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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| Bush to announce evidence that Syria whacked Hariri? |
| 2005-03-15 |
| As the United Nations' Irish-led special investigation team here prepares to report that the Lebanese authorities have covered up evidence of the murder on 14 February of the former prime minister Rafik Hariri, his two sons have fled Lebanon after hearing that they too are in danger of assassination. Mr Hariri's elder son, Bahar, has flown to Geneva while Saad has left hurriedly for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, after warnings that they could be the next targets of their father's assassins. President George Bush is expected to announce on Wednesday that Syrian - and perhaps Lebanese - military intelligence officers were involved in Mr Hariri's death; the bombing killed 18 other civilians. The UN's Irish, Egyptian and Moroccan investigation team has now been joined by three Swiss bomb experts following the discovery that many of the smashed vehicles in Hariri's convoy were moved from the scene of the massacre only hours afterwards - and before there was time for an independent investigation. Yesterday, frogmen were sent into the sea off the Beirut Corniche to recover the wreckage of the one car in the Hariri convoy that was not taken away by the authorities because it was blasted over a hotel wall into the Mediterranean by the force of the explosion. If they successfully recover parts of the vehicle, they may be able to discover the nature of the explosives. First reports that Hariri was killed by a car bomb are now being challenged by evidence that the explosives - estimated at 600kg - could have been buried beneath the seafront avenue. A unique photograph handed to The Independent in Beirut - which is now also in the hands of the UN investigators - was taken on the afternoon of 12 February, about 36 hours before the bombing. It shows a drain cover in the road at the exact spot where the explosion was to tear a 30-foot crater in the highway, instantly killing Hariri and many of his bodyguards. The section of roadway is marked off by "no parking" signs which have been left there innocently by staff of the nearby HSBC bank. But a mysterious object can be seen on the left edge of the drain cover. Both the metal cover and an extensive area of roadway around it were atomised by the bomb. The picture also shows two buildings which the UN police officers are investigating as possible locations of the bomber who detonated the explosives: one is on top of the circular building in the centre of the photo - which houses a Beirut hotel as well as a Lebanese army retirement fund office - and the other is on top of the war-damaged Holiday Inn (far right) which has been empty for more than a decade. The balloon in the centre of the photograph regularly takes tourists on sightseeing tours of Beirut. Some members of the Hariri family have been told that the report of the UN inquiry team will be so devastating that it will force a full international investigation of the murder of "Mr Lebanon" and his entourage, perhaps reaching to the higher echelons of the Syrian and Lebanese governments. Encouraging if true. But. Since when have UN investigators ever found anything? And. This article is by Robert Fisk. Salt. Grain. |
| Posted by:growler |
| #8 Coming from Fisk, I'll take this story as utter tripe until proven differently. |
| Posted by: mojo 2005-03-15 10:49:56 PM |
| #7 Coming from Fisk, I'd take this as a "Statement against interest". |
| Posted by: Dishman 2005-03-15 7:47:20 PM |
| #6 Is there a difference, #3 growler? :-D |
| Posted by: Barbara Skolaut 2005-03-15 5:22:53 PM |
| #5 Fisk likes the beatings the Lebanese provide |
| Posted by: Frank G 2005-03-15 5:20:35 PM |
| #4 President George Bush is expected to announce on Wednesday that Syrian - and perhaps Lebanese - military intelligence officers were involved in Mr Hariri’s death; the bombing killed 18 other civilians. Is there a reason that GWB feels a need to do this? Just make plans and carry them out when the time is right; no need to go around being vocal about things. |
| Posted by: Bomb-a-rama 2005-03-15 5:10:25 PM |
| #3 lies there frequently or lives there frequently? |
| Posted by: growler 2005-03-15 4:43:26 PM |
| #2 Fisk has a home in Lebanon and lives there frequently, IIRC. |
| Posted by: Seafarious 2005-03-15 4:41:58 PM |
| #1 If the UN is about to announce something damaging to the pro-syrian govt of Lebanon, why would Dubya make his announcement - better to sit back let the UN make the case, and not get attitudes to Bush get dragged into it. I think Fisk is just reporting a street (bar?) rumour on that - I could believe he would have sources in the UN team, but would still take that with more salt than a McDonald large fries. |
| Posted by: liberalhawk 2005-03-15 4:31:35 PM |