Editorial
Talk of peace in Syria
US sceptical of offer!
With the Syrian civil war entering its 17th month and casualties numbering more than 17,000 people killed and hundreds of thousands made homeless, the latest offer by Syrian authorities for a negotiated settlement that would oversee President Assad step down for a participatory election caused some stir and disbelief. That was more than evident in the US reaction to the statement made by Syrian Deputy Prime Minister Qadri Jamil while in Moscow for talks.
The conflict has been disastrous in terms of human suffering. With tens of thousands citizens fleeing to neighbouring countries and an increasingly isolated regime bombarding densely populated parts of the capital city, the latest offer appears to be a desperate bid to preserve an Alawite foothold in the country. Unlike the Libyan scenario where the great powers came together for a decisive intervention, Russia and China, the two permanent representatives of the UN Security Council have deterred every attempt for an intervention in the country. Both China and Russia remain adamant that there is no forcible "regime change" in Syria by US and allies. Russia continues to view the Assad regime as a staunch ally which has allowed its navy to have its only foreign naval base and is a major procurer of Russian arms.
The latest diplomatic move comes in the backdrop of US President Obama's statement on August 20 that there would be serious repercussions should Syria deploy its chemical weapons arsenal. Such a strongly worded statement is viewed by China and Russia as a prelude to outright military intervention to oust the Assad regime. Given the fact that both the government and opposition are locked in a battle to the finish and where regional geopolitical considerations have involved the world's great powers, there is little to indicate that a military solution can be found readily. Hence, a negotiated political settlement involving all UN permanent representatives appears to be the best bet for this enduring disaster and the Syrian proposal may not be rejected offhand.
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