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IN DENIAL: Barbara Walters' Interview with Syria's President Bashar al-Assad
07-Dec-2011
In Interview with ABC’s Barbara Walters, Syria's President Bashar al-Assad say’s 'There Was No Command to Kill'. (For More on this Story including Walter’s Views on Interview Go to ABC’s Here)
Barbara Walters discusses brutal crackdown of protests with Syria's président :
(NOTE : TO WATCH DOUBLE CLICK HERE)
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THE ASSAD ENIGMA :
From Respectable Surgeon to ‘bloodthirsty’ dictator
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Barbara from "The View" program went to Syria ( few years ago):
Asma Elassad Syria's first lady on Gaza by CNN (Jan 14, 2009):
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NO REMORSE , NO GUILT
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Syria's Bashar al-Assad 'feels no guilt' over crackdown (bbc)
Syria's president has said that he feels no guilt about his crackdown on a 10-month uprising, despite reports of brutality by security forces.
In an interview with the US network ABC, Bashar al-Assad said he had given no orders for violence to be used against protesters but admitted "mistakes"were made.
He said he did not own the security forces or the country.
At least 4,000 people have been killed since the uprising began, the UN says.
However, Mr Assad said the UN was not credible.
Syria blames the violence on "armed criminal gangs".
The US later rejected President Assad's assertions that he did not order the killing of protesters.
"It is just not credible," White House spokesman Jay Carney said.
"The United States and many, many other nations around the world who have come together to condemn the atrocious violence in Syria perpetrated by the Assad regime know exactly what's happening and who is responsible."
Mr Assad's interview comes a day after the US announced that its ambassador in Syria, Robert Ford, would return to Damascus after he was withdrawn in October because of security concerns.
France's ambassador returned on Monday.
'Big difference'
Responding to questions from veteran presenter Barbara Walters about the brutality of the crackdown, Mr Assad said he did not feel any guilt.
"I did my best to protect the people, so I cannot feel guilty," he said. "You feel sorry for the lives that has [sic] been lost. But you don't feel guilty - when you don't kill people."
"We don't kill our people… no government in the world kills its people, unless it's led by a crazy person," he added.
The security forces were not his, nor did he command them, the Syrian president said.
"There was no command, to kill or to be brutal," he said.
"I don't own them, I am president, I don't own the country so they are not my forces."
Instead he blamed the violence on criminals, religious extremists and terrorists sympathetic to al-Qaeda, who he said were mingling with peaceful protesters.
He said most ofthose killed were from government supporters, with 1,100 soldiers and police among the dead.
Those members of the security forces who had exceeded their powers had been punished, he said.
"Every 'brute reaction' was by an individual, not by an institution, that's what you have to know," he said.
"There is a difference between having a policy to crack down and between having some mistakes committed by some officials. There is a big difference."
When challenged about reports of house-to-house arrests, including of children, Mr Assad said the sources could not be relied upon.
"We have to be here to see. We don't see this. So we cannot depend on what you hear,"he said.
The United Nations, which has said the Syrian government committed crimes against humanity, was not credible, Mr Assad said.
He described Syria's membership of the UN as "a game we play".
Asked if he feared sharing the fate of the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi or ousted Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Mr Assad said the only thing he was afraid of was losing the support of his own people.
Recommended Reading:
Bashar al-Assad: Syria's unintended president (CNN, Wire Staff)
U.N.puts death toll at 4,000 in Syria as pressures rise by Mohamed Fadel Fahmy, (CNN)
Related Blogs on Syria and ME Crisis:
Jordan's King Abdullah Calls On Syria's President Assad to Step Down
Jordan's King Warns: 'No one has any idea what to do about Syria'
Jordan King in talks with Mahmoud Abbas on Palestinian statehood bid
STUBBORN WALLS: Ben Gurion, Hussein, Nasser interviews on ME Peace Process
Related Blogs on ‘Barbara Walter’s Interviews’ :
Barbara Walters On Interviewing Muammar Gaddafi in 1989
pictory: Shah Interview with Barbara Walters and US Networks (1974-77)
A QUEEN's LOYALTY: Barbara Walters Shares Shahbanou Farah's concerns for President Mobarak's Family
WOMEN KNOW YOUR LIMITS: The Shah's Post Mortem Apologies to Barbara Walters and Oriana Fallaci
PRINCE OF PERSIA: Barbara Walters Interview with Crown Prince Reza (2002)
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Assad denies Houla massacre role (bbc)
by Darius Kadivar on Sun Jun 03, 2012 02:35 AM PDTAssad denies Houla massacre role (bbc)
Syria's President Assad denies any government role in the Houla massacre and calls it an 'ugly crime', in his first public comments since the killings.
Annan set for crucial Assad talks
by Darius Kadivar on Mon May 28, 2012 09:41 PM PDTAnnan set for crucial Assad talks (bbc)
UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan is due to hold talks with Syria's President Bashar al-Assad amid widespread condemnation of the Houla massacre.
US warns Syria over UN peace plan
by Darius Kadivar on Wed Mar 21, 2012 11:28 AM PDTUS warns Syria over UN peace plan (bbc)
The US warns Syria to comply with a UN-backed peace plan, as government tanks shell suburbs of Damascus
Russia criticises Syrian Leadership's 'errors'
by Darius Kadivar on Tue Mar 20, 2012 01:58 PM PDTRussia criticises Syrian 'errors' (bbc)
Syria's leadership is making "a lot of mistakes", Russia's foreign minister has said, in a further sign Moscow may be hardening its stance on Damascus.
Sergei Lavrov said President Bashar al-Assad's regime had "responded incorrectly" from the start, when the protests were peaceful.
He also said Moscow was prepared to support a UN resolution backing its envoy Kofi Annan's peace plan.
It comes a day after Russia called for a daily humanitarian ceasefire.
Syria to host monitors as death toll reported near 10,000
by Darius Kadivar on Thu Mar 15, 2012 03:00 PM PDTSyria to host monitors as death toll reported near 10,000 (CNN, VIDEO)
International officials will assess humanitarian conditions in Syria as the death toll from the government's year-long crackdown nears 10,000 according to one activist.
Bodies of Marie Colvin, Remi Ochlik arrive in Paris
by Darius Kadivar on Mon Mar 05, 2012 10:40 AM PSTBodies of Marie Colvin, Remi Ochlik arrive in Paris (bbc)
The bodies of veteran war reporter Marie Colvin and French photographer Remi Ochlik arrived in Paris from Syria on Sunday, ten days after they were killed in a rocket attack in the rebel Baba Amr neighbourhood of the besieged city of Homs.Dozens of defecting Syrian soldiers reported executed
by Darius Kadivar on Sat Mar 03, 2012 04:06 PM PSTDozens of defecting Syrian soldiers reported executed (CNN)
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Homs siege: Reporter Javier Espinosa's dramatic escape
by Darius Kadivar on Sat Mar 03, 2012 04:04 PM PSTNic Robertson : "How People are Struggling to survive attacks"
by Darius Kadivar on Sat Mar 03, 2012 05:52 AM PSTNic Robertson: Regime 'using helicopter gunships'
by Darius Kadivar on Sat Mar 03, 2012 05:46 AM PSTRegime 'using helicopter gunships' (CNN, VIDEO)
CNN's Nic Robertson reports that the Syrian regime is using helicopters to rain fire down on opposition in Homs.
Syrian opposition vows to battle on
by Darius Kadivar on Sat Mar 03, 2012 05:42 AM PSTSyrian opposition vows to battle on (CNN)
CNN) -- Syria endured more bloodshed and misery Saturday as regime shelling persisted in Homs and a car bomb exploded in Daraa, where the anti-government uprising was born last year.
"Where is the free world?" said opposition activist Sami Ibrahim, describing a dire humanitarian crisis in the city of Homs and crying for international help. "The situation is very bad."
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Life in Homs is ‘checkpoint hell’
by Darius Kadivar on Sat Mar 03, 2012 05:39 AM PST'Checkpoint hell’ (bbc)
The Syrian authorities have committed clear and widespread crimes against the country's civilian population, the UN secretary general has said.
He spoke as the Red Cross waited to get access to a bombed-out district of Homs, Baba Amr.
Outside Baba Amr, a resident of Homs told the BBC how the conflict in Syria has changed his daily life.
Nadar, a student in his twenties, lives by a Syrian army checkpoint.
Homs 'booby traps' stop Red Cross
by Darius Kadivar on Sat Mar 03, 2012 05:31 AM PSTThe Red Cross is told it cannot enter Baba Amr in Syria's city of Homs until booby traps are cleared, as new shelling is reported in other districts.
Homs 'booby traps' stop Red Cross (bbc)
Syria denies visa to UN Humanitarian chief
by Darius Kadivar on Sat Mar 03, 2012 01:19 AM PSTSyria has denied the head of UN humanitarian operations, Valerie Amos, a visa to visit the embattled country, Amos said in a February 29 statement.
Amos had applied for a visa but received no response.
Amos said she was "deeply disappointed'' that she was unable to meet with Syrian officials in the country "to discuss the humanitarian situation and the need for unhindered access to the people affected by the violence".
UN chief condemns Syria reports of torture, execution
by Darius Kadivar on Sat Mar 03, 2012 01:17 AM PSTUN chief condemns Syria reports of torture, execution (France 24)
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon condemned reports on Friday that Syrian forces were detaining, torturing and executing people in the flashpoint city of Homs, one day after the Red Cross was barred access to the besieged neighbourhood of Baba Amro.Rescued journalist: Homs 'next Rwanda'
by Darius Kadivar on Fri Mar 02, 2012 03:18 PM PSTRescued journalist: Homs 'next Rwanda' (BBC, VIDEO)
The British photo journalist wounded in the Syrian city of Homs, Paul Conroy, has told Newsnight's Gavin Esler he fears the slaughter there may be comparable to past murderous events in Srebrenica or Rwanda.
He also warned that there would be "no more witnesses" from Homs, since its population was being "systematically slaughtered".
Paul Conroy, 47, was injured last week in an attack in the city which killed two journalists, including his colleague Marie Colvin - to whom he paid tribute.
Syrian authorities 'committed crimes' against civilians say's UN
by Darius Kadivar on Fri Mar 02, 2012 03:14 PM PSTThe UN secretary general said the Syrian authorities had committed clear and widespread crimes against the country's civilian population.
In an address to the General Assembly, Ban Ki-moon said the international community had failed in its duty, and inaction had encouraged Syria's leaders in their repression of civilians.
But he said further militarisation of the opposition was not the answer.
He spoke as the Red Cross waited to get access to a bombed-out part of Homs.
The ICRC said it had been refused permission to deliver aid to the Baba Amr district, which has suffered heavy bombardment by government forces in recent weeks, despite getting the go-ahead from the authorities on Friday morning.
ICRC President Jakob Kellenberger said the hold-up was "unacceptable".
Syrian 'crimes' against civilians (bbc)
Six mistakes the U.S. made in Syria
by Darius Kadivar on Fri Mar 02, 2012 02:25 PM PSTSix mistakes the U.S. made in Syria (cnn)
While the U.S. is now committed to ending the slaughter in Syria, writer Blake Hounshell says the White House made early mistakes that have complicated the mission.
The man responsible for the carnage in Syria is Bashar al-Assad. Still, the Obama administration has made a number of blunders that, in hindsight, have made this problem harder to solve. Here are six:
1. Underestimating al-Assad. To its credit, the administration was quick to recognize that al-Assad was in serious trouble. Obama was one of the first world leaders to call explicitly for al-Assad's ouster. But in doing so, was the administration too optimistic about his chances of survival, too naïve about the depths he would go to remain in power?
2. Taking force off the table. Yes, the Pentagon is reportedly preparing "detailed" contingency options for U.S. military action in Syria. That's what militaries do, and it's only prudent for the United States to monitor chemical weapons sites and eavesdrop on the regime's communications. It's also a good idea for the president to have a full understanding of what his options are and the risks and costs involved. But the administration has been unwilling to make the kind of threats that could make al-Assad think twice about what he's doing. That's understandable: It's hard to make a threat credible if it's obvious to all that you aren't willing to carry it out. But earnest denunciations and multilateral conferences don't seem to be working. Why undercut your diplomacy?
3. Handwringing about al Qaeda. The U.S. intelligence community is concerned about the presence in Syria of fighters from Iraq's al Qaeda branch, who are thought to be behind a spate of bombing attacks in Damascus and Aleppo. That's a reasonable worry. But Secretary of State Hillary Clinton went beyond caution this week, tarring the Syrian opposition -- which is overwhelmingly ordinary Syrians, conservative, yes, but not extremists -- with the same broad brush. "We know al Qaeda [leader Ayman al-] Zawahiri is supporting the opposition in Syria. Are we supporting al Qaeda in Syria? Hamas is now supporting the opposition. Are we supporting Hamas in Syria?" Clinton said. "If you're a military planner or if you're a secretary of state and you're trying to figure out do you have the elements of an opposition that is actually viable, that we don't see."
4. Failing to engage al-Assad's allies. If al-Assad is to fall, the pillars that prop up his regime must first be removed. Iran and Russia, both of which continue to send weapons and advice, if not more, must be convinced that a post-al-Assad Syria is something they can at least live with. Both countries have met with members of the Syrian opposition, indicating they want to explore their options. Perhaps these are merely insincere efforts to help al-Assad divide and conquer. But it's worth exploring what's real and what's not. The same goes for al-Assad's internal allies: Are we doing enough to convince senior military and security leaders that they're better off without al-Assad?
5. Ignoring China. Even if you believe the Russians will never dump al-Assad, what about the Chinese? China also vetoed the most recent U.N. Security Council resolution on Syria, in tune with its habit of standing with Russia against encroachment on the principle of state sovereignty. But Washington has made little effort to engage Beijing on this issue, or to enlist Arab oil suppliers like Saudi Arabia to lobby on the Syrian opposition's behalf. China has few tangible interests in Syria, and might be convinced that a post-al-Assad world is in its broader interest. That would leave Russia isolated and uncomfortable.
6. Focusing exclusively on the Syrian National Council.Underscoring its skittishness about the growing militarization of what is by now a civil war by any reasonable definition, the Obama administration has shied away from dealing with the Free Syrian Army's leadership in Turkey. Perhaps more is going on behind the scenes, but the United States has clearly put its energies behind the SNC. But it is unclear whether this fractious body of exiles truly represents Syrians on the ground, and its relationship with the FSA is poor. The SNC on Thursday announced it was setting up some kind of "military bureau" to funnel weapons to the FSA, but it's not yet clear the FSA is truly on board. The SNC has also had a hard time attracting support from minorities, who fear that al-Assad's ouster will put their communities at risk.
These points are not an indictment of Obama's Syria policy. There are no good options here, only bad and worse ones. As al-Assad moves to consolidate his brutal victory in Homs and put the rebellion down once and for all, there's still time to rectify our mistakes and shape an outcome that saves lives and protects American interests. But not very much time.
France to close embassy in Syria, says Sarkozy
by Darius Kadivar on Fri Mar 02, 2012 02:06 PM PSTFrance to close embassy in Syria, says Sarkozy (France 24)
France has decided to close its embassy in Damascus, President Nicolas Sarkozy announced Friday in Brussels, to protest against a brutal crackdown by Syrian security forces on a year-long uprising that has claimed at least 7,000 lives.Briton tells of Homs 'slaughter'
by Darius Kadivar on Fri Mar 02, 2012 01:43 PM PSTBriton tells of Homs 'slaughter' (BBC, VIDEO)
A British photographer injured in Syria says the attacks on the city of Homs are "a systematic slaughter of the civilian population".
Paul Conroy, 47, injured last week in an attack which killed two journalists, told the BBC's Newsnight he feared a massacre was about to occur.
Assad's younger brother heads Syria’s dreaded army division
by Darius Kadivar on Fri Mar 02, 2012 10:13 AM PST'The enforcer' who heads Syria’s dreaded army division (France 24)
As head of the Syrian Army’s elite Fourth Division, Maher al-Assad (left) has a reputation for ruthlessness. He's also President Bashar al-Assad's (right) younger brother - and in Syria, presidential younger brothers often play the heavy.Evacuated French journalists from Syria arrive in France
by Darius Kadivar on Fri Mar 02, 2012 10:03 AM PSTEvacuated French journalists arrive in France (France 24)
French reporter Edith Bouvier and photographer William Daniels have arrived in France after being evacuated from the Syrian city of Homs late Thursday. French President Nicolas Sarkozy greeted the pair on their arrival at Villacoublay airport outside Paris.
UK warns Syria regime amid reports of executions
by Darius Kadivar on Fri Mar 02, 2012 09:42 AM PSTUK warns Syria regime amid reports of executions (CNN)
(CNN) -- A day after overrunning the rebel stronghold of Baba Amr, Syrian forces executed 14 civilians there Friday, opposition groups said, even as an international aid convoy said it was waiting to get into the city.
At least 30 people died elsewhere in Syria on Friday, opposition groups claimed, and the unrelenting violence prompted Britain's leader to warn that President Bashar al-Assad's regime will face a "day of reckoning."
STORY HIGHLIGHTSEscaped Spanish Journalist: "Rebels are finished in Homs"
by Darius Kadivar on Fri Mar 02, 2012 09:31 AM PSTJournalist: Rebels are finished in Homs (cnn, VIDEO)
(CNN) -- Spanish photographer Javier Espinosa painted a harrowing picture of life inside the shattered center of Syrian resistance in Homs in the days before a full-scale assault by President Bashar al-Assad's forces.
Espinosa, who works for the Spanish daily El Mundo, was one of four journalists who escaped this week from Baba Amr, a neighborhood of about five square miles that was shelled for 26 consecutive days before Syrian forces began an assault.
"It's an enormous tragedy," Espinosa told Anderson Cooper during an interview that aired Thursday on CNN's "AC360."
"And the latest news I have is that it is almost finished because they don't have any more ways of resisting the advance of the army."
Video shows devastation in Baba Amr, Syria
by Darius Kadivar on Fri Mar 02, 2012 08:47 AM PSTDestruction in Baba Amr (bbc, VIDEO)
A Red Cross convoy is on its way to the Baba Amr area of the Syrian city of Homs to deliver food and medical supplies after a month-long siege.
Footage broadcast on state TV on Friday showed scenes of destruction in the Baba Amr district of Homs.
Snow has also been falling in Syria since Thursday and state TV showed pictures of the scene in Homs.
Footage from activists said to have been filmed on Thursday also appeared to show residents in the streets of Bab Sbaa in Homs.
Jim Muir reports.
Red Cross convoy stopped in Homs
by Darius Kadivar on Fri Mar 02, 2012 08:45 AM PSTA Red Cross convoy is refused permission to deliver supplies to the Baba Amr district of Homs, which has been subjected to a month-long bombardment by Syrian forces.
Red Cross convoy stopped in Homs (bbc)
David Cameron warns Syria of 'day of reckoning'
by Darius Kadivar on Fri Mar 02, 2012 07:17 AM PSTSyria butchering its people - PM (bbc)
Prime Minister David Cameron has accused Syria's "criminal regime" of "butchering its own people".
He warned supporters of President Bashar Assad to turn their backs on their leader or face "a day of reckoning" for their involvement.
Speaking in Brussels, he also urged Russia and China to look hard at the suffering in Syria and reconsider their support for the Syrian government.
Both countries vetoed an Arab-backed peace plan last month.
At a media conference held after an EU summit, Mr Cameron told reporters: "The Assad regime is butchering its own people.
"The history of Homs is being written in the blood of its citizens."
Red Cross to enter Homs district
by Darius Kadivar on Fri Mar 02, 2012 01:33 AM PSTThe Red Cross is poised to enter the Baba Amr area of the Syrian city of Homs to deliver food and medical supplies after a month-long siege.
Red Cross to enter Homs district (bbc)
U.S.: "No fracturing" of Assad regime
by Darius Kadivar on Thu Mar 01, 2012 04:41 PM PSTU.S.: "No fracturing" of Assad regime (cnn)
By Barbara Starr and Jamie Crawford
After weeks of collecting intelligence on Syria and watching the attacks by the forces loyal to Bashar al-Assad, the U.S. sees "no fracturing" of the Syrian regime and assesses al-Assad could remain in power for some time to come if the situation does not change, according to a senior U.S. official.
Injured Reporter Bouvier in Lebanon, family tells France 24
by Darius Kadivar on Thu Mar 01, 2012 01:38 PM PSTReporter Bouvier in Lebanon, family tells France 24 (France 24)
French journalist Edith Bouvier, who was wounded and trapped in the besieged Syrian city of Homs more than a week ago, has arrived in Lebanon, her family told FRANCE 24 late Thursday.