Implementing De-Escalation Zones in Syria

by Stephen Lendman (stephenlendman.org - Home - Stephen Lendman)

Successfully implementing four designated de-escalation zones is a vital step toward restoring peace and stability to war-torn Syria.

Russia, Iran, and Assad's government are committed to making the plan work. Washington wanting regime change and Syrian sovereignty destroyed is the obstacle to overcome - no easy task.

On July 4, Syria's UN envoy/chief peace negotiator Bashar al-Jaafari explained mechanisms for implementing the de-escalation zones are still being discussed.

"We are still in the framework of diplomatic discussion on how to bring attitudes closer and find common denominators to focus on them for building a unified position," he said.

"We are still in the beginning, and we have not yet finished discussing the mechanisms related to implementing the agreement."

"All the meetings we held today are related to this topic, and the main topic of this round will be the mechanisms of implementing the agreement in the de-escalation zones that were approved" earlier.

On Tuesday, Russia's chief peace negotiator Alexander Lavrentyev said his nation's military police may be deployed in "buffer security zones."

"The issue has not yet been finally agreed." Implementation of the zones will occur in "two or three weeks," he explained.

A vital issue is establishing "a joint coordination center to monitor security." It's expected to be agreed on "in principle."

"(S)ome difficulties (remain) in establishing the lines of contact. The criterion for all zones is the same - the line of engagement between the parties."

Preparing maps is one thing, reality on the ground another, he stressed. Working things out takes time.

So far, borders of two de-escalation zones are agreed on - north of Homs and Eastern Ghouta. Questions remain on the other two - for Idlib and southern Syria.

"I think we will be able to reach a compromise solution on these issues very soon," Lavrentyev explained.

The goal of establishing ceasefire nationwide depends on it. Russia continues working tirelessly to achieve it.

Efforts by Putin, Sergey Lavrov, Lavrentyev and others warrant Nobel Peace Prize recognition, unlikely as so often war criminals are honored, not peacemakers.

Separately on Monday, Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal al-Miqdad denounced US aggression against his country for fabricated reasons - supporting terrorist invaders, not combating them as falsely claimed, saying:

US-led Western countries "creat(ed) conditions for terrorists to use chemical warfare, and then (outrageously) accuse(d) the Syrian government for the misdeed." 

"Why should the Syrian government launch a chemical attack when its forces are making gains against terrorists" - and how could it with all its CWs destroyed under international supervision!

Miqdad accused US-led Western countries and rogue regional ones of arming and providing material support to ISIS and other terrorist groups.

He blasted Turkey for its involvement against his country. No evidence indicates its support for anti-Syria terrorists ended despite its rhetoric otherwise.

As long as regime change remains Washington's objective, endless conflict will continue. It's up to Russia to do whatever it takes restore peace and stability.

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