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Eugene

(61,900 posts)
Fri Aug 23, 2013, 08:50 PM Aug 2013

Initial Western intelligence finds Syrian forces used chemical weapons

Source: Reuters

Initial Western intelligence finds Syrian forces used chemical weapons

By Mark Hosenball and Matt Spetalnick
WASHINGTON | Fri Aug 23, 2013 6:30pm EDT

(Reuters) - U.S. and allied intelligence agencies have made a preliminary assessment that chemical weapons were used by Syrian forces in an attack near Damascus this week, likely with high-level approval from the government of President Bashar al-Assad, according to American and European security sources.

The early intelligence finding could increase pressure for action by President Barack Obama, who made clear that he planned to tread cautiously even as his aides sought to narrow their differences in debate over possible military responses to the Syrian government.

The sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, cautioned that the assessment was preliminary and, at this stage, they were still seeking conclusive proof, which could take days, weeks or even longer to gather.

But with a mounting international outcry over the apparent mass poisoning of hundreds of people, the issue appeared to have taken on a sense of urgency for the Obama administration.

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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/23/us-syria-crisis-obama-idUSBRE97M0E420130823
18 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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rdharma

(6,057 posts)
1. Obviously Sarin was employed by the Syrian military.
Fri Aug 23, 2013, 08:58 PM
Aug 2013

And NO!!!!..... I don't think the rebels are "faking this"!

 

rdharma

(6,057 posts)
3. Obvious symptoms... or very, very good acting by the victims.
Fri Aug 23, 2013, 10:25 PM
Aug 2013

There's enough video showing this was not "faked".

Do you think this was faked? Or are you questioning who employed this crap on these people?

I can tell you one thing........ those weren't conventional weapons!

 

Arctic Dave

(13,812 posts)
4. The question was pointed more towards who, not the what aspect.
Fri Aug 23, 2013, 11:01 PM
Aug 2013

Showing a few minutes of footage of people dying makes an emotional response but what wasn't shown how it happened, when it happened, where it happened.

There is massive gap in proof of who did what, when and where and why.

 

rdharma

(6,057 posts)
5. The type of systems that can deliver this type of strike are not used by the rebels.
Fri Aug 23, 2013, 11:12 PM
Aug 2013

And note how the Syrian govt. tries to keep the area from inspection by continued shelling.

No doubt in my mind who did it.

 

Arctic Dave

(13,812 posts)
6. The rebels have captured many weapons systems from the government forces.
Fri Aug 23, 2013, 11:22 PM
Aug 2013

As seen on many videos posted here. They are also funded and armed by outside countries that could have given them the weaponry.

It seems preposterous to the point laughing that Assad would invite the UN in the day he supposedly planned a chemical weapons barrage.

As for the fighting, why didn't the rebels leave so Assad could move the UN in.

Another thing, the rebels supposedly can't get evidence out but they can get plenty of footage on the Internet. Another flag.

 

Arctic Dave

(13,812 posts)
8. Tanks.
Fri Aug 23, 2013, 11:32 PM
Aug 2013

Artillery.

Bunkers of different types of rockets.

Ask Sand Wind. He/she post quite often of rebel victories of captured weaponry.

 

Arctic Dave

(13,812 posts)
10. They have captured artillery pieces.
Sat Aug 24, 2013, 12:07 AM
Aug 2013

Rockets can also be used. They captured those too.

Of course they could make the shell just like they made the other artillery rounds.

 

rdharma

(6,057 posts)
11. The rebels didn't make the artillery rounds.
Sat Aug 24, 2013, 12:19 AM
Aug 2013

Sorry, I'm very familiar with military systems and weaponry. This is not within the rebels' capabilities. This is the work of the Syrian military.

 

Arctic Dave

(13,812 posts)
12. Artillery rounds are not that hard to make.
Sat Aug 24, 2013, 12:38 AM
Aug 2013

Especially if you have at least one piece as a template. A decent machinist could make one.

But that isn't only assuming that is what happened. There is no proof how it happened.

A few minutes of video in a room doesn't say how, what, where, who.

 

rdharma

(6,057 posts)
13. I'm not buying the manufacture of Sarin artillery shells by the rebels.
Sat Aug 24, 2013, 01:07 AM
Aug 2013

It takes WAY more than a skilled machinist!

The stuff has to be manufactured and handled very carefully.

This was done by a well equipped military.

 

Arctic Dave

(13,812 posts)
14. It takes more then a machinist?
Sat Aug 24, 2013, 01:11 AM
Aug 2013

How do you think they are made?

Or are you saying the rebels are dumb and can't figure it out?

If they are too dumb to do that how will they be able to govern a country?

But you are right, rebels could have staged it all and murdered those people to further their agenda. That is probably the most likely answer, unfortunately.

 

rdharma

(6,057 posts)
15. Why don't YOU tell me how binary Sarin artillery projectiles are made?
Sat Aug 24, 2013, 01:36 AM
Aug 2013

Simple, eh?

Having more than a little experience with this type of weaponry, I'd like for you to tell me how "easily" that's done!

 

Arctic Dave

(13,812 posts)
16. Give me the prints and I would ba able to manufacture them
Sat Aug 24, 2013, 10:01 AM
Aug 2013

easily with the equipment I have.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_warfare

Seems a hollow shell with a small explosive is all you need.

Sounds like a project a high school machinist student could do.

 

Arctic Dave

(13,812 posts)
18. We were discussing delivery systems.
Sat Aug 24, 2013, 01:39 PM
Aug 2013

I'm sure the "rebels" have a chemist or two working for them.

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