Britannia Radio

MEMRI Daily-June 10, 2011:

Syrian Oppositionist on Russia's Support for Syrian Regime;

Defecting Syrian Officer:

After the Crimes I Have Seen, I Cannot Be a Part of the Syrian Army

The following are reports published today, from MEMRI’s Special Dispatch series and the MEMRI TV Project, including a Syrian oppositionist commenting on Russia's support of the Syrian regime, and the account of a defecting Syrian officer. Special Dispatch No. 3903—Syria 'One Mafia Helps Another': Syrian Oppositionist on Russia's Support for Syrian Regime On June 10, 2011, the liberal Arab website Elaph posted an article by Syrian oppositionist Ghassan Al-Muflih about Russia's support of the Syrian regime, titled "One Mafia Helps Another – Russia's Position on Syria." The following is a translation of the article: Russia Continues to Foster Mafia-Like Regimes that Were Its Allies in the Soviet Era "While France, Britain and the U.S. are working in New York to persuade the [U.N.] Security Council members to pass a resolution condemning Damascus, the spokesman of the Russian foreign ministry has declared that Moscow is 'firmly opposed' to any such condemnation. He [explained] that this could make the situation in Syria even more dangerous, and that the Damascus regime needs more time in order to implement the reforms it has promised." To read the full report, visit http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/5359.htm. Special Dispatch No. 3904—Syria Defecting Syrian Officer Abd Al-Razzaq Muhammad Tlas: After the Crimes I Have Seen, I Cannot Be a Part of the Syrian Army The following are excerpts from a statement by defected Syrian officer Abd Al-Razzaq Muhammad Tlas, which aired on Al-Jazeera Network on June 6, 2011: To view this clip on MEMRI TV, visit http://www.memritv.org/clip/en/2969.htm. Abd Al-Razzaq Muhammad Tlas: "I am First Lieutenant Abd Al-Razzaq Muhammad Tlas, from the Fifth Division, 15th Brigade, Battalion 825. This is my ID card with my picture. Abd Al-Razzaq Muhammad Tlas from Rastan, near Homs." To read the full report, visit http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/5360.htm