By Brandon Cottrell
Impunity Watch Reporter, North America

WASHINGTON, D.C., United States –  Just weeks after the United States debated whether or not to commence a unilateral military strike on Syria, diplomatic initiatives with Syria, as well as with Iran, have begun.  First, in Syria there are strict deadlines that have Syria surrendering its chemical weapons.  Then, in Iran, there are new talks that would limit the amount of nuclear fuel that Iran could produce.

The White House credits the diplomatic initiatives to luck, years of sanctioning Iran, and “chess moves” executed by President Bashar al-Assad of Syria, President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, and Iran’s mullahs.  Benjamin Rhodes, a U.S. deputy national security adviser, agrees but also credits the U.S.’s selective use of coercion, stating, “that you don’t achieve diplomatic progress in the Middle East without significant pressure.”

Others, however, remain skeptical.  They think that there is a risk of “long negotiations and constant games of hide-and-seek that, ultimately, will result in little change.”  Additionally, they maintain that Syria and Iran believe the U.S.’s reluctance to strike Syria signals “that if diplomacy fails, the chances of military action . . . are slight.”

President Obama, who may meet with Iran’s new president Hasan Rouhani this week said in a recent interview that, “Negotiations with the Iranians is always difficult . . . but, you know, my view is that if you have both a credible threat of force, combined with a rigorous diplomatic effort, that, in fact, you can strike a deal.”  However, It appears that Iran may only be open to coming to an agreement regarding its nuclear capabilities if the international sanctions against it are eased.

Additionally, whether any progress is made, will depend largely on how the U.S. and Iran handle upcoming negotiations that revolve around dismantling Syria’s chemical weapons supply.  Dennis Ross, who is President Obama’s lead adviser on Iran, stated that, “These two situations (Iran and Syria) are deeply intertwined . . . if the Syrians are forced to give up their weapons, it will make a difference to the Iranian calculation and would raise the prospects of some deal with [Iran].”

While it will take some time to truly know if Iran’s interest in diplomacy is real or a mirage, it seems that Syria’s interest is legitimate.  For example, Syria, who had to declare their chemical stocks by this weekend, have already done so, which indicates that there is a real chance for a lasting and successful diplomatic relationship.

 

For more information, please see:

ABC News – US and Iran Eye Diplomatic Defrosting at UN – 20 September 2013

New York Times – Quick Turn of Fortunes as Diplomatic Options Open Up With Syria and Iran – 19 September 2013

UPI – Diplomatic Options Opening For U.S. In Syria And Iran – 20 September 2013

World News – Syria Declares Its Chemical Weapons Arsenal, First Step In US-Russian Deal – 20 September 2013

By Brandon Cottrell
Impunity Watch Reporter, North America

WASHINGTON, D.C., United States – Jacob Allen Bennett was named a suspect in the rural Tennessee murders of John Lajeunesse, age 16; Steven Presley, age 17; Dominic Davis, age 17; and Danielle Jacobson, age 22.  The four victims, who were headed to nearby Renegade Mountain to go four-wheeling, were found dead in a parked car near the mountain.

The area where the car was found is part of a 3,000 acre former resort.  The area is very wooded and isolated with less than 50 full time residents.  One of those residents said that with “10 miles of road on 3,000 acres it’s easy to . . . be invisible once you get past the gate.”  Many other residents say the area has lacked sufficient security ever since new owners got rid of a controlled access gate and fence that once surrounded the entire resort.

Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Director Mark Gwyn believes that, “The citizens of Cumberland County and Crossville can rest assured that we have the person who committed the crimes in custody [and] that the community is safe.”  Bennett, age 26, has been arrested five times previously, though the authorities have released few details pertaining those arrests.  Of the arrests, reporters have discovered that one of the arrests was for being a violent felon in possession of a firearm.  It is also believed that Bennett has been arrested for theft.

While Bennett was identified as a suspect quickly, no one has said why Bennett was initially identified.  Deputy District Attorney General Gary McKenzie said that, “There are some indications that there was some connection between the suspect and one, possibly two of the victims,” but he declined to specify which of the victims might have known Bennett.

McKenzie also failed to mention a possible motive or give other details about the case.  Other authorities, however, say they believe the four victims were deliberately targeted.  Additionally, they are pursuing leads and have ruled out the possibility that the murder was one of the victims and that none of the victims committed suicide.

Donald Andrews, the superintendent of the school district where three of the victims attended school, said that the murders were “just a surprise; it’s one of those this doesn’t happen here kind of things . . . it’s actually a grim reminder to us all that we’re vulnerable.”  However, it is not yet clear what made these four victims vulnerable.  Some local residents wonder whether it was a drug deal gone badly, a theft or just a fight but they will have to wait for answers to those questions.

 

For more information, please see:

ABC – Suspect in Shooting of Woman, 3 Teens Arrested – 13 September 2013

CBS News – Four Found Shot To Death In Car Near Former Tenn. Mountain Resort; Person Of Interest In Custody, Report Says – 13 September 2013

CNN- Suspect Detained In Rural Tennessee Slayings Of 4 – 13 September 2013

Fox News – Tenn. Shooting Victims In Car Include 3 Teens; Person Of Interest Taken Into Custody – 13 September 2013 

by Michael YoakumImpunity Watch Reporter, North America

WASHINGTON, D.C., United States – President Obama, in a prime time speech Tuesday, called upon Congress and the American public to give him time to pursue diplomatic options for disarming the Bashar al-Assad government of its chemical weapons.  The President tentatively endorsed an agreement by which Assad will surrender his chemical weapon stockpiles to the United Nations for disposal.

President Obama used most of his time persuading the American public that allowing unchecked use of chemical weapons would embolden Iran and make it easier for terrorist organizations like Al Qaeda to gain access to chemical weapons. The President also answered questions from the American public about the scope of military action expected if the diplomatic measures should fail.

The President’s call for a diplomatic solution marked the third strategy in two weeks for dealing with allegations that the Assad government was behind the August 21 sarin gas attack in Damascus.

On August 31, President Obama seemed certain of the need to make targeted cruise missile strikes against Syrian chemical weapons depots.  However, the President surprised the American public and his own national security team over the Labor Day weekend by asking Congress to authorize military force in Syria.

This latest strategy came to fruition on September 9 when Secretary of State, speaking off the cuff, offered the Assad government a way to avert military action.  “[Assad] could turn over every single bit of his chemical weapons to the international community in the next week,” Kerry said, adding “All of it.  Turn it over.  Without delay and allow a full and total accounting for that.”

While Kerry dismissed the idea that Assad would acquiesce to such a plan, Russia took steps towards putting that plan into action.  Since that plan was offered, Assad has admitted to possessing stockpiles of chemical weapons and expressed his desire for Syria to join the Chemical Weapons Convention, a UN resolution banning the use of chemical weapons in war.

For more information, please see:

CNN – Syria speech: What’s next on Obama’s to-do list – 11 September 2013

NBC News – Uncertain path forward after Obama makes his case – 11 September 2013

The Guardian – Syria crisis: Obama leans to diplomacy on chemical weapons impasse – 11 September 2013

The New York Times – Planned as Call to Act, Obama’s Speech Became a Plea for Time – 11 September 2013

ABC News – Obama Blends Threat of Attack, Hope of Diplomacy – 10 September 2013

By Brandon Cottrell
Impunity Watch Reporter, North America

GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala – A group of unidentified men shot 29 people in the mountain town of San Jose Nacahuil just outside of Guatemala City this past Saturday.  The shooting left 11 dead and many of the wounded are in critical condition.  The majority of the victims were shot near the street as they patronized the local cantinas.

A local newspaper reported that prior to the shooting, a group of individuals were dismissed from one of the liquor stores that was attacked.  The individuals left but returned shortly wearing balaclavas and carrying guns.  They then began shooting at the people in the cantina, in the liquor store and in the street.

Guatemalan officials say that gang violence was the cause of the shooting and suggest that when the shooters could not buy alcohol from the cantinas, they opened fire in retaliation   Local residents, however, blame the shooting on the corrupted National Civil Police and cite the minimal gang presence in their town.  The NCP, which is frequently accused of corruption, extortion and is linked to local gangs, arrived Saturday night after receiving several anonymous calls reporting that an attack was imminent.  The NCP determined that no attack was imminent and left, but within an hour of their departure, the attack occurred.

Santos Peinado, a 28-year-old construction worker whose cousin, Santos Suret, was killed thinks that the NCP “had something to do with it, because they showed up and 20 minutes after they left there was the attack; why didn’t they stay and why didn’t they arrest the attackers?”  Another Guatemalan told reporters that the NCP threatened to shut a cantina down if the owner did not pay them a $60 bribe.  That owner, who was killed in the shooting, refused to pay.

Six years ago, San Jose Nacahuil residents who were dissatisfied with the NCP, set up a community police force to patrol the town with machetes.  The residents then expelled the NCP by burning down their police station. The community police force proved effective, as the town had some of the lowest crime rates in Guatemala, despite no official police force being present.

Though no arrests have yet been made and a motive remains unclear, the shooters get away car was found abandoned just outside of the town.

 

For more information, please see:

BBC News – Guatemalan Bar Attack Leaves 11 People Dead– 8 September 2013

Global News – Gunmen Kill 11, Wound 18 In Poor Guatemala Town– 8 September 2013

Global Post – Drive-By Shooting Kills At Least 11 In A Rural Town In Guatemala – 8 September 2013

Washington Post – Gunmen Attack 2 Cantinas In Rural Guatemala Two, Killing 11 People And Wounding 18 More – 8 September 2013

by Michael Yoakum
Impunity Watch Reporter, North America

WASHINGTON, D.C., United States – Secretary of State John Kerry said Saturday that the number of countries ready for military intervention in Syria is now in the “double digits.”  Kerry spent the better part of last week trying to bolster support for intervention with G-20 countries and members of the Arab League.

Kerry’s mission will likely be aided by 13 videos released Sunday by the Senate Select Commission on Intelligence which purport to depict the deaths of victims in the August 21 sarin gas attack in Damascus.  The videos, which are posted on the Senate committee’s website, show victims of the chemical assault convulsing and foaming at the mouth.

While the United States pushes for supporters in a military response, the international community remains divided on the issue.  German newspaper Bild am Sonntag reported Sunday that German Intelligence has doubts about whether Bashar al-Assad gave permission for the August 21 chemical weapon attack.

In an interview with PBS reporter Charlie Rose, Assad told Rose that the United States has no evidence that he ordered a chemical weapon attack on Syrian civilians.  Assad refused to confirm whether he had stockpiled chemical weapons, however, he posited that if Syria did have them, they would be under “central control.”

Member nations of the Arab League agreed Sunday that Assad used chemical weapons and recognized that their use crossed an international “red line.”  So far, none of the League members have endorsed a US led airstrike against Syrian weapons depots.  Kerry said that Saudi Arabia has endorsed airstrikes in private but is reluctant to make a public statement on the issue.

As of Sunday, France alone has publicly backed the US call for punitive military action against Syria.

For more information, please see:

Al Jazeera – Obama and Kerry push case for Syria strikes, as gas attack video released – 8 September 2013

NBC News – Arab League agrees with Kerry on Assad chemical weapons use – but not military action – 8 September 2013

The Guardian – Assad tells Charlie Rose no evidence he is responsible for Syria chemical attack – 8 September 2013

BBC News – Kerry says support for action against Syria is growing – 7 September 2013

The New York Post – With the World Watching, Syria Amassed Nerve Gas – 7 September 2013

Senate Select Committee on Intelligence – Syrian Chemical Weapons Use Videos – (Warning: Contains graphic content)