Major Powers Agree On Plan For Syria

As the violence goes on in Syria, the major powers at the United Nations have agreed on a plan for the war-ravaged country -- and even Russia and China have agreed to the plan. Here is how CNN describes the plan, which will most likely quickly be approved by the Security Council:

The first step should be a recommitment to a cease-fire by both sides and implementation of a U.N. and Arab League-backed six-point plan without waiting for the actions of others, Joint Special Envoy Kofi Annan said.


A key to the process will be a transitional government, which Annan said could include members of the current Syrian regime. The make-up of such a body would be decided by the Syrians, he said.


"We are determined to work together urgently and intensively, to bring an end to the violence and the human rights abuses and the launch of a Syrian-led political process leading to a transition that meets the legit aspiration of the Syrian people," Annan said.


The agreement also calls on the Syrian government to release detainees and allow journalists access to the country. The right to peaceful demonstrations must be respected, Annan said. . .


Under the agreement, it remains possible for al-Assad to remain part of a transitional government, an idea unpalatable to many.


But in remarks with reporters, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the document makes it clear that there is no future for al-Assad in Syria.


"Assad will still have to go. He will never pass the mutual consent test, given the blood on his hands," she said.


According to the agreement, the power to govern Syria will be vested in the transitional governing body, so all authority will be stripped from al-Assad if he refuses to step down.


I really hope the plan works, but I have to admit that I think a snowball would have a better chance of surviving in the Sahara Desert. First, short of invading Syria (which it will not do), the United Nations has no way to actually strip Assad of his power. All he has to do is ignore the U.N. plan, and the status quo will continue. The only thing the U.N. has in its arsenal is to impose severe sanctions on Syria -- and it is unlikely that Russia and China will actually allow that to happen.

I don't think this plan has much chance of success. But I hope I'm wrong.