{UAH} France's President Hollande, firm, steady, and clear on Syria!

Last night in an interview on French TV President Hollande

was asked to explain his position on Syria. In a resolute reply

he made it clear that Syria posed one of the greatest human rights

violations in recent history: two million thrown in exile, half the population

inside Syria displaced, tens of thousands murdered, and recently hundreds

and hundreds gassed to death through the use of the deadly chemical weapons!

He added on that himself as President of France, acting on behalf of the French people,

had the obligation to act very firmly against the Syrian regime. He cited the example of 

Mali where French troops did a lot to save the entire region from a terrible terrorist disaster, and

that now there is full happiness in the West African country where he is expected in two days time

to attend the inauguration of the new president. He noted that the Syrian situation wasn't any different from

that of Mali, from the security point of view because any continued use of those chemical weapons would

indeed have spelt danger for the entire region and would even have extended to Europe, France included!

He commended the effort going on to have the matter settled through diplomacy, and have Syria dismantle

all chemical weapons facilities. But he at the same time pointed out that in case Syria failed in this obligation

and refused to reveal all the locations sheltering the leathal weapons, the air strikes won't delay in punishing 

Syria. He observed it was entirely on the Assad regime to co-operate fully in order to avoid any air strikes.

There are indications that Russia, with the backing of China, are very strongly pressing on Assad to co-operate.

Indeed this is what Assad has got to do in view of a determined Franco-USA coalition against Syria. And Russia

wouldn't like to lose Assad.....her loyal pawn in the region who will come out of the crisis morally and materially weakened!

Hollande's strategy against terrorism and apparent barbarism is gathering points in Syria.

Other actors in favour of a peaceful settlement in Syria include especially Pope Francis whose action has won him

a new wave of popularity all over the world. He strongly advised Russia to show respônsibility in the crisis, and he 

firmly appealed to Syria's leadership to take the initiative for a negotiated peaceful solution, and he requested all parties

involved to take time in favour of a negotiated settlement. Yesterday Sunday noon for the Angelus prayer, in spite of the

rain, over 100,000 people milled St Pater's Square to pray with the Pope and many banners bore messages of praise for

the Supreme Pontiff. It was just like last Wednesday during the Papal weekly audience when nearly 200,000 pilgrims

packed the vast square to show support for the Pope's initiatives on all fronts. There were, among these pilgrims, delegations

from Africa including a big one from Kenya.

So now the ball is in Assad's camp, and if he fumbles with it he will just kick himself out now that many nations are opting for

the logic of air strikes if Assad failed to co-operate, first, with the UN research commission and, second, with the instances

that will see to the destruction and dismantling of the chemical weapons!

G.H.K.