For the Meantime
The Syrian National Council, sheltered in Turkey and working feverishly to persuade the United Nations and NATO that intervention is feasible and desirable just as it was in Libya, despite Syria's central geographic location in the Middle East, had deplored the violence that emanated from the Free Syrian Army. Their movement, ideally, should be one of non-violence.That position clearly pre-dated the current vicious crackdown on dissidents of the al-Assad regime, intent on putting down the unspeakable rebellion caused by Islamists and terrorists and foreigners.
Now, however, the Free Syrian Army and the Syrian National Council are in serious talks aimed at reconciling themselves in the interests of a free Syria. Free from the tyranny and bloodbaths of President Bashar al-Assad, in any event.
They know they have the United Nations on side, with Ban Ki-moon calling upon al-Assad to halt his murderous campaign against his people. Except that they're not 'his people'. They're the Sunni majority, not the ruling Alawite minority.
"Today I say again to President Assad of Syria: Stop the violence. Stop killing your people. The path of repression is a dead end", implored Ban Ki-moon.
President al-Assad is clearly not impressed with the urgency of the call. Why would he be? If he feels comfortable in pursuing his goals unabated, despite the presence of the Arab League observers, permitting them to view the bombing, killing, wounding of civilians, why think another voice will still his determination?
As for the Arab League, their stern involvement in seeking an end to this embarrassment for the Arab Middle East has taken a battering. President al-Assad did, after all, sign the agreement they solemnly drew up, that he should withdraw his tanks from city centres, call off his sharpshooters, halt the destruction, the bombing and killing, and release the political prisoners, most particularly the children in apprehension.
And did he not position tanks on the perimeters of Homs, and release prisoners?
The regime's 280,000-strong army is busy protecting the country's interests. The 20,000 estimated defectors, mostly Sunnis who could no longer stomach the atrocities visited on their own, like the murder of children to impress upon their parents that dissent will not be tolerated, are simply no match for the superior numbers.
They would welcome, thank you very much, an air embargo, allowing them the opportunity for safe haven.
If not NATO, then who? Why, perhaps the Arab League. Enough twiddling of thumbs. Some among them are furious beyond contempt for Bashar al-Assad, and prepared to put their armies where their demands are. The emir of Qatar, for example, one Arab army that fought alongside NATO in Libya is prepared to launch his troops "to stop the killing".
Supported by the former head of the Arab League and possibly a presidential candidate for the new Egypt. "The Arab League should begin to study this possibility and begin consultations on this issue", added Amr Moussa.
And yes, they should. After all, an additional 400 people were estimated to have been killed in the first ten days alone of the Arab League monitoring mission. Is that not President al-Assad expressing his utter contempt both for his people and for the Arab League? Is that to be tolerated?
For the meantime, evidently.
Labels: Arab League, Conflict, Syria
posted by Pieface @ Monday, January 16, 2012
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