@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio I am struggling with your argument here. Are you saying that there are two types of witnesses in war? 1. Regime witnesses who are scared and cannot tell the truth; and 2. Syrian citizen witnesses who can only tell the truth?
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio 1. Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. There seems to be widely varying assumptions about how we know stuff, especially in the case of alleged Syrian chemical weapons attacks, which we have been debating for a week or so. It is inhibiting knowledge. A thread: apologies if it gets long.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio 2. Before we begin we can say a polite hello to those we thing may be interested in this topic including @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC and I will be mentioning @phl43 at some point!
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 3. So, how do we know anything? Twitter is not ideal for explaining complex questions. But we can try and discuss the some of the ways in which we can ‘know’ about alleged chemical attacks in Syria. I will discuss expertise, conflict of interest, what counts as ‘evidence’.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 4. Evidence in the OPCW case includes interviews, environmental and biological samples, direct investigations (recorded in various ways) and open source materials.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 5. The gold standard and the approach taken initially by the OPCW was that samples and interviews should be taken in situ so that OPCW experts could conduct interviews and take biological and environmental samples at the site of alleged attacks.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 6. As a result the chain of custody could be guaranteed. This is to eliminate the possibility of samples not being from where it is said they are from and to prevent them being adulterated or contaminated.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 7. One of our findings was that the OPCW abandoned this approach early on in its investigations in Syria because, despite agreement with the armed opposition, OPCW personnel were taken prisoner by a rebel group.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 8. After this they abandoned the stated approach and instead allowed other groups to supply evidence and indeed select and transport witnesses to them in a third country (we presume Turkey). I will come back to the problem with that later in this thread.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 9. Let’s focus on the OPCW for now. It employs people with expertise in varying disciplines including both natural and social scientific and practical expertise – not just in chemistry!
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 10. These include first, those in any given Fact Finding Mission (In Syria, Team A and Team B who are respectively working on the Syrian government side and the rebel side) that directly investigated alleged incidents in Syria.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 11. Second, those engaged in writing up the reports and third, those in the OPCW designated labs all round the world which test the samples taken in the field.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 12. The experts include, for example, the former South African diplomat Mark Albon, @MarkAlbon1 and those with experience of investigating stuff, such as former Australian cop #NickKaldas (now with @StratiumGlobal cc @NatalieJourno)
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno 13. There are also social scientists whose expertise is on policy, political science, disarmament or similar. I don't know, but I imagine that even sociologists might be allowed!
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno 14. Let’s take the example the alleged attack in Sarmin in March 2015. It seems clear that the alleged munition recovered from the scene and vouched for by interviewees was not a viable chemical munition.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno 15. So the question is: How did the Taleb family which was said to have been killed by the device, actually die?
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno 16. Nevertheless the ‘leadership panel’ concluded in its report that the alleged attack was carried out by ‘an SAAF helicopter dropping a device’.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno 17. The panel was made up of three people. These were Virginia Gamba, Adrian Neritani (@aneritani), an Albanian diplomat, and Eberhard Schanze, a German diplomat.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno 18. I should note that they all put their names to this report, but, of course, it may (or may not) be the case that not all of them were equally convinced.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno 19. The lead author, Virginia Gamba, has a degree in Philology (Salamanca), a degree in Spanish and Latin American studies (Newcastle) and a Masters in Strategic Studies (Aberystwyth).
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno 20. Though not having a PhD, she nevertheless has a long history of work in disarmament policy, with the UN and in various University and think tank positions. Her CV: europarl.europa.eu/intcoop/acp/90…
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno 21. These include honorary professor roles at the following: United States University for Defence (technical college), the US Army War College, the US Naval War College, the UK Joint Forces course (Camberley).
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno 22. All of these appointments, though they may be long expired, raise the question of conflict of interest, as these institutions of education are in each case actually part of the military structure of the US and UK and thus – in the case of Syria – belligerents in the conflict.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno 23. In addition Gamba was associate professor in War Studies at King's College London, (1987-90) a notable department with close relations with the British military.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno 24. In 1990 its Centre for Defence Studies was established in the War Studies department with a grant from the UK Ministry of Defence. At King’s, Gamba worked with the scholar who set up the Centre, Lawrence Freedman (@LawDavF).
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF 25. In 1987 Gamba also joined, and remains a member of, the hawkish think tank the @IISS, a grouping set up, as the Guardian put it in 1958, with ‘US finance’. powerbase.info/index.php/Inte…
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS 26. Latterly the IISS was amongst those pushing for the illegal invasion of Iraq and then also for the bombing of Iran. powerbase.info/index.php/Inte…
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS 27. These links do not invalidate Gamba’s role in the leadership panel or expertise, but they do constitute multiple potential conflicts of interest.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS 28. Those who say that the OPCW reports are written by ‘experts’ should acknowledge that they are experts of a variety of disciplines. This is just as it should be, but it means that relevant expertise can be found in many disciplines and not just in chemistry.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS 29. It should also be acknowledged that the @OPCW reports are written by humans, that they are not subject to peer review, and that humans can have conflicts of interest.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS 30. On the latter, Rule 7 of the OPCW Terms of reference for the Scientific Advisory Board and Temporary Working Groups of Scientific experts governs this. opcw.org/sites/default/…
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS 31. This advises that ‘any activity’ that could affect ‘impartiality or appearance of impartiality’ should be disclosed…
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS 32. …and that ‘if the Director General considers it appropriate’ the person may have to refrain from a specific activity or all activities in relation.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS 33. In my view this is an inadequate policy. It should be more evidence based – not in the hands of the DG personally; and crucially conflicts should be declared in each report written by the relevant experts. They are not.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS 34. Anyway, the upshot of this is that we have noted evidence discovered by the forensic investigators in the OPCW reports which points to attempted fabrication of attacks in a number of cases eg Ltamenah and Sarmin.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS 35. In these cases the Leadership panel concluded on the basis of evidence provided by the OPCW FFM, that the Syrian government was responsible, despite the ‘inconsistencies’ and other questionable aspects of the evidence unearthed.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS 36. We suggest that this was a mistaken judgement and that the @OPCW ought to reconsider those judgements.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS 37. But we also wonder whether any of those involved in the investigations on these reports are concerned enough, that they might speak out or reveal information about how this apparent miscarriage of judgement occurred. (In confidence if necessary).
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS 38. In addition we say that the unreliable evidence identified by the FFM at Talmenes, appears to have been supplied via a covert MI6 operation (involving @Hamishdbg), of which the FFM and Leadership Panel were apparently unaware.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS 39. Again, we note the possibility that some inside the OPCW may see this as a significant issue and come forward with evidence about how it happened.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS 40. Turning to evidence more generally, we note that video and photographic evidence is evidence in itself.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS 41. The source of the evidence and how it came into existence is important, but it is not the case that evidence originating from, or posted on the internet by, one ‘side’ of any debate is automatically out of bounds.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS 42. Among sources used by the OPCW are groups that are supported by one or other of the belligerents in the conflict and indeed material produced by citizen journalists or crowd funded investigations – including, for example, @Bellingcat, on one side and @CL4Syr on the other.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS @bellingcat @CL4Syr 43. There is no reason that we cannot use such evidence. Indeed in our briefing note we use evidence (meaning specific images and videos) from all sides in the conflict, though largely from the rebel side.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS @bellingcat @CL4Syr 44. Thus the evidence supplied by the White Helmets or other NGO’s or even by Nusra/HTS or Jaish al Islam or other belligerents, can tell us things about the conflict.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS @bellingcat @CL4Syr 45. Even if such images were produced to mislead they can tell us something. Indeed it is by careful examination of such images in the context of other open source material, that evidence of managed massacres has emerged.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS @bellingcat @CL4Syr 46. It is not correct to say that our sources are ‘conspiracy’ sites. First, it is a smear to refer to anyone that questions the official narrative as a conspiracy theorist.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS @bellingcat @CL4Syr 47. But even if it were not, the evidence that is being accessed is not necessarily evidence originated by those sites, it often originates from one side or other – in this case mostly from the rebel side or from NGOs working in rebel areas.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS @bellingcat @CL4Syr 48.Similarly, we have been accused of sourcing material from a white supremacist. Philippe Lemoine @phl43 may be surprised to hear himself referred to in that way.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS @bellingcat @CL4Syr 49. Philippe Lemoine @phl43 is actually a PhD student in Philosophy at Cornell University.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS @bellingcat @CL4Syr 50. We have been accused of misleading our readers by linking to his blog, instead of to OPCW reports. This was one of the more ludicrous accusations, since at the beginning of the paragraph where we discuss this we had cited all three relevant OPCW/UN reports.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS @bellingcat @CL4Syr 51. @phl43 account of the shocking evidence on Talmenes is damning, but he didn’t invent the evidence - it is in the OPCW reports, as we have noted repeatedly.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS @bellingcat @CL4Syr 52. We cite @phl43 since he was the first person to draw attention to the genuinely shocking details in the OPCW report on Talmenes. This is a matter of scholarly courtesy
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS @bellingcat @CL4Syr 53. Whatever Lemoine's views, his discovery is valid and it would be inappropriate to use it without crediting him.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS @bellingcat @CL4Syr 54. However, I wonder @im_PULSE, whether you are confident that you could defend the ‘white supremacist’ description in court as an honest statement based on fact?
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS @bellingcat @CL4Syr 55. On his blog @phl43 makes the statistical argument that the higher incarceration rates of African-Americans are attributable to socioeconomic factors causing higher crime rates, rather than to bias in arrests and sentencing.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS @bellingcat @CL4Syr 56. One can agree or disagree, but it is a – potentially defamatory - stretch to label him a ‘white supremacist’. But perhaps @phl43 will take a break from writing his thesis to give us his views?
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS @bellingcat @CL4Syr 57. And then we come to the case of interviews. Much has been said about this by critics of our briefing. It was claimed that our briefing was based fundamentally on the ‘coerced testimony of a child’. It can be seen that this is false from reading our briefing.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS @bellingcat @CL4Syr 58. It notes the testimony of the 11 year old child, and 5 other witnesses who all gave evidence at the OPCW in The Hague, in relation to one of the three locations in the case of Douma. This evidence is not at all related to the other locations, or the other cases we discuss.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS @bellingcat @CL4Syr 59. In addition to these witnesses there are also other accounts which substantiate that account. For example Dr Assim Rahaibani was cited by Robert Fisk on 17 April. independent.co.uk/voices/syria-c…
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS @bellingcat @CL4Syr 60. Pearson Sharp of the conservative One America Network, reported similar views from Douma.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS @bellingcat @CL4Syr 61. Associated Press also went to Douma and reported residents who ‘blamed the rebels for the attack’ apnews.com/453d3a1c051c42…
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS @bellingcat @CL4Syr 62. CBS also reported from Douma on the views of a neighbour to Location 2 "All of a sudden some gas spread around us," one neighbor recounted. "We couldn't breathe, it smelled like chlorine." cbsnews.com/amp/news/syria…
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS @bellingcat @CL4Syr 63. None of these accounts refute the hypothesis of a managed massacre.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS @bellingcat @CL4Syr 64. But on interviews, we agree that interviewees should not be coerced.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS @bellingcat @CL4Syr 65. We note that the OPCW reports that it interviewed 34 people in relation to the Douma event, including 13 in Damascus. goo.gl/yVzugb
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS @bellingcat @CL4Syr 66. According to the Russian delegate to the OPCW 6 of the 17 presented to the media in The Hague had already been interviewed by the OPCW. goo.gl/6VQmvC
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS @bellingcat @CL4Syr 67. An RT.com report quotes 6 interviewees by name. The eleven year old Hassan Diab's father is seen but not quoted in the RT story. goo.gl/zh555v
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS @bellingcat @CL4Syr 68. According to Robert Fisk, on his visit to Douma on the 16th April: ‘the doctors who were on duty that night on 7 April were all in Damascus giving evidence to a chemical weapons enquiry’ independent.co.uk/voices/syria-c…
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS @bellingcat @CL4Syr 69. It is said that the child in this case was coerced by the Russians. We have seen no evidence that this was the case, either in Douma at police HQ, in Damascus or at OPCW HQ in the Hague.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS @bellingcat @CL4Syr 70. We note also, that the child was accompanied in Damascus and The Hague by his father, who was in a position to give informed consent.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS @bellingcat @CL4Syr 71. We can note that the same child – Hassan Diab, along with his father - was interviewed prior to appearance in the Hague, by Russian TV and gave substantially the same story. Here: goo.gl/u6Aoxh And here: goo.gl/sLQKhq
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS @bellingcat @CL4Syr 72. Whether his testimony or that of the other sixteen people who gave testimony in the Hague, can be relied upon is something to be evaluated along with all other evidence. goo.gl/zh555v
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS @bellingcat @CL4Syr 73. What makes Hassan Diab's testimony compelling is that we already have images of him in the hospital scene - he is not just another ‘witness’ claiming to be on the spot.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS @bellingcat @CL4Syr 74. On the question of evidence, in this case, we are using evidence supplied by the White Helmets (the video) to draw conclusions in relation to other evidence (the interview). No scientist should ignore evidence on the basis that ones opponents produced it.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS @bellingcat @CL4Syr 75. Some have pointed to the ‘minders’ said to have accompanied the witnesses who gave evidence in the Hague under the auspices of the Russian delegation.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS @bellingcat @CL4Syr 76. Some have drawn the contrast with the witnesses supplied to the OPCW in a third country. It was said that they did not have ‘minders’ accompanying them. But is that true?
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS @bellingcat @CL4Syr 77. We note that in relation to the alleged incidents from 2015 onwards (including the alleged Sarmin attack), witnesses were identified and transported to “Country X” (presumably Turkey) by the ‘Chemical Violations Documentation Center of Syria’ (CVDCS).
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS @bellingcat @CL4Syr 78. The FFM also received environmental samples and fragments of alleged munitions ‘collected by witnesses and/or representatives of the fCVDCS’.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS @bellingcat @CL4Syr 79. Some of those interviewed by the FFM team were White Helmets. The CVDCS met OPCW in The Hague and in Brussels.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS @bellingcat @CL4Syr 80. CVDCS is a part of Same Justice, registered in Brussels. One of the directors of this company is aligned to the opposition in Syria and thus it is not a neutral party.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS @bellingcat @CL4Syr 81. We note also that Same Justice, despite having a network able to arrange for transportation of witnesses it selected to a third country for interview by the OPCW, has not, as it is required to do under Belgian law, filed any accounts.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS @bellingcat @CL4Syr 82. The White Helmets were set up by a former British military officer and are funded by the UK government, amongst others.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS @bellingcat @CL4Syr 83. There is no prima facie case to regard any group with an affiliation to any of the belligerents in the conflict as a neutral arbiter. But would we call them ‘minders’?
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS @bellingcat @CL4Syr 84. We can also note that the OPCW interviewed an unaccompanied minor amongst the witnesses from the alleged 2014 attacks at Talmenes, Al Tamanah and Kafr Zita.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS @bellingcat @CL4Syr 85. The report notes: ‘ethical issues associated with interviewing some young individuals who were not accompanied by their parents; these were therefore excluded from the inquiry…
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS @bellingcat @CL4Syr 86. …However, the statement of one minor boy was recorded, as he insisted on being heard.’ (S/1230/2014 Annex 2 p. 6)
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS @bellingcat @CL4Syr 87. Given that this child was transported to the third country by an unspecified NGO, there are potential questions about this.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS @bellingcat @CL4Syr 88. We know that the CBRN Task Force supplied samples (not relied on) and videos (relied on) in these cases. But we don’t know if they also selected, transported (and ‘minded’?) the witnesses, including unaccompanied minors.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS @bellingcat @CL4Syr 89. We have pointed out that the CBRN Task Force appears to have been part of a covert operation directed by MI6, involving @Hamishdbg then of @Securebio
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS @bellingcat @CL4Syr 90. We don’t know if any others at @Securebio, such as the ex military intelligence operative @oliver_morton were aware of these activities. Happy to hear from them!
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS @bellingcat @CL4Syr 91. Hypothetically speaking, personally, I am not sure that I would trust agents of MI6 to be ‘minders’ to any child of mine, …
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS @bellingcat @CL4Syr 92. …to transport them across international borders in a war zone, and not to interfere with any testimony they might give which relates to the purpose of the covert mission they are on. But maybe that’s just me?
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS @bellingcat @CL4Syr 93. Lastly, this brings us back to the question of the supply of evidence by third parties.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS @bellingcat @CL4Syr 94. If they are independent NGO’s that is one thing, but if they are affiliated or supported by one (or more) of the belligerents in the conflict, we have a significant and problematic conflict of interest.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS @bellingcat @CL4Syr 95. It is not clear to what extent the FFM/OPCW have made background checks on the groups from whom they have accepted evidence.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS @bellingcat @CL4Syr 96. Some see the White Helmets as ‘heroic’. @im_PULSE even admitted to sending them funds. That indicates a certain partisanship in the conflict.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS @bellingcat @CL4Syr 97. The first issue with relying on the ‘heroic’ White Helmets as a source is that they are significantly funded by one of the parties to the conflict – the British government.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS @bellingcat @CL4Syr 98. We can note that supporting a grouping – however ‘heroic’ - that is funded by a belligerent in the conflict - whether or not it is embedded within rebel command structures - is itself an indication of alignment.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS @bellingcat @CL4Syr 99. Similar issues can be raised about a number of other NGOs involved in the conflict in Syria, about which we may post in due course.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS @bellingcat @CL4Syr 100. The same issues are raised by accepting information directly from the Syrian, Iranian or Russian government or indeed from Hezbollah, the PFLP-GC or any other groups fighting on that side of the conflict. It should go without saying that I hold no brief for any of them.
@MaherBarotchi @CraigMurrayOrg @mistik0s @deadlyvices @Qoppa999 @im_PULSE @mhmadallan @syrianviews @sarah131214 @PiersRobinson1 @AlysEliza @Tim_Hayward_ @OborneTweets @marydejevsky @bbclysedoucet @alextomo @ClarkeMicah @dancohen3000 @MaxBlumenthal @jimmy_dore @Jonathan_K_Cook @JohnWight1 @johnpilger @NeilClark66 @afshinrattansi @SecureBio @HamishDBG @JoePBallard @HughRGregg @oliver_morton @ChemBioTroll @aneritani @OPCW @RealDeeptiC @phl43 @MarkAlbon1 @StratiumGlobal @NatalieJourno @LawDavF @IISS @bellingcat @CL4Syr 101. And there we are. We can know the world, but not if we intentionally ignore evidence that does not fit our preconceptions. In conclusion there are serious issues about evidence gathering and interpretation as well as about conflict of interest and peer review at the @OPCW
