Over 1,300 Syrians die in chemical attack: Syrian government denies attack, so why are U.N. chemical weapons inspectors denied access to investigate?

Experts have long believed that Syria has large undeclared stockpiles of mustard gas and sarin nerve agent. On Wednesday, shocking photos were released showing the aftermath of a deadly chemical weapons use in Ain Tarma, a Damascus suburb where 1,300 innocent Syrians were gassed in their beds. Many of them are children.

“The attackers used rockets to release fatal fumes over the suburb in the early hours of yesterday morning as people slept in their homes,” reports a Blog from Nigeria which includes several graphic pictures of the dead. 

As of Thursday and Friday, first responders are dying of the chemical effects after having treated victims.

Wednesday’s attack took place as part of a heavy government bombardment of the region surrounding Damascus, where government forces have been trying to drive out rebel forces. Casualties were reported in the areas of Irbin, Duma and Muadhamiya among others, say activists.

While Syrians continue to die from the consequences of the chemical weapon attack, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is denying the attack.

Despite the fact that a group of U.N. experts arrived in Syria five days ago and are already in Damascus, activists are unable to get the much needed evidence to the investigators to prove that the chemical attack occurred. The investigators are kept away from the evidence and the areas of the chemical attack.

Speaking from the town of Arbin, one of those affected by mysterious deaths from poisoning, opposition activist Abu Nidal told Reuters: ‘The U.N. team spoke with us and since then we prepared for them samples of hair, skin and blood and smuggled them back into Damascus with trusted couriers.’ Several others in neighbouring districts said they, too, had prepared samples to smuggle into the capital but had been unable to find a way to access the U.N. monitors inside their hotel.”

China says to wait for proof. Russia says to wait for proof. The U.S. is waiting for proof.

U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon told a diplomatic forum in Seoul on Friday that "I can think of no good reason why any party, either government or opposition forces - would decline this opportunity to get to the truth of the matter.”

Shouldn’t the Syrian government's resistance to allowing a thorough and timely investigation into the alleged chemical attack be proof enough?