Syria and Russia: Putin remains firm and highlights hypocrisy – reality of Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan
Syria and Russia: Putin remains firm and highlights hypocrisy – reality of Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan
Boutros Hussein and Lee Jay Walker
Modern Tokyo Times
President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation is highlighting the need to resolve international disputes through the proper channels of international law and diplomacy. On the other hand, many political leaders in America appear all too hasty to start another major war and create yet another failed state. Vladimir Putin commented about this reality and given the facts of Afghanistan, Kosovo, Iraq, and Libya; then it would take a brave individual to disagree.
Iraq even today can’t hold a major international conference without spending vast resources on protecting any specific event from the threat of terrorism. Obviously, the fact that the leaders of America, the United Kingdom, France, and others, have to sneak into Afghanistan and back out again quickly highlights the complete failure of decades of Western meddling. Indeed, Afghanistan under Najibullah was more secular and progressive compared with the current reality of this nation.
Modern day Afghanistan is based on continuing feudalism, a land where apostates face death, women throughout most of the nation remain discriminated against, and the Taliban can strike at any moment. On top of this, you still have a major heroin problem and the central government is not only weak, it is corrupt and is increasingly more conservative. Therefore, since Western and Sunni Islamic states began to meddle into Afghanistan they have done nothing but spread terrorism and a dangerous ideology during the first stage. Then after September 11, former allies have become estranged friends and this notably applies to the relationship between America and Pakistan.
Similarly, in Libya many atrocities have been committed by the new power brokers. Indeed, it is difficult to state “power brokers” because various militias and regions have their own power bases. Therefore, the central authority is very weak and clearly tensions throughout Libya remain. Also, many black Africans were lynched by the so-called progressive forces in the early period. Today, meanwhile, many allegations of torture have come to the fore and very little progress is being made.
Vladimir Putin therefore is disillusioned by the constant posturing of certain nations towards bombing and supporting covert operations against independent nations. In Kosovo, the United States and United Kingdom supported Hashim Thaci who is tainted by the organ scandal. Also, Kosovo remains to be a land where Orthodox Christians can’t travel freely in the place of their birth and criminality remains a fact of life.
Vojin Joksimovich wrote in Modern Tokyo Times, regarding the organ scandal in Kosovo, that “In this era of WikiLeaks the UN report dated October 30, 2003 was leaked. France 24 TV channel was one of several media outlets to reveal the content of this confidential report. Even this author managed to get a copy of this 29 page report. The report originated from Eamonn Smyth, Head of ICTY Mission in Skopje and Pristina to Patrick Lopez Terres, Chief of the ICTY Investigations. The report says that 100-300 mostly Serbian men were abducted and taken by truck/van to detention facilities in Albanian towns of Kukes and Tropoje. Beginning in August 1999 some of these captives (24-100) was transferred from Northern Albania to secondary detention facilities (private homes and rough industrial compounds) in central Albania, mainly near the towns of Burrel and Peshkopi. Then they were moved to a private house south of Burrel that was setup as a makeshift clinic. There, medical equipment and personnel were used to extract body organs from the abductees, who then died. Their remains were buried nearby. The organs were transported to Rinas airport near Tirana. It should be noted that the airport was under the NATO control. A small number of female captives from Kosovo, Albania and Eastern Europe were also taken to the clinic. In addition to abductees taken to Albania alive, an unknown number of bodies of Serbian civilians killed in Kosovo were transported to Albania and buried in remote locations. The last delivery of captives was reported in spring or early summer 2000.
“The report identifies at least eight sources, all ethnic Albanians from Kosovo and Montenegro who served in the KLA. In the report they were listed with numbers as their identities were withheld. Four, who have directly participated in the transport of at least 90 Serbs, provided very detailed accounts of their roles including the exact dates. Of these, three sources delivered captives to the house/clinic south of Burrel. Two have participated in the disposal of human remains and one who has participated in the delivery of body parts to Rinas airport. The transports and surgical procedures were carried out with the knowledge and/or active involvement of mid-level and senior KLA officers. Doctors from Kosovo as well as an Arab doctor were involved. The operation was supported by the men with links to the Albanian secret police operatives of the government of Sali Berisha. Maps of the site locations were included. 10 Serbian victims were identified by name.”
Diana Johnstone commented that “Human rights campaigners in the self-righteous Western democracies are intransigent when it comes to ending what they call ‘the culture of impunity’ so long as it involves, say, Africa. But their own impunity and that of their clients seems more secure than ever.” This comment also applies to the current reality in Syria whereby international terrorists and outside nations are spreading sectarianism in Syria.
Francois Hollande, the new President of France, is already highlighting “a war mongering touch” within just a short period in office. He, like political leaders in America and the United Kingdom, are all too keen to blame the Syrian government for any misdeed. However, when the Free Syrian Army (FSA) which is a fusion of mercenaries, terrorists, and criminals, does massacres and ignites sectarianism then the same Western powers remain silent. This isn’t surprising given their “partners in crime” – Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Qatar – are all assisting in the terrorist and sectarian ratlines engulfing parts of Syria.
President Hollande also insists that President Bashar al-Assad must leave office but Vladimir Putin openly states that this depends on the “will” of the Syrian people. Hollande, just like President Obama, promised “a new world” based on greater transparency and international dialogue. However, behind the rhetoric of both are the same failed policies of supporting international terrorism and giving a “green light” to outside nations to spread their carnage.
Vladimir Putin dismisses many negative comments by certain political leaders who desire to enforce “their thinking” on the people of Syria. He stated that “If you think you can decide that for other nations, go to Cairo now and take part in the Egyptian presidential elections. You can’t do that! Nor can you or anyone else do that in Syria.”
Vladimir Putin further commented that “Why do we think that if we push someone from the current leadership away from power, prosperity will arrive there tomorrow?”
“What is happening in Libya? We all know what kind of a tyrant [Muammar] Gaddafi was…But do you know what was happening in Sirte when militants entered the city? Why do you not write about that? Has humanitarian wellbeing settled there?”
Many citizens in America, the United Kingdom, France, and other nations, are fed up with constant wars, media manipulations, and covert operations involving their elected leaders who are acting undemocratically. Of course, many will agree, but overall the vast majority is disillusioned despite all the domestic propaganda. After all, modern day Afghanistan, Iraq, Kosovo, and Libya, are all failed states or patched up states (Kosovo not recognized by the majority of international nations). On top of this, hundreds of thousands of people have been killed and terrorism is a fact of life in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria because of outside meddling. Meanwhile, an organ tainted leader in Kosovo was supported – implying that killing individuals for organs is acceptable to leaders in Washington and London – because the same individual is free to visit America. Yet while he is free Orthodox Christian children in Kosovo have to be protected if they want to travel freely.
If killing hundreds of thousands of people is deemed fine, increasing narcotic problems (Afghanistan and Kosovo), creating a vacuum whereby terrorists flourish, and then taking the independence away from nations which were sovereign; then by all means, support individuals like Susan Rice, the American representative. However, if you are internationalist and support independence and “a collective approach” when the time is needed – then surely Vladimir Putin makes a million times more sense than the posturing of Hillary Clinton and Susan Rice.
The brutal murders of Muammar Gaddafi and Najibullah in Afghanistan highlight the bloody nature of the forces that were supported to overthrow both individuals. In the case of Kosovo you had political elites within the Albanian leadership who were involved in killing individuals for organs. Meanwhile, Saddam Hussein was taunted and goaded before being killed by the new state apparatus of Iraq.
Saddam Hussien and Muammar Gaddafi were once supported by the same nations which turned against them. It is clear that many atrocities took place under Saddam Hussein but during his time he served the West and Saudi Arabia well by keeping Iran in check. It is this utter hypocrisy and ruthlessness which makes individuals question their-own-so-called political leaders. Therefore, is it progressive to support terrorism and sectarianism against the Syrian people?
Vladimir Putin praised the Kofi Annan plan not because of the current reality on the ground which is being made worse by outside meddling. He did this on the grounds that Kofi Annan is seeking a solution to a complex problem based on political dialogue and not war.
Vladimir Putin stated during his meeting with Chancellor Merkel of Germany, that ”Russia has a good and long-standing relationship with Syria…We support Syria’s stability, sovereignty and people, and all parties should support the plan of the UN envoy Kofi Annan.”
”We have to stop talking about aborting Annan’s plan…Our mission is to end violence in Syria by all sides, and we agreed with Merkel that Russia, Germany and our partners have to de-escalate violence and help Annan achieve that.”
”We believe that we can hold dialogue at the United Nations Security Council, and sure we’ll have contacts with the Syrian leadership and will be in contact with the countries interested in this issue…We will do our best to reach a nonviolent, political solution to the crisis in Syria.”
It is hoped that the Russian Federation will not cave in to international pressure from Washington, London, Paris, Ankara, and Riyadh. Syria needs to be “a line which isn’t walked over” by hypocrites who have supported tainted individuals involved in organ scandals, covertly supported terrorists, remain quiet about the lynching of black Africans in Libya, and other vile episodes. The situation in Syria is being made complex because of the dangerous terrorist and sectarian policies of nations like Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar – along with the usual players – this must end because history is repeating itself too much.
The Modern Tokyo Times 