Editorial
Glimmer of hope for Syrian conflict
Negotiations, not war, is the answer
IN a surprise move, President Obama has indicated that a US military strike can be put on hold against the Assad regime should it decide to place its arsenal of chemical weapons under international supervision. This comes in the backdrop of a Russian proposal to put Damascus' toxic stockpile under "international control". While Syria has welcomed the move, it has yet to accept the offer.
Though there are sceptics about its workability, they have however regarded this as stepping back from direct confrontation. This is a much welcome first step in the right direction but it is subject to proof. It is interesting to note that Senator Kennedy was quoted as saying that Assad must hand over his entire stockpile within the next week to avert a US strike. That statement has somewhat been watered down by US officials as a "rhetorical argument".
The Kremlin has been working behind the scenes to defuse a potential for at least a limited war between Syria and the US. We believe that negotiations and not conflict is the answer to this prolonged civil war that has claimed so many lives. Diplomacy must be allowed a chance to work. With a hostile Congress wary of any further military involvement abroad, President Obama's cautious optimism and the first tentative positive vibes coming out of Damascus should help lay the foundations for a peace plan that will be overseen by the United Nations.
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