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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Syrian options available
(DALE CUMMINGS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)
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There were never good options for halting the violence in Syria, but the weekend massacre of more than 100 people, including 83 women and children, shows the worst option is to continue to do nothing, basically.
There are conflicting reports on which side in the conflict is responsible, but the evidence suggests most of the street executions were carried out by troops loyal to President Bashar Assad.
As many as 12,000 people have been killed since the uprising began 14 months ago as a peaceful protest inspired by the Arab Spring, but the killing of so many children, many of them younger than 10, is the worst outrage so far.
If the violence isn't stopped, it is likely to get worse as blood begets more blood and the desire for revenge overwhelms the need for peace and negotiation.
The worldwide condemnation and the rising disaffection of Russia, until recently a vigorous opponent of intervention, suggests a turning point in political will may have arrived.
For starters, the UN Security Council can ask the International Criminal Court to begin an investigation into the conduct of Assad and his associates.
It may not have the effect, as it did in Yemen, of compelling the president to step down in favour of a temporary government that would oversee a transition to open elections, but it might give pause to his subordinates and army commanders.
Second, a safe zone should be created along the Turkish-Syrian border for those seeking to escape the violence. It could be expanded deeper into Syria over time, a sort of creeping envelopment that would further weaken the regime.
Finally, the rebels should be provided arms and other support. The nature of the opposition remains somewhat obscure, but it is crystal clear what will happen to them if the Assad regime prevails.
Russia and China have opposed armed intervention, but even they must realize by now that such an option belongs on the table, particularly if the bloodletting continues unabated.
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition May 29, 2012 A10
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