The announcement last week that Syrian equipment for producing, mixing and filling chemical weapons has been destroyed on deadline and that the country’s stocks of agents and weapons have been placed under seal by international inspectors deserves the world headlines it attracted. A striking success for diplomatic action, this happened only after a unilateral military attack by the United States was abandoned following the refusal of support by its own allies and public and a skilful political initiative from Russia.
That the weapons were used to kill more than 1,000 civilians, almost certainly by the Assad regime, is equally clear. Debate continues on whether the regime agreed to surrender them under the threat of US force or in a clever reading of international outrage to gain political advantage in likely peace talks. The Syrian civil war has been driven to a dreadful impasse with more than 100,000 deaths, two million refugees and another 4.5 million people displaced.
Efforts by the United Nations-Arab League mediator Lakhdar Brahimi to convene peace talks are still under way, reportedly frustrated by the refusal of the fragmented opposition forces to attend without a commitment they will bring an end to the Assad regime. But that would perpetuate the impasse, as only the talks can decide this. The sooner they get going the better, so that a major international effort can be made to deliver a settlement allowing Syria’s people return home. The more other regional powers such as Iran, Turkey and Saudi Arabia are drawn in the better.
Continuing destruction of the chemical weapons so professionally supervised by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons should be a confidence-building measure towards a ceasefire and talks. The next deadline is November 15th for a detailed plan to transport and eliminate 1,000 tonnes of toxic agents and munitions by next summer. That is difficult indeed during the fighting but not impossible if the will is there on all sides.