 Syria on Thursday criticised the chief UN investigator in the probe into the assassination of a prominent Lebanese politician for refusing its offers on where and how to question Syrian officials implicated in the murder. Foreign Minister Farouq Sharaa also demanded chief UN investigator Detlev Mehlis reach an agreement on the scope of Syria's cooperation with the inquiry.
| But really, they're cooperating with the investigation... |
The Syrian accusations and demands complicate the standoff with the United Nations, three weeks before the UN investigation into the assassination of former Lebanese premier Rafiq Hariri is due to wrap up its work.
| Do tell? I think the intent is to keep arguing until Mehlis' deadline passes, then point out that the deadline is past and they don't have to do anything. I believe they're going through what social scientists call "groupthink," assuming they're thinking at all. |
The Security Council on October 31 warned Syria to cooperate with the investigation or face further action — a hint at possible sanctions.
| And eventually Marines in Damascus. |
Sharaa said Mehlis has turned down Damascus' offers to hold the questioning of six senior Syrian officials at the headquarters of UN peacekeepers in Syria's Golan Heights. Sharaa said the site would have been ideal, "but Mehlis rejected the venue and his rejection raised Syrian suspicions." |