assad

According to a senior negotiator, in 2012 Russia proposed that Assad would step down as part of a peace deal. Western powers refused because they thought Assad was about to fall anyway.

West ‘ignored Russian offer in 2012 to have Syria’s Assad step aside’

Former Finnish president and Nobel peace prize laureate Martti Ahtisaari said western powers failed to seize on the proposal. Since it was made, in 2012, tens of thousands of people have been killed and millions uprooted, causing the world’s gravest refugee crisis since the second world war.

Ahtisaari held talks with envoys from the five permanent members of the UN security council in February 2012. He said that during those discussions, the Russian ambassador, Vitaly Churkin, laid out a three-point plan, which included a proposal for Assad to cede power at some point after peace talks had started between the regime and the opposition.

But he said that the US, Britain and France were so convinced that the Syrian dictator was about to fall, they ignored the proposal.

Negotiator Ahtisaari claims at the meeting with envoys from the five permanent members of the UN security council Vitaly Churkin made three points:

“He said three things: One – we should not give arms to the opposition. Two – we should get a dialogue going between the opposition and Assad straight away. Three – we should find an elegant way for Assad to step aside.”

This meeting was at the behest of The Elders, a group of former world leaders advocating peace and human rights. Included in the group were Nelson Mandela, Jimmy Carter, and former UN secretary general Kofi Annan.

Given the group, perhaps it was all blowing smoke. We may never know what would have followed if there was Western, i.e., U.S. interest in pursuing the proposal. I do remember when there was absolute certainty that Assad was packing his bags. It was only a matter of time we were told. Turned out to be years and we’re still waiting.

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2 Comments | Leave a comment
  1. strider says:

    Too bad. Hill already had that second notch carved. What an idiotfest in the West. Might be the sugared hard liquor drinks or the new improved pot or our education system. Anyway, the Persians seem pleased.

  2. Alain41 says:

    The Elders, was formed in 2007 by Mandela, Richard Branson, and Peter Gabriel. At the group’s website, is support for the Iran Deal, Climate Change action, and Strengthen the UN. I’d love to see Obama join this group after leaving office, but I’m sure that he will decline any invitation, if offered. He couldn’t stand to be just an equal member of a group, much less listen to Kofi Annan and Jimmy Carter.

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