Robert Fisk is allowed access to Douma before OCPW inspectors are allowed in. Doesn't speak to any witnesses of the attack, only a doctor who didn't see it, but says everyone "knows what happened." independent.co.uk/voices/syria-c…
Fisk seems perplexed why victims of the attack did not hang around in Douma when the government took over the area. And doesn't seriously deal with the fact that those who stayed behind might not be able to speak freely.
The account Fisk presents of "what really happened," from a doctor who wasn't there, is the same account presented by Russia in the days after the attack. It says there was no gas attack all. arabic.rt.com/videoclub/9381…
Fisk is among a handful of journalists given regular access by Syrian government. He and others are shepherded in on minded trips when it is useful for the government. Journalists who do make it in and write something that counters the government narrative are not allowed back.
Fisk notes in his piece that he was granted access to the site before chemical weapons inspectors. As were a number of other journalists who — let's be generous here — toe the government line. That feels like an attempt to muddy the waters ahead of an independent investigation.
That said, there are bound to be countless stories told by those who stayed behind about the crimes of Jaish al-Islam. They shouldn't be ignored.
Associated Press was on same trip as Fisk and managed to find several victims of apparent chemical attack. "The accounts contradict what the Syrian government and Russia have reported: that there was no gas attack in Douma."
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CBS also visited the site and spoke to locals who said there was a chemical attack. cbsnews.com/news/syria-ins…
Swedish TV also visited Douma on the same day and spoke to a man who lost family members in what he describes as a gas attack. tv4play.se/program/nyhete…
