[Metrobeans]

Report on the MUN and Arab League summit on the issue of Syria, toronto353

Mr Speaker, on Saturday 30th June, I represented the MHoC at the summit called by the leaders of the Arab League about the continued violence and oppression within Syria. Before I inform the House of the events of that summit, I would like to say that the Syrian people are in our thought and prayers and we hope that for a swift resolution to the on-going crisis.

The Government is mixed with regards to military policy in Syria, but it is not a stance that I yet support due to complications of Middle Eastern diplomacy. The MHoC’s goal was to argue for a trade blockade of Syria along with humanitarian aid for the opposition (with the potential of also arming the opposition). The MHoC also called for recognition of the Syrian opposition. While we believe that the Syrian opposition is not as organised as the Libyan opposition was, we believe that the Syrian opposition reflects the will of the people for free and fair elections and an end to Assad’s brutal rule.

The summit saw a variety put forward including peace keeping forces, military intervention and the discussion was productive. As a result of this conference, a resolution will be submitted to the MUN General Assembly containing measures which will increase the diplomatic pressure on Assad; provide humanitarian aid for all citizens; boycott Syria’s allies and recognise the Syrian National Council as the government of Syria. Though I believe that some measures, such as providing humanitarian aid, will be difficult to achieve, these measures should form the beginning of continued pressure on Assad.

I have included both the speech from the MHoC and the draft resolution in my notes and I welcome comments and questions from all members of the House. I commend this statement to the House.

Notes

(Original post by Speech from the MHoC)
Mr. Chairman,
I would like to begin by thanking you for holding this meeting and I am sure that all present will want to praise you for your tireless efforts towards bringing about this meeting. The MHoC would like to present a three pronged solution which would produce sanctions which aim to really cripple the regime. We would like to see a trade blockade initiated along with all contracts with Syria suspended and international aid being directed towards helping the Opposition forces. The MHoC believes that a trade blockade would have to involve cutting off all land, sea and sky trading routes. We believe that a land blockade is very feasible with the help of all surrounding countries and we are keen to work with surrounding countries to achieve this. We believe that a sea blockade is also rather feasible with the help of local powers. It is the sky aspect of this blockade where the MHoC has changed its position. Many will be aware that the MHoC has long been an advocate of peace with regards to this issue, but we are prepared to tackle air trade as well. This would be via intercepting aircraft.

With regards to contracts, we believe that a blanket ban on contracts with the Syrian Government and companies associated with the Syrian Government would help to cripple their economy and also deprive the Government of much needed weaponry. By providing aid to the Opposition (potentially in the form of military aid, we can tip the balance in favour of the Syrian Opposition). Recognising the Opposition as the legitimate Government of Syria would also help to show our support for their plight.

We can and must do more and we believe that our solution aims to use peaceful sanctions to bring about regime change. We will not at the moment consider military action beyond the trade blockade. I commend this statement to the committee.

(Original post by Draft Resolution to the MUN)
Resolution 2012/09: Concerning the conflict in Syria
Committee: Syrain Resolution Committee
Proposed by: Syrian Resolution Committee

Concerned by the increasing violence in Syria
Seeking a solution to the issue
Welcoming the co-operation of the international community
Thanking all involved in the development of this resolution
Believing that the way forward involves diplomatic pressure and isolation, rather than military intervention

This resolution seeks to establish the following proposals:
1) That the diplomatic pressure on Syria be increased. This would involve expelling Syrian diplomats, and ending foreign relations.
2) That humanitarian aid be provided for all civilians.
3) That a boycott of Syria's allies and arms providers be put into place. This would involve a diplomatic and trade boycott of Syria's allies (such as Iran) and arms providers (such as Russia).
4) That the rebels be recognised as the government of Syria. This could be implemented by inviting diplomats from amongst the rebels to replace those from the al-Assad regime.
5) That Syria comply with its international obligations as a recognised member of the United Nations.

[internetguru]

Boycott Russia.... what are you asking for another cold war?

[TheHansa]

Fully support, but it must go further, we should openly supply the glorious warriors of the Free Syrian Army with whatever they need to being about a syrian revolution, weapons, training, no fly zone.

[internetguru]

(Original post by TheHansa)
Fully support, but it must go further, we should openly supply the glorious warriors of the Free Syrian Army with whatever they need to being about a syrian revolution, weapons, training, no fly zone.

You sound like Rick Perry a no fly zone was intended to end air strikes against rebels by Libya. Syria aren't using air they are using tanks and infantry a no fly zone would be a blatant front for an invasion.

[thunder_chunky]

(Original post by internetguru)
Boycott Russia.... what are you asking for another cold war?

This time I'm rooting for the commies.

[toronto353]

(Original post by internetguru)
Boycott Russia.... what are you asking for another cold war?

Mr Speaker, relations with Russia have always been uneasy. In reality, a new cold war of diplomacy has been present since the murder of a Russian former spy on British soil. If Russia will not cease supporting Assad, then pressure must be put upon them to do so.

(Original post by TheHansa)
Fully support, but it must go further, we should openly supply the glorious warriors of the Free Syrian Army with whatever they need to being about a syrian revolution, weapons, training, no fly zone.

At the moment I do not support such a proposition, but I am watching the situation carefully to see if that becomes more viable.

[internetguru]

(Original post by toronto353)
Mr Speaker, relations with Russia have always been uneasy. In reality, a new cold war of diplomacy has been present since the murder of a Russian former spy on British soil. If Russia will not cease supporting Assad, then pressure must be put upon them to do so.

Starting a cold war with Russia risks world stability who is to say a Russian Nuke doesn't end in the hands of terrorists.

[toronto353]

(Original post by internetguru)
Starting a cold war with Russia risks world stability who is to say a Russian Nuke doesn't end in the hands of terrorists.

I will look at the situation carefully before taking any course of action.

[TheHansa]

(Original post by internetguru)
You sound like Rick Perry a no fly zone was intended to end air strikes against rebels by Libya. Syria aren't using air they are using tanks and infantry a no fly zone would be a blatant front for an invasion.

Escalation. If the rebels are armed and pose a serious threat to the current government, al-Assad will start to use more deadly tactics, so we would be stopping that before it even starts, he won't just sit their as his empire gets taken over.

(Original post by toronto353)
At the moment I do not support such a proposition, but I am watching the situation carefully to see if that becomes more viable.

This country faffed about in Libya and countless innocent lives were needlessly lost, the Libyan opposing were crying out for help as the rockets came down around them and the only thing we sent were journalists. Assad will go this is not in question what is, is when and the sooner he does go the less people will die.

[Student2806]

Good luck boycotting Russia. I'm sure you'll quickly about-turn when everyone starts to run out of gas and oil and energy prices skyrocket. And why isn't China being boycotted as well? It's an ally of Syria.

[tehFrance]

we could never boycott Russia and if you tried... well I am a French citizen so I can just cross the channel and do business with Russian's then come back

[toronto353]

(Original post by Student2806)
Good luck boycotting Russia. I'm sure you'll quickly about-turn when everyone starts to run out of gas and oil and energy prices skyrocket. And why isn't China being boycotted as well? It's an ally of Syria.

(Original post by tehFrance)
we could never boycott Russia and if you tried... well I am a French citizen so I can just cross the channel and do business with Russian's then come back

I would like to note that this is just what has been suggested in the MUN. I do not believe that we should be boycotting them at the moment, but instead look to persuade Russia and China to change their stance through diplomacy.

[internetguru]

(Original post by toronto353)
I would like to note that this is just what has been suggested in the MUN. I do not believe that we should be boycotting them at the moment, but instead look to persuade Russia and China to change their stance through diplomacy.

Russia and China will change when it becomes profitable to do so.

[tehFrance]

(Original post by toronto353)
I would like to note that this is just what has been suggested in the MUN. I do not believe that we should be boycotting them at the moment, but instead look to persuade Russia and China to change their stance through diplomacy.

Why should they change their stance? if they are making money out of it then they will continue to support Assad... I know I sure as hell would.

Either way I support no action in Syria unless we get something out of it financially

[Lipvig]

WI'll we be inviting the rebels in Syria to send over ambassadors then?

[internetguru]

(Original post by Lipvig)
WI'll we be inviting the rebels in Syria to send over ambassadors then?

They have no organisation or leadership structure. They are just different factions battling against the state, so getting any ambassadors that represent all the rebels would be impossible.

[Birchington]

(Original post by internetguru)
They have no organisation or leadership structure. They are just different factions battling against the state, so getting any ambassadors that represent all the rebels would be impossible.

Well said. As much as I want to see a diplomatic framework set out to manage the Syrian crisis, rebel fighters are incredibly fragmented and unstructured and leadership figures are often non-existent or hard to access.

I wish the summit well, I just think more thought needs to be applied to exactly how we are going to engage Syrian rebel groups.