The Russian proposal that Syria hand over its stock of chemical weapons to the international community — with a view to its destruction — is a compromise that offers many countries a way out of the immediate crisis.
The US is threatening military action against Syria in the wake of allegations that government forces used chemical weapons against civilians. The report by United Nations investigators into the use of chemical weapons by Syrian forces has not yet been released. However, the US, France and the Arab League have all made it clear that they are convinced by the available evidence. Russia, which has been backing the Al Assad regime, has been leading world opposition to any strike on Syria by the US that is not mandated by the UN.
The Russian proposal achieves what must be the most important objective of any action against the Syrian regime — disarming it of chemical weapons and ensuring that it cannot use it to attack and murder its citizens again. The Syrian government has said it will take up the Russian offer. However, this is most likely futile, given its intransigence and willingness to go to war, so far. While Syria may mouth support for the proposal, it cannot be allowed to use it to buy time in its fight for survival.
The proposal offers the Obama administration a way out of its public commitment to punish Syria. Loss of its chemical stockpile will be a blow to the regime and boost the morale of the rebels, who must continue to receive support from the international community.
If the Al Assad regime fails to implement the proposal immediately and the UN investigation confirms the use of chemical weapons, then Russia must live up to its responsibilities and help clear the way for a strike against Syria. The use of chemical weapons by a rogue regime cannot be allowed to go unpunished, if the international prohibition on their use is to be effective.
