The provided text explains how the Czech Republic was able to maintain its diplomatic presence in Syria when superpowers like the US withdrew. Here’s a breakdown of the key reasons:
Long-Standing and Deep Relations: The Czech Republic (and its predecessor, Czechoslovakia) had established strong, long-term relationships with syria dating back to the 1970s. This was built on:
economic Cooperation: Czechoslovakia had assisted Syria in building its industrial sector.
Educational Ties: Many Syrian students studied in Czechoslovakia. Decision to Maintain Presence: When the Syrian war began, the Czech Republic made a conscious decision to continue these “above-standard” relationships.This was driven by:
Political Will: The then Minister of Foreign Affairs, Karel Schwarzenberg, and former Ambassador Eva filipi actively pushed for the embassy to remain open.
Acting as a “Protective Power” for the US: This was a crucial factor. when the US diplomats left in 2012, they signed an agreement with the Czech Republic, making the Czechs responsible for representing US interests in Syria. This is a rare arrangement for the US, which typically only uses Switzerland for this role in Iran. This agreement likely provided a framework and potentially some level of support or justification for the Czech presence.
Providing a Channel of Dialog: Even though some countries wanted to distance themselves from the Syrian regime, they were grateful for the Czech Republic’s continued presence. This allowed them to maintain contact and gather information indirectly. The Syrian side also welcomed this chance to communicate with the outside world.
Resilience and Adaptation: Despite the dangerous security situation, Czech diplomats demonstrated remarkable resilience. They:
Continued Operations: They had to go out and conduct meetings even when fighting was close by.
Adapted to Security Measures: They sometimes couldn’t leave their residences, had to use armored cars, and relied on travel to Lebanon for connections to the outside world.
Secured by Specialized Teams: The urna (Czech special police unit) provided continuous security for the embassy and diplomats since 2012.
Damascus as a “Bubble”: While the war raged, the center of Damascus, where the embassy was located, was described as a “bubble.” this meant that essential services like food were available, and it was sometimes possible to access amenities like restaurants and gyms.
In essence, the Czech Republic’s ability to maintain its diplomatic presence stemmed from a combination of ancient ties, a purposeful political decision, a unique role as a protective power for the US, and the adaptability and resilience of its diplomats on the ground.