What do you think of the idea of setting up neutral internationally monitored refugee camps in Syria?
The situation in Syria is a mess and nobody is confident that the talks will produce results any time soon. Both sides are entrenched and in the meantime thousands of refugees are suffering and making things difficult for surrounding countries. I heard on the radio what I think is a great idea of what should be done as a stopgap measure. A former U.S. diplomat suggested declaring certain cities as neutral zones that could accept refugees and which could be entered by international aid agencies. Politically it might just be acceptable to both sides. It would allow Assad to remain in power, but it would also provide a refuge for rebels.
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I think it is a good suggestion but only if the international community has the firepower to protect them and is willing to use it.
I also think you would not get the Syrian government to endorse the idea.
They would last 15 minutes. And then they Syrian government would start shooting and the UN monitors would run like the cowards that they are.
Who is going to staff (and run) these camps? Who is going to supply the armed guards that would protect the inhabitants? Who pays for it? What organization has the clout to put this together?
This is an idealistic but somewhat naive approach.
I don’t think the UN people are cowards. I would not like to be in their situation without being able to respond appropriately
I think they are too heavily restricted in the responses they are allowed to make by a bunch of desk jockeys and political hacks who don’t (unfortunately) have someone trying to kill them and the people they were ostensibly sent to protect.
Ditto @elbanditoroso
Who will pay for their food, water, medicine?
How will it get to them and who will guarantee delivery?
Who will protect them from the Assad family?
Who will protect them from Islamists?
Just one more pleasant dream that will become a nightmare. When will people learn.
Hey, while we are dreaming, how about making it safe for them to simply go home and rebuild their houses and live in peace?
The Syrian government would have to agree to it. Don’t you think they might? The payments would be made by foreign governments.
I don’t think it would be a good idea. They will work as well as the temporary Palestinian camps in Lebanon. It will just set them up as easy targets for the people that want to harm them.
I think it’s a good idea in principle that wouldn’t work in practice. It would mean getting involved in Syria which no one wants. The neutral zones would be treated with suspicion by both sides and their neutrality wouldn’t be respected.
@YARNLADY
Because nobody has the stomach to do what you would have to do to make that happen. And in the case of the US, the money either.
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