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| Boys to Men Syrian Style |
Public Relations War at Geneva 2 Peace Conference: Terror Vs. Tyranny
Refusing to keep negotiations on the down-low until progress can be made, both the Syrian government and opposition representatives dueled for media attention. Much to the chargrin of Lakhdar Brahimi, the bewildered mediator and international crisis manager, both sides have been far too chatty with the press. Presumably eager to let the folks back home know everyone is sticking to their guns, charges and counter charges are met with offers and counter offers, only lead each side back to their own red lines.
In this latest round of "Terror Vs. Tyranny ", the Syrian government made a rather dubious peace offering by granting women and children a way out of the city of Homs' battle zone in exchange for the names of all adult males who aren't allowed to leave. A dubious offer indeed, as one can easily imagine what will happen to anybody ending up on Bashar al-Assad's shit list. Sleeping nights for those named could be a thing of the past if the peace negotiations fail as many predict.
BTW, currently, few know what the legal age for a male adult in Syria is these days. Does 14, 15 or 16 represent the age of consent to fight for your country? Can a 12 or 13 year old with a little prepubescent peach fuzz on his chin be mistaken for a hardened resistance fighter? Are young boys to be torn from their mothers loving arms? Are any of these ground level details being considered? After all, when the cameras are gone, those responsible for implementing the details of any agreements, had better execute with precision. Otherwise, its right back to screaming across the bargaining table.
In countering the Syrian government's somewhat wilted olive branch, the Syrian opposition rejected the Assad's offer, citing its was the right of the people to remain in Homs and have convoys of humanitarian aid allowed in to feed the starving and assist the wounded. The Syrian National Coalition also rejected any name taking for pretty much the same reason cited above. There is no way in hell the Syrian opposition is going to allow Assad to take names for any ass kicking later.
As reasonable as the opposition seems on this point, the fact that they're willing to keep the women and children trapped in Homs until Bashar al-Assad caves on this particular issues unconditionally, some could spin that position to read: Syrian Opposition Holds Women and Children as Human Shields. Sometimes, you just have to take what you can get and wait for better opportunities in future talks.
Bottom line: Considering the negotiators are sleeping on soft beds with clean sheets, while enjoying fine foods in a secure environment, perhaps they could shut up in public and refrain from playing the zero sum game.
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