“We die in the war or we die at sea – people are dying either way.”
That’s one Syrian refugee’s bleak analysis of the crisis that has forced over 4 million people to flee from their homes, families, and livelihoods. The ultimate answer to the Syrian refugee crisis is to end the war through diplomacy among the powers backing various sides in the war, so more people won’t be driven from their homes and so that those already displaced can go home.
The first round of diplomatic talks at Vienna concluded with a firm commitment from all parties to end the war. Another round begins next week. But there’s no guarantee these talks will succeed because real diplomacy requires compromise. And the Obama administration will be less likely to compromise if it does not have the public support of Congress and the American public.
Rep. Jim Himes, who led 54 other members of Congress in sending a letter in support of using diplomacy to end the war, has now introduced a resolution “Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the President of the United States should use the full authority of his office to convene international negotiations intended to stop the civil war in Syria.”
Tell your Representative to co-sponsor Rep. Himes’ resolution in support of diplomacy to end the Syrian war. Call your Representative NOW at (202) 224-3121 and say,
“The solution to the Syrian refugee crisis is realistic diplomacy to end the Syrian war. I urge you to co-sponsor H.R. 508 calling on President Obama to use his full authority to end the Syrian war through international diplomatic negotiations.”
When you’re done, please report your call below.
And if you haven’t signed our petition urging members of Congress to co-sponsor H.R. 508, you can do that here:
https://www.justforeignpolicy.org/act/end-Syria-war-real-diplomacy