In this Feb. 13, 2015, UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura informs the media after talks with Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz at the foreign ministry in Vienna, Austria. (AP Photo/Ronald Zak) – See more at: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/Opinion/Editorial/2015/Feb-19/287942-musketeers-of-empty-talk.ashx#sthash.gZfEkSSX.dpuf
In this Feb. 13, 2015, UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura informs the media after talks with Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz at the foreign ministry in Vienna, Austria. (AP Photo/Ronald Zak) – See more at: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/Opinion/Editorial/2015/Feb-19/287942-musketeers-of-empty-talk.ashx#sthash.gZfEkSSX.dpuf
The Daily Star
The latest episode in the long-running U.N.-produced soap opera “peacemaking in Syria” emerged this week when envoy Staffan de Mistura informed the Security Council about the regime’s readiness to halt its attacks in Aleppo.
However, the offer coincided with regime offensives in Aleppo as well as southern Syria, accompanied by a leading role for non-Syrian forces, and even more civilian casualties and displacement.
De Mistura’s efforts are echoing the lack of progress by his two predecessors, Kofi Annan and Lakhdar Brahimi. All three spoke solemnly about the need to reduce the violence, but the regime and its allies have never abandoned their unwavering commitment to victory at all costs, using all manner of tactics prohibited by international law.
The U.N. should reassess its “peacemaking” efforts, which have only allowed Damascus to pretend that it is interested in engagement with the international community.
The situation isn’t surprising, since a main player in the drama, Russia, is following a similar script in Ukraine. There are meetings, media statements and claims that a cease-fire is achievable. This is followed by the naked attempt to exploit any diplomatic movement to achieve the original goals.
U.N. officials might think that they’re engaged in the noble cause of easing human suffering in Syria or elsewhere, but there comes a time to acknowledge that certain conflicts – based on the actions of one or more sides – can’t be solved by polite smiles and passing along messages from people who haven’t shown the slightest capacity to bring a human catastrophe to a conclusion.
– See more at: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/Opinion/Editorial/2015/Feb-19/287942-musketeers-of-empty-talk.ashx#sthash.gZfEkSSX.dpuf
Categories: Arab World, Asia, Syria, United Nations
I have worked with Mr. Staffan di Mistura in Baghdad and I am sure that he is a noble person trying his best. I wish him success in his noble endeavors!