Putin and Medvedev Go Fishing while Russia Exports Arms to al-Assad

Ten people were killed by al-Assad forces on Wednesday, as the Syrian leader, speaking to a convention of his Baath Party, vowed to “remain firm” against the pressures being applied by the rest of the world. It was the first such Baath Party meeting since the riots began six months ago.

Well might al-Assad posture, because the European Union, the United States and some Arab countries have demanded a special convocation of the Council of Human Rights of the United Nations. This is a seldom-used procedure and should apply even more pressure to the Syrian regime, but it seems that pressures are not enough to stop the killings for the moment.

Door-to-door searches were mounted in Latakia and Damascus today, with many arrests being made. A civilian living near Deir Ezzor was shot on his balcony early this morning by security forces.

Palestinian refugees in a compound near Latakia are caught in the attacks and the UN is trying to relocate 400 of these families.

Tunisia has become the latest Arab country to recall it ambassador from Damascus. Saudi Arabia, Koweit and Bahrain recalled their ambassadors ten days ago.

And, despite all the international pressure and the estimated 1,800 dead in the Syrian security force sweeps, Russia continues to deliver arms to al-Assad. This was reported by French news channels to have been confirmed by the Russian public export agency, Rosoboronexport.

Could Mssrs Putin and Medvedev halt their much-publicized fishing trip just long enough to try to control these murderous exports of arms to a regime engaged in an immense bloodbath?