China's Donation To Syria: Gift shows China's Indifference To Assad's Crimes
11 January 2013
By Abdul Rahman Al-Rashed
It seems the Chinese have finally felt some remorse
for the horrific massacres committed by the Syrian
regime against children, and the displacement of
millions of starving people, by presenting a cheque
for $50,000. Yes, that's right, China, a powerful
country that holds investments worth a trillion
dollars in US banks, and sells $130 billion worth of
goods in Gulf markets in a year, could only give the
Syrian refugees $50,000. Yet along with Russia, China
has protected the al-Assad regime and paved the way
for its killings by vetoing U.N. Security Council
resolutions.
At least the Russians are explicit in their hostility
towards the Syrians. They have provided the Syrian
regime with fuel and arms and printed its currency.
China, however, hides behind Russia at the Security
Council, whilst also enabling al-Assad to commit his
massacres.
What can the Syrians do with such an amount? What
wounds will $50,000 heal?
Yet the smoke and mirrors and insults do not only stem
from China but also from the Arab League, which has
set off a few verbal fireworks despite having failed
to achieve a single positive ever since Nabil Elaraby
became Secretary General. The league, even though
historically known for its incapability and fragile
stances, has never before reached such lows. Its
positions, at least the statements made, were always
clearer, stronger and more vocal on issues relating to
Palestine, Lebanon, post-occupation Kuwait, Somalia
and Sudan.
Elaraby's league is an organization with no color,
taste or smell. I have several times tried to
understand how Elaraby thinks and what he aims to
achieve. Which political game could he possibly be
playing? The truth is I cannot understand him.
Yesterday, he confused me further as he spoke of
sending peacekeeping troops to carry out a political
transition process in Syria.
Even if these were Arab peacekeeping troops sanctioned
by a UN Security Council resolution, how could they be
sent to Syria? What peace is there for them to keep?
Fighter jets are shelling people from afar and the
rebels are retaliating in the dark. There are no two
opposing sides as in a civil war or a battle fought
between two armies. There is not even a peace treaty
to maintain. Could Elaraby be kind enough to explain
to us his great idea that he, along with other
ministers, keeps on repeating?
The Arab League's position is shameful. It is hiding
behind the stances of Arab governments in solidarity
with the al-Assad regime such as those of Algeria,
Sudan and Iraq, as well as Egypt to a lesser extent.
Elaraby has to realize that al-Assad's game has ended
and that his regime is disintegrating. The Arab League
and governments like Algeria's no longer need to waste
time under new excuses. They granted al-Assad the
cover as well as the time and now the number of those
slaughtered by the Syrian regime has reached more than
60,000 – most of whom were unarmed civilians. We all
know well that al-Assad will not allow peace or relief
troops. Therefore, what Elaraby and his partners are
suggesting is just a mockery against the Syrian people
and an underestimation of us all.
As the countdown for the Syrian regime begins, some,
like China, will try to forge positions by registering
themselves as donors for the Syrian people. China only
sent $50,000 so it will be remembered as one that
stood by the Syrians. Yet this is the same China that
participated in the slaughter of these people from a
distance, from its permanent seat at the UN Security
Council.
Al
Rashed is the general manager of Al -Arabiya
television. He is also the former editor-in-chief of
Asharq Al- Awsat, and the leading Arabic weekly
magazine, Al Majalla. He is also a senior Columnist in
the daily newspapers of Al Madina and Al Bilad. He is
a US post-graduate degree in mass communications. He
has been a guest on many TV current affairs programs.
He is currently based in Dubai.
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