Stop Syria conflict to stem flow of refugees

The continent had the best of intentions when it opened its borders to refugees fleeing war and persecution in the Middle East, but it's now clear that things are not going to plan.

Published: Thu 28 Jan 2016, 11:00 PM

Last updated: Fri 29 Jan 2016, 1:00 AM

Blame it on the horrors of war and the message to refugees. Spare the messenger. Europe's refugee crisis is taking a turn for the worse and will test the European Union's staying power. How long can they hope to stick together? Words have a certain alluring power that German Chancellor Angela Merkel did not comprehend back then. She had a moral responsibility to give refugees a home last year. Her intentions were noble. The question is did she go too far? Did she fling the gates wide open to spark off another crisis - a political, social and economic quagmire which Europe finds difficult to extricate itself from?
''We can do it,'' said the chancellor. Powerful stuff as she was thinking social and economic change in her country. It could haunt her and the continent for many years if more attacks like Paris happen. Immigration may have been good for Germany with its dwindling workforce, but it's clear Merkel did not think it through. Other countries in the continent do not share the sentiment because immigration is also about integration and European values of freedom in every aspect of life.
The continent had the best of intentions when it opened its borders to refugees fleeing war and persecution in the Middle East, but it's now clear that things are not going to plan. Europe's resources are stretched, patience is running out and politicians are getting nervous. The result is harsh legislation calling for deportations and using money from migrants to fund their stay in Europe.
You would expect Scandinavian countries like Norway and Sweden to keep their cool in times of crisis, but their reactions to the exodus has come as a surprise, even shock. Part of the blame should be laid at Germany's doorstep - on what the chancellor said. Let's also not forget the main reason - war and its cruelty on civilians.
Syria's warring factions are yet to sit across the table and talk out a solution. New players like Russia are playing a bigger military role in the country against the terror group, Daesh. Positions are hardening, no one is listening, and all hell is braking loose, driving out millions from their homes.
As we write this edit, another boat has capsized in the Mediterranean. Many have perished, but it's shameful that the key players in the conflict lack the seriousness to solve the humanitarian crisis in Syria. You have a despot on one side and a terror group that will go to any lengths on the other. There's not much to choose for ordinary folk as their homes and families are bombed out of existence by Syrian Russian, American and French warplanes. On the ground they confront a brainwashed terror group that will stop at nothing to set up a caliphate.
So they flee to Jordan, Turkey, Greece and into the heart of Europe taken in by the message - not the peoples of these lands who think they have come too far riding on their welcomes. The messaging should change. Europe is not a land of milk and honey. It is at best a temporary shelter. Too late for the 80,000 asylum seekers that Sweden plans to send back to their home countries.