USC Professors Weigh In on Syria

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — “There’s no requirement to do anything at this point by the Syrians. What we have right now is some diplomatic posturing, says Joel Samuels, University of South Carolina Law Professor

Samuels says Tuesday’s planned and later cancelled discussion between the fifteen members of the Security Council of the United Nations had an agenda. 

“What kind of resolution to pass, what kind of requirements will be placed on the Syrian government in terms of the weapons and what kind of penalties or punishments will be placed on the Syrians if they don’t comply with any Security Council resolution,” says Samuels

But Tuesday afternoon, Russia cancelled the meeting just hours after Syria agreed to a proposal to release their chemical weapons under international control. It’s a move University of South Carolina Adjunct Professor and former peace negotiator, Josef Olmert is not surprised by. 

Olmert also says fears of an American Military attack were growing. 

“They have no choice because they want to prevent this American attack,” says Olmert. 

Another country in the Security Council reportedly flexing their strength to resolve the Syrian conflict is of course, Russia. 

“They want to show that they are still around the table of the powers,” says Olmert

Back at the table, another turn of events this week involving ‘The Chemical Weapons Convention,” it’s a treaty signed by 188 nations only five in the world have not signed it, including Syria. 

“In the past 24 hours, Syria has said that it will be willing to sign that treaty and as part of that, Syria would have to allow inspection of it’s chemical weapons and would have to reduce it’s stockpile and could never use them again against its civilian population,” says Samuels. 

In light of today’s Security Council meeting being cancelled, ABC Columbia News has learned private diplomatic meetings are likely to take place over the next several days.