Wednesday 18 July 2012

Impotent

With recent dramatic developments in Syria, one is interested in the BBC profiles of Syrian leaders linked to prominently on its front page. There are a number of ways of interpreting how the BBC reports this, that what it reports is true, or it's a consequence of its inherent prejudice or it's a mixture of both. (My emphasis throughout):

First up on the two killed ministers. Assef Shawkat, deputy defence minister:
The US and EU imposed sanctions on Gen Shawkat in 2011, accusing him of playing a key role in suppressing demonstrations.
Then a profile of the other, Daoud Rajiha, defence minister:
The EU also added him to its list of designated officials, saying he was responsible for the military's involvement in the crackdown on protesters.
Then also prominent on the BBC website are profiles of others within the Syrian regime.

First up a profile of Maher al-Assad, Republican Guard chief:
The EU also imposed sanctions on Maher, describing him as the "principal overseer of violence against demonstrators".
Then a profile of Rami Makhlouf:
In May 2011, the EU imposed sanctions against Mr Makhlouf, saying he was an "associate of Maher al-Assad" who "bankrolls the regime allowing violence against demonstrators".
And a profile of Abdul Fatah Qudsiya, head of Military Intelligence:
In May 2011, Gen Qudsiya was included in a list of Syrian officials subjected to EU sanctions for their roles in violence against protesters.
Then Ali Mamluk, head of the General Security Directorate:
The next month, the EU also imposed sanctions on Gen Mamluk, saying he had been involved in efforts to crush anti-government protesters.
Then Jamil Hassan, head of Air Force Intelligence
The next month, the EU said Gen Hassan was "involved in the repression against the civilian population" during the recent anti-government unrest, and imposed a travel ban and asset freeze on him.
And Mohammed Dib Zaitoun, head of the Political Security Directorate:
In May 2011, the EU accused Gen Zaitoun of involvement in violence against demonstrators, and announced a travel ban and asset freeze. The US also imposed sanctions on him later that month, accusing him of human rights abuses.
And Zuhair Hamad, deputy head of the General Security Directorate:
In November 2011, the EU accused Gen Hamad of responsibility "for the use of violence across Syria and for intimidation and torture of protesters" and imposed sanctions on him.
Then Hafez Makhlouf, head of General Security Directorate in Damascus:
In May 2011, the EU imposed sanctions on Col Makhlouf, saying he was "close to Maher al-Assad" had been "involved in violence against demonstrators" as head of the GSD's Damascus branch. 
A profile of Mohammed Nasif Kheirbek, deputy vice-president for security affairs:
In May 2011, the EU imposed sanctions on Gen Kheirbek, saying he had been "involved in violence against the civilian population".
Then a profile of Hisham Ikhtiar, director of the National Security Bureau (NSB):
Gen Shalish is Bashar's first cousin and head of Presidential Security. In June 2011, the EU imposed sanctions of him, saying he had been "involved in violence against demonstrators".
And finally Rustum Ghazali, head of Military Intelligence in Damascus Countryside:
In May 2011, the EU said Gen Ghazali was head of Military Intelligence in Damascus Countryside (Rif Dimashq) governorate, which borders Deraa governorate, and was involved in "violence against the civilian population".
Throughout note what information is missing, as reported elsewhere:
LONDON — Foreign Secretary William Hague said a suicide bombing that killed two top Syrian security officials on Wednesday showed the need for a UN resolution to end the crisis.

2 comments:

  1. I always feel like a kid at a pantomime - "It's behind you"

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