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This judgement was made with the highest possible level of certainty following an exhaustive review by the Joint Intelligence Organisation of intelligence reports plus diplomatic and open sources . We think that there have been other attacks although we do not have the same degree of confidence in the evidence. A clear pattern of regime use has therefore been established.
Unlike previous attacks, the degree of open source reporting of CW use on 21 August has been considerable. As a result, there is little serious dispute that chemical attacks causing mass casualties on a larger scale than hitherto (including , we judge, at least 3 50 fatalities) took place.
The JIC has therefore concluded that there are no plausible alternative scenarios to regime responsibility.
Sounds like their evidence is based on 'absence of evidence'.
There is nothing in this letter to make me believe with any amount of certainty that the attacks were perpetrated by Assad and his forces.
Whomever launched those chemical attacks should be brought the justice, but I think the world should make damn sure who is responsible before launching any military action against Syria. A single US missile launched into Syria could erupt the entire region into a war like we've never seen.
Originally posted by sueloujo
reply to post by gortex
"though intelligence may increase our confidence in the future."
This comment alone means that they do not have conclusive evidence. Let's all go to war on hearsay shall we?
In two months spent reporting on the outskirts of the Syrian captial, we encountered similar cases across a much larger region. Their gravity, their increasing frequency and the tactic of using such arms shows that what is being released is not just tear gas, which is used on all fronts, but products of a different class that are far more toxic.
well, that bit was a waste of ink Commander obvious.
there is little serious dispute that chemical attacks causing mass casualties on a larger scale than hitherto
the highest possible level of certainty following an exhaustive review of intelligence reports plus diplomatic and open sources
Iraq – Its Infrastructure of Concealment, Deception and Intimidation[1] (more commonly known as the Dodgy Dossier, the Iraq Dossier or the February Dossier[2]) was a 2003 briefing document for the British Prime Minister Tony Blair's Labour Party government. It was issued to journalists on 3 February 2003 by Alastair Campbell, Blair's Director of Communications and Strategy, and concerned Iraq and weapons of mass destruction. Together with the earlier September Dossier, these documents were ultimately used by the government to justify its involvement in the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
JIC does not agree with any claims that these attacks were committed by Rebel forces as they cannot find any evidence to support these claims.
I agree that we need more solid intelligence on this before we take action.
but if its found that he has, then I do think that we need to act on humanitarian grounds.