Syrian Crisis: Syrian People’s Assembly Writes to Western Counterparts, Seek Civilised Dialogue, Not Language of Fire and Blood
Even as U.S. and allies push forward with their plans to enter the Syrian civil conflict on the side the rebels, the Syrian People's Assembly has reached out to the U.S. Congress ahead of the crucial vote approving President Obama to strike government forces in Syria. Warning that, "irresponsible, reckless action by the U.S. will kill innocent civilians; the letter implores the U.S. to "communicate with us [Syria] through civilised dialogue rather than the language of fire and blood." Similarly worded letters have been sent by Syria to MPs in UK and France.
The five page letter, dated Sept 4, is sent to Rep. John Boehner, Speaker of the House of Representatives in the U.S. Congress is sent on behalf of the Members of Syrian People's Assembly by MHD. Jihad AL- LAHHAM, Speaker of the People's Assembly of the Syrian Arab Republic.
Coming only days before the U.S. Congress is due to vote on whether to approve the use of military force in Syria, the letter requests that its contents be "read out during the opening stages of the debate," in Congress, "in order to ensure that the members are fully appraised of the situation in Syria."
It also notes that a similar letter to the British Parliament persuaded them take "responsibility to exhaust all avenues of diplomacy before involving their nation [UK] into war." "We write to you as fathers and mothers, as members of families and communities which really are not so different to yours," the letter from the Syrian People's Assembly states.
"Moreover, we write to you as human beings asking: if you bomb us, shall we not bleed? Innocent people will be harmed." The letter providing references and quotes from former president Franklin D. Roosevelt says an attack could trigger a "bloody, destructive, catastrophic" conflict.
The letter also logically contends that Syria would have no benefits from carrying out a chemical attack at a time when the UN Investigators were in the country. "Logically, what is the benefit of the Syrian government to commit a chemical attack during the visit of the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria within less than four miles from the Commission's residence at the Four Seasons Hotel (in Damascus)?"
The letter calls upon the U.S. to send a delegation to find the truth."For that reason, we urge you to come to Syria, to send a delegation as soon as you can, to see and discover for yourselves what is going on here. "We invite you to come to Syria to measure the situation before you cut, especially when the cloth that will be cut is human flesh."
The letter argues that "we all [U.S. and Syria] face the same terrorist threat."
"Attacking Syria and weakening its establishments and infrastructure would automatically strengthen the power of our common enemy, Al Qaida and its terrorist affiliates. Instead of fighting each other, we should be working together to fully implement UN Security Council Resolutions 1373 and 1624 against terror. Instead of being enemies, we should be walking the road to peace and truth together," the letter contends.
Meanwhile, pushing forward attempts to find support, considering the scepticism in the U.S. Congress to approve military action, Secretary of State John Kerry opined that the President "has the right" to strike even without the approval of the lawmakers. Russia, on the other hand, called for another visit by U.N. chemical investigators to Syria arguing that "the rebels are behind the chemical attack" in the country.