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Washington Escalates War on Syria

Washington Escalates War on Syria

by Stephen Lendman

Ousting Assad was planned years ago. At issue is replacing him with a pro-Western puppet. After two years of conflict, he hangs on resiliently. 

Whether he'll survive is uncertain. Syria's military is strong and supportive. Free Syrian Army and US-recruited death squads are weak by comparison.

Reports suggest direct US intervention appears likely. NATO commander Admiral James Stavridis said he's ready to act if asked. Saying it suggests planned escalation. 

Two Press TV reports raise concerns. One headlined "US military has plans to bomb and send forces in Syria: Washington Post."

Plans include "aerial bombings to deploying troops to 'seize (chemical) weapons sites….' "

Washington "sent thousands of protective suits and more than 150 military personnel to help special forces teams…." They're in Jordan near Syria's border.

"More aggressive US military options….involve….'destroy(ing) Assad's air force to prevent it from using aerial munitions.' "

A second Press TV report said Israel established ties to militants in Golan. Doing so suggests direct intervention.

Arab Media Watch chairman Sharif Kikmat Nashashibi was interviewed. He thinks Israel and Turkey will "join forces against Syria." They're preparing the ground to intervene, he said.

Chemical weapons use increases the odds. So does confirmation that Washington's arming Syrian insurgents. It's been ongoing since conflict began. Now it's public knowledge. More on that below.

UK journalist Alex Thompson spent time in Syria. He reports for Channel 4 News. He was there last June. He said insurgents tried to kill him. He was "set up to be shot in Syria's no man's land."

"In a war where (insurgents) slit the throats of toddlers back to the spine," he said, "what's the big deal in" putting journalists in harm's way to die.

On March 23, Thompson headlined "Syrian chemical weapons: finger pointed at jihadists." 

A "senior source close to the Syrian Army (gave) Channel 4 News the first clear account" of chemical weapons use in Syria.

He's a "trusted and hitherto reliable source who does not wish to be identified."

Syria's military said a "home-made locally-manufactured rocket was fired….(It) contain(ed) a form of chlorine known as CL17."

The "warhead contained a quantity of the gas. (It was) dissolved in saline solution." Khan al-Asal was attacked. It's southwest of Aleppo.

Government forces control it. Jihadists attacked a Syrian army-controlled checkpoint. "The immediate effects were to induce vomiting, fainting, suffocation and seizures among those in the immediate area."

A local hospital medic said "he personally witnessed Syrian army helping those wounded and dealing with fatalities at the scene. That Syrian soldiers were among the reported 26 deaths has not been disputed by either side."

"The military source who spoke to Channel 4 News confirmed that artillery reports from the Syrian Army suggest a small rocket was fired from the vicinity of Al-Bab, a district close to Aleppo that is controlled by Jabhat al-Nusra - a jihadist group said to be linked with al-Qaeda…."

Chlorine is harmful when mixed with water. It forms hydrochloric acid. It vaporizes quickly. It's easily used as a chemical device. It's not powerful enough to cause mass casualties.

Syrian accounts square with "some key agreed facts." They include relatively few casualties and jihadists' access to chemicals.

On March 24, Haaretz headlined "Jihadists, not Assad, apparently behind reported chemical attack in Syria."

Western sources and media scoundrels initially blamed Assad. Syrian soldiers were killed. Government officials demanded an international investigation.

"These two facts would indicate that Assad's forces were not behind the attack."

Physical and medical evidence suggests chlorine gas was used. Jihadists appear able to place it in a warhead, secure it so it doesn't leak, and launch it to explode on impact.

Perhaps CIA and other Western operatives helped them. Assad had nothing to do with attacking Syrian forces and civilians.

On March 24, The New York Times headlined "Arms Airlift to Syria Rebels Expands, With Aid From CIA."

Airlifting arms, munitions and supplies began "in early 2012," said The report.

Washington's been involved since conflict began. Earlier claims about restricting help to non-lethal aid didn't wash. 

Intervention now includes "more than 160 military cargo flights by Jordanian, Saudi and Qatari military-style cargo planes landing at Esenboga Airport near Ankara, and, to a lesser degree, at other Turkish and Jordanian airports."

CIA operatives are involved. They're working closely with Turkey and Arab governments.

"From offices at secret locations, American intelligence officers have helped the Arab governments shop for weapons, including a large procurement from Croatia, and have vetted rebel commanders and groups to determine who should receive (them) as they arrive."

According to one analyst, "The intensity and frequency of these flights are suggestive of a well-planned and coordinated clandestine military logistics operation."

The Times and other reports show Washington claims about supplying only non-lethal aid are false.

In 2007, Seymour Hersh discussed America's "redirection." Bush administration officials wanted Assad's ties to Iran and Hezbollah undermined.

Doing so included aiding extremist groups with known Al Qaeda ties. Dick Cheney, Elliot Abrams, Condoleezza Rice, Zalmay Khalizad, Saudi Prince Bandar bin Sultan, and Israel were involved.

Efforts went on covertly. Congress wasn't told. Ways around congressional funding were used. Saudis provided money.

What Bush began, Obama continues. Strategy includes death squad diplomacy. It's standard practice in all US direct and proxy wars. 

Mass murder, targeted assassinations, unspeakable atrocities, intimidation, and terrorizing America's enemies into submission reflect longstanding policy.

So is arming, funding, training and directing US-recruited insurgents. Proxy death squad use is longstanding practice. They're used in Syria.

Crimes of war and against humanity occur daily. Syria's being systematically destroyed. Assad loyalists and government forces are targeted. Libya 2.0 looms. What's ongoing now suggests it's likely.

Thousands died. No one knows for sure how many. If full-blown war erupts, body count numbers will explode.

On March 21, The Hill said Senate Armed Services Committee chairman Carl Levin (D. MI) "joined with Senate Republicans (to) demand that (Obama) take military action" against Syria.

Levin and John McCain wrote the White House. They urged "limited military options, including airstrikes…." They want Assad ousted. They want Syria destroyed.

"We believe there are credible options at your disposal, including limited military options, that would require neither putting US troops on the ground nor acting unilaterally," they said.

They want a "safe zone" established on Syria's border with Turkey. Levin's call for military intervention reflects a "major shift." 

Previously he urged sanctions and diplomacy alone. He's at odds with other Democrats. He wants to "go further than the president." He's considered a moderate. 

He chairs an important Senate committee. His support for direct military intervention suggests it's coming. So do reports about CIA involvement in airlifting arms and munitions.

Washington's war involves NATO, Israel and regional allies. It bears repeating. Libya 2.0 looms. It could erupt full-blown any time.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. 

His new book is titled "Banker Occupation: Waging Financial War on Humanity."

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanII.html

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com. 

Listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network.

It airs Fridays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.

http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/the-progressive-news-hour

http://www.dailycensored.com/washington-escalates-war-on-syria/

Cyprus Postmortems

Cyprus Postmortems

by Stephen Lendman

Solutions worse than problems don't resolve them. Cypriots face protracted hard times. Former IMF chief economist Michael Mussa explained three kinds of crises: liquidity, solvency and stupidity.

BoomBustBlog's Reggie Middleton says "economic depression is the new success." It's the new normal. Scoundrel media reports downplay the damage done.

"The danger of Cyprus' bankruptcy (and) tragic consequences for the economy and society are just getting started."

Eurocrats lied. They claim "boiling slowly in a pot of austerity flavored depression is preferable to a quick and clean exit and rebirth."

"Ready! Set! Bank Run!!!"

Cyprus reflects a watershed moment. Confiscating personal wealth becomes official government policy. Eurocrats and Cypriot officials bypassed parliament. Ordinary people had no say.

Euro Group head Jeroen Dijsselbloem said extracting wealth from depositors becomes a model for other troubled economies. He left no doubt what he means. He wants grand theft made official policy.

"If there is a risk in a bank, our first question should be 'Okay, what are you in the bank going to do about that," he asked? "What can you do to recapitalize yourself?' "

"If the bank can’t do it, then we'll talk to the shareholders and the bondholders. We'll ask them to contribute in recapitalizing the bank, and if necessary the uninsured deposit holders."

"The consequences may be that it’s the end of story, and that is an approach that I think, now that we are out of the heat of the crisis, we should take." According to

According to Karl Denninger:

"When you enter into an investment, whether you make a deposit in a bank or buy a bond or something else, you are buying into a capital structure in a given place with a given and declared level of both risk and potential reward."  

"You price that risk and your willingness to enter into the transaction with the full understanding of where you are in that capital structure."

"When that is unilaterally changed retroactively you are being stolen from." 

"Period."

It's "wrong."

It's "actionable. It remains (so) whether the courts recognize it or not, just as theft from a drug dealer is actionable even though the dealer cannot go to the police and report the fact that you stole his stash because what he's doing is illegal."

"Goodnight Europe." Cyprus established a "template." It's unprecedented. Other troubled Eurozone countries may follow. Perhaps they all will. America also. It can happen anywhere.

Financial theft today is commonplace. It's frequent and severe. Everyone's harmed directly or indirectly. 

Cypriot banks won't open until March 28. Perhaps they'll stay closed longer. Bank holidays can last longer than expected.

Bank of Cyprus (BOC) is the island state's largest bank. On March 26, chairman Adreas Artemi resigned. He cited differences with central bank policy.

It relates to recapitalizing BOC. The Central Bank of Cyprus appointed an administrator without the board's knowledge. Artemi said the central bank had recapitalization plans ready in January. It didn't tell board members.

On March 26, Cyprus Mail headlined "Eurogroup deal designed to kill off Cyprus, not cure it," saying:

A so-called "best possible deal….will push us into a prolonged slump that will shrink the economy beyond recognition, as businesses will close down and the numbers of the unemployed will keep rising."

Businesses will lose considerable capital. They'll be unable to operate and pay creditors.

Confidence in Cypriot banking was "shattered." Other Eurozone countries are affected. 

Months earlier, Eurocrats said Cyprus' public debt was sustainable. In July 2011, its three largest banks (BOC, Laiki and Hellenic Bank) passed an European Banking Authority (EBA) - European Central Bank (ECB) stress test. 

Results were rigged to hide trouble. Nicosia's Finance Ministry said measures banks took or planned increase their solvency. Government officials stand ready to do whatever it takes to maintain financial stability.

Cypriot troubles were suppressed. "IMF, Eurogroup and Commission members" lied. Sustainability is impossible "now that they have killed off all economic prospects for the next five to ten years." Most likely it'll be much longer.

Financial Times contributor Ben Hall headlined "Six ways Cyprus has hurt the eurozone," saying:

Bailout terms did "serious harm to the eurozone, and further undermined the credibility of its crisis response."

Deposits are no longer safe. Authorities can order them confiscated. 

Capital flight is more likely. Depositors worried about safety will exit post haste. 

Cyprus and other Eurozone countries have unsustainable debt. Bailouts increase it.

Troika officials are "disunited….The Commission bears responsibility for backing a levy on insured deposits." Doing so lost trust.

Cyprus' political process failed. "The fact that the bailout deal requires the approval of eurozone parliaments but not (Cyprus legislators) raises questions about democratic legitimacy."

Power brokers gave Cyprus few options. Germany wants things its way. It wants its burden offloaded on ordinary people.

FT's Lex headlined "Cyprus: crossing the green line. Ham-fisted 'rescue' could have serious long-term consequences."

"Overnight, Cyprus has become an offshore banking centre without a banking system."

The "rescue" deal "devastate(s) the Cypriot economy." It's baffling how a small country "caused so much trouble."

Capital controls make a bank run likely when lifted. Cyprus remains a Eurozone country. Angry people face disaster. They're hung out to dry with no recourse.

PIMCO's Mohamed El-Erian calls implementing Cyprus's deal "very challenging."

It may prove mission impossible. Eurocrats haven't addressed what's most important: "how to improve growth and employment prospects in a significant and sustainable manner."

If fully implemented, bailout terms avoid imminent financial collapse. They do so at great cost.

Ordinary Cypriots will be harmed most. Economic conditions will contract sharply. Challenges are significant. 

They won't "be overcome easily and immediately." They won't "enhance Cyprus' ability to grow and create jobs."

Dismantling its offshore financial industry "loses an important driver of domestic activity."

"(N)o one should underestimate the social costs and related risk of political dysfunction and protests."

Deal terms destroy corporate working capital and domestic wealth. Solutions do more harm than good. 

It remains to be seen what follows. Longterm pain is no substitute for short-term relief.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. 

His new book is titled "Banker Occupation: Waging Financial War on Humanity."

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanII.html

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com. 

Listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network.

It airs Fridays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.

http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/the-progressive-news-hour

http://www.dailycensored.com/cyprus-postmortems/

Expanding Guantanamo

Expanding Guantanamo

by Stephen Lendman

In 2008, candidate Obama promised to close Guantanamo. Straightaway as president, he issued Executive Order titled "Review and Disposition of Individuals Detained at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base and Closure of Detention Facilities."

Sec. 3 states: "Closure of Detention Facilities at Guantanamo. The detention facilities at Guantanamo for individuals covered by this order shall be closed as soon as practicable, and no later than 1 year from the date of this order." 

"If any individuals covered by this order remain, they shall be returned to their home country, released, transferred to a third country, or transferred to another United States detention facility in a manner consistent with law and the national security and foreign policy interests of the United States."

Obama ordered an "immediate review of all" detainees within 30 days. 

He halted all proceedings in the "United States Court of Military Commission Review to which charges have been referred but in which no judgment has been rendered."

He mandated "humane standards of confinement" be observed in accordance with international humanitarian laws. 

He stressed Geneva Common Article 3 provisions.

They prohibit:

• "violence to life and person, in particular murder of all kinds, mutilation, cruel treatment and torture;

• outrages of personal dignity, in particular humiliating and degrading treatment;"

• carrying out sentences or executions "without previous judgment pronounced by a regularly constituted court affording all the judicial guarantees which are recognized as indispensable by civilized peoples;" and

• caring for wounded and sick detainees.

In 2008, he said: 

"From both a moral standpoint and a practical standpoint, torture is wrong. Barack Obama will end the use torture without exception. He also will eliminate the practice of extreme rendition, where we outsource our torture to other countries."

He promised to "eliminate the practice of extreme rendition, where we outsource our torture to other countries."

In August 2009, Attorney General Eric Holder said Washington would seek "assurances from the receiving country" that suspects sent abroad wouldn't be tortured. He lied. 

So did Obama. He broke every major promise made.

Appalling human rights violations continue on his watch. Torture remains policy. It persists throughout Washington's gulag. Obama bears full responsibility.

Innocent victims remain incarcerated. Some won't ever be freed. Rule of law principles don't matter.

Obama exceeds the worst of Bush administration policies. Indefinite detentions without charge or trial continue. Illegitimate military commissions are used. They assure guilt by accusation. 

Guantanamo remains open. The Pentagon's Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) plans expanding it.

It requested $49 million for new prison facilities. They're for "special" detainees.

Other renovations will be made. Congress ordered Guantanamo kept open indefinitely. Pentagon officials requested an estimated $195.7 million overall. Expect overruns to increase costs substantially.

SOUTHCOM commander General John Kelly testified before Congress. He estimated $150 - $170 total cost. He excluded a special detainee facility. It wasn't on the list of construction projects.

He mentioned it only in passing, saying:

"There’s other projects that I couldn’t talk about here in the open but do have to do with replacing one of the camp facilities where some of the detainees are - special detainees are housed. We could get into that offline if you want."

It's a proposed Camp 7 replacement. It's Guantanamo's most secure facility. In its first two years of use, it was top secret. It's for "high-value detainees." 

Nothing proves it. Pentagon and CIA officials provide no evidence. Torture extracted information lacks credibility.

Earlier Supreme Court decisions ruled it constitutionally inadmissible. In Brown v. Mississippi (February 1936), the court held:

"The rack and torture chamber may not be substituted for the witness stand." 

The ruling cited an earlier Fisher v. State (November 1926) High Court decision, stating:

"Coercing the supposed state's criminals into confessions and using such confessions so coerced from them in trials has been the curse of all countries." 

"It was the chief iniquity, the crowing infamy of the Star Chamber (the notorious 15 - 17th century English court), and the Inquisition, and other similar institutions." 

"The Constitution recognized the evils that lay behind these practices and prohibited them in this country wherever the court is clearly satisfied such violations exist, (and) it will refuse to sanction such violations and will apply the corrective."

Other requested facilities include $99 million for two barracks, $12 million for a new mess hall, and legal, medical, and communication replacement construction.

Kelly acknowledged a "considerable bill." It's because "everything that's built down there is at least twice as expensive." Why he didn't explain. 

He said renovations are needed to keep Guantanamo operating indefinitely. Nothing suggests otherwise. Closure's not discussed. Detainees cleared for release aren't freed. They may stay in gulag hell forever.

In December 2010, bipartisan congressional legislation blocked transferring them to US prisons. At the time, Obama said ways were being considered to "make sure that we are not simply releasing folks who could do us grievous harm."

Few if any committed crimes. They don't threaten America. Many are held uncharged. Dozens cleared for release are held indefinitely. Justice is shamelessly denied.

Code Pink co-founder Media Benjamin expressed outrage, saying:

"Here's the president - who campaigned on closing Guantánamo Bay - extending and renovating it." 

"What he needs to do is renovate his current policy and release the people who've been cleared for release, shut down the prison, and bring the rest of the prisoners to the United States for trial."

In January, the ACLU commented on Guantanamo's 11th anniversary, saying:

"Eleven years have passed since the first prisoner arrived in Guantanamo Bay, making it the longest-standing war prison in US history." 

"Guantanamo has been a catastrophic failure on every front, and it is long past time for this shameful episode in American history to be brought to a close." 

"Almost 800 men have passed through Guantanamo’s cells. Today, 166 remain. Most of them - 86 - have been cleared for release since at least 2009 but remain imprisoned."

"The prison at Guantanamo symbolizes our nation’s failure to adhere to the rule of law and human rights, and this ongoing betrayal of American values undermines our standing around the world and serves as a recruiting tool for our enemies." 

"We continue to indefinitely detain without charge or trial terrorism suspects captured far from any theater of war." 

"We continue to rely upon unconstitutional and secretive military commissions to try some of the most important cases in our nation’s history, even though the federal courts have proven to be reliable and secure." 

"And we continue to allow political posturing to perpetuate the tragedy of indefinite detention for prisoners and their families, including for the 86 who have been cleared for release for years yet remain imprisoned."

Every branch of government shares responsibility for the continued stain that is Guantanamo." 

"The Supreme Court has stood by while the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia has eviscerated habeas protections for Guantanamo prisoners, rigging the rules in favor of the government and making it almost impossible for prisoners to meaningfully challenge their detention." 

"Congress has repeatedly voted to restrict the president’s authority to transfer prisoners - even those cleared for release - from Guantanamo, doing so once again just weeks ago in the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act." 

"President Obama threatened to veto that legislation but backed down as he has before. The president must rectify that wrong and undo the damage done by Guantanamo to the rule of law by using existing NDAA certification procedures to repatriate and resettle abroad all prisoners who are not charged with crimes." 

"He must also swiftly end the unjust Guantanamo military commissions and work with Congress to ensure fair trials in civilian courts for any prisoner against whom there is sufficient evidence that is untainted by torture."

"For the sake of the rule of law and human rights, American security, and Guantanamo’s many victims, the prison must be closed."

Expansion plans reveal keeping it open indefinitely. Obama and most congressional members support doing so. Guantanamo is one of many US torture prisons. They operate globally.

A recent report explained. It's titled "Globalizing Torture: CIA Secret Detention and Extraordinary Rendition."

Information considered most sensitive remains classified.

On September 16, 2001, Dick Cheney said:

"We have to work (on) the dark side….We’ve got to spend time in the shadows in the intelligence world." 

"A lot of what needs to be done here will have to be done quietly, without any discussion, using sources and methods that are available to our intelligence agencies, if we’re going to be successful." 

"That’s the world these folks operate in, and so it’s going to be vital for us to use any means at our disposal, basically, to achieve our objective."

Torture became official policy. Obama continues it. Media scoundrels suppress it. Dozens of countries comprise America's torture network. Secret prisons operate illegally.

Dozens of innocent victims are mistreated. Exact numbers aren't known. Responsible officials aren't held accountable. Rule of law principles don't matter.

Obama exceeds the worst of Bush administration crimes. Globalized torture expanded. Indefinite detention without charge or trial is policy. 

So is guilt by accusation or none at all. Detainees have no rights. Despair got over 100 at Guantanamo to resist their only way. They're hunger striking for justice. 

They've done so for seven weeks. Abstaining from food this long is life threatening. Coverup is official policy. Information everyone needs to know is suppressed. 

Gitmo symbolizes injustice. Bush administration crimes continue under Obama. Nothing ahead suggests change.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. 

His new book is titled "Banker Occupation: Waging Financial War on Humanity."

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanII.html

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com. 

Listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network.

It airs Fridays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.

http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/the-progressive-news-hour

http://www.dailycensored.com/expanding-guantanamo/

Obama Spurns Palestinian Rights

Obama Spurns Palestinian Rights

by Stephen Lendman

He frankly doesn't give a damn. He spent three days in Israel. He showed one-sided support. He gave Palestinians short shrift. He spent token time in Ramallah. 

He told Israelis "so long as there is a United States of America, Ah-tem lo lah-vahd (You are not alone)." He left no doubt what he means. 

Washington and Israel have unbreakable ties. They're longstanding. Obama's visit affirmed them.

He ignored Palestinian suffering. Occupation harshness wasn't mentioned. Nor was Israel's most extremist government in history. It reflects fascism writ large. Obama supports its worst crimes. 

Settlements aren't the issue, he suggested. They've expanded exponentially on his watch. 

Yesh Atid party leader/Finance Minister Yair Lapid plans accelerated construction. Ministry staff and Israel's Land Administration intend another 16,000 units. More will follow.

Israelis are encouraged to settle on stolen Palestinian land. Kiryat Gat, Tel HaShomer and Modi'in settlements will be expanded. So will others later on. 

Israel has its most pro-settler government in history. It's committed to build, build, build. Obama knows. He remains dismissive. Whatever Israel does is OK.

Multiple daily West Bank incursions occurred during his stay. Palestinian men, women and children were arrested. They committed no crimes. They're persecuted for praying to the wrong God.

Settlers attacked, beat and stoned a Palestinian boy. They commit vandalism with impunity. They reside on stolen Palestinian land. 

Israeli courts reject compensation and reparations for wrongful Palestinian deaths, injuries and material losses. International law violations don't matter. Israel does what it wishes. It does so with impunity. Justice is repeatedly denied. 

Obama turns a blind eye to crimes too great to ignore. He partners in Israel's wars. He spurns peace. He supports Israeli apartheid. Palestinian rights don't matter. His high-minded rhetoric reflects doublespeak duplicity.

He called Israel a "vibrant democracy." It's a rogue terror state. It's racist, repressive and belligerent. It menaces humanity. Obama left what's most important unsaid.

Occupation harshness continues. Gaza's siege reflects collective punishment. On March 24, the Gisha Legal Center for Freedom of Movement said Netanyahu's promises mean nothing.

Palestinian fishing rights were restricted. They're reduced from six to three miles offshore. 

Egypt's brokered November ceasefire extended them to 11km. The Convention on the Law of the Sea affirms them up to 12 nautical miles (14 statute ones).

Coastal waters are sovereign state territory. In November 1988, Palestinian statehood was established. Its territory remains illegally occupied.

Israel "tightened restrictions on the movement of people and goods into and out of Gaza," said Gisha.

Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon ordered them. He did so lawlessly.

Kerem Shalom is Gaza's only commercial crossing. It's been closed for days.

Israel and Turkey reconciled. Netanyahu told Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan that Israel substantially lifted siege restrictions. 

He promised humanitarian conditions would improve. He lied. They're worse, not better. Time takes its toll. Gisha Director Sari Bashi said:

"Because of the severity of the prohibition against deliberately harming civilians, the steps taken by Israel, also aimed against civilians, are entirely unacceptable."

"In the last month, there appears to be a new policy toward the Gaza Strip, in which Israel is openly restricting civilian movement to and from Gaza, not because of a concrete security necessity, but rather as a punitive step" against Palestinian civilians.

Collective punishment is illegal. Fourth Geneva's Article 33 states:

"No protected person may be punished for an offense he or she has not personally committed. Collective penalties and likewise all measures of intimidation or of terrorism are prohibited."

Israel spurns international law. It does so with impunity. Numerous crimes against humanity were committed during Obama's visit. He didn't notice, care, or comment. 

Medical providers Peter Smith and Catherine Thick provide volunteer West Bank and Gaza services. 

They've done so for five years. They come to relieve Palestinian suffering. They oppose Israel's inhumane treatment.

Their clinics are well-attended. They bear witness to physical and emotional scars. One doctor on staff said:

"Over 80 per cent of Palestinian children suffer trauma at the sound of the Israeli F-16 fighter aircraft which frequently overfly the territory, and we have noticed an increase in the number of deformed babies as well as a sharp increase in the number of cancer patients, especially among children and women, following the 22-day war in 2008-2009." 

"There are bombs almost daily. The Israelis do not keep to ceasefires and the violations are never reported."

Obama ignores what goes on. He said nothing during his visit. He spurns Palestinian rights. 

Gazans suffer horrifically. Poverty and unemployment prevent them from eating properly. Food distributions aren't enough.

Israel bears full responsibility. Al-Shifa is Gaza's main hospital. It struggles with inadequate equipment. It has too few trained surgeons. One doctor explained, saying:

"Most of our health facilities are unable to provide safe and adequate services and urgently need to be rehabilitated or upgraded." 

"The infant mortality rate here is 23 per 1000 live births." (It's) comparable to Nicaragua. Many of the children brought to us had permanent afflictions caused by hypoxia or other birth traumas which the hospitals cannot deal with."

"Severely ill patients need to be transferred to hospitals in Israel, the West Bank or Jordan." It's not easy. "There can be endless delays with applications for transfer which costs lives."

An educational trainer said children too young to understand become "withdrawn, aggressive or radicalized. So another generation lost."

One Palestinian spoke for others, saying:

"The people of Gaza are denied basic human rights and everyday life is filled with hardship. Medical supplies, all services, many foods except for the basics, civil rights and liberty are harshly restricted, regulated and enforced by the Israeli authorities." 

"Gaza is forced to buy and import food from Israel as it does not have the means now to produce enough locally."

Much of Gaza's most arable land is off-limits. Israel's lawless buffer zone keeps farmers from using it. Doing so risks being shot and killed.

Gaza's a huge prison. It's ghettoized and abandoned. "Society is fracturing. Traditional community life and values are being destroyed."

Obama pays it no heed. Israeli shells and bombs destroyed Gaza's power plant. One-third of capacity remains inoperable. Israel bans most spare parts and building materials. Fuel's in short supply.

Power outages occur daily. Homes, hospitals, shops, offices, and water purification plants are affected. Nothing in Gaza functions normally. Water's unsafe to drink. 

Life in Gaza reflects gross injustice, oppression, dispossession, and horrific human suffering. Israel bears full responsibility. Obama turns a blind. So do other world leaders.

A university student said "We barely have enough to survive. We don't want pity. We want our freedom, and this loss of liberty is what we find most difficult to endure."

Liberation's nowhere in sight. Obama's visit affirmed occupation harshness. Palestinian rights remain systematically denied. They’re on their own to survive best they can.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. 

His new book is titled "Banker Occupation: Waging Financial War on Humanity."

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanII.html

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com. 

Listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network.

It airs Fridays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.

http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/the-progressive-news-hour

Cyprus Update

Cyprus Update

by Stephen Lendman

It's all over but the post mortems. Eurocrats demanded their pound of flesh. Cypriot officials surrendered. 

They sold out their people. They deserve better. Expect greater than ever hard times. Expect growing poverty, unemployment and despair. Expect public anger. At issue is whether it'll bubble up and explode.

Zero Hedge headlined "Next Up For Cyprus: Depression." It forecasts real GDP declining over 20% by 2017. "Risks are clearly on the downside." Ahead expect more bailout help needed.

With tongue in cheek perhaps, European Commission economic chief Olli Rehn said "It's clear the depth of the financial crisis in Cyprus means the near future will be very difficult for the country and its people."

He omitted saying Cyprus' trouble is protracted. Ordinary people will suffer most. Responsible solutions weren't chosen. 

They'd have softened crisis conditions if implemented. They'd have hastened recovery. They'd have mitigated pain and suffering. Bailing out bankers matters most.

"Congratulations Cyprus." Sacrificing sovereign rights benefits German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Her September reelection chances improved.

Der Spiegal commentator Armin Mahler headlined "Euro Bailouts: Savers Be Warned - Your Money's Not Safe."

Germans are worried for good reason. Banker bailouts harm their security. "At times like these, the only thing that is certain is that nothing is certain."

Even savings accounts aren't safe. Nations teetering on bankruptcy may seize them. Guarantees protecting them aren't worth the paper they're written on.

Post-WW II, Germans learned lessons the hard way. They were charged extra real estate taxes. Compulsory mortgages reflected them. They had no say.

Governments prohibit owning gold during currency crises. People are forced to exchange it for depreciating fiat money.

Other troubled Eurozone countries may levy asset charges. Doing so makes ordinary people bear burdens they didn't cause.

German savings are shrinking in real terms. It's because of ECB money printing madness and near-zero interest rates.

German life and retirement insurance policies pay less than originally promised. It reflects "creeping expropriation." It's financial tyranny.

Expect much worse times ahead. Eurocrats assure it. Headlines explained it. The Financial Times said "EU ministers approve Cyprus bailout deal."

Lasting damage was done. Cypriot restructuring assures Eurocrats will provide a $10 billion euro bailout. Doing so leaves Cypriot public debt sustainability and its economy unaddressed.

Cypriot troubles matter. The genie's out of the bottle. What Cypriots face can spread anywhere. Savings accounts aren't safe. Bank runs may follow.

Commerzbank chief economist Jorg Kramer suggested "a one-time property tax levy" for Italy. He also proposed a 15% tax on financial assets.

Britain's Independence party leader Nigel Farage said Eurocrats "crossed a line."

"Even I didn’t think that they would stoop to actually stealing money from people’s bank accounts."

"There is going to be a big flight of money and that flight of money won’t just be from Cyprus. It will be from the other eurozone countries, too." 

"There are 750,000 British people who own properties, or who live, many of them in retirement, down in Spain."

"Now that we see the EU is prepared to resort to anything to keep alive their failing euro project, our advice to expats living down in the Mediterranean must be, 'Get your money out of there while you’ve still got a chance.' "

The Prodigal Greek listed major legislative provisions. Here's what a cash economy looks like, it said:

• "Restrictions in daily withdrawals

• Ban on premature termination of time savings deposits

• Compulsory renewal of all time savings deposits upon maturity

• Conversion of current accounts to time deposits

• Ban or restrictions on non cash transactions

• Restrictions on use of debit, credit or prepaid debit cards

• Ban or restriction on cashing in checks

• Restrictions on domestic interbank transfers or transfers within the same bank

• Restrictions on the interactions/transactions of the public with credit institutions

• Restrictions on movements of capital, payments, transfers

• Any other measure which the Finance Minister or the Governor of Cyprus Central Bank see necessary for reasons of public order and safety"

Laiki Bank will close. It's Cyprus' second largest and most troubled. 

Its 4.2 billion euro deposits over 100,000 euros go into a bad bank. Perhaps they'll be entirely lost. Laiki's junior and senior bondholders are impacted. They face stiff haircuts. They may be wiped out.

Laiki deposits under 100,000 euros shift to Bank of Cyprus. It's the nation's largest lender. It'll be sharply downsized. It'll be completely restructured.

It's deposits over 100,000 euros will be frozen. Significant losses may follow. Bailout funds won't be used to recapitalize it. Large deposit holder "bail-in" funds will be used. Enough will assure EU-mandated capital levels are met.

Simon Nixon is Wall Street Journal's European Heard on the Street editor. On March 25, he headlined "Cyprus Bailout May Not Be Last."

Calamity was averted short-term. Terms imposed were tougher than originally imposed. Expect funds raised to fall short of what's needed. Expect Cyprus' economy to falter. 

Perhaps expect its government to fall. It lost legitimacy selling out to Brussels.

Important uncertainties remain. Policies imposed on the state's two largest banks "inflicted grave damage on Cyprus' credibility as an offshore financial center."

Shrinking its financial sector assures "profound consequences for the rest of" its economy. Greater banking losses look certain.

Temporary capital controls may become permanent. Severe loss of confidence assures further bailout help. It's shattered economy won't recover for years. 

Perhaps it'll never be the same. Eurocrats and complicit Cypriot officials bear full responsibility. Apologies won't be forthcoming. It remains to be seen how ordinary people react.

Cyprus travel guides describe an ancient land. It's famous for archeological sites and beautiful beaches. It's a popular tourist destination. 

Joining the EU gave it confidence. Cypriots know doing so was misguided. They're trapped under Eurozone straightjacket rules. They're responsible for problems they didn't create. 

Their living standards won't ever be the same. Nor will idyllic Cyprus. It's a zombie country. It's obituary remains to be written. Perhaps it'll never be the same again. For sure it won't be short or intermediate term.

Cyprus' economy failed. It remains to be seen how badly it craters. An enormous amount of wealth will be confiscated. Doing so reflects grand theft. 

Its financial services sector is dysfunctional. Restructuring dismantles it in real time. Doing so assures a huge economic knock-on effect. 

Market analyst Graham Summers said "Cyprus put another nail in the coffin of democracy and capitalism."

Its leaders bypassed parliament doing so. In crisis times, rule of law principles don't matter.

Eurocrats earlier deposed elected officials. It replaced them with unelected technocrats. They imposed diktat authority on Cyprus. Doing so reflects financial tyranny.

It's an "economic act of war. A sovereign nation has now officially seen its government superseded by an outside governing body."

How Cypriots react remains to be seen. Thousands of jobs will be lost. Force-fed austerity will increase. Personal savings aren't safe. Nor are other investments.

"(W)e're approaching a time (when) open wealth confiscation has been put on the table." Going forward expect it.

"The only thing between Europe and a total banking collapse are bank runs."

If enough depositors take their money and run, Eurocrats are helpless to respond. 

Cypriot conditions are combustible. Public outrage matters. Change depends on people power regaining what's lost. It remains to be seen if Cypriots are up to the challenge.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. 

His new book is titled "Banker Occupation: Waging Financial War on Humanity."

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanII.html

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com. 

Listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network.

It airs Fridays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.

http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/the-progressive-news-hour

What Follows Turkish/Israeli Reconciliation

What Follows Turkish/Israeli Reconciliation 

by Stephen Lendman

A separate article called it grand betrayal. Aggrieved families were denied justice. What's ahead matters most. Be concerned. Be very concerned.

Israel's the region's most powerful military force. It's nuclear armed and dangerous. Turkey has NATO's second largest standing army. Allied they're formidable and menacing. They give America more options. Doing so bodes ill regionally.

NATO commander Admiral James Stavridis said a more aggressive alliance posture could help break Syria's stalemate. It would help oust Assad.

He said so during Senate Armed Services Committee testimony. A range of options are being considered. NATO's ready to intervene if called on.

Saying so suggests escalation. It could come any time. Libya 2.0 may follow. Perhaps Turkey's reconciliation with Israel hastens it. Events going forward bear close watching.

On March 15, the Los Angeles Times said secret CIA Syrian plans include intelligence gathering, drone strikes, and seizing or destroying Assad's chemical weapons.

On March 22, the Wall Street Journal said CIA operatives are providing intelligence to US-backed insurgents.

"The expanded CIA role bolsters an effort by Western intelligence agencies to support the Syrian opposition with training in areas including weapons use, urban combat and countering spying by the regime."

Some observers believe Turkish/Israeli reconciliation hastens Assad's fall. 

Erdogan claims it advances the peace process. It's more hypocrisy than real. 

Erdogan knows but won't say. In April, he plans visiting Gaza and the West Bank.

Exchanging ambassadors depends on compensating families of Mavi Marmara victims, he said. He demanded Israel end Gaza's siege. It continues. 

He and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu claim Israel met all Turkish terms. They lied saying so.

On March 23, Erdogan addressed a Konya-Eskisehir high-speed train ceremony. He cited three conditions for normalizing Israeli relations:

• formally apologizing for cold-blooded murder;

• compensating victims' families; and

• ending Gaza's siege.

Netanyahu apologized his way. It was woefully inadequate. It came too late to matter. It betrayed aggrieved family members. 

Compensation hasn't been paid. Doing so won't ease pain. Gaza's blockade continues. Israel's new Defense Minister, Moshe Yaalon, tightened it. He did so while Obama was in Israel. It went unnoticed. A humanitarian crisis persists.

Erdogan caved. He did so disgracefully. He said Israeli officials "expressed regret several times, refusing to offer a formal apology. But we insisted on an apology."

"All our demands have now been met with that apology which was offered the way we wanted."

"Israel also promised to improve the humanitarian situation in Palestine territories areas, including Gaza."

Israeli promises aren't worth the paper they're written on. Erdogan knows but didn't say. He "accepted the apology in the name of the Turkish people." He did so disingenuously.

Turkish and Israeli diplomats will meet shortly. They'll discuss compensating victims' families. Normalization will proceed gradually. Ambassadorial relations will be restored in due time.

Mossad-connected DEBKAfile (DF) said Turkey badly needed  normalized relations.

Its military depends on Israeli technology. Its drones are especially valued. Delivering Boeing AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) planes was delayed.

Boeing balked without Israel's consent. It designs a key component. Ankara needs delivery. They're for air defense. Without them, Turkey's advanced FBX radar system remains partly inoperable. 

Because of Syria's conflict, most Turkish exports go through Haifa and Ashdod. Earlier they went through Syria, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.

In 2011, Foreign Minister Davutoglu visited Damascus often. He expected to resolve conflict quickly. He hoped to settle Lebanese/Israeli disputes. One pertains to eastern Mediterranean oil and gas exploration. Turkey hopes to cash in. It wants to exploit a lucrative opportunity.

Turkey, Israel and Jordan border Syria. They're vulnerable to war fallout. Obama discussed this with King Hussein. He did so Friday in Amman. 

He explored options with Netanyahu. He presented a plan. It involves consolidating a US-led Turkish/Israeli/Jordanian headquarters. Six months ago, separate commands were established.

United they're able to deploy coordinated armed units. They can do so on land, sea and air. They can strike Syria if ordered. They can do so quickly. 

Turkish/Israeli friction prevented implementation. Resolving differences settles things. Intervening in Syria may follow. Events going forward bear close watching.

On March 22, Haaretz headlined "Israel's defense, political establishments understand Obama's not bluffing on Iran."

He'll deliver as promised. He's not "queasy" on "tough measures." He relentlessly targets America's enemies. Washington and Israel have common ones.

Israel spurns rule of law principles. It prefers likeminded allies.

It wants Washington's support "on operations and strike missions." It "welcome(s Obama's participation in) Defense Ministry" forums.

US "military preparations are now underway for a possible strike against Iran." Israel's been briefed. Plans and implementation are world's apart.

Washington's has longstanding plans to attack Iran. They've got them against other countries. They're updated as needed. Implementation may or may not follow.

Obama believes "a nuclear Iran will….overturn" a regional balance of power. Doing so threatens vital US interests. Military preparations are ready just in case.

An unnamed Israeli official said "Obama's administration prepared a pinpoint military option in the event the United States decides to attack" Iran. It's able to do so "without necessarily sparking a comprehensive regional war."

Attacking Iran assures a robust response. Regional war may follow. It risks going global. Claiming otherwise denies reality. 

Doug Dowd told Progressive Radio News Hour listeners that the next war may be the last. Humanity may not survive the onslaught. The risk is that great. He fears what lies ahead. So should everyone. 

Washington and Israel are rogue partners. They threaten humanity. They don't agree on everything. Differences mostly affect tactics and timing.

"The window of opportunity in which Israel can do significant damage to Iran is closing - if it isn't shut already," said Haaretz. 

"The Americans have vastly superior means and can operate for longer periods. Obama, therefore, is in no hurry and wants to fully exploit diplomatic channels first."

Netanyahu wants quicker action. He fears Obama won't deliver as promised. It "was evident in Obama's public appearances in Israel." Handshakes and smiles mean nothing.

Whether warmth about "my friend Bibi" was expressed behind closed doors, who knows. Both men dislike each other. It's no secret. Realpolitik matters most.

America's committed to Israel's security. It's dismissive about occupation harshness. It pays lip service settlement construction opposition. It lets Israel get away with murder. Palestinian rights don't matter. They never did. They don't now.

Turkish/Israeli reconciliation bodes ill for peace. It suggests more regional conflict. It remains to be seen what follows.

A Final Comment

MK Hanin Zoabi participated in the May 2010 Freedom Flotilla. She was aboard the Mavi Mamara. She knows firsthand what happened. She was lucky. She escaped unharmed. Netanyahu's apology isn't enough, she said. 

"We’re talking about human life and about the killing of nine political activists." She called for establishing an independent international commission inquiry.

"If Netanyahu wants to start a new phase with the world around him, and not simply be satisfied with the many hugs that Obama gave all around, he should know that he should direct his energies towards the Palestinian problem: the expulsion and the occupation, as his American friend said."

She called the Mavi Marmara massacre a "little crime."

"The biggest crime was and still is the siege and occupation of the Palestinian people," she said.

"You want to apologize? Apologize to those you've kept under siege, that those nine activists were killed on their behalf, and begin to understand that there is no possibility of a normal Israeli life when it is accompanied by the settlements, the occupation, the siege and the persecution."

Disingenuous apologies are meaningless. Turkish/Israeli reconciliation bodes ill. Palestinians gained nothing. Syria's conflict may escalate. Regional war may follow. Perhaps Washington and Israel plan it.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. 

His new book is titled "Banker Occupation: Waging Financial War on Humanity."

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanII.html

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com. 

Listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network.

It airs Fridays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.

http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/the-progressive-news-hour