Cameron At The United Nations

As an emotive public relations exercise the Prime Minister’s speech to the UN in New York should play well, especially with his party. However it was not the speech of a statesman, neither will it do any good. Unfortunately the FCO and Downing Street do not see the difference between diplomacy and banging the drum.

It is indeed the case that the suffering, cruelties and mayhem in Syria are appalling. It is unfortunately also the case that while much of it is caused by Assad  and his various regular and militia forces, not all of it can be laid at the door of the regime in whose potential fall the West has squandered so much diplomatic capital. The free Syrian Army is guilty as well and some irregular elements in the rebel forces whose identity and aims remain unclear, are very guilty indeed.

From the very beginning Russia has argued that making regime change as a precondition for anything, nothing would be achieved other than a slide to sectarian civil war of a very destructive kind. Russia has also called into question the provenance of a good deal of the rebellion and questioned what would follow the fall of Assad. The West, in particular Britain and France, have put their faith in something which will never happen, to be organised by people whose identities and purposes are far from clear.  As of today Cameron has lost his patience with the UN but has no proposal to offer which will moves things forward.

The only thing which will make any difference, and it may be too late even for that, is to sit down with Russia and China and work out a common position upon which all can agree. It will not be easy and there will have to be compromise. The current posture of the West may be worthy but it will achieve nothing. The suffering of the Syrian people and the atrocities will go on for months, maybe years, even many years. It surely must be worth eating a little humble pie on a visit to Moscow, if by doing so there is any prospect whatever of helping those children.

One Response to “Cameron At The United Nations”

  1. Brandie says:

    It’s hard to seek out educated people on this topic, however you sound like you understand what you’re speaking about! Thanks

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