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Greetings!
With both houses of Congress set to debate and then vote on bills to authorize use of military force against Syria this week and with voters being asked to make their views known this special edition of the CCOP Social Justice Newsletter has been prepared to present relevant information.
The three main articles are
* The Action Alert from the Justice, Peace and Human Development department of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)
* Analyses dated September 5 and 6 from David Cortright, the director of policy studies at the Kroc Center for International Peace Studies at the University of Notre Dame
* Announcement of a live broadcast at 1:30 P.M. on Tuesday, September 10, of a panel discussion about the crisis in Syria from the University of Notre Dame
The Brief Links section has several links to relevant articles from online newspapers.
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Analyses by David Cortright
There Are Alternatives (Sept. 5)
Yes, there must be consequences for those who ordered the chemical weapons massacre in Syria, but this is not an argument for military strikes. Robust options are available for mobilizing international pressure against the Assad regime and seeking an end to the killing. The United States should:
Provide the evidence
* Give a detailed report to the UN Security Council and the world media of the evidence it claims to possess identifying the Syrian political and military leaders responsible for the chemical attacks; clarify the inconsistencies in the information that has been presented to date,
* Support continued and more thorough investigation by UN inspectors to develop further evidence of precisely what happened and who was responsible for the massacre.
Apply international pressure
* Seek approval of resolutions at the UN Security Council, the Arab League and other international bodies condemning the chemical massacre as a war crime and a crime against humanity,
* Urge the UN Security Council to impose targeted sanctions against those who are found to be responsible for the massacre,
* Urge the Security Council to refer the Syrian chemical attacks to the International Criminal Court with an expedited mandate for gaining further criminal evidence and issuing indictments against those responsible,
* Apply additional U.S. sanctions against the Assad regime, cancelling all business dealings and barring from U.S. markets any governments or firms that enable or finance Syrian government atrocities,
* Work with European governments and other countries to urge the imposition of similar sanctions.
Pursue diplomatic options
* Engage with Russia and Iran to seek their support in a coordinated strategy to take international legal action against those responsible for the chemical massacre and to encourage a negotiated end to the Syrian civil war,
* Renew and intensify pressure on the Syrian government and rebel forces to participate in the proposed Geneva II peace negotiations, toward the goal of reaching a ceasefire and agreement for dividing power in Syria,
* Increase humanitarian aid to provide support for the growing number of refugees from Syria.
Strikes on Syria: Turning Criminals Into Victims? (Sept. 6)
Among the many negative consequences of the proposed American military intervention in Syria is the diversion of attention away from the crimes committed by Syrian military forces toward the actions being planned by the United States. The world's television screens are filled with images of the debate about an American strike, not the consequences of the chemical massacre committed by the Syrian army. The main story line is the military action planned by Obama - not the crimes committed by Assad.
The bombing of Syria risks turning Assad and his supporters into victims rather than perpetrators. As the missiles strike, media images will show civilians killed by American weapons rather than those who died in the chemical attacks. The focus will be on U.S. policy rather than the continuing crimes of the Assad regime.
It doesn't have to be that way. Obama and his advisers still have time to turn away from their ill-advised military plan toward a more effective multilateral strategy that would have broad international support. The alternative approach [September 5 Analysis, above] I have proposed would apply pressure against those responsible for the chemical attacks while intensifying diplomatic efforts to end the war. It would focus attention where it belongs, on prohibiting chemical weapons and ending the war, rather than on American military intervention.
David Cortright is the director of policy studies at the Kroc Center for International Peace Studies at the University of Notre Dame
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Brief Links
Pulling the Curtain Back on Syria, Nicholas Kristof, New York Times, Sept. 8, link
Hawks, Doves, Fence Sitters There are 18 kinds of Syria bombing opponents in Congress, and 12 kinds of bombing supporters, Slate, link
White House, Under Pressure, Pushes on Syria, Wall Street Journal, Sept. 8, link
With the World Watching, Syria Amassed Nerve Gas, New York Times, Sept. 8, link
Kerry Announces Saudi Support for Syrian Strike, New York Times, Sept. 8, link
Where Lawmakers Stand on Military Action in Syria, New York Times, Sept. 8, link
Vatican: 100,000 Attend Syria Peace Vigil, Mercury News, Sept. 8, link
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Action Alert
Take Action Now!
Urge Congress to Pursue Political Solution in Syria, Not Military Option!
Take Action Now!
Contact your two U.S. Senators and your Representative and urge them to vote against a resolution authorizing the use of military force in Syria. Instead, ask them to support U.S. leadership, in collaboration with the international community, for an immediate ceasefire in Syria, serious and inclusive negotiations for peace, and increased humanitarian assistance.
Current Situation & Background
During the week of September 9, Congress is expected to take up a resolution authorizing the use of military force in Syria in response to heinous chemical weapons attacks on innocent civilians. Providentially, Pope Francis has declared September 7 a Day of Fasting and Prayer for peace in Syria, the Middle East, and throughout the world. The Pope has asked leading nations "to lay aside the futile pursuit of a military solution." In solidarity with our Holy Father, USCCB will engage in prayer, fasting and advocacy for peace in Syria.
Church Teaching & USCCB Position
Both the Holy See and USCCB have condemned the chemical weapons attacks, but remain convinced that only dialogue can save lives and bring about peace in Syria. The view of the Church was summed up in a letter that Cardinal Timothy Dolan and Bishop Richard E. Pates recently sent to all members of Congress on September 5. They noted that the Holy Father and the bishops of the region "have made it clear that a military attack will be counterproductive, will exacerbate an already deadly situation, and will have unintended negative consequences." Their letter went on to say: "The longstanding position of our Conference of Bishops is that the Syrian people urgently need a political solution. We ask the United States to work with other governments to obtain a ceasefire, initiate serious negotiations, provide impartial humanitarian assistance, and encourage efforts to build an inclusive society in Syria that protects the rights of all its citizens, including Christians and other minorities."
For More Information:
USCCB Policy Letters on Syria: letters
Pope Francis' Declaration of a Day of Prayer and Fasting for Syria: Declaration
Position of the Holy See on Syria in Letter to G 20: Position
Email your members of Congress
Call your Members of Congress. For talking points for a call, see below:
Talking Points
* As Congress debates a resolution authorizing military force in Syria, I urge the Senator/Representative instead to support U.S. leadership for peace.
* Both Pope Francis and the Conference of Bishops have condemned the chemical attacks, but remain convinced that only dialogue can save lives and bring about peace in Syria. In a recent letter to Congress, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, President of U.S. Conference of Bishops, and Bishop Richard E. Pates, Chairman of the Committee on International Justice and Peace, wrote: "[A] military attack will be counterproductive, will exacerbate an already deadly situation, and will have unintended negative consequences."
* Their letter went on to say: "We ask the United States to work with other governments to obtain a ceasefire, initiate serious negotiations, provide impartial humanitarian assistance, and encourage efforts to build an inclusive society in Syria that protects the rights of all its citizens, including Christians and other minorities."
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Panel Discussion on Crisis in Syria
Live Broadcast Tuesday, September 10, 1:30 P.M
As the crisis in Syria intensifies, the United States and its allies are considering a response, including possible military strikes on Syria.
The panel of experts will provide
* Context on regional dynamics in the Middle East (Asher Kaufman, Associate Professor of History and Peace Studies)
* Explain international legal issues surrounding the use of force (Mary Ellen O'Connell, Professor of Law and Research Professor of International Dispute Resolution)
* Discuss the implications for U.S. and international security (Michael Desch, Professor of Political Science).
Panelists will consider the arguments both for and against military action and leave plenty of time for questions, answers, and participation from students, faculty, staff, and the community.
The discussion will be moderated by David Cortright, Director of Policy Studies at the Kroc Institute
Click here to watch the live streaming event at 1:30 P.M. Tuesday, September 10.
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