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WSN Proposals for Syria

Posted in Syria | 02-May-13 | Source: World Security Network Foundation

 It is not about sending weapons to the rebels in Syria, nor implementing a no-fly-zone, but a Grand Strategy for Syria, which is still missing. Here are our main proposals and elements:

A new Syrian Constitution should be discussed and adopted by the Syrian National Council as soon as possible. We should not wait for the fall of the Assad regime in the hope that a democratic constitution can be agreed in the extreme chaos that will inevitably follow. This mistake was made in Iraq as well as in Libya and Egypt where the West did not connect its support with a crystal-clear democratic constitution from the start and naively believed democrats would later win in the power struggle with radicals. Leaders of all the different groups must personally sign and agree under oath to implement the rules of this fundamental new law of the Syrian National Council. Any group which abstains must be excluded from any political, financial or military support by the West and the Arab States involved. We can only support rebels who fight for democracy and not dictatorship under another name.

Only after this first step is completed, creating a new constitution which includes rights for Kurds and Christians and only after it is agreed in the Syrian councils and personally signed by all political leaders, should a new Syrian government in exile be constituted and recognized by Western and Arab countries and supported in step two. It can only include those forces who have signed under oath. Diplomatic relations with the Assad regime should then be cut.

As proposed last year, a special "Syrian Centre for the Registration of Crimes against Humanity" should be established now, preferably in Berlin. Special prosecutors must collect evidence of crimes including the numerous murders and executions. Victims can report them to the staff. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) can be co-opted to punish major human right violations.

Only after this fresh constitution and clear commitment of the government to the principles of the UN Charter, should a no-fly-zone or a land-and sea-blockade be implemented and weapons sent to democratic forces only.

 

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