In Syria, observers throw down the gauntlet. Europeans caulk

(BRUSSELS2) Syria has been sinking into a latent civil war for several weeks. What started out as repression then evolved into an increasingly complex fabric of insurrection. And a conflict that threatens at any moment to spill over onto neighboring borders, sowing concern in Lebanon, and attention in Turkey (and in the other surrounding countries). The UN observation mission has come to the end of an impossible road. General Mood recognized this today (Saturday June 16) by suspending the activity of the observers.

violence and fighting prevail

« There has been an escalation in armed violence across Syria over the past 10 days. This escalation (...) hampers our ability to carry out our mandate. The parties' lack of will to seek a peaceful transition, and the advance of military positions increases the casualties on both sides: innocent civilians, men, women and children are killed every day. It also poses significant risks for our observers. In this high-risk situation, Misnus is suspending its activities. UN observers will no longer carry out patrols and will remain at their bases until further notice. (...) This suspension will be reviewed on a daily basis. Operations will resume when the situation allows us to carry out activities (which are) attributed to us. In fact, this leads to an impasse. The mere presence of observers does not make it possible to impose peace on parties in a hurry to find out, and on a power particularly adept at duplicity. Protected by Chinese and Russian vetoes in the Security Council, the Assad regime is abusing its position as an armed monopoly. But seems increasingly unable to maintain order and unity in the country.

The divided international community, suspended by the Russian and Chinese veto

The international community is also divided. One could hope that the meeting in Moscow of the 3+3, around the Iranian question these days, could make it possible to advance discreetly on the Syrian question. The subject will certainly be on the table. The Russians do not seem ready to give up Syrian power, at most towards a transition to other Syrian leaders, such as the Tlas family, of Sunni faith. Without progress, the situation risks getting worse on the ground. Because the Europeans do not seem really worried... To tell the truth, they especially have other fish to fry.

Europeans obsessed with their navel, and the Eurozone crisis

Obsessed with the situation in the euro zone and the elections in Greece, the European Union – which we heard a lot more about at the start of the crisis – is a bit of an absentee. The decision taken by the Council of the EU on Friday to put in place sanctions on luxury goods and dual-use goods has something offbeat, even indecent, even if it is part of a laudable intention. And the suspension of the Misnus has thus taken place in a rather deafening silence these days. I searched in vain for a reaction today. But only a few national reactions (France, United Kingdom, etc.). The reality is that Europeans are still as divided as during the Syrian crisis. Between those who might tempt a military intervention (France, United Kingdom) and those who absolutely refuse it (Germany...), a certain mass of countries are quite simply indifferent, even little concerned.

Read also:

• European luxury in Syria is over...
• 23 million Euros for Syria. Europe releases emergency humanitarian aid
• EU must declare Assad regime illegitimate, back domestic opposition: Kamal al-Labwani
• No military option possible in Syria (G. Westerwelle)
• The road to Saint Petersburg. Saint Poutine, help us
• Europeans too divided on Syria, denounces the Finnish minister
• A military presence in Syria? explanations by Didier Reynders

Download the Statement by the head of Misnus Syria, General Robert Mood