Syria

[Guest]

Initially rather surprised to see no comments on the appalling massacres in Syria - but then realised why. So it's down to me.

Women and children are being randomly murdered by a vicious authoritarian regime for no other reason that they live in a place where some of their elders have called for the freedoms that we take for granted.

Even the Arab League has called for intervention - comments along the lines of "how long can we stand by and do nothing?" are becoming the norm.

Yet the UN seems powerless. No surprise there.

Parts of the Syrian armed forces have been uneasy about what they are doing for a while, but whether there are enough of these to finally rebel and overthrow the current leadership is unknown.

Meanwhile, when it's all over, as it will be eventually, what shall other countries answer to those from Homs and elsewhere who ask: "Where were you when they were killing us?" "Why did you not help us at the time of our greatest need?" "Why did you pass by on the other side and avert your eyes?"

And where are all the TV cameras, which so gleefully reported every bit of anti-western propaganda that Gaddaffi and Hussein led them to whilst those conflicts were in progress?

[amateur51]

Initially rather surprised to see no comments on the appalling massacres in Syria - but then realised why. So it's down to me.

Women and children are being randomly murdered by a vicious authoritarian regime for no other reason that they live in a place where some of their elsers have called for the freedoms that we take for granted.

Even the Arab League has called for intervention - comments along the lines of "how long can we stand by and do nothing?" are becoming the norm.

Yet the UN seems powerless. No surprise there.

Parts of the Syrian armed forces have been uneasy about what they are doing for a while, but whether there are enough of these to finally rebel and overthrow the current leadership is unknown.

Meanwhile, when it's all over, as it will be eventually, what shall other countries answer to those from Homs and elsewhere who ask: "Where were you when they were killing us?" "Why did you not help us at the time of our greatest need?" "Why did you pass by on the other side and avert your eyes?"

And where are all the TV cameras, which so gleefully reported every bit of anti-western propaganda that Gaddaffi and Hussein led them to whilst those conflicts were in progress?

You're just looking in the wrong places, Simon.

http://www.avaaz.org/en/

But then, you don't approve of lefty organisations like avaaz

[Bryn]

Off you go then, Simon. A don't forget your camcorder and satellite telephone to send back your footage. Just the man for the job, I'd say. Of course, you will know, having listened carefully to what your friend Dame Ann has to say about how disciplined and well armed the Syrian armed forces are, you will take care, won't you? Do let us know once you have it sorted, please.

Actually, on second thoughts, just calculate what it would cost to equip yourself,and the travel costs, and donate it via https://secure.avaaz.org/en/smuggle_...815261&v=12532

Don't worry, you will not be alone in making a significant donation.

[Simon]

Colleagues and myself already donated en masse, Bryn.

But the link is valid and it's good to see avaaz doing exactly the right thing for the right reasons.

Though it's not possible for me personally to go and have any real effect, and though I can't see the point of you suggesting it, it does make one wish one could somehow make a real, physical difference there on the ground.

Let's keep the pressure on: the Chinese and the Russians take little notice of public opinion and care about nothing other than their own national advantage, but endless emails to their embassies do annoy them...

[Flosshilde]

Initially rather surprised to see no comments on the appalling massacres in Syria - but then realised why.

Sorry, I'm sure I'm being a bit dense, but you'll have to be a bit more explicit than that.

[Mr Pee]

Sorry, I'm sure I'm being a bit dense

Perish the thought.....

[Simon]

As my Good News thread has been closed - was it not the right kind of good news? - I shall have to post here. It's not that good, but maybe a small bit of comfort about a real tragedy.

Apparently, the Chinese are getting a bit worried about how their refusal to let the UN act in Syria is playing out on the world stage. Most of us, I expect, know full well what their game is, but they've sent a diplomat around to chat to the Arab league and "explain" their position.

Don't expect miracles - and of course it won't help the people getting shelled today - but it's a little indication that Assad won't be able to get away with it for ever. There is also a steady trickle of info about continuing discontent in the Syrian Army, too. Let us hope!

[Bryn]

Enough of this racism. It is not "the Chinese", but the PRC's current ruling elite who took the decision to veto the Security Council resolution.

[Simon]

Enough of this racism. It is not "the Chinese", but the PRC's current ruling elite who took the decision to veto the Security Council resolution.

No racism intended, as you know - but that apart you make an astoundingly good point. And I'm not joking on this one.

We sometimes forget that it is not the people of a country who are making the decisions that affect its actions, but a small group of leaders. In some cases, in some dictatorships, one person. They affect our perception of a whole people, some - or many - of whom may well not agree with their leaders at all.

So it is indeed right not to talk about "the Chinese" or "the Iranians" or "the Israelis". I shall seriously try to remember this point and to adapt my comments, here or elsewhere, accordingly.

[amateur51]

No racism intended, as you know - but that apart you make an astoundingly good point. And I'm not joking on this one.

We sometimes forget that it is not the people of a country who are making the decisions that affect its actions, but a small group of leaders. In some cases, in some dictatorships, one person. They affect our perception of a whole people, some - or many - of whom may well not agree with their leaders at all.

So it is indeed right not to talk about "the Chinese" or "the Iranians" or "the Israelis". I shall seriously try to remember this point and to adapt my comments, here or elsewhere, accordingly.

What about your ubiquitous 'we' then, Simon?

[amateur51]

Interesting article about external intervention protocols in Syria

http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2012/02/201222392948513900.html

[amateur51]

Qatar crosses the Syrian Rubicon: £63m to buy weapons for the rebels

A milestone has been reached in the conflict and, just as with the Libyan uprising last year, Doha is backing regime change

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/mar/01/syria-conflict-rebels-qatar-weapons

[amateur51]

Syrian Prime Minister Riad Hijab has defected from President Bashar al-Assad's government, the Jordanian government says.

Mr Hijab was appointed less than two months ago and his departure is the highest-profile defection since the uprising began in March 2011 and the first from the cabinet.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-19146380