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More lies from the warmongers

To the editor,

Colin Powell was used as a “warmonger dupe” when, during his speech to the United Nations, he presented a small vial of “something” to demonstrate the purported power of chemical weapons.

His, as it turned out, was a vile lie; his reputation suffered mightily and so did the people of Iraq, not to mention the U.S. casualties in the thousands.

Now, we have John Kerry stating categorically that the Syrian regime has used chemical weapons on the civilian population. Could this be another vile lie? Perhaps not.

But, there is no “clean and simple” way to punish the Assad regime for anything it has done to the civilians caught up in the inevitable slaughter of warfare.

While many innocent Syrians have been killed and wounded, far more Iraq civilians were killed in that senseless, unnecessary war; a war based on myth.

Horrible as the war in Syria and the recent terrible deaths and sufferings are, any attempt at retribution will kill far more of the innocent than the guilty. The U.S. made extensive use of napalm and agent orange during the Vietnam War, and Bush I’s 100 days of bombing before the Gulf War and Bush II’s “shock and awe” attack before the Iraq war each killed and wounded more civilians than this latest heinous crime. Dead is dead. It does not matter whether it is from a drone attack, a nuclear bomb, a bullet or deadly chemicals. All war casualties are horrors.

A significant percent of the Syrian people still support, at least to some degree, the Assad regime, according to what are probably reliable poll data. That fact, if true, does not bode well for intervention of a direct nature.

So-called surgical strikes will produce significant civilian (collateral) deaths, injuries, and infrastructure damage; probably at least as many died in the recent attack.

And what is to keep Assad from “flooding” military targets with civilians, whether volunteers or “volunteers?”

The hype for “retaliation” or war is typical of the kind of fomenting that will in the long run benefit the warmonger elements, their minions and the wealthy few, at the expense of the common people in Syria, the U.S., and beyond.

– Hal Mansfield, Green Valley, Ariz.

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Beto’s reborn under Macho’s sign

To the editor,

I’m writing this after months of anticipation/hunger pains in regards to what had become a staple in many of our lives … good, fast, Mexican food! It seemed like the new southside grub spot couldn’t open soon enough, then, after we all had hopeless addictions to this Sonoran style deliciousness, it was gone! Without notice or ample time to stock up on tacos and burritos, this amazing place had slipped away. No rhyme, no reason. For many, there would be no answer to why, for some, even more unanswered questions would arise about how this could happen.

What appeared to be a prosperous, quaint and delightful addition to the otherwise eatery-devoid southside, this establishment vanished as quickly as it came. For some like myself, who luckily lived within close proximity, we had not only grown to love the food and atmosphere but also the namesake. This particular young man has been a long time culinary workhorse whose time behind the grill had finally become his lifelong dream, his very own restaurant! One where he could be free to create some of the (IMO) best Mexican food Durango has seen! I can’t lie that coincidentally being from the same hometown of Tucson, Ariz., this particular flair of (Sonoran) style Mexican food was something I could’ve only dreamed of coming to Durango.

Unfortunately as good as all this could be, for Durangotangs and for the proprietor, it all came to an abrupt end. Like many things in this world, when you’re successful and prosperous, there’s someone who wants a piece of your pie; they may even want a large piece. Without getting into too many details, some of which are still held up in court, this man was stripped of his dream.

But through all this adversity, (even losing the right to use his own name in the title), he’s persevered, having learned a few, albeit hard, life lessons along the way. 

Beto Navarro (formerly of Beto’s) is the proud new owner of Macho’s! Durango’s newest home of countless cravings and tequila hangovers will be at the corner of Florida Road and CR 250, next to Star Liquor. With a bigger and newly renovated facility, he will be serving up similar tasty Sonoran Mexican grub with a full bar, cozy patio and all the tequila-infused drinks one can handle. With a possible grand opening as soon as this weekend, make sure to keep your ear to the ground for details. Cheers!

– David Aldrich, Durango

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Let the ICC investigate Syria

To the editor,

The 2½ year conflict in Syria has resulted in millions of refugees/displaced persons and more than 110,000 deaths. Recently, more than 1,000 civilians were killed in a poison gas attack attributed by some to the Al-Assad regime, and by others to rebel forces.

Given the differing views of the U.S., Russia and China (all permanent members of the UN Security Council), it is unlikely that the UNSC will authorize punitive military measures against Al-Assad. However, members of the UNSC may well agree to employ the International Criminal Court (ICC) as a legal avenue for the impartial investigation of war crimes and crimes against humanity by any party to the Syrian conflict, with the possibility of indicting those responsible. 

Currently, 122 countries (but not Syria, China, Russia nor the U.S.) recognize the Court’s jurisdiction. Among the punishable crimes under the ICC Statute are the following: depriving civilians of access to food and medicine; extensively and wanton destruction of property, not justified by military necessity; torture or the intentional infliction of severe pain or suffering; intentionally directing attacks against civilians not taking direct part in hostilities; intentionally directing attacks against buildings dedicated to religion, education, art, science or charitable purposes, historic monuments or hospitals; employing asphyxiating, poisonous or other gases, and all analogous liquids, materials or devices.

According to media accounts, both pro- and anti-government forces in Syria have committed many of these crimes. An independent ICC investigation can assign blame to the guilty parties regardless of political motives. 

There are several ways the ICC can initiate an investigation. One involves the UNSC. Acting under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, the UNSC can refer situations that threaten or disrupt international peace to the ICC for investigation. Because the court would be acting pursuant to Security Council authority, there would be binding obligations on all UN member states (including Syria) to comply with court orders for evidence or the surrender of indicted persons. Court orders could be enforced via embargoes, the freezing of assets, etc. Because all Security Council members agree that the wanton killing of civilians and the use of poisonous gas violate international norms, they are more likely to agree to ICC involvement than to punitive military action.

To date, the Security Council has authorized the ICC to investigate the situations in Darfur, Sudan and in Libya. While an ICC investigation may not end the conflict, it may well cause a reduction in war crimes. It may also identify and indict those guilty of grave breaches of humanitarian law. Such persons would become subject to international arrest warrants and would be regarded as persona non-grata internationally.

An ICC strategy should be pursued in conjunction with robust diplomacy and peace negotiations involving key Syrian parties, the Arab League, the European Union, Turkey, Russia, Iran and the United States. Certainly, such a combined approach is more appropriate for a Nobel Peace Laureate President than one involving cruise missiles. In the long run, it may be much more effective.

– Paul J. Magnarella, Professor, Peace and Justice Studies, Warren Wilson College, Asheville, N.C.