McCain resolution calls for safe zones and arming the Syrian opposition

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) and five like-minded lawmakers unveiled a new resolution on Syria Wednesday that calls for establishing safe zones inside Syria for civilians and support for arming the opposition against the regime of Bashar al Assad.

The non-binding resolution stops short of calling for direct U.S. military intervention in Syria, which McCain supports, and is meant to create a consensus on increasing U.S. support for the Syrian opposition that the greatest number of lawmakers can rally around. As of now, the resolution has six sponsors, mostly Republicans. In addition to McCain, they are Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Joe Lieberman (I-CT), Jon Kyl (R-AZ), Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), and John Hoeven (R-ND).

The resolution expresses that the Senate "recognizes that the people of Syria have an inherent right to defend themselves against the campaign of violence being conducted by the Assad regime" and "supports calls by Arab leaders to provide the people of Syria with the means to defend themselves against Bashar al-Assad and his forces, including through the provision of weapons and other material support, and calls on the President to work closely with regional partners to implement these efforts effectively."

The resolution also urges President Barack Obama to work with Middle East countries to develop plans for creating safe havens in Syria, which the senators feel "would be an important step to save Syrian lives and to help bring an end to Mr. Assad's killing of civilians in Syria," urges the president to hold Syrian officials accountable for atrocities, and supports the "Friends of the Syrian People" contact group, which will hold its second meeting Sunday in Turkey.

http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2012/03/28/mccain_resolution_calls_for_safe_zones_and_arming_the_syrian_opposition