Bulletin N°018/ February 2012
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Twenty-eight Martyrs, 235 Wounded in Twin Terrorist Bomb Blasts in Aleppo City. Feb. 10, 2012
ALEPPO, (SANA) –The death toll of the twin terrorist bomb blasts which hit Aleppo city on Friday raised to twenty-eight martyrs and 235 wounded, including soldiers, civilians and children, Ministry of Health said in a statement.
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.
Armed Terrorist Groups Detonate Booby-Trapped Houses in Homs. Feb. 10, 2012
HOMS, (SANA) – Armed terrorist groups on Friday detonated a number of booby-trapped houses in Baba Amr neighborhood in Homs with the aim of terrifying citizens and to give the impression that the Army is shelling the neighborhood.
A source at the governorate told SANA correspondent that military engineering units dismantled 15 explosive devices, weighing between 10 to 15 kg, which the armed terrorist groups planted at some streets and houses in the neighborhood to target civilians and law-enforcement forces.
The source added that the engineering units continued their search for other explosive devices planted by armed terrorist groups for criminal purposes.
Russian Foreign Ministry: Responsibility for Stopping Bloodshed in Syria Lies with the Opposition. Feb. 10, 2012
MOSCOW, (SANA) - Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Rybakov said that the responsibility for stopping bloodshed in Syria and settling the conflict peacefully through dialogue lies with the Syrian opposition and its proponents.
In a statement during his visit to Colombia, Rybakov added that Western countries which are instigating the Syrian opposition to
create chaos and are supplying it with weapons are in fact involved together with the opposition in aggravating the situation.
He stressed that Russia doesn't agree with the western countries on the so-called 'humanitarian intervention', adding that the western attempts in this regards violate the international law principles.
Rybakov pointed out that he told the Colombian officials that using Veto against the western draft resolution came to ensure the appropriate circumstances for an internal Syrian dialogue without foreign intervention.
He stressed that the western draft resolution wasn't balanced, highlighting that the draft was an international attempt to dictate a regime change in a sovereign country.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister said "If our foreign partners don't realize this, we will be obliged to use more effective means to help them get back to reality."
Rybakov added that the responsibility for stopping bloodshed in Syria and settling the conflict peacefully through dialogue lies with the Syrian opposition and its proponents.
He said that Russia proposed to be a mediator through calling upon all Syrian sides to meet in Moscow.
Rybakov underlined that the Syrian leadership, during the visit of Russia's Foreign Ministry Sergei Lavrov and Chief of the Foreign Intelligence Service Mikhail Fradkov to Syria, expressed readiness
for dialogue and that President Bashar al-Assad assigned his Vice-President Farouk al-Shara to head the Syrian government delegation to dialogue with the opposition.
He underscored the readiness of the Syrian leadership to hold a referendum on a new constitution very soon as one step towards elections.
He added that they are attempting to hold Russia and China the responsible for more blood-shed in Syria because of their veto of a Moroccan draft resolution on Syria at the Security Council, stressing the falsification of facts practiced by the opposition and the West in doing so.
Rybakov said these sides have to shoulder their responsibility in holding the opposition back and demand it to accept the Syrian government's proposal to hold a real national dialogue.
He said that Russia is doing its best to avoid the worst, adding that he informed Colombia, the non-permanent member at the Security Council, of the Russian leadership's stance.
He also stressed the need for non-bias in the current stage due to the dynamic changes and the emergence of new power centers in the world.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister called for clear understanding of Russia's motives so that to distance Russia from falsification.
Pushkov: West Policy Towards Syria Accompanied by Misleading Media Campaign
Chairman of the State Duma Foreign Affairs Committee Alexei Pushkov on Friday said that the west policy towards Syria is accompanied by a media falsification campaign.
During a debate at the Duma over a special statement on Syria, Pushkov added that the western countries are carrying out this campaign in cooperation with fundamentalist kingdoms in the Middle East region that are very far away from democracy.
He warned against the attempts to impose two new principles on the international community, adding that the principles are legitimizing the foreign intervention and turning the UN and the UN Security Council into allies to one side in internal conflicts.
Pushkov pointed out that Russia has to enhance its sources to obtain neutral information, adding that the Russian media channels have been focusing, for the last two decades, on the internal issues.
Russian Communist Party Stresses Support to Syria, Condemns the US and its Allies' Instigation to Escalate Tension in Syria. Feb. 10, 2012
MOSCOW, (SANA) – The Russian Communist Party stressed its support to Syria, condemning the acts committed by the USA and its allies in instigating and escalating tension in Syria.
Chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Russia, Gennady Zyuganov, said that the events taking place in Syria and the neighboring areas provide clear evidence on the Western Countries' ambitions to subjugate other people and countries to serve their political and economic interests.
In a statement issued on Friday of which SANA got a copy, he added that the policy of imperialist countries claimed the lives of tens of thousands of victims in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya and now it is Syria's turn.
Zyuganov said that the gunmen are committing violence acts and killing innocent people, supported by the neighboring countries and the US and its allies in line with the Arab countries' role in undermining the legitimate authority in Syria.
"Syria carries out an independent internal and external policy and has always supported the Palestinian people, not to mention, its continuous efforts to achieve just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East," he added.
Zyuganov indicated that there are evidence on the direct involvement of Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar in Syria's internal affairs, adding that these countries complained of Syria as a secular state.
He said the flagrant support by the US and its allies to the gunmen and extremists and the calls for toppling the legitimate power in Syria hindered positive development of the situation in Syria.
Zyuganov expressed support to the measures taken by the Syrian leadership to reach peace and stability through dialogue and to the Syrian people who have the right to self-determination.
He firmly called for a halt of all aggressive acts by the Western countries and their interference in Syria's internal affairs.
The statement underlined the Syrian leadership's confirmations on its readiness to implement political and economic reforms to achieve democracy, indicating that date will be announced for a referendum on a new constitution will be held soon.
He added that the opposition rejected all proposals submitted by the Syrian leadership to achieve peace and stability in the country.
Russian Foreign Ministry: What is Happening in Syria Not Revolution, US-Backed Friends of Syria Group Illegitimate. Feb. 10, 2012
MOSCOW, (SANA) - Russia stressed that what is taking place in Syria is not a revolution and no one can consider the situation there as the beginning of a revolution.
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Alexander Lukashevich on Thursday expressed Russia's concern about recent reports by Israeli media that British and Qatari troops had been sent to Syria.
In a press conference in Moscow, Lukashevich said that the Ministry will check about these news as they arouse concern if it was proved to be true.
He added that the idea proposed by the US to form an international friendship group to support the Syrian opposition is not legitimate in terms of international legal norms.
"Russia is very cautious about various formats which it doesn't consider legitimate in terms of international legal norms," stressed Lukashevich, reminding of the negative experience of setting up such formats in Libya.
He added that his country sharply opposed any formats aimed at boosting an outer interference to the country's domestic affairs, adding that such formats cannot be considered strategic in a settlement process or has international legitimacy.
Lukashevich said that Russia has exerted great efforts over the last few weeks to find a solution to the Syrian crisis, adding that Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announces Russia's plans and stances in this regard on a daily basis.
He added that Russia welcomes the resumption of the suspended Arab League monitoring mission in Syria .
Lukashevich considered that the reputation of the United Nations (UN) is high, but it is using its regional diplomatic tools including the Arab League.
The Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesman said that Russia supports the role of the AL in terms of resuming its mission and increasing the number of its members upon which the Syrian leadership has already agreed.
He said that the AL monitoring mission work in Syria is very useful, adding that spreading monitors throughout Syria might be very important and encouraging for stability.
Lukashevich said the official Syrian authorities expressed readiness to conduct dialogue in Russia, adding that Russia is still waiting to have an answer from the Syrian opposition regarding its proposal to hold negotiations among all Syrian sides in Moscow.
He said that Russia continues its contacts with the Syrian opposition inside and outside Syria.
Lukashevich said that the latest statements made by the UN Secretary General and the AL Secretary General on the necessity of resuming the work of the AL monitoring mission in Syria are clear indication on the importance of the joint action as a way to resolve conflicts .
He added that Russia is fully implementing its obligations regarding arms exporting to Syria which is not subjected to any international sanctions, adding that Russia's military cooperation with Syria and other countries carried out in accordance with international conventions and it doesn't violate international rules or norms.
Lukashevich refuted news about sending a protest memo to Russia upon such military shipments to Syria by Canada, holding the mass media responsible for broadcasting such news.
AL Proposals to Expand its Mission in Syria Need Serious Discussion, Russia Ready to Consider them
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov said that Russia stressed support to all diplomatic efforts to find a solution to the crisis in Syria, a solution that can be accepted by all the Syrians.
Gatilov added said that Russia is ready to consider all initiatives, particularly those launched by the Arab League.
He said that the AL proposal to increase the number of the AL monitoring mission members and assigning a special representative of the UN Secretary General require serious discussion and Russia is ready to consider these proposals.
Gatilov stressed that the main issue for now is to cease fire, adding that if the submitted proposals help achieve this goal, Russia is ready to participate and consider them.
He said that these proposals suggested immediate stop of violence acts by all sides, changing the AL mission and increasing its members to halt all violence practices in the Syrian territories.
Regarding an expanded AL mission, he said it is very important to understand its tasks and the nature of its work as well as those who will be of its members, adding that "All these things should be accurately defined."
Russian Defense Ministry: Foreign Interference in Syria Rejected
Russian Deputy Defense Minister, Anatoly Antonov, said foreign military intervention in Syria should not be allowed, pointing out to the firm military cooperation between Syria and Russia and that Russian experts are working in various military projects in Syria.
In an interview with Russia-24 TV channel, Antonov added that the Russian military command follows, with a great interest, the situation regarding Syria," the situation is continuously deteriorating due to tensioning the situation surrounding this country and of course Russia cannot stand still towards that."
Antonov clarified that the tense situation in the Middle East obliges command of the Russian military institution to consider every tangible step, adding that we consider the discussions at the Security Council in New York on Syria as we are cooperating, in this regard, with the officials at the Russian Foreign Ministry.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister: Some Countries Recalling their Ambassadors from Damascus Serves Enemies. Feb. 10, 2012
TEHRAN, (SANA) – Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian stressed that some countries of the region recalling their ambassadors from Damascus serves the enemies.
He added that such rash procedures will not help solve the current problem in Syria but rather will complicate the situation more, calling upon the Arab countries to avoid adopting such wrong policies.
Abdollahian stressed that the solution to Syria's crisis must be internal, adding that Iran welcomes any proposal that contributes to restoring stability to Syria and never harms the interests of the Syrian people.
He added that Iran welcomes any procedure that supports enhancing the Syrian government's projects and the ongoing reforms.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister considered the return of the Arab League monitoring Mission to Syria a positive step, describing the AL mission's first report on the situation is Syria as "balanced".
Mikdad: Syrian People Encounter Biggest, Insolent Conspiracy by Colonial Countries. Feb. 10, 2012
DAMASCUS, (SANA) - Deputy Foreign and Expatriates Minister Fayssal Mikdad underlined that the Syrian people encounter the
biggest and most arrogant conspiracy by some countries that are still behaving from a colonial perspective to create suitable atmospheres for Israel to dominate the region.
"That conspiracy is multi-sided with a complicated structure, based on a main role which is keeping Israel safe to remain in the region as an occupying entity of Palestine and the Arab lands, "Mikdad said in an interview with the Syrian TV broadcast Thursday evening.
He made clear that the US and western countries don't want to achieve the just and comprehensive peace in the region, but they care about Israel to control the whole region.
"Syria is not isolated in the world, it has many friendly countries… but what gives this impression is the volume of misleading propaganda which target the national and democratic system in Syria," Mikdad added.
He underlined that the Syrian people's steadfastness has foiled the conspiracy during the last ten months as they will defeat this conspiracy in the future and any other one that target the Syrian role.
He considered that the efforts of some countries to establish the so-called "Syria Friendship Group" as an endeavor to found the organization of Syria's enemies and a preparation for aggression, adding that those who work on this notion are colonial states.
Mikdad called on the Syrian people not to by frightened of such blocs because Syria was accustomed to confront conspiracies due to the sacrifices of Syrian citizens and the steadfastness of its
national army, which can never be defeated, calling on those who carry arms with foreign financing to benefit by the opportunity given to them as to return to the right path.
''In addition to the western attack against Syria, Syria is also exposed to an Arab conspiracy, and another domestic conspiracy which receives assistance from abroad. This is what has led Syria to the current situation, where armed groups kill the innocent civilians, destroy infrastructure, railways, gas and petrol pipelines, reaching to the bombardment of Homs Refinery,'' Mikdad added asserting that these domestic tools are ignorant, criminal gangs, ex-prisoners, and drug traffickers.
The Deputy Foreign and Expatriates Minister pointed out that Syria's reform process ,since the year 2000, has encountered several hurdles including the Arab-Israel conflict and its consequences, the American invasion of Iraq in 2003 and continued threats to invade Syria, reiterating that Syria's reform plans are to be ,however, on, citing the new Local Administration, Parties, and Information Laws and the soon to be put to referendum Constitution, where ballot boxes are to decide who to lead Syria.
''There is no regional or international organization which kills its members and sons except the League of Arab States,'' added Mikdad blasting the conspiratorial role by this League against the Syrian citizens and leadership.
Mikdad hailed the Russian and Chinese veto at the UN Security Council against an Arab-Western draft resolution describing it as a 'defense of the UN Charter' blocking the bids of return to
colonization and a defense of the UN Charter principle of non-interference in the domestic affairs of member states.
The Deputy Foreign and Expatriates Minister underscored the importance of dialogue among all Syrians as to sort the crisis out, citing President Bashar al-Assad's ongoing reforms keenness on this dialogue, as well as Syria's acceptance of dialogue in the Russian Capital, Moscow, considering the important role which Russia plays, not to mention the Russian sincere desire for such a dialogue to take place.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister: Some Countries Recalling their Ambassadors from Damascus Serves Enemies. Feb. 10, 2012
TEHRAN, (SANA) – Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian stressed that some countries of the region recalling their ambassadors from Damascus serves the enemies.
He added that such rash procedures will not help solve the current problem in Syria but rather will complicate the situation more, calling upon the Arab countries to avoid adopting such wrong policies.
Abdollahian stressed that the solution to Syria's crisis must be internal, adding that Iran welcomes any proposal that contributes to restoring stability to Syria and never harms the interests of the Syrian people.
He added that Iran welcomes any procedure that supports enhancing the Syrian government's projects and the ongoing reforms.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister considered the return of the Arab League monitoring Mission to Syria a positive step, describing the AL mission's first report on the situation is Syria as "balanced".
Chinese Foreign Ministry: Beijing Ready to Push ahead with Efforts to Reach Peaceful Settlement to Syrian Crisis. Feb. 10, 2012
In a press conference on Thursday, Weimin said that Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Zhijun met on Feb. 6-9 a delegation from the Syrian National Coordination Committee for Democratic
Change, which came at the invitation of the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs.
Weimin said that Zhijun called upon all sides to immediately halt violence and take practical measures to erase tension and spare civilian lives, adding that he stressed the importance of respecting the Syrian people's demands and that the Syrian government fulfill its obligations in enacting reforms and launching a comprehensive political process to settle differences.
The spokesman said that China is a friend of the Syrian people and has no vested interest in the Syrian affairs, adding that China has maintained communication with all sides involved in the Syrian crisis, including the opposition, to push ahead with dialogue and exerted tangible efforts to calm the situation in Syria.
Salehi: Iran Considers Syria ''Red Line''. Feb. 09, 2012
TEHRAN, (SANA)_Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi underlined the deep strategic relations between Syria and Iran, adding that Iran made it clear that it considers Syria a ''red line''.
During his meeting on Thursday with Grand Mufti of the Republic Ahmad Badreddin Hassoun who is participating in the 25th International Islamic Unity Conference in Tehran, Salehi said that pressure on Syria is due to its support to resistance.
For his part, Mufti Hassoun emphasized the necessity of work to find a way out of the crisis in Syria based on national dialogue and comprehensive reform and rejecting foreign interference.
Pakistan Foreign Minister Rejects Foreign Military Intervention in Syria. Feb. 09, 2012
In an interview with Russia Today TV, Rabbani Khar said " We don't support military intervention against any regime, because we consider that independence and territorial integrity are of great importance for any country.''
''Our responsibility as an international community is to stick by certain principles, especially preventing resort to violence by either side, '' Pakistan foreign minister said.
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