Syria – More Air Raids Despite UN Resolution

Syria – More Air Raids Despite UN Resolution: Media sources suggest (25.02.2014) that the regular forces of Syria have carried out a number of aerial attacks on towns currently held by the opposition militias, despite a UN Resolution approved Saturday 22.02.2014 specifically demanded (among other items) the end of indiscriminate shelling / aerial bombing into civilian populated areas. Raids have been reported in the al-Hosn, in Mleiha and Aleppo (map). In all cases reported, media suggest the air-raids involved the killing of civilians. According to the Syrian Government sources (see note on SANA), “the reality of events” (SANA transcript) is that the air raids targeted terrorist dens in Aleppo and scores of terrorists were wiped out in Idleb (map). Nevertheless, the Syrian Foreign Ministry had earlier issued a note (24.02.2014 – Damascus), published by SANA – link – pledging full cooperation with the United Nations in the humanitarian field, provided national sovereignty is respected. In expressing its full cooperation to allow the humanitarian aid specifically requested by the UN Resolution, the Syrian FM argued that it is necessary to tackle the root causes of the violence, which is the al-Qaeda-linked takfiri terrorism (therefore justifying its military operations in the town currently controlled by the rebel militias). Meanwhile, media sources suggest (23-24-25.02.2014) that Saudi Arabia is seeking an agreement with Pakistan for the provision of anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons system, to be stored in Jordan and delivered to the combatants of the Syrian opposition fighting Assad’s regular Army (see background) – the argument is that Saudi Arabia and Jordan are supporting the rebel militias in Syria in the south, while Qatar and Turkey are providing weapons and support from the north.

3 Iraq / Iran – Military Procurement Agreement:  Reuters published an article (25.02.2014 - link) suggesting that Iran and Iraq have recently signed a bilateral agreement for the provision of weapons and, in particular, ammunitions. According to the source, the value of the procurement contract is at least $195m, and they would violate the current UN Sanctions regime on Iran. A spokesman for the Iraqi Prime Minister, Ali Mussawi, would not confirm or deny the agreement, but admitted it would be understandable for Iraq and Iran to cooperate, as they would need ammunitions to fight terrorism. Jen Psaki, spokeswoman for the US State Department, released a note (25.02.2014 – Washington) admitting that if the deal is true, it is a serious concern. Iran also denies that a procurement deal with Iraq exists, but Reuters claim that a source close to the United Nations Security Council Iran Sanctions Committee knew of the military agreement, and voiced concerns. The US State Department also confirmed that it is planning to accelerate the delivery of military equipment to Iraq (and that the USA already provided $15bn-worth of military assistance). The list of the items allegedly contained in the Iran/Iraq deal is listed in the source quoted above.

4 Trans-Pacific-Partnership (TPP) Talks – No Significant Outcome: The Members of the TTP are concluding their four-days trade-ministerial meeting in Singapore today, 25.20.2014. Members attending include: Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, USA, Vietnam. The aim of the talks is to find ways for the implementation of a trans-pacific free trade area (lead by the USA and excluding China), which would apply to 40% of global trade. The meeting concluded without a positive outcome, as differences remain on tariffs for imported goods between Japan and USA, and for market access in the agricultural and auto-motive sectors (NST). There is progress made in the talks in terms of finding a path forward to resolve differences, although the previously “self-imposed” TPP deadline was to reach an international agreement by the end of 2013. Although sources confirm that both South Korea and Taiwan have expressed interests in joining the TPP talks, it is clear that until an agreement is reached among the current 12 parties to the process, there will not be any expansion of the group; speculations across media outlets also confirm that the TPP represents a competitive approach of Washington Vs Chinese interests in the Pacific trading routes.