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"If the Syrian regime continues to resist and disregard Arab League efforts, the international community will consider other means to protect Syrian civilians."
An opposition Syrian National Council (SNC) policy paper titled, "Safe Area for Syria," calls for armed intervention, saying:
"The (SNC) is entering a critical phase in the Syrian revolution whereby the hope of a continued campaign of passive resistance to an exceptionally brutal and unrestrained regime is becoming more and more akin to a suicide pact."
The paper was produced by the US funded London-based Strategic Research and Communication Center. Its head, Ausama Monajed, formerly ran Barada TV. Covert State Department funding backs it. It's closely affiliated with pro-Western Syrian exiles. It beams anti-government propaganda to Syria.
For now, Washington's relying on Arab League monitors to provide reasons for direct intervention. Regimes headed by pro-Western despots condoned Libya's ravaging, including massacres too great to ignore. Since March, they supported Western-backed anti-Syrian insurgents.
Nonetheless, at first, monitors reported calm in Homs. According to Sudanese General Mohamed al-Dabi , its mission head:
"There were some places where the situation was not good. But there wasn't anything frightening at least while we were there. Things were calm and there were no clashes."
On December 31, Press TV reported 150 monitors saying Syrian officials were cooperating. As al-Dabi said, they found normal conditions in Homs, the epicenter of unrest. It confirms independent reports of an externally generated insurgency if violence there resumes.
Al-Dabi also said more investigation is needed. Ahead of year end, monitors headed for Idlib, Hama and Daraa. They'll also cover Damascus, its suburbs and surrounding areas. Complying with Arab League conditions, Syria released 1,180 prisoners in November. In late December, another 755 were freed.
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