In Syria, the U.N.
Security Council Fails the World
"With respect to humanity,
although we say that such a terrible situation cannot be allowed to continue,
if we focus exclusively on pursuing the security and expectations of our own
countries, the result is that the U.N. Security Council fails to uphold
its responsibility of maintaining global peace and security. If the permanent
members of the Security Council continue to issue reckless vetoes, we will see
a return to the stalemate of the Cold War era."
A resolution calling for an end
to the bloody crackdown on dissent on the streets of Syria by the Assad regime
has been rejected by the U.N. Security Council. The resolution was vetoed by
Russia and China.
According to U.N. estimates,
the death toll since anti-government demonstrations began last March is well
above 5,400. The worst of the attacks is said to have occurred on the third day
of protests in the city of Homs, the base of anti-government dissidents, where
a single Syrian government attack killed as many as 260 citizens.
It is a pity that a U.N.
resolution, at a moment in which the international community needs to stand
together to put a stop to the violence as quickly as possible, has been vetoed.
Coupled with their vetoes of economic sanctions on Syria last October, the
attitudes of Russia and China are simply incomprehensible.
Once again the sheer
dysfunction of the Security Council has been laid bare. The more prolonged the
bloodshed and oppression of Assad's own people becomes, the worse the fear and
anxiety will become.
Syria buys 7 percent of all
Russian weapons exports. Syria is also home to a Russian naval base that is
available for immediate use, and the two countries have very deep military
relations. It may be that behind the scenes lurks Prime Minister Putin's
intention to run for president again in the March elections.
On the other side, China is
grappling with domestic problems in places like Tibet and is trying to maintain
its stance of "non-intervention" with regard to human rights.
With respect to humanity, although we say that such a terrible situation cannot be allowed to continue, if we focus exclusively on pursuing the security and expectations of our own countries, the result is that the U.N. Security Council fails to uphold its responsibility of maintaining global peace and security. If the permanent members
of the Security Council continue to issue reckless vetoes, we will see a return
to the stalemate of the Cold War era.
Meanwhile, during this
prolonged crackdown on the people of Syria, another crisis has emerged: Regular
Syrian troops have defected and banded together to form the "Free Syrian
Army," broadening the conflict into a guerrilla war. If this becomes a full-blown
civil war, the streets of Syria will be the scenes of urban warfare and
residential areas will be shelled. Moreover, the number of victims would further
swell.
Posted by WORLDMEETS.US
With the rejection of the
resolution, at least one measure for putting a halt to the rising bloodshed
appears increasingly beyond reach. Yet the majority of the global community is
increasingly critical of the Assad regime. Even if it comes outside the
framework of the Security Council, it is imperative that the world boost the
pressure on Damascus.
The Assad regime must not be permitted
to use the China and Russia vetoes as a way to "indulge" itself
with more oppression. Sooner or later, the "Arab Spring" will put an
end to leaders like this. Meanwhile, we must seek an immediate cessation of the
violence.
