No More War

Thomas Kocherry

War against anybody cannot be justified anymore. War will not end any problem. It is a vicious circle creating more violence. In the recent times Iraq war, Afghanistan War, and Libyan war have been continuing creating more violence. If there is a problem with chemical weapons, there should be very clear evidence. If there is no evidence and if the Security Council does not approve of a war the US is as culpable as Syria if America attacks Syria. If there is a problem with Syria it should be settled by Dialogue and Pressure from different countries. Germany, India, Russia, and China are against any war. Now they should exert pressure upon Syria and the US not to escalate war in the World today.

"Reports of increased Russian naval presence near Syria have stoked fears about a larger international conflict if the United States carries out airstrikes." (Hindu,6-9-2013). It is very clear that tension is mounting in the World. "Putin has emerged as one of the most implacable critics of military intervention against the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad over an alleged chemical weapons attack on August 21, saying any such move without UN blessing would be an aggression." (Times of India,6-9-2013) How can one justify an aggression with another aggression except when it is a self defense?

"Pope Francis' letter asked the world leaders to avoid a military solution and search for a peaceful answer. He called their military pursuit futile, accused them of being focused on one-sided interests and asked them to find common ground. As the G-20 summit continues, the pope hopes his letter will have an impact. He is also asking everyone to participate in a day of fasting and prayer on Septemper 7. The pope has indicated that there will be a rally on this day in St. Peter's Square" (Examiner. Com. 6-9-2013).

Actually opinions didn't divide 50/50. Who was for military intervention? The US, France, Saudi Arabia, Canada and Turkey. Mr Cameron also was advocating military intervention but the British parliament was against it. The Chancellor of Germany is also cautious. Germany is not going to participate in any military action. Who was condemning and opposing that way of action? Russia, India, China, Indonesia, Argentinia, Brazil, South Africa, Italy. And also the secretary general of the UN voiced his protest against military intervention. And let's not forget the address by the pope, who directly voiced the inadmissibility of military intervention. (The Guardian, 6-9-2013).

The Jesuit General has accused the United States and France of an "abuse of power", in considering military action in Syria and says the Jesuits fully support Pope Francis' call for a day of prayer and fasting in support of peace.

While he says he would not normally comment on international or political situations, Father General Adolfo Nicolas SJ says the current circumstances mean he cannot keep silent, stating : "I cannot understand who gave the United States or France the right to act against a country in a way that will certainly increase the suffering of the citizens of that country, who, by the way, have already suffered beyond measure." (JESA, New Delhi 6-9-2013).

"The Congress of no country can authorise such things, they are just sanctioning aggression, because everything that happens outside the framework of the UN Security Council is aggression, unless it is self-defence," Mr Putin said. (Hindu, 6-9-2013). There is no justification of one aggression with another aggression. Let us not repeat the mistakes as happened in Iraq. Let the whole World speak out against such aggression. It should not be repeated with the MIGHT one has.

It is now unfolded that the Chemical Weapon in Syria was made out of the Chemicals, Sodium Fluoride and Sarine supplied by the British MNCs during 2004 and 2010. The license was given by the British Government for this export. (Kerala Kaumudi, 9-9-2013). It is very evident that the WARS are made for the PROFIT of the MNCs in the World. Obama is fighting for the MNCs, not for the people of Syria and the US, Britain has for the first time acknowledged that UK firms were allowed to export deadly chemicals to Syria, allowing the Bashar al-Assad's regime to produce nerve gas Sarine, which was allegedly used in an attack that killed nearly 1,500 people.

The department for business, innovation and skills (BIS) granted a number of licenses to specialist firms allowing them to deliver sodium fluoride to Syria before the current conflict and European Union (EU) sanctions. (Times of India, 9-9-2013)

There is a need for restricting the ruling class and the opposition by the UN. Whoever comes to power it will be a problem. Out of 2 crore population 20 lakh are living outside of Syria. There is a need for controlling Chemical Mass destructive weapons in Syria. The Russian proposal that the chemical weapons should be under the control of UN has been accepted by the ruler Assad. It is a good sign.

It is strange that the US president, winner of Nobel Peace Prize going for war. It should be stopped by the friends of the US. The Congress of the US should not give permission to Obama. (9-9-2013). Syria's foreign minister says his country welcomes Russia's proposal for it to place its chemical weapons under international control and then dismantle them quickly to avert US strikes.

The statement from Walid al-Moallem came a few hours after US secretary of state John Kerry said Syrian President Bashar Assad could resolve the crisis surrounding the alleged use of chemical weapons by his forces by surrendering control of "every single bit" of his arsenal to the international community by the end of the week. (Times of India, 9-9-2013)

Now there is a way out to resolve the crisis. The UN should act immediately. Raising their voices to object to an American plan they fear would undermine UN authority and unleash more bloodshed through "ill-advised" military action were two powerful figures of global legal and moral authority—the UN Secretary General, and the Catholic Pontiff. (BBC, 9-9-2013).

Reviewing an array of international rights issues, Ms Pillay, the UN Commissioner, voiced alarm at violence in Iraq and Egypt. There is no easy or obvious route out of Syria's crisis except negotiating immediate steps to end the conflict, she said, and countries, together with the United Nations, had to find a way to make that happen. (The New York Times, 10-9-2013)

Frontier
Vol. 46, No. 19, Nov 17 - 23, 2013

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