Syria Denies Responsiblity for Journalists' Deaths
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
The Syrian regime was not responsible for the deaths of two Western journalists who "sneaked" into the country, the foreign ministry said on Thursday.
"We reject statements holding Syria responsible for the deaths of journalists who sneaked into its territory at their own risk," said a ministry statement carried by SANA state news agency.
The ministry offered its condolences to the "media organizations and families of the journalists who died in Syria," a day after an American and a French journalist were killed by a rocket that struck a makeshift media center set up by activists in the rebel-held neighborhood of Baba Amr, in the flashpoint city of Homs.
The ministry urged journalists to "respect laws of journalistic work in Syria and avoid breaking the law by entering the country illegally to reach trouble-hit areas that are unsafe."
It said the ministry of information has provided permits to some 200 media teams over the past two months, as many journalists infiltrate Syria to avoid strict restrictions imposed by authorities on their movement.
Veteran American journalist Marie Colvin, working for The Sunday Times, and French photojournalist Remi Ochlik, with the IP3 Press agency, were killed in Baba Amr. Edith Bouvier, a reporter for French daily Le Figaro and The Sunday Times photographer Paul Conroy were wounded.
Western powers condemned Syria for the killing of the journalists, with Washington denouncing the regime's "shameless brutality" and Paris holding Syrian authorities responsible.
French television reporter Gilles Jacquier was killed in Homs last month when a shell exploded amid a group of journalists covering protests in the city on a visit organized by the Syrian authorities.
23 February 2012, 13:41
51
Governments have no responsibility whatsoever to protect people who enter illegally. International law is very clear about this.
23 February 2012, 13:47
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If an army targets a media center, that's foul play. That is why Marie Colvin is dead. The Syrian regime targets journalists.
23 February 2012, 23:31
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to mfawaz...I thought your master said there's nothing going on in Homs...what do you mean "warzone"...
23 February 2012, 13:56
14
Why wouldn't they deny responsibility--they shouldn't have been in there in the first place--of course, they neglect to mention that they were shelling the area, ie THEIR OWN PEOPLE.
All of the Bashar sympathizers should really take a look at who is worse to their people (or the people who live there)-Israel or Syria, because right now, Israel is smelling like a rose right now.
23 February 2012, 14:15
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Off course they will deny responsability, these journalists have committed a suicide act as the rest of babies, kids and women...This regime is a big joke
23 February 2012, 14:50
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admins come on guys some comments are appearing almost twenty four hours after they were posted that's beyond ridiculous
23 February 2012, 16:10
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Our Syrian overlords have all the rights to kill anyone, they like anywhere they like, and anytime they like, we will defend that right with our life, they are higher life forms and we're not worthy!
23 February 2012, 18:02
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How about the americans, caught on video from a fighter jet, killing innoncent people including journalists. It is OK. It reminds of a movie "not without my daughter" Iranian doctor slap his american wife. People at the movie were so upset, but when an american slaughters his whole family, it is normal.
23 February 2012, 18:55
12
It said the ministry of information has provided permits to some 200 media teams over the past two months, as many journalists infiltrate Syria to avoid strict restrictions imposed by authorities on their movement.
wow is that so? where are these 200 media teams? eating barazik?
24 February 2012, 00:33
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I am against firing at journalists, but why werent there a single western journalist in the gaza strip during the slaughter in operation cast lead? Why didnt they dare to sneak in then? why were they politly standing outside watching and respecting the israeli ban on journalists and now all of a sudden when it comes to syria, they grew balls to enter illegally?
I dont defend the syrian regime, i only point out hypocrisy.
24 February 2012, 11:02
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To the blind. LOL. The people are accusing Bashar of brutality killing these journalists, while in fact no one knows what the hell is going on in there. In America, Bradley Manning will spend his life in prison for releasing a vidoe tape of a US fighter jet in Iraq shooting at civilians and journalists to WikiLeaks. So if Bashar jailed the opposition is a crime or killed the journalist. Yet the USA will not be accountable for anything like Israel. What a fucking joke, jailing an american who served his country, but had a conscience. You don't believe it read it. http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/breaking/bs-md-bradley-manning-arraignment-20120223,0,2845691.story
24 February 2012, 11:15
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they targeted these journalists hours after being on CNN showing the raw footage.....and they are there so that you can watch what is really happening in syria. not the fairy tales your imam tells you.
24 February 2012, 12:01
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You are right falanges. I Forgot you guys don't like the truth. By telling the truth in your country is betrayal, but in my country truth in the end will prevail. Don't forget Nixon, was brought down for less charges.
24 February 2012, 15:03
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Murad?what Law are u talking about?where did u get your information from?SO the illegal immigrants to Europe are not entitled to protection?is that the international law you are talking about?or the Assad law????
Plus why are you guys surprised about the killing of the 2 journalist?or surprised about the answers from some of the M8 guys here?
They cannot even remember what the syrian regime did to them during the occupation of Lebanon ,they do not care about being Mad3ousine bil sirmeye ,do u think they will criticize the regime for it s crimes in Syria?when was the last time we heard Hassouna criticizing the Syrian regime ?Or Michel aoun?(of course i mean michel aoun after changing his pyjamas.
