Manning US Army like child torturing ants with a magnifying glass’ (FULL LEAKED TESTIMONY)

 

Source: Russia Today

http://rt.com/usa/manning-trial-recording-leak-177/

A speech freedom advocacy group has released audio of Bradley Manning’s testimony about his motives for leaking secret US government documents to WikiLeaks. It marks the first time the public has heard Manning's voice since his 2010 arrest.

Defying the military's ban on making recordings at Manning’s pre-trial tribunal at the military court at Fort Meade, the Freedom of the Press Foundation (FPF) has released Manning’s February account to the judge explaining why he exposed military secrets.

"We hope this recording will shed light on one of the most secret court trials in recent history, in which the government is putting on trial a concerned government employee whose only stated goal was to bring attention to what he viewed as serious governmental misconduct and criminal activity," the FPF said in a statement.

While unofficial transcripts of the statement are available, this is the first time anyone outside the court has heard Manning’s own explanation of how and why he gave the Apache helicopter video, Afghanistan and Iraq Wars Logs and State Department Diplomatic Cables to WikiLeaks

Freedom of the Press Foundation

https://pressfreedomfoundation.org/

Manning justifies his actions with a firm belief that what he identifies as US government wrongdoings need to be exposed in order to “spark a domestic debate on the role of the military and our foreign policy in general as it related to Iraq and Afghanistan.”

In the recording he goes on to accuse the army of “not valu[ing] human life," comparing servicemen "to a child torturing ants with a magnifying glass."

In regards to the “Collateral Murder” video, which shows US Apache helicopters opening fire on and killing civilians, including journalists, Manning said “the most alarming aspect of the video to me, however, was the seemingly delightful bloodlust they appeared to have.”

 

The attacks footage received worldwide coverage following the release of 39 minutes of classified cockpit gunsight material in 2010, starting the controversy surrounding WikiLeaks and its whistleblowing founder Julian Assange.

Because recording is prohibited at Manning’s hearings, the Pentagon is pursuing measures that would strengthen security and prevent information leaks from the trial.

Military judge Denise Lind, who is trying Manning’s case, has been informed by the Department of Defense that there was "a violation of the rules for the court," a spokesman said in a statement sent to AFP, and that the “US Army is currently reviewing the procedures set in place to safeguard the security and integrity of the legal proceedings and ensure PFC Manning receives a fair and impartial trial.”

Twenty-five-year-old Private First Class Manning has been held in US military custody following his arrest in May 2010. He has pleaded guilty to 10 of the 22 charges set against him. If convicted, he could face 20 years in jail. He is pending trial as the prosecution still intends to pursue the 12 remaining charges.

Leaked Video by Bradley Manning

 

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Rebel support pushes Syria deeper into the abyss of bloody sectarianism – Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (AFP Photo / Timothy A. Clary)

Source: Russia Today

http://rt.com/news/lavrov-syria-un-general-assembly-265/

Those who insist on a ceasefire only by the Syrian government encourage the opposition to intensify its hostilities, and “take upon themselves an enormous responsibility,” Russian FM Sergey Lavrov said in a speech to the UN General Assembly.

­The shortest way to stop the loss of life in Syria, Lavrov said, is to adhere to the commitments in the Geneva communique, which were agreed upon by the Action Group as follow-up of the Kofi Annan Plan.

“We proposed to adopt a resolution in the UN Security Council that would endorse the Geneva communique as the basis for negotiations at the beginning of the transitional period, but this proposal had been blocked,” Lavrov noted.

“Those who oppose the implementation of the Geneva communique,” he explained, “in fact push Syria even deeper into the abyss of bloody sectarian strife.”

Lavrov noted that the deepening of internal conflict in Syria is of particular concern because the militarization of the conflict is combined with open calls for foreign intervention.

“We have consistently called for the consolidated efforts of the international community to compel the government and its opponents to immediately cease the violence and come to the negotiating table,” Lavrov said, adding that so far, there has been no progress in reaching unanimity on how to create conditions towards achieving that goal.

The foreign minister also expressed concern about the growing number of war crimes on both sides of the conflict, as recorded in a recent report by the UN Human Rights Council.

“Extremist organizations including al-Qaeda have become more active in Syria – they perpetrate terrorist attacks against innocent civilians and civil infrastructure,” Lavrov said.

The situation in the region requires the international community to use a comprehensive approach, and to reject “simplified and ideology-driven patterns and double standards,” the FM asserted.

He also condemned any unilateral sanctions “imposed by a state or a group of states sidestepping the United Nations to advance their political goals.”

“We have no doubt that such sanctions, especially when they are applied extra-territorially, weaken the unity of the international community and undermine the effectiveness of its efforts,” Lavrov said, adding that the events of recent years have clearly shown that “unilateral actions that violate international law and go beyond the decisions of the UN Security Council or distort the substance of these decisions do not do any good.”

He urged the UN to discuss the consequences of such actions and to resume discussions on the humanitarian limits of sanctions, a topic that, he said, somehow “faded away” in the UN.

Meanwhile on Friday, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Washington would contribute an additional $15 million in “non-lethal gear” to the “civilian opposition” trying to oust Assad. Another $30 million will be sent in humanitarian assistance to help people affected by the continuing conflict, Clinton said at a Friends of Syria meeting on the sidelines of the UNGA.

"It is no secret that our attempts to move forward at the UN Security Council have been blocked repeatedly, but the United States is not waiting," Clinton said.

 

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Iranian president calls for immediate overhaul of UN Security Council

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (C) delivers a speech at the High-level Meeting of the 67th Session of the General Assembly on the Rule of Law at the National and International Levels at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on September 24

Source: Press TV

http://www.presstv.com/detail/2012/09/25/263400/overhaul-the-un-security-council-now/

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has called for a total structural overhaul of the United Nations Security Council in order to facilitate the observance of the rule of law in international interactions.

Ahmadinejad made the remarks at the High-level Meeting of the 67th Session of the General Assembly on the Rule of Law at the National and International Levels at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on Monday.

“The discriminatory privilege, the influential and imposed role of the Security Council as well as [the right of] veto and some of its owners are unacceptable and illegitimate and for that reason the Security Council is incapable of administering justice and maintaining a stable order and security in the world,” Ahmadinejad said.

He called on all UN member states to reach an immediate agreement on a total overhaul of the UN Security Council in the interests of justice and the nations of the world.

“Today, we see that some veto holders remain silent over the atomic bombs of the fake Zionist regime [of Israel] or support [the regime], but at the same time they hinder the scientific achievements of other nations,” Ahmadinejad noted.

“By making false reference to the UN Charter and by misusing [the concept of] liberty, they remain silent over insults to the sanctities of humanity and the divine prophets or they lend support to offenders, infringe on the freedom of others, and allow insults against sanctities and people,” the Iranian president added.

Ahmadinejad censured the hegemonistic powers for imposing their will on nations and violating the inalienable rights and liberties of the people of the world under the pretext of defending freedom and international security.

He stated out that all governments must be treated equally and should be committed to international law.

The Iranian president also enumerated 10 proposals of the Islamic Republic of Iran for the better observance of law in international relations.

Following is the list of Iran's 10 proposals.

1. By immediate reform of the regulations, the General Assembly, as the main pillar of the UN, must regain its true position as the manifestation of public participation in global management.

2. The regulations governing the Security Council must be totally transformed and reformed in the interests of nations and justice, through the participation of all members of the General Assembly immediately.

3. The progressive principles of equality and justice must be observed in the enactment and implementation of the law.

4. The international community should hold occupiers accountable and should try to return occupied lands to their real owners, and the rights of nations should be upheld.

5. The principles of the prohibition of threats and the initiation of force in relations between states and the peaceful resolution of differences should be the basis of the rule of law at the international level.

6. The principle of sovereign equality of states should be observed. All the governments should have an equal opportunity in management cooperation, normalization, and decision making at the international level.

7. All governments should equally honor their international commitments according to international treaties and regulations.

8. No government should abide by the rules imposed by the hegemonistic countries.

9. Legitimate and legal rights of states and nations should be respected.

10. Respect for divine prophets and celestial religions, the common heritage of mankind, should be under legal protection in all societies so as to control the hostilities which result in hatred and war between human beings and atrocities and to strengthen peace and convergence of the people .

 

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