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Propaganda Alert!
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
May 7, 2013
TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES:
Section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act, 50 U.S.C. 1622(d), provides for the automatic termination of a national emergency, unless, within 90 days prior to the anniversary date of its declaration, the President publishes in the Federal Register and transmits to the Congress a notice stating that the emergency is to continue in effect beyond the anniversary date. In accordance with this provision, I have sent to the Federal Register for publication the enclosed notice stating that the national emergency with respect to the actions of the Government of Syria declared in Executive Order 13338 of May 11, 2004 — as modified in scope and relied upon for additional steps taken in Executive Order 13399 of April 25, 2006, Executive Order 13460 of February 13, 2008, Executive Order 13572 of April 29, 2011, Executive Order 13573 of May 18, 2011, Executive Order 13582 of August 17, 2011, Executive Order 13606 of April 22, 2012, and Executive Order 13608 of May 1, 2012 — is to continue in effect beyond May 11, 2013.
While the Syrian regime has reduced the number of foreign fighters bound for Iraq, the regime’s brutal war on the Syrian people, who have been calling for freedom and a representative government, endangers not only the Syrian people themselves, but could yield greater instability throughout the region. The Syrian regime’s actions and policies, including pursuing chemical and biological weapons, supporting terrorist organizations, and obstructing the Lebanese government’s ability to function effectively, continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States. For these reasons, I have determined that it is necessary to continue in effect the national emergency declared with respect to this threat and to maintain in force the sanctions to address this national emergency.
In addition, the United States condemns the Asad regime’s use of brutal violence and human rights abuses and calls on the Asad regime to stop its violent war and step aside to allow a political transition in Syria that will forge a credible path to a future of greater freedom, democracy, opportunity, and justice.
The United States will consider changes in the composition, policies, and actions of the Government of Syria in determining whether to continue or terminate this national emergency in the future.
BARACK OBAMA
THE WHITE HOUSE,
May 7, 2013.
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US plans to arm and train Syrian rebels
RTAmerica on May 7, 2013
After the Israeli air strikes in Syria shook the ground over the weekend, on Tuesday Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said this act of aggression on his country will be seen as a declaration of war and all options of retaliation are on the table. The White House commented on the move by Israel saying they have the right to respond “in their own sovereign interest.” Meanwhile, legislation has been introduce that would arm and train Syrian rebels. So what does this mean for violence in the region? RT’s Anastasia Churkina brings us up-to-date.
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Obama Under Pressure to Seek Regime Change in Syria and Iran
TheRealNews on May 7, 2013
Larry Wilkerson: Obama policy to fuel civil war but avoid military intervention in Syria; Neo-cons pushing for direct intervention as lead up to Iran
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Friendly Foes: If Israel targets Syrians, rebels will stand with Assad?
RussiaToday on May 8, 2013
Israel is facing the prospect of Syria based militants attacking across its northern border, with the backing of Bashar Assad’s regime. A Palestinian armed group reportedly says it’s been given the green light by Damascus to carry out raids from the Golan Heights. It’s apparently part of Syria’s response to a series of Israeli air strikes on its territory over the weekend. Syrian missile batteries have also been pointed at Israel, ready to retaliate immediately in case of a new attack. In neighboring Lebanon, combined Syrian-Lebanese units are reportedly on standby. For more RT talks to Eric Margolis – war correspondent, columnist, and author.
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Action Alert
Push Back Against the Media Drumbeat for War with Syria
http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/
Elite media are once again manufacturing a drumbeat for war, this time with Syria, even though recent polls have shown that the public is overwhelmingly opposed to U.S. military intervention in Syria’s civil war.
Members of Congress who are dubious about another U.S. war in the Middle East will have a good opportunity soon to push back against this media drumbeat when Congress considers the National Defense Authorization Act. Amendments can be offered that can counter the pro-war media chorus.
Help us take advantage of this opportunity to push back by urging your representatives to support amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act that will slow down calls for military escalation, helping make sure we don’t get stampeded into a new war.
Take Action via http://org.salsalabs.com/o/1439/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=13349
see
Stay Out of Syria! by Leah Bolger and David Swanson
US, NATO Using Proxy Terrorism to Achieve Neo-Colonialistic Goals by Finian Cunningham
Rick Rozoff: NATO Subjugates Europe, U.S. Duplicitous On Terrorism
US, UK Diabolic Lie: Syria Used Chemical Arms by Finian Cunningham
Barack Obama’s Presidential Memorandum — Presidential Determination on Syria Drawdown
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I suspect–or hope, rather–that it would be difficult for the Obama Administration to muster public support for intervention of any kind, at least at the start. That may put some limits on what they can do. However–if Israel somehow gets involved more deeply or directly, all bets are off. And of course, indirect involvement with “advisors” is how we started in Vietnam. This is a very dangerous moment, and Obama, a willing servant of Wall Street and the Foreign Policy Establishment, is certainly not to be trusted to make the right decision, i.e., stay the hell out.
Reblogged this on The Blog of Charles Lamadrid and commented:
This looks like it might turn into another Iraq War. The United States is the major perpetrator of war crimes, but it’s only a crime when someone else does it to us and not the other way around. I am disappointed at the fact that Senator Menendez, of NJ, is proposing arming Syrian opposition groups, giving them military training, and non-lethal aid to groups that have been “vetted.” What the hell does vetted mean? Who knows whether arming these groups will come back to haunt this country in the same way Al-Quaeda did. And jeevers, here we go again talking about going after weapons of mass destruction. Our government never has been in the business of promoting freedom and democracy around the world. To the contrary, our government prefers instability when it enhances our control. We have a funny way of disguising our real purpose in the Middle East, which is to squeeze as much cheap oil out of them as possible. Absolutely shameful, this is nothing but an endless string of lies and more lies coming out of our leaders some of whom are duped themselves.
Thanks, Charles.