Report considers no-fly zone, arming rebels as Canadian response to Syrian crisis

CALGARY, Dec. 19, 2012 /CNW/ - The extent of Canada's involvement in the current Syrian crisis and what will transpire once hostilities end is yet to be determined. In a report released today by The School of Public Policy, Ferry de Kerckhove, former High Commissioner to Pakistan and Ambassador to Indonesia and Egypt, argues Canada should take a more active role in Syria and outlines a series of potential measures.

Among the proposed action points are the enactment of a no-fly zone and the arming of Syrian rebels in an effort to hasten the demise of Assad's regime.

"To the extent that a political solution is not in the cards and that a direct military intervention is both unlikely and dangerous, providing weapons to the rebels is the only solution to speeding up the end of the conflict," de Kerckhove writes.

Beyond the immediate concern of ending the civil war, Canada can also play its part in shaping the Syria that emerges from this conflict. To that end, the author recommends Canada do the following:

• Recognize the new rebel-led government of Syria
• Engage the Arab league more systematically as this is an institution worth empowering
• Prepare to assist in post-Assad reconstruction and in ensuring a process of disarmament and reconciliation
• Ensure that Canadian action in Syria enhances Israel's security
  
  

The report can be found at www.policyschool.ucalgary.ca/publications

SOURCE: The School of Public Policy - University of Calgary

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