The judge concluded that the OPCW’s investigation may provide information on how to treat Mr Skripal and his daughter and what happened to them.
Inspectors working in Salisbury
The inspectors arrived in the UK earlier this week and will now collect fresh blood samples from the Skripals in order to conduct their own analysis about the use of nerve agents and confirm the results of tests already undertaken by UK experts from Porton Down.
On Thursday, they visited Col Skripal’s home, which has been cordoned off by police since the attack, and took swabs from door handles inside and outside the house, along with swabs from a keyboard and other objects.
They have also visited the Mill pub, where the Skripals enjoyed a drink shortly before they collapsed, and the Porton Down chemical weapons research centre to take samples of the nerve agent gathered by police from locations in Salisbury in order to carry out their own analysis.
Detectives are trying to established whether the nerve agent which left the Skripals fighting for their lives was inserted into Col Skripal’s car or unwittingly brought from Russia to Britain by Yulia in her suitcase, possibly secreted in a present or item of clothing.
The Russian government has been blamed for the attack on the former Military Intelligence Officer turned MI6 agent, who was exchanged in a spy swap and moved to Britain in 2010.
Detectives are trying to established whether the nerve agent which left the Skripals fighting for their lives was inserted into Col Skripal’s car or unwittingly brought from Russia to Britain by Yulia in her suitcase, possibly secreted in a present or item of clothing.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/0 ... ill-never/
EU Withdraws Moscow Ambassador Over U.K. Nerve-Agent Attack
4 hours ago
The EU has recalled its ambassador to Moscow in the strongest signal yet that the bloc will rally behind the U.K. to punish Russia for the attempted murder of former spy Sergei Skripal. Leaders of all 28 EU countries—including the U.K., which remains inside the bloc for the time being—issued a statement saying there was “no plausible alternative explanation” for the nerve-agent attack on British soil other than Russia being responsible. Amid strained relations with the U.K. as the country negotiates its exit from the bloc, the European Council added in its statement: “We stand in unqualified solidarity with the United Kingdom in the face of this grave challenge to our shared security.” The EU said its Moscow ambassador would be recalled “for consultations.” In response, Vladimir Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said Friday that Russia “doesn’t understand” the EU’s decision, and said the Kremlin would study what measures the bloc had taken before deciding what response to take.
https://www.thedailybeast.com/eu-withdr ... ent-attack
by tron » Fri Mar 23, 2018 12:43 pm
by MacCruiskeen » Fri Mar 23, 2018 5:52 pm
DrEvil » Thu Mar 22, 2018 1:11 pm wrote:^^Yeah, wow, that article was pretty fucking bad. One long character assassination. The guy could have just tweeted "Corbyn is a swivel-eyed loon. LOL!" and saved himself some time.
by Elvis » Fri Mar 23, 2018 9:49 pm
MacCruiskeen wrote:pseudleft cryptofascist warmongering
by JackRiddler » Fri Mar 23, 2018 11:54 pm
Elvis » Fri Mar 23, 2018 8:49 pm wrote:
Assessing news & opinion sources, today more important than ever in light of their proliferation, I'm reminded of the fact that by the late 1970's, pretty much every major "underground" newspaper in America was either owned or controlled by the FBI. Is there any reason to believe that things are much different today? And that the infiltration/subvention techniques of the "deep state" (compromised name alert!) haven't advanced accordingly?
When again and again I see "leftist" blogs and websites laterally buttressing entrenched U.S. foreign policy aims—often in conjunction with varieties of subtle left-bashing—I have to wonder who's really issuing this stuff.
by Elvis » Sat Mar 24, 2018 1:53 am
JackRiddler wrote:Things are pretty straightforward at the top with the 24/7 networks or the Times or the Post, who literally have as hosts or hire MIC and CIA retreads as their commentators. On the blog and website side I fear most of it is self-trained and self-motivated herd behavior. A culture.
by BenDhyan » Tue Mar 27, 2018 11:07 pm
‘Without doubt Russia is responsible’: Presentation UK gave to prompt diplomat expulsions leaked
28 Mar, 2018
A document UK officials presented in a bid to persuade allies to expel Russian diplomats this week suggests London no longer questions whether Moscow poisoned Sergei Skripal, but offers no new specific evidence.
Titled ‘Salisbury Incident,’ the six slide PowerPoint document was sent out to 80 top level foreign embassy officials in Moscow, according to Kommersant business daily, the news agency to which the document was leaked. The diplomatic effort was a bid to sway opinion and prepare the ground for the expulsions of over 100 Russian diplomats by more than 20 countries, which have been announced over the past three days.
Previously, the UK publicly suggested that it was “highly likely” Moscow had a hand in the poisoning of double agent Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, on March 4 in Salisbury, however, the leaked document takes a harsher line.
“We are without doubt that Russia is responsible. No country bar Russia has combined capability, intent and motive. There is no plausible alternative explanation,” the text, which bears the official HM Government letterhead and is dated March 22, said.
More specifically, it says Moscow is pursuing “thirty parallel lines of disinformation” in relation to the case. It also accuses Moscow of a “long pattern of malign activity,” from the death of Alexander Litvinenko in 2006 to purported interference in the US election and an alleged coup attempt in Macedonia, both in 2016.
The proposed “measured and proportionate response” includes the “attribution to the Russian State” of the poisoning of Skripal, who remains in serious condition, and the “dismantling of the network of Russian intelligence operatives in the UK.”
Among the countries that have been swayed by the UK’s line of thinking are NATO stalwarts: the US, Australia, Canada, and over a dozen European states, predominantly from the EU.
Commenting on the presentation on her Facebook page, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova called its use “a large-scale attempt to manipulate global public opinion” and a “fiasco for Theresa May.” “On the basis of these six pictures a decision has been made to assign a country responsibility for a chemical attack,” Zakharova wrote.
https://www.rt.com/news/422529-uk-embassy-presentation-skripal/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=RSS
by Elvis » Wed Mar 28, 2018 12:17 am
No country bar Russia has combined capability, intent and motive.
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