Syria Faces A New Economic Reality – By Ehsani
Posted by Ehsani on Monday, September 26th, 2011
Syria Faces A New Economic Reality
By Ehsani for Syria Comment
Sept 26, 2011
The recently announced import suspension prohibits the import of all products that have a customs duty of over 5 percent. This notice also covers countries that Syria signed a free trade agreement with (Turkey, Ukraine and the Arab countries for example). The original signed free trade agreements will no longer be fully adhered to.
As expected, the Ministry did issue a list of products which received an exemption from the ruling. There are 51 items on this list. The first 17 are of the food products variety like meat, fish, cashew nuts, almonds and bananas. Some of the details on the list are mind-bogglingly trivial. The type of fish that was exempted from the ban for example was sword fish which made it to item number 5. Fish (with teeth) from the south pole or Australia also made it to the exemption list at number 6. But the sword fish were dropped again in item 7 which allowed all fish other than sword fish or those from the south pole and Australia.
The rest of the items are mostly medical in nature. Examples include x-ray machines, various Lab equipments, Dental chairs, and prescription and sun glasses. The only vehicles allowed are buses for the local public transportation companies, fire and ambulance trucks as well as fork lifts. Mobile phones (current customs duty of 10%) were also exempt from the ruling. This suspension is effective for all imports after September 22, 2011 (those who used a local bank prior to this date are exempt). Overall, the complexity of this ruling can only be appreciated when one delves into even more detail of what is banned and what is not.
The General Reaction to the Ruling:
The deputy Minister of the Economy and Trade was in Aleppo today. He was in a packed room of businessmen at the city’s Chamber of Commerce. Several passionate pleas were made to rethink the decision and to exempt more products. Many explained how they already have goods on the way and wondered what they would with them (they did not have an L/C open before September 22nd). One wondered why cashew nuts were exempted when the U.S. used to be the largest supplier of this product (Vietnam and India are now the world’s largest exporters). To every question, the deputy Minister’s response was to ask that they do so in writing and when the Ministry receives their written questions, it will study them in detail and see how they can help. To which one food importer responded that it would be too late as his goods are already at the border and by the time his letter reaches Damascus and be read he would have already thrown away his rotting produce.
One can read more about these shock waves hitting the Syrian business community. In the meantime, government has tried its best to argue that the decision has both pluses and minuses. On the minus side, the government is aware that prices of the recently banned items will rise rather significantly. Indeed, reports of price hikes close to 40 percent have already been reported on few electronic items while companies like Sony, Sharp and others have suspended their sales in the country altogether. While the government did not mention it, the other minus will stem from the fact that the grey market will now flourish as illicit trade fills the inevitable void that will develop. On the plus side, the Minister of the economy and trade has tried to argue that this decision will help local producers and employment. The argument appears logical at first. However, by referring to the measures as “temporary”, one fails to see how local producers will add to expensive capacity and hire new employees knowing that the decision can be reversed anytime. Local manufacturers are unlikely to invest in new machinery and equipment in this atmosphere. As it is, a number of industrialists have put expansion or new projects on hold over the last few years as the government has proved incapable of delivering sufficient electricity capacity.
Syria’s external Accounts undermined by its fixed exchange rate
This article argues that while the decision to suspend imports for these products appears to have been caused by the recent sanctions imposed by the US and EU, Syria’s external accounts were already being undercut by the fixed exchange rate policy that had encouraged imports and discouraged exports for years. In the end, the authorities have found it expensive and difficult to finance the insatiable demand for foreign made products at the rate of SYP 47 to the dollar while revenues from oil production and exports fell steadily.
The 2012 Syrian Budget Rises by 59%
In addition to the pressure stemming from an imbalance in its foreign trade position, the other main problem in the economy comes from the government budgeting situation. Just yesterday, the state increased its expenditures by 59 percent when it announced its new budget for 2012. The Social subsidies alone will amount to 29% percent (US$ 7.72) of all government expenditures . This means that one third out of every Dollar that the government spends will go to supporting a hugely expensive subsidy program that has spiraled out of control thanks to the country’s demographics and illicit trading (especially in mazot – fuel oil). How large is the budget and total government expenditures this year? The number is $US 26.5 billion or 50 per cent of total nominal GDP. This is an astoundingly high number.
Failure to Tax
The US$9.8 billion jump in expenditures this year needs to be funded by increased tax collection in a business environment that will be extremely challenging. One of the examples of an obvious and gaping hole in the government’s ability to collect taxes comes from custom duties on imports. While the government imposes duties close to 50% on many products, the 2009 government revenue from this area indicates that the treasury was only able to collect US$ 0.56 billion or 4.3% of the total value of goods imported. Following the recent sanctions on Syrian crude exports, it seems that the country was able to export around 110,000 barrels per day. Revenues from such exports used to be in the range of $3.0 billion. Given the recent sanctions and even when alternative buyers are found, it is expected that this can only take place after a hair cut is offered on the globally traded price. This is likely to further erode the government’s ability to earn much needed foreign exchange. It is possible that the difficulties of finding buyers will be such that talk of barter trades will soon be discussed. Iran already does this with its own crude exports. Indeed, this morning the Financial Times claims that Syria is unable to find any buyers for its oil (See Story below).
The pros and cons of a stable exchange rate:
Since the last currency crisis in the mid-1980, Syria has defined both political and economic success by the stability of its foreign exchange regime. The central bank used the stability of its foreign exchange as the main metric of successful economic management. This metric did not include economic growth, employment level or the balance of payments as targets. Stable exchange rate led to inflation stability and this is all that mattered to the economic planners.
In a flexible exchange regime, a loss of competitiveness or a widening trade imbalance usually results in a weaker currency which acts as self-correcting valve that restores the initial imbalances over time. Artificially fixed exchange rates deprive an economy from such a correcting mechanism. This is what happened in Syria. While this policy seemingly held imported inflation in check, it was causing significant damage to external accounts. As the country adopted the new social market economy and import restrictions were lifted, an import orgy was now underway. This was augmented by free trade agreements with the Arab world and later with Turkey. Local producers who lived for decades under the comfortable protection of “himaye wataniye” were now under assault from a global market place that was more efficient and competitive than them. It did not take long for Syrians to dump their manufacturing hats and transform themselves into importers. Throughout this worsening export/import imbalance, the currency value did not budge. The Central Bank intervened at any sign of SYP weakness.
For Syria to continue to finance importers at the rate of SYP 47 to $1 dollar, it needed matching foreign currency receipts from its exports, remittances or tourism. The hopes were high when it came to the latter two. Thanks to a steady fall in oil production and exports however, the country’s ability to accumulate serious foreign currency was becoming harder to accomplish. In spite of such trends, the foreign exchange regime was never modified to weaken the SYP to help make imports more expensive and/or to give local producers a much needed slight competitive advantage.
Proponents of the stable fixed Exchange rate regime pointed to stable inflation as the primary objective and how allowing the SYP to devalue will harm the economy. In reality, however, what transpired is that the government exhausted its ability to finance the country’s increasing appetite to import. Much has been discussed of the fact that the Central Bank sits on a comfortable foreign exchange reserve position of nearly US$ 18 billion. In reality, this number is impossible to verify. The official government data and accounting is simply not transparent enough to confirm such claims. More transparency is highly desirable in an effort to reduce speculation and rely on factual data during such a critical period. In the meantime, the only thing certain is that the government has decided to conserve on whatever foreign reserves it has at its disposal to prepare for an extremely challenging economic times in the period ahead.
News Round Up
Ban forces Syria to cut oil production – Financial Times
Syria has told foreign oil companies to cut production due to a backlog of crude that has filled its storage capacity because the government has been so far unable to bypass an embargo on crude oil exports imposed by the European Union.
Syria has sought to sell its oil to nations outside the EU, which before the ban imported around 95 per cent of the country’s output.
But industry executives and oil traders said the country had been so far unable to attract new
buyers in spite of offering discounts.
The failure has forced foreign oil companies to pump crude originally earmarked for export into storage. “There is a backlog of crude in the country,” said an industry executive.
“Storage is filling up,” the executive added, saying that some companies had been told to reduce output.
Gulfsands Petroleum, the London-listed company which operates in Syria, has cut its production by around 40 per cent at the request of the authorities. The company is now pumping about 14,500 barrels a day, down from about than 24,000 b/d in August.
Industry executives said other international oil companies operating in the country, which include Royal Dutch Shell, Total of France, and state-owned CNPC of China and ONGC of India, have also recently received orders to cut back.
Although international oil companies hope the cuts are temporary, and will end when Syria finds nations willing to take its crude, others see the drop lasting as long as the EU embargo remains.
Brussels imposed the oil ban in response to a crackdown by the regime of Bashar al-Assad on pro-democracy activists that
has seen more than 2,700 people die in the past six months.
Syria produced in August around 370,000 b/d of low quality crude oil, according to the International Energy Agency, the western countries’ oil watchdog.
The country exported around 150,000 b/d, with the rest consumed domestically. Germany and Italy accounted for roughly two-thirds of Syria’s oil exports last year.
Imad Moustapha, Syria’s ambassador to Washington, said in a recent interview with the Financial Times that the country would have no problem finding markets for its oil.
“It’s not that we are approaching people, it’s the other way around. We
are being approached,” he said.
But so far this month not a single cargo of Syrian crude oil has left the nation’s main export oil ports, according to shipping data. Several tenders of low quality, high sulphur Souedie crude, the country’s main export stream, have failed to attract any interest, traders said.
Oil traders said the impact of the EU ban on Syrian oil was wider than previously expected as international banks refused to open letters of credits – a common instrument used in trading – with Syrian entities, even when to destinations outside the EU. Tanker-owners were also reluctant to send their vessels to Syrian ports, they said.
The production losses compound the tight supply and demand balance in the Mediterranean and European region, home of four of the world’s 10 largest oil importing countries: Germany, France, Spain and Italy.
But the shortfall is not nearly as big as that created by the civil war in Libya, which produced before the start of the revolution 1.6m b/d of high quality, low sulphur crude oil.
Shell directed questions about production in Syria to the Damascus-based Al-Furat Petroleum Company, which could not be reached. Al-Furat is a joint venture between Syria’s state-owned General Petroleum Corporation, which controls a 50 per cent stake, Shell Oil and CNPC. Total did not responded to calls and e-mails.
Also from the FT, Syrian to look east for oil markets
Imad Moustapha, Damascus’s envoy in Washington, says the country will be able to offset the impact of western sanctions by looking east.
Mr Moustapha would not elaborate on which companies or countries had contacted his government but Syria’s bravado underlines the difficulty that western nations have in trying to inflict economic pain on President Bashar al-Assad’s regime in a bid to make it stop its violent crackdown on six months of pro-democracy protests.
“It’s not that we are approaching people, it’s the other way around. We are being approached,” Mr Moustapha told the Financial Times. “But no contracts have been signed yet.”
The US has imposed repeated rounds of sanctions on the Syrian regime since the unrest began in March, most recently banning any US investment in Syria’s crucial energy sector and prohibiting US companies from buying Syrian oil.
The sanctions were mainly symbolic as the US has minimal involvement in Syria’s energy sector. But the European Union, which buys more than 90 per cent of Syria’s crude oil exports, followed suit with an oil embargo of its own.
The 27-member bloc, however, said members had until mid-November to stop importing oil, a grace period during which Syria could line up other buyers for its oil, thereby possibly limiting the immediate impact.
Mr Moustapha brushed off the American sanctions, saying the US had been taking such actions since the 1950s. But the European sanctions were a different story.
“Of course they are going to have a negative effect. They create a challenge for us to find a way to develop our economy and we are not denying that it will be a challenge,” he said.
Syria would be forced to shift its economic gaze eastward, Mr Moustapha said, just as Iran increasingly looked to China after chilling sanctions on its energy and financial sectors.
“We will re-orient our economy towards Asia, Africa and South America. We have a whole spectrum of options open to us,” he said.
Syria exports a heavy, sour crude oil called Souedie, chiefly to refiners in Germany, Italy, France and the Netherlands. Although it would be expensive to transport it beyond the Mediterranean Sea, both China and India have the technical capacity to refine this type of oil.
Ayham Kamel, a Middle East analyst at the Eurasia Group in Washington, said he would not be surprised if customers had been knocking on Syria’s door, looking to take advantage of the political situation to get a cheap de
Harvard website hacked by Syria protesters – BBC
Along with a picture of Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad, the hacked home page showed a message saying the “Syrian Electronic Army Were Here”.
A further message made terror threats against the United States and criticised its opposition to the Assad regime.
Harvard said this has been the work of a “sophisticated individual or group”.
“The university’s homepage was compromised by an outside party this morning. We took down the site for several hours in order to restore it. The attack appears to have been the work of a sophisticated individual or group,” said a Harvard spokesman.
The website was hacked on Monday morning by what appeared to be sympathisers of President Assad of Syria, with a picture of the president in military uniform appearing in front of a Syrian flag.
This was linked to another image of Syrian national colours, with a message accusing the United States of involvement in the uprisings against President Assad.
Brief Note:
The Sarkozy story from the previous thread has elicited many responses questioning the accuracy of the report and why the story was published without investigating further into the claim. It is indeed the case that SC did not do more than link to the story as it appeared in Al Diyar. Another reader asked the source of the information behind Hotbird’s decision to stop carrying addunia. It was here.
Comments (1,388)
873 said:
Syria will soon face a new military reality too:
http://www.youtube.com/verify_controversy?next_url=http%3A//www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3D-kargNcnpb0%26feature%3Dplayer_embedded
On last thread, “Sarkozy asks why Christians dont emigrate”
But if any one asks “Why dont jews emigrate?” Whining and lawsuits and all the manipulative tricks in the book to retaliate for even perishing the thought.
September 26th, 2011, 11:21 am
873 said:
Same sponsors, same democracy:
September 26th, 2011, 11:39 am
Syrian Prometheus said:
Why would the Syrian government keep the value of the SYP propped up?
All the successful emerging-markets countries have done the opposite! Just look at China and Brazil. Everyone is mad at them because they keep their currencies devalued making their products attractive in foreign markets.
The term “incompetent boobs” comes to mind!
September 26th, 2011, 12:18 pm
Syrian Nationalist Party said:
Well, if you are unemployed and need a job security that will last 2-3 decades go to work in Tel Kalakh (Syria), before it becomes competitive. You also have the added benefit of becoming a business partner with many top Syrian Security officials. Now I will consider rebuilding all those roadsides rental huts that fetch $3000 per month in Arida, Lebanon, just across the river. All we need is for the NATO Islamic Mercenaries to move and work in Deir Alzour and the Turkish Border, if any still alive or not in Assad Jail.
Still want to know what are you (mercenaries- or is it revolutionaries) going to do to release 16000 fools that you got in trouble in Syria out of jail. I beg you not to let them rot to death in Assad prison system as you did for all the other Lebanese and Syrians in the 80’s. Made your fit and moved to London, Germany and Vermont, sent you Bit***es to dye hair “Islamically Baroxide Blond” and got a nice home in Vermont while the guppy you left behind are all forgotten, left for mass graves fill.
Have some conscious; I know it is hard for Moslem to do so. If Moslem had a drop of that, they would not have paid the USA to go and kill 3 million Moslems in Iraq and Afghanistan like those Moslem Bedouins, all of them did.
September 26th, 2011, 12:19 pm
Syrian Prometheus said:
# 4. Incoherent!!!!!
September 26th, 2011, 12:24 pm
Syrian Nationalist Party said:
It is loudly coherent for those “in the Know” or “needs to Know”.
September 26th, 2011, 12:46 pm
Aboud said:
Guy, did anyone understand anything from #4? I think it was a whine about blonde hair or something 🙂
September 26th, 2011, 12:49 pm
areal said:
Aboud
About https://joshualandis.com/blog/?p=12186&cp=7#comment-274964
and your last comment on my info
Regarding the money paid to the protesters ,
it is not my business , it is yours !!
I just reported that two Syrians living in Syria told me.
I trusted these people because they are NOT supporters of the government.
Quite frankly , I am not sure that the government will be happy to have this information being broadcast to the would be protesters.
I was thinking of some commentators here who acknowledged that he is giving money to the local committee in Syria.
but I notice that you mentioned the backers from Saudi Arabia , I didn’t , you know better !!!
September 26th, 2011, 12:57 pm
Atheist Syrian Salafist Against Dictatorships (ASSAD) said:
“While the government imposes duties close to 50% on many products, the 2009 government revenue from this area indicates that the treasury was only able to collect US$ 0.56 billion or 4.3% of the total value of goods imported.”
Two explanations for this are possible: the taxes were collected but were siphoned off by top officials and therefore never managed to appear in the ledgers; or the importers had worked out a deal with people in power so as to dodge the import duties. In either case, the nation/the people were robbed by corrupt government hoons.
I am also amazed that during all their years in power, the Baathist dictatorship never used any of the oil money to construct refineries that could process the heavy crude locally, providing employment, an industrial manufacturing base and a range of more easily exportable and locally usable petroleum derivatives.
Both of the above and the very valid point by Ehsani and Syr. Prom regarding the idiotic policy of a fixed exchange rate are more proof of a failed corrupt regime that has to go.
September 26th, 2011, 1:16 pm
zoo said:
Ehsani
Thanks for the thorough analysis that triggers many questions.
Obviously the importation ‘orgy’ is over. What is a success?
Didn’t contribute to the widening gap between rich and poor that was one of the reasons that encouraged the uprisings in poor rural areas?
Didn’t contribute to increased joblessness in average educated syrians?
Do you think this new forced ‘economy’ could be more successful in developing again industries for local consumption products instead of importing them from Turkey or China?
Despite some hesitations on the `temporary’ clause, don’t you think business men will be drawn to reconverted from traders to industrialists? Cheap and abundant manpower, close market.. why not?
What do you see as the role of the Arab neighbors, Iran and Turkey in helping or hampering even more the economy?
Thanks
September 26th, 2011, 1:16 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
Aboud
No one can understand anything from SNP
Further all regime supporters they do not make sense,they are paid to comment,and they all do not tell the truth,and their rational is 0,but they hail each other.
September 26th, 2011, 1:19 pm
sheila said:
Dear #5. Syrian Prometheus,
You said:
“# 4. Incoherent!!!!!”. I think incoherent is an understatement. That is the beauty of SC: you have people like you who are articulate and make a whole lot of sense and you have those who are totally out there somewhere. It is good to have the variety.
By the way, I loved your op ed on SC a while ago. Great work.
September 26th, 2011, 1:22 pm
Areal said:
Ehsani
“”””
This means that one third out of every Dollar that the government spends will go to supporting a hugely expensive subsidy program that has spiraled out of control thanks to the country’s demographics and illicit trading (especially in mazot)
“”””
May I remark that
the government spends Syrian Pounds not US Dollars.
the subsidy program allows the poorest in Syria to survive ,
it has been reported recently on your blog that mazot ( fuel oil ) is in short supply NOW in Syria
September 26th, 2011, 1:23 pm
Ehsani said:
Areal,
yes, the government taxes and spends in SYP. I mention dollars throughout the analysis using an exchange rate of SYP 50 to one Dollar. It is still a fact that 1/3 out of every SYP spent goes on subsidies and it is also a fact that government expenditures is 50 percent of GDP now.
September 26th, 2011, 1:28 pm
5 dancing shlomos said:
BRICS Emphasize United Stance against Sanctions on Syria
Al-Manar | September 25, 2011
The BRICS group that consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa assured that it will express a united stance in the United Nations regarding the Syrian situation, and warned against increasing sanctions on Syria.
In a meeting the Foreign ministers of the BRICS group held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meeting, they assured their united stance against increasing sanctions on Syria, considering that this would intensify and complicate the crisis, and would threaten peace and stability in the region.
In the same context, Russia stated its rejection to support the US in demanding the Syrian president to step down.
The Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov clarified that the US demand comes in the framework of encouraging internal conflict in Syria, and warned that armed groups were taking advantage of the protests.
For its part, the Russian Senate Delegation that recently completed its visit to Syria said that the crisis in Syria is a result of internal and external elements.
“Some TV stations broadcasted protests in Syria as well as military actions that are very much far from reality… I say this as I was there. We have made sure that some TV channels are intentionally falsifying the events,” Deputy Chairman of the Russian Federal Council, Ilyas Umakhanov said.
On the other hand, the Foreign Ministers of the member countries in the Islamic Cooperation Organization considered that the US administration’s attempt to impose sanctions against Syria is an outrageous violation to the standards of the international law, and expressed their appreciation to the Syrian leadership’s call for dialogue.
September 26th, 2011, 1:41 pm
sheila said:
Dear Ihsani,
Great article as always. I would like to make a comment about policy in Syria. All around the world, governments try to appoint experts as economic ministers. Mostly technocrats. Syria is no exception. There has been a push to appoint ministers who have more than adequate knowledge about their fields. The problem is that these ministers have no power to implement their plans. Here is how it works in Syria: The plan is drawn up and sent to the “higher authorities” for approval. A “family” meeting is held to look at the plan and measure its impact on the “family’s” business interests and their goons’ business interests. There could be several routs taken after this meeting:
1- The issues that affect the “family” are removed from the plan.
2- An opportunity is pinpointed where they could make more money, so other elements are added to the plan to open this door.
3- The plan does not benefit the “family”, so it is thrown out.
This is why, every time we see a minister who is fully capable of improving the economy start working, we notice how all his plans come to complete failure, because they were modified by those who know squat about the economy and only care about their Swiss bank accounts. So your dismay at the level of detail in the new law should now be explained. “somebody” needs to keep importing cell phones, thus cell phones are exempt. “somebody” has a successful business importing a specific type of fish, thus, that type of fish is exempt….
Mark my word, as time goes by, this list will keep changing depending on the second layer of people who will pay money or use political power to add or subtract stuff from the list.
Here is Syria Alassad for you.
September 26th, 2011, 1:42 pm
sheila said:
Dear Atheist Syrian Salafist Against Dictatorships (ASSAD),
I love your name. The acronym ASSAD is very witty, but I really do not like this animal anymore.
September 26th, 2011, 1:45 pm
Areal said:
Competitive currency devaluation is an easy temptation for incompetent politicians.
On the very short term , it may help the local producers to export on the foreign markets by lowering their final prices
BUT
it increases the cost of the imported part in their goods and machinery
it put a pressure on the local salaries of their workers who cannot afford anymore the inflated prices of the imported goods.
Remind you that the German economy flourishes with a hard currency and the US economy flounders with a weakened economy.
Remind you that Syria has still a large public sector.
Remind you that the 1930 economic crisis in Germany came with a completely devalued mark where you needed 1 million mark to buy bread ..
Regarding the length of the “temporary” measure ( increase of the custom fees ) , it will last as long as the US will impose sanctions , so the local private producers can think very long term !!
September 26th, 2011, 1:49 pm
Atheist Syrian Salafist Against Dictatorships (ASSAD) said:
@14, ??????
Would love to see a breakdown of the remaining 2/3s of govt. spending. I bet it will contain no mention of “remuneration to additional casual staff needed for shooting and beating the people.”
September 26th, 2011, 1:51 pm
Aboud said:
Majed, they try to sound so profound, but it’s actually just a manifestation of their inner crap.
ASSAD, I’m so jealous of your witty name. If you ever make a party, I’ll join it 🙂
Sheila
“So your dismay at the level of detail in the new law should now be explained. “somebody” needs to keep importing cell phones, thus cell phones are exempt. “somebody” has a successful business importing a specific type of fish, thus, that type of fish is exempt….”
Brilliant, you put it so well. It is in someone’s interest to keep importing certain fish with a certain number of teeth, so that gets exempted.
I noticed laptops and PCs were not on the list of exemptions.
September 26th, 2011, 1:52 pm
sheila said:
Dear #13. Areal,
The problem is not the subsidy programs per se. The problem is that these programs are not paid for and that they are not part of a comprehensive plan. They are more of a reaction to a problem that can in effect ruin the entire plan that is in place. People in Syria do need help, however, all these subsidies are more like a drop in the bucket. They are not allowing the poor people to survive. Not even close. The people need jobs more than they need handouts and jobs will only come with a working economy. However, if we have a working economy, the thugs can’t make millions without any effort.
Here is Syria Alassad for you.
September 26th, 2011, 1:54 pm
Aboud said:
“Remind you that the 1930 economic crisis in Germany came with a completely devalued mark where you needed 1 million mark to buy bread ..”
Uh yeah, but it took the effects of a disastrous war and a worldwide depression for it to get that bad. Besides, printing money was a conscious decision on the part of the government of the day, to repay the massive reparations that were imposed on Germany by the Allies. I’d be shocked if the sanctions, such that they are, are enough to send the Syrian lira over the edge like that.
September 26th, 2011, 1:56 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
I was talking to a friend and he said ASS HEAD,it turn out he is refering to Assad
September 26th, 2011, 1:58 pm
Observer said:
This is important information and especially that the budget has been increased and the subsidies have also been increased.
Where is the money coming from?
My understanding and correct it if I am wrong is that
1. The Syrian currency printed in the EU and elsewhere is no longer being done and delivered
2. The reserves of $ 18 billion are not all in dollars but in a basket of currencies with euros. The value has gone down and therefore there is reason to think the amount is less than proposed.
3. If the budget is $ 26 billion and if the figure is as I think is unrealistic for there is limited income from taxation and from tourism and from oil export then the reserves are good for about 6 months. We are already at 7 months of turmoil. Has the reserves been used? if so how?
4. If Iran did give $ 6 billion recently and perhaps a few others may have also helped how long can this last?
5. The BRICS are all against further sanctions as mentioned above in this post but is any of them rushing to buy Syrian goods?
6. What would happen if the Arab countries and Turkey were to impose similar or even retaliatory tariffs on Syrian exports? What would happen then.
7. Is this measure a way of bribing the population to stop demands or a way to spread the sanctions to the rest of the population as a way of tightening the screws on the population? Is this the Saddam style of having sanctions not work on the long by making Iraqis/ in this case Syrians suffer and undermining the sanctions regime?
8. Now there are rumors that the gold of the central bank has been moved and that airplanes were loaded at the airport after emptying it of all personnel is there anything to this story?
9. Apparently there are no more dollars in circulation in Syria anymore is this true?
Sami Moubayed has written an article about the fact that the regime should have accepted the Arab league initiative as the oppostion accepted it as a way to give the regime breathing room. There are indications that the regime has allowed some opposition figures to be present in Damascus and I am not sure whether they are trying to find a way out of the mess or more likely trying to play the opposition figures against each other. All tells me that the odl guard are at work and that the role of the inner circle of the family is decreasing in importance.
Again the regime is in a corner and by leaving no room for itself or the opposition to wiggle a solution out is finding itself desperate.
How long before implosion or explosion or civil war?
September 26th, 2011, 2:01 pm
Atheist Syrian Salafist Against Dictatorships (ASSAD) said:
Dear Sheila @17
Thanks, I’d like to think this here is the real lion; he is ?????. 😉
And despite his name I think it would be an insult and an injustice to animals to allow him (and his executioners and other partners in crime) to be called such. We should be factual and to the point: they are killers, torturers, rapists and thieves (please complete the list if I’ve left out any other appropriate titles).
September 26th, 2011, 2:05 pm
Syrian Nationalist Party said:
Amazing, but really low, really low, what else you expect from a Moslem mercenary. You try to instill some sort of compassion in their cold hearts, reminding them that, there exist nearly 16,000 Syrian fools they managed to get into Assad prisons in the past six months, fooled them into action using Al Jazeera, AL Hakira, and other rags, used the poor gullible Syrians who trusted their fake nobilities as expendable tools, and the response you get for that:
AMIGO, NO HABLA ANGLAIS, NO COMPRENDE. NO COMPREHNDE SENIOR. MOUE BANDOUKSTAN, ME NO AMERICANO, NO ANGLAIS.
September 26th, 2011, 2:05 pm
DIGGING FOR GOLD IN BOSRA said:
@ SHEILA
You hit the nail on the head.
It always used to make me laugh when I sat listening to Ministers of the Economy and analysts at the Syrian central bank discussing things like endogenous growth models. All well and good I thought, but you’re missing the elephant in the room – we are living under a dictatorship.
The problem in Syria is one of accountability. Because you can never criticise the President or vote another person/party into power there is no sense of accountability; there is no motivation to reform. That’s the bottom line.
September 26th, 2011, 2:11 pm
areal said:
Aboud
22. Aboud said:
“Remind you that the 1930 economic crisis in Germany came with a completely devalued mark where you needed 1 million mark to buy bread ..”
Uh yeah, but it took the effects of a disastrous war and a worldwide depression for it to get that bad.
Besides, printing money was a conscious decision on the part of the government of the day, to repay the massive reparations that were imposed on Germany by the Allies.
REALITY
May I remind you that
1.the 1930 crisis in Germany ( and Europe ) started in 1929 in the US.
2.The “massive reparations” were to be paid in gold not in marks.
3.Germany’s Weimar Republic was hit hard by the depression, as American loans to help rebuild the German economy now stopped .
The Lausanne Conference was a 1932 meeting of representatives from Great Britain, Germany, and France that resulted in an agreement to suspend World War I reparations payments imposed on the defeated countries by the Treaty of Versailles. Held from June 16 to July 9, 1932, it was named for its location in Lausanne, Switzerland.
A moratorium had been placed on the war reparations payments in 1931 and a year later the delegates to the Lausanne Conference realized that the deepening world financial crisis in the Great Depression made it nearly impossible for Germany to resume its payments. However, Britain and France and other Allies had borrowed heavily to fight the war and in particular, France and Belgium were struggling after having had their infrastructure severely damaged by the fighting and by the deliberate destruction and plundering from retreating German forces as the war drew to a close. Therefore, the delegates came to an informal understanding that the permanent elimination of Germany’s debt and war reparations would be subject to reaching an agreement with the United States with respect to their outstanding war debts.
In December 1932, the U.S. Congress rejected the Allied war debt reduction plan, which technically meant that the war reparations and debt reverted to the debt reduction previously granted Germany by the 1929 Young Plan. However, the system had collapsed, and Germany made no further payments. By 1933, Germany had made World War I reparations of only one eighth of the sum required under the Treaty of Versailles.
Aboud ,
Please don’t feel obliged to contradict every of my sentence with your fake facts , it does not really improve your very low credibility rating.
September 26th, 2011, 2:28 pm
some guy no longer in damascus said:
areal,
no one would demonstrate for a mere 1000 lira, with all the shabeeha lurking about and beating up teenagers. 1000 lira to demonstrate is a spit on our faces. scraps of money isn’t our incentive, were after much more…..
i’ve never managed to take your attention on the culture this revolution has created. lets assume this revolution does fizzle out, the regime will have to deal with all the negative media that will be distributed kinda like how the bahraini government destroyed the pearl roundabout and stopped distributing coins that had the pearl roundabout on them because that roundabout became a symbol for the bahraini demonstrators.
below are samples of the media and cultural parts of the revolution:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mG3V2fBYbw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WE8hHtQrNIU&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=rbt1XcG2a3I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKAf2dTmjkA&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjqR7H6YumE
http://www.ali-ferzat.com/
as i stated before ,even the language of syria is changing. my previous post shows:
I was discussing things with a Homsi guy and asking him about the allegiance of a mutual friend( who I believed was against besho). ?? ?? ?? ( with or Against) I asked him.
He replied ??( with) to my surprised expression…then he said things only Homsis can say: ?? ?????? ( with the revolution) . Here in Damascus ?? was reserved for the majority which was for bashar….the homsis changed all of that. It’s simple change of terminology that gives you an idea about reality.
remember, the culture also plays a part, and i personally think with that sort of media available , it will be harder to crackdown on the street.
there are countless more links i can provide, i just hope my message is clear.
September 26th, 2011, 2:31 pm
Atheist Syrian Salafist Against Dictatorships (ASSAD) said:
I think the points raised by observer are definitely what we should be discussing here and not SNP’s rants @26, but I really can’t let it slide:
It’s more like 60,000 than 16000, but who is “they”? (and in a different time and situation I would ask you to share what you’re smoking with us, dude). If you mean by ‘they’ the salafists or MB then I have to say O M G! (now look what you made me say!) you are blaming salafist MB for inciting the people to go out and demand their way overdue dignity and freedom which left poor BtB (and that’s Besho the Butcher, if you can’t decipher it) no choice but to kill, torture and imprison them! What logic…
September 26th, 2011, 2:34 pm
5 dancing shlomos said:
worth a repeat:
For its part, the Russian Senate Delegation that recently completed its visit to Syria said that the crisis in Syria is a result of internal and external elements.
“Some TV stations broadcasted protests in Syria as well as military actions that are very much far from reality… I say this as I was there. We have made sure that some TV channels are intentionally falsifying the events,” Deputy Chairman of the Russian Federal Council, Ilyas Umakhanov said.
On the other hand, the Foreign Ministers of the member countries in the Islamic Cooperation Organization considered that the US administration’s attempt to impose sanctions against Syria is an outrageous violation to the standards of the international law, and expressed their appreciation to the Syrian leadership’s call for dialogue.
sanctions are an act of war.
war is all the u.s. knows. war and lying and stealing.
hey! that is israel.
usreal: the 2 jewish states.
this is certainly worth a repeat:
Sever Plocker, Stalin’s Jews
“We mustn’t forget that some of greatest murderers of modern times were/are Jewish”
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3342999,00.html
add to soviet union/russia: iraq, palestine, lebanon. and jewry hopes for many deaths in syria and iran.
September 26th, 2011, 2:43 pm
5 dancing shlomos said:
oh, just in case some here are blinded by the lies in their heads, a repeat:
Sever Plocker, Stalin’s Jews
“We mustn’t forget that some of greatest murderers of modern times were/are Jewish”
israel, aka, murder, inc.
September 26th, 2011, 2:46 pm
TRUE said:
Anyone to flick me a copy of that enrolment form for the “Exclusive” party?
and yeah don’t forget the encryption key eh, I’m pretty sure it would be ciphered similar to every comment made by SNP & SNK!
Btw guys feel free to post as much rubbish as you want because according to the guard of the Christians, the undefeated, the legend of his time (SNK)
“you Wahabis are so proud of your English skills,that is a way for you to compensate for illness and to feel healthy and worms free..remember this is a chat and not PHD in English language Arts”
September 26th, 2011, 3:00 pm
SadSyrian said:
The situation is getting worse by the day. militarization of the revolution seems more imminent since many groups are fed up being passive while getting killed, tortured and persecuted for the last 7 months without any retaliation or response and hence, even if via a splinter, they are arming and pushing for payback time with the regime & its supporters for their continued crimes and atrocities.
The killing of Homs Hospital Head of Surgery Saturday (3alawee) along with other incidents this week are not good indicators at all, and the voices calling for arms are getting louder by the day.
If nothing dramatic happens to change the Slippery course, Allah yustur.
September 26th, 2011, 3:13 pm
SadSyrian said:
The situation is getting worse by the day. militarization of the revolution seems more imminent since many groups are fed up being passive while getting killed, tortured and persecuted for the last 7 months without any retaliation or response and hence, even if via a splinter, they are arming and pushing for payback time with the regime & its supporters for their continued crimes and atrocities.
The killing of Homs Hospital Head of Surgery Saturday (3alawee) along with other incidents this week are not good indicators at all, and the voices calling for arms are getting louder by the day.
If nothing dramatic happens to change the Slippery course, Allah yustur.
September 26th, 2011, 3:18 pm
areal said:
29. some guy no longer in damascus said:
areal,
no one would demonstrate for a mere 1000 lira, with all the shabeeha lurking about and beating up teenagers. 1000 lira to demonstrate is a spit on our faces. scraps of money isn’t our incentive, were after much more….
“”
It is your business not mine !!
I just reported that a lady in Damascus experienced.
I don’t think she will go anywhere to get 1000 SP.
She did not got beaten or threatened during the very short demo and may be got her 15 seconds fame on Al Jazeera or Youtube.
I just wonder why someone felt the need to award her some money.
For the garbage man at 5000 SP , the Homsi source can be trusted being revolution friendly.
September 26th, 2011, 3:18 pm
Atheist Syrian Salafist Against Dictatorships (ASSAD) said:
@20 Abboud
According to BtB’s new politcal party law no religious parties would be allowed. But what about a party for athiests, I wonder? Even though you’re accused of being a Wahabi, a slafist, and a MB, I’m quite happy to form a party with you. I do have to admit that the aforementioned do not take too kindly to my sort, though.
September 26th, 2011, 3:22 pm
agatha said:
L’Observatoire International des Avocats exprime sa plus vive indignation concernant l’escalade des actes de harcèlement et de détentions arbitraires à l’encontre des avocats syriens, dans le contexte de contestation et de répression actuel.
Cet article a été publié le Vendredi 23 septembre 2011
http://www.observatoire-avocats.org/2011/09/23/les-avocats-syriens-victimes-d%E2%80%99arrestations-et-de-detentions-arbitraires/
September 26th, 2011, 3:24 pm
AIG said:
The signs are clear. Hyper inflation is coming to Syria. The last sign I am waiting for is the government printing money in Syria. Use your Syrian pounds before they become useless.
September 26th, 2011, 3:28 pm
Pirouz said:
90% of Syria’s oil exports dependent on an unreliable customer base (the EU). That represents something of a national security failure.
They’ll find other customers but there will be a lag time.
September 26th, 2011, 3:33 pm
some guy no longer in damascus said:
Areal,
Which quarters was she in?
Furthermore it has been quite a while since a demonstration was in the old city.1000 sp is way too little for some one to risk his life. my experiences in damascus tell me a different story from the one 1 your trying portray.
September 26th, 2011, 3:38 pm
Ehsani said:
Please note that this fresh update was just added to the post above:
The General Reaction to the Ruling:
The deputy Minister of the Economy and Trade was in Aleppo today. He was in a packed room of businessmen at the city’s Chamber of Commerce. Several passionate pleas were made to rethink the decision and to exempt more products. Many explained how they already have goods on the way and wondered what they would with them (they did not have an L/C open before September 22nd). One wondered why cashew nuts were exempted when the U.S. was the largest exporter/supplier of this product. To every question, the deputy Minister’s response was to ask that they do so in writing and when the Ministry receives their written questions, it will study them in detail and see how they can help. To which one food importer responded that it would be too late as his goods are already at the border and by the time his letter reaches Damascus and be read he would have already thrown away his rotting produce.
September 26th, 2011, 3:42 pm
SYRIAN HAMSTER said:
MESSAGE
Well, the unemployment benefits in Madhaya are much higher than those in Tel Kalakh, the partners are in Montana buying houses in the Italian Alps next to the emigrant community from Vermont. Rentals in Sedona, Arizona are not as expensive as those in Nogales, but San Diego beats Salt Lake City by a large margin because the Mormons will not adopt the MB revolution.
Assad’s cousin is buying the rights to Guantanamo from a French producer, who failed in killing himself after his hair dye ran red instead of blonde. He was s*e*we* by no other than the security official partners in Arida, after they started charging MB from Dair Alzour more than $3000 /day to park their trucks across the river. But the US found the long missing book about Islamically sanctioned Brunet dye for redheads who left atheism before the Bedouins became with conscious.
END MESSAGE
September 26th, 2011, 3:48 pm
areal said:
14. Ehsani said:
“”””
Areal,
yes, the government taxes and spends in SYP. I mention dollars throughout the analysis using an exchange rate of SYP 50 to one Dollar. It is still a fact that 1/3 out of every SYP spent goes on subsidies and it is also a fact that government expenditures is 50 percent of GDP now.
“”””
May I remind you that
Government spending as a percentage of GDP by country
Country GE as % GDP
1. Iraq 87.3
2. Cuba 81.4
3. Slovakia 66.2
4. Timor 65.5
5. Romania 65.5
6. Moldova 63.4
7. France 61.1
8. Seychelles 60.3
9. Hungary 59.1
10. Guyana 58.8
11. Czech Republic 58.8
12. Sao Tome 58.3
13. Sweden 58.1
14. Denmark 58.1
15. Iceland 58.1
16. Malta 57.9
17. Qatar 57.2
18. Kuwait 56.1
19. Belgium 56.0
20. Norway 55.8
21. Uzbekistan 55.6
22. Colombia 55.3
23. Italy 55.3
24. Netherlands 54.7
25. Austria 54.3
26. Finland 54.2
27. Portugal 54.1
28. Lesotho 53.8
29. Libya 53.0
30. Belarus 52.9
31. Cyprus (no Turk-adm) 52.6
32. Ukraine 52.1
33. Yemen 50.9
34. Greece 50.7
35. Brunei 50.5
36. Georgia 50.4
37. UK 50.0
38. Bosnia/Herzegovina 50.0
39. Bulgaria 49.9
40. Swaziland 49.9
41. Germany 48.8
42. Malawi 48.2
43. Canada 48.2
44. Latvia 47.7
45. Jordan 47.6
46. Egypt 47.5
47. Spain 47.3
48. Slovenia 47.1
49. Ghana 47.0
50. Croatia 46.8
51. New Zealand 46.6
52. Oman 46.5
53. Estonia 45.8
54. Zambia 45.4
55. Papua New Guinea 44.9
56. Angola 44.8
57. Namibia 44.2
58. Azerbaijan 43.9
59. Lithuania 43.9
60. Jamaica 43.9
61. Lebanon 43.7
62. Zimbabwe 43.7
63. Israel 43.6
64. Australia 43.6
65. West Bank/Gaza 43.4
66. Algeria 43.1
67. Uruguay 43.0
68. Serbia 42.8
69. Ireland 41.5
70. Venezuela 41.1
71. Saudi Arabia 40.4
72. Congo, Republic 39.2
73. Burundi 39.1
74. Turkey 39.1
75. Bahrain 38.6
76. Switzerland 37.8
77. Mozambique 37.7
78. Luxembourg 37.5
79. Kazakhstan 37.2
80. Vietnam 36.9
81. Rwanda 36.7
82. Trinidad/Tobago 36.3
83. Botswana 35.9
84. Macedonia 35.9
85. Syria 35.5
86. Peru 35.3
87. Cape Verde 34.4
88. Eritrea 34.1
89. South Africa 33.9
90. Kenya 33.6
91. Tajikistan 33.4
92. Mongolia 33.3
93. Indonesia 33.2
94. Malaysia 32.8
95. Gambia 32.4
96. Belize 32.1
97. Senegal 31.5
98. Bolivia 31.3
99. UAE 31.3
100. Kyrgyzstan 31.1
101. Dominican Rep. 31.0
102. Iran 31.0
103. Japan 30.9
104. Gabon 30.7
105. Morocco 30.7
106. Sri Lanka 29.5
107. South Korea 29.3
108. Chile 29.1
109. Madagascar 28.3
110. Panama 28.0
111. Pakistan 28.0
112. Albania 27.9
113. Burkina Faso 27.7
114. Uganda 27.6
115. Tunisia 27.4
116. Mexico 26.7
117. Paraguay 26.4
118. Nepal 26.3
119. Nicaragua 26.0
120. Ecuador 25.8
121. Honduras 25.6
122. Aruba 25.6
123. Togo 25.3
124. Benin 24.8
125. Tanzania 24.6
126. Nigeria 24.1
127. Equatorial Guinea 23.9
128. Sudan 23.3
129. Congo, Dem. Rep. of 22.9
130. Thailand 22.8
131. El Salvador 22.5
132. China 22.0
133. Ethiopia 21.8
134. British Virgin Islands 21.5
135. Cote d’Ivoire 21.4
136. Poland 21.2
137. Taiwan 21.2
138. Mauritius 21.2
139. Laos 21.0
140. Guinea 21.0
141. Russia 20.9
142. India 20.4
143. Chad 19.9
144. US 19.9
145. Cameroon 19.1
146. Argentina 19.1
147. Armenia 17.8
148. Philippines 17.7
149. Brazil 17.3
150. Hong Kong 17.0
151. Guatemala 16.7
152. CAR 16.6
153. Costa Rica 16.5
154. Haiti 16.4
155. Singapore 16.3
156. Bahamas 16.0
157. Cambodia 13.3
158. Bangladesh 12.8
159. Turkmenistan 9.6
160. Afghanistan 9.2
Note 1: The US’ budget appears deceptively small as these figures are for national (federal) governments. Over 40% of US public spending is done at the state and local levels, unique in magnitude to the rest of the world
Note 2 : Little centralized government spending in countries like Japan, China, Singapore, and Taiwan relative to their respective total economies. The obvious reason is the lack of governmental welfare systems in these countries (with pensions, medical coverage, etc mostly provided by employers) compared to the expensive systems of Western Europe.
You can choose your model for Syria between Irak and Afghanistan !!!
I forget to ask you the debt service as a percentage of GDP ( or budget ) in Syria .
September 26th, 2011, 3:51 pm
annie said:
40. some guy no longer in damascus said:
Areal,
Which quarters was she in?
May be the lady was given the money for her favours ? May be she was at Merjeh ?
September 26th, 2011, 4:00 pm
areal said:
14. Ehsani said:
“”””
Areal,
yes, the government taxes and spends in SYP. I mention dollars throughout the analysis using an exchange rate of SYP 50 to one Dollar. It is still a fact that 1/3 out of every SYP spent goes on subsidies and it is also a fact that government expenditures is 50 percent of GDP now.
“”””
May I remind you that
Government spending as a percentage of GDP by country
Country GE as % GDP
1. Iraq 87.3
2. Cuba 81.4
3. Slovakia 66.2
4. Timor 65.5
5. Romania 65.5
6. Moldova 63.4
7. France 61.1
8. Seychelles 60.3
9. Hungary 59.1
10. Guyana 58.8
11. Czech Republic 58.8
12. Sao Tome 58.3
13. Sweden 58.1
14. Denmark 58.1
15. Iceland 58.1
16. Malta 57.9
17. Qatar 57.2
18. Kuwait 56.1
19. Belgium 56.0
20. Norway 55.8
21. Uzbekistan 55.6
22. Colombia 55.3
23. Italy 55.3
24. Netherlands 54.7
25. Austria 54.3
26. Finland 54.2
27. Portugal 54.1
28. Lesotho 53.8
29. Libya 53.0
30. Belarus 52.9
31. Cyprus (no Turk-adm) 52.6
32. Ukraine 52.1
33. Yemen 50.9
34. Greece 50.7
35. Brunei 50.5
36. Georgia 50.4
37. UK 50.0
38. Bosnia/Herzegovina 50.0
39. Bulgaria 49.9
40. Swaziland 49.9
41. Germany 48.8
42. Malawi 48.2
43. Canada 48.2
44. Latvia 47.7
45. Jordan 47.6
46. Egypt 47.5
47. Spain 47.3
48. Slovenia 47.1
49. Ghana 47.0
50. Croatia 46.8
51. New Zealand 46.6
52. Oman 46.5
53. Estonia 45.8
54. Zambia 45.4
55. Papua New Guinea 44.9
56. Angola 44.8
57. Namibia 44.2
58. Azerbaijan 43.9
59. Lithuania 43.9
60. Jamaica 43.9
61. Lebanon 43.7
62. Zimbabwe 43.7
63. Israel 43.6
64. Australia 43.6
65. West Bank/Gaza 43.4
66. Algeria 43.1
67. Uruguay 43.0
68. Serbia 42.8
69. Ireland 41.5
70. Venezuela 41.1
71. Saudi Arabia 40.4
72. Congo, Republic 39.2
73. Burundi 39.1
74. Turkey 39.1
75. Bahrain 38.6
76. Switzerland 37.8
77. Mozambique 37.7
78. Luxembourg 37.5
79. Kazakhstan 37.2
80. Vietnam 36.9
81. Rwanda 36.7
82. Trinidad/Tobago 36.3
83. Botswana 35.9
84. Macedonia 35.9
85. Syria 35.5
86. Peru 35.3
87. Cape Verde 34.4
88. Eritrea 34.1
89. South Africa 33.9
90. Kenya 33.6
91. Tajikistan 33.4
92. Mongolia 33.3
93. Indonesia 33.2
94. Malaysia 32.8
95. Gambia 32.4
96. Belize 32.1
97. Senegal 31.5
98. Bolivia 31.3
99. UAE 31.3
100. Kyrgyzstan 31.1
101. Dominican Rep. 31.0
102. Iran 31.0
103. Japan 30.9
104. Gabon 30.7
105. Morocco 30.7
106. Sri Lanka 29.5
107. South Korea 29.3
108. Chile 29.1
109. Madagascar 28.3
110. Panama 28.0
111. Pakistan 28.0
112. Albania 27.9
113. Burkina Faso 27.7
114. Uganda 27.6
115. Tunisia 27.4
116. Mexico 26.7
117. Paraguay 26.4
118. Nepal 26.3
119. Nicaragua 26.0
120. Ecuador 25.8
121. Honduras 25.6
122. Aruba 25.6
123. Togo 25.3
124. Benin 24.8
125. Tanzania 24.6
126. Nigeria 24.1
127. Equatorial Guinea 23.9
128. Sudan 23.3
129. Congo, Dem. Rep. of 22.9
130. Thailand 22.8
131. El Salvador 22.5
132. China 22.0
133. Ethiopia 21.8
134. British Virgin Islands 21.5
135. Cote d’Ivoire 21.4
136. Poland 21.2
137. Taiwan 21.2
138. Mauritius 21.2
139. Laos 21.0
140. Guinea 21.0
141. Russia 20.9
142. India 20.4
143. Chad 19.9
144. US 19.9
145. Cameroon 19.1
146. Argentina 19.1
147. Armenia 17.8
148. Philippines 17.7
149. Brazil 17.3
150. Hong Kong 17.0
151. Guatemala 16.7
152. CAR 16.6
153. Costa Rica 16.5
154. Haiti 16.4
155. Singapore 16.3
156. Bahamas 16.0
157. Cambodia 13.3
158. Bangladesh 12.8
159. Turkmenistan 9.6
160. Afghanistan 9.2
Note 1: The US’ budget appears deceptively small as these figures are for national (federal) governments. Over 40% of US public spending is done at the state and local levels, unique in magnitude to the rest of the world
Note 2 : Little centralized government spending in countries like Japan, China, Singapore, and Taiwan relative to their respective total economies. The obvious reason is the lack of governmental welfare systems in these countries (with pensions, medical coverage, etc mostly provided by employers) compared to the expensive systems of Western Europe.
Note 3: Libya is no longer correct
You can choose your model for Syria between Irak and Afghanistan !!!
I forget to ask you the debt service as a percentage of GDP ( or budget ) in Syria .
September 26th, 2011, 4:09 pm
Ehsani said:
areal,
Sure. The issue is the taxation and duties that you need to levy and collect to balance the expenditure. You are correct that government expenditures can be high. But as the government increased its expenditure from last year by 59%, how would the revenues be matched?
September 26th, 2011, 4:14 pm
NK said:
Dear Ehsani
from the article you posted
????? ???????? ?????? ?????? ????? ??????? ????? 1326 ????? ???? ????? ????? 835 ????? ???? ????? ??? 2011 ????? ??? 375 ????? ???? ????? ??????? ?????????? ?951 ????? ???? ????? ??????? ??????
A similar article on Syria-news
http://www.syria-news.com/readnews.php?sy_seq=137759
????? ?????? ?????? ?? ?????? ??? 2011 ????? ?????????? ????? ????? 11% ?? ?????? ?????? ??? 2010? ??? ?????????? ??????????? ???? ????? ????? ????? 16.2% ??? ???? ?????? ?????????? ???? ????? ?? ????? 45% ?? ?????? ???????? ???????? ?????? ??????.
This puts the investment expenditure of 2011 at SYP 376 billion, about the same amount going towards investment expenditure in the new budget. What does this mean exactly ? where will the extra SYP 491 billion be spent ? and what effect will that have on the economy especially if the government fail to raise income taxes which is the most likely case ?
Thank you
Oh and I think Syria is already looking to barter its crude
This was published on Syria-news 3 days ago
http://www.syria-news.com/readnews.php?sy_seq=137661
September 26th, 2011, 4:21 pm
SYRIAN HAMSTER said:
GDP, GE, and Taxes
Question to the economists. When the government spends and X percentage of GDP, doesn’t that mean that it taxes at least that much? in case the government does not have other extraction resource or royalty.
The US value is close enough to the average tax levied when one considers lower, middle, and upper class.
Iraq value is hogh because of Oil, France’s value is also high because, as far as I am told, the Energy sector, as well as a sizeable chunk of telecommunication are owned by the GOF, notwithstanding the very high taxes on upper income brackets, which raise the national average far beyond that of the US.
I think SYRIA’s rate under sanctions should be more compared with countries of very low tax, or those with very low government income through extraction economy.
But who am I to know. I am just a rat.
I think I am Wrong
September 26th, 2011, 4:23 pm
Abu Umar said:
362. mjabali said:
“?????? ????? ?? ???? ?????? ?????? ?? ??? ???? ??? ??? ????? ?????? ?? “??? ????? ?? ???? ??? ???. ?????? ??? ????? ?? ???? ???????.
????? ??????? ?? ?????? ? ??? ????? ?? ?????? ??? ???????? “?????????” ??????? ?? ????? ??? ???? ??? ?????? ? ??? ??? ?????? ?? ??? ??? ??? ???? ?????? ?? ????? ??? ????????? ??? ??? ????? ?? ??? ???? ????? ?????
“?? ?????? ?? ???? ?? ????? ??? ??? ?? ??? ????? ?? ?? ????? ?????? ??? ???? ???? ??? ???? ?????? ?? ????? ?????? ????? ????? ????? ??? ????? ????? ??? ????? ?????? ?????? ???? ???? ?? ???? ???? ?? ??? ???? ??? ????”
????? ?? ?????? ??? ??????? ?? ????? ??? ??? ????? ?? ??? ?????? ??? ?? ??? ?????? ?? ????? ?? ???? ??? ????? ? ??? ???? “???? ?????” ? ??????? ????? ?? ??? ???????? ??? ?? ???? ?? ??? ???????? ? ?? ???? “???? ?????” ?? ????? ??? ??????? ???????. ??? ?? ????? ?? ????? ???? ??????? ???????. ??? ???? ?????? ??? ?? ????? ?????? ?? ?? ?????? ? ???? ??? ????? ????? ?????? ? ??? ???????? ??????? ?????? ??? ??????? ????? ????????. ?? ??? ???? ??? ???? ??? ?????? ??? ?????!
.
“???? ??? ?? ??? ???? ??? ???? ????? ??? ??????? ???????? ???????? ???????? ??? ?????.
??? ?????? ??? ????? ??? ???? ??? ??? ??? ???? ??? ??????? ???????? ??? ???????? ??????
????? ???? ??? ??? ???? ??? ??? ????? ????? ??????? ????? ?????? ??? ???????. ??? ???? ?? ???? ?????? ?? ?????? ?????? ????? ???? ?????? ??? ????? ??????? ???????? ????? ?????? ????? ?????? ??? ??????? ????? ??? ??????? ???????.”
?? ??? ???? ?????? ? ???? ?? ????? ???????? “??????”?! ?? ??????? ???????? ????? ????? ???????? ??????? ?? ??? ????? ??? ??? ???? ?? ????? ??? ???? ?? ?????? ??? ? ???? ? ????? ??? ?? ????? ?? ??????. ??? ???? ???? ? ?? ??? ???? ???? ??? ?? ?????? ??? ??? ?? ??????.
“??????? ????? ??? ?? ???? ??? ???? ??? ???? ??? ????? ?????? ?????? ??? ???? ?? ????”
?? ????? ??????? ?? ???? ???(??? ?????? ??????????) ?????? ?????? ???????? ??? ??? ?? ????? ????? ?? ?????? ?? ?? ?? ????? ??????? ??? ????? ? ????????? ??????? ?? ??? ?????? ? ??? ??? ????? ???? ???????.
September 26th, 2011, 4:31 pm
Abu Umar said:
4. Syrian Nationalist Party said:
Rant and rave and and squeal and oink, but your regime will fall. Your surrounded on all sides by Sunnis, many of whom are waiting to take on your despicable regime. I don’t remember your ilk talking about “Nato” when Hafez al-Jahsh collaborated with them in Gulf War I.
September 26th, 2011, 4:45 pm
Areal said:
41. Ehsani said:
Please note that this fresh update was just added to the post above:
The General Reaction to the Ruling:
Many explained how they already have goods on the way and wondered what they would with them (they did not have an L/C open before September 22nd). One wondered why cashew nuts were exempted when the U.S. was the largest exporter/supplier of this product. To every question, the deputy Minister’s response was to ask that they do so in writing and when the Ministry receives their written questions, it will study them in detail and see how they can help. To which one food importer responded that it would be too late as his goods are already at the border and by the time his letter reaches Damascus and be read he would have already thrown away his rotting produce.
“””””
REALITY
1. When you are facing a change in legislation , you have to react.
You pay the extra taxes , get your produce and then ask by fax for an exemption. ( or better come to the meeting with the letter and give it by hand )
and increase your selling price.
2. Cashew nuts is an “essential” commodities in Syria .
3. Exports of cashew nuts from the USA to Syria is prohibited by US sanctions anyway.
4.Two countries, India and Brazil provide 64 % of the total production of cashew nuts.
September 26th, 2011, 4:48 pm
Haytham Khoury said:
???? ??????
???? ??? ????? ???????? ?? ????? ???????? ????
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GMT 8:08:00 2011 ??????? 26 ??????
????: ??? ?????? ???????? ?? ???? ????? ???? ?? ????????? ???????? ?????? ?? ???????? ?????? ???? ????????? ?????????? ?? ????? ???? ???? ??? ??? ?????? ???? ?????. ????? ???? ?? ??????? ??? ??????? ????? ????.
????? ?????? ???????? ????? ???? ?? ???? ?????????? ????? ???????? ??? ???? ?????????? ?????????
????? ???? ?? ???? ????? ????? ?????? ????? ??? ?? ?????????? ???? ??? ??? ?? ??????? ?? ???? ????????? ?????????? ??? ???? ?? ????? ????? ?? ?? ?????? ?? ??????? ??? ???? ??????. ??????? ?????????? ???????? ????? “???? ??????? ???? ???? ??? ?????? ?? ??????? ?????? ?? ???? ???????”.
????? ????????? ??? 10 ?? ????? ?? ???? ????? ?????? ????? 21 ?????? ???? ???? ???????? ????? ????? ????? ????? 12 ?? ????? ? ???? ?????? ?????.
???? ?????? ???????? ?? ??? ?????? ?????? ???? ????? ???????? ??????? ?????? ????? ?? ????? ????? ????????? ???????? ???????? ??? ???? ?? ??????? ???????? ??? ???? ???????? ?????? ?? ?? ????? ?????.
???? ???? “???? ????? ???????? ??????? ??? ????? ???? ?????? ????? ?????? ???? ????? ??????? ?????? ????? ? ??? ???? ??????? ???????? ?? ??? ??????? ???????? ?? ????? ????? ????????? ???????”.
????? ???? ?? ??? ???????? ?? ???? ?? ????? ?????? ?? ???? ????????? ?? ???????? ??? ??????? ???? ????? ??? ???????? ??? ??? ????.
?????? ????? ?????? ????? ?? ????? ????????? ?? ???? ???? ????? ??? ?? ?????? ???? ?????? ????? ?? ?????? ? ??? ?????? ?????? ??? ?? ??? 93 ??? ????? ????? ?? ??? ??? ???? ????/??????.
????? ????????? ??????? ???????? ??? ??? ???? ????? ?????? ???? ????? ?? ????? ???????? ???????. ???? ?????? ???? ??? ?? ???? ?????? ?? ????? ?????????? ?? ???? ???????? ????? ???????? ??????? ?? ??????? ??? ?? ?????? ?? ???????? ????? ?????? ????? ????????. ????? “??? ?? ???? ????? ????? ?? ???? ?? ???? ????? ???? ?? ?????? ????? ?????? ???? ???????? ???????” ???? ????? ??? ???????? ????????? ???? ?????? ????? ???????.
???? ?????? ?????? ??? ???? ????? ????? ???? ??? ???? ????? ???????? ??? ?????? ???? ??????? ???????? ??? ????? ???? ??? ????. ???? ???? ??? ????? ?????? ?? ????? ???? ?????? ???? ??????? ????? ????? ?????? ?? ????????. ???? ?????? ?????? ???????? ?? ????? ????? ???? ????? ?????? ??? ????? ?????? ???? ???? ???? ????? ????? 2700 ????.
???? ??? ???? ?????? ?? ????? ???????? ???? ???? ???????? ???????? ?? ?????? ???? ?????? ??? ????? ???? ??????? ???? ??? “?????? ???? ??????? ???” ????? ??????? ???? ?????? ?????????? ?????? ??????? ???????.
????? ???? ???????? ???????? ?? ???? ?????? ????? ??? ????? ???? ??????? ??? ???? ???? ???????? ??? ?????? ?? ???? ????? ????? ?????? ?? ????? ?????? ????? ?? ????? ????? ?? ???? ?????.
???? ??? ???? ?????? ?? ????? ???????? ???? ???? ??? ???? ?? ??? ?????????? ?? ?????? ??? ????? ?????? ??? ???? “????? ????? ?? ?????? ???? ??? ??????? ???????? ????????? ?????”.
???? ???????? ??????? ?? ??????? ???? ??? ?? ???? ?? ????????? ?????? ???? ??? ????? ??? “?????? ????” ??????? ???? ?????? ??? ????? ????. ???? ??????? ?? ???? ???? “??? ????? ???????? ????? ?????? ?????? ????? ????? ?????? ??? ???? ?? ???????? ????? ??? ?? ????? ??? ????? ????? ????”
September 26th, 2011, 4:55 pm
NK said:
Areal
I thought those products were BANNED, meaning they will not allow them into the country, there are no extra taxes!
On that note, any estimates on how much wealth the minister will accumulate by the time he leaves office ?
September 26th, 2011, 4:58 pm
Tara said:
The Syrian regime does not care about the health status of it\’s citizen even when considering what not to ban. Swordfish should not have been exempted from the ban. Swordfish contain high level of Mercury, a substance that is toxic to the brain if consumed in large amount. Environmental groups recommend avoiding fish high in Mercury such as Swordfish to avoid negative health effect.
Does any member of the Assad family benefit financially from importing Swordfish that in general need to be avoided?
September 26th, 2011, 4:59 pm
sheila said:
Dear #35. Areal,
None of these assertions can be trusted. Do you really think that any sane person and for any amount of money would risk showing his or her face on Youtube, Alarabiya or Aljazeera, taking the chance that he or she might be recognized and end up dealing with our merciless regime?. I think not. Anyone willing to take this risk is doing this out of conviction. People giving money to those unemployed and suffering is another matter
September 26th, 2011, 5:05 pm
areal said:
45. Ehsani said:
areal,
Sure. The issue is the taxation and duties that you need to levy and collect to balance the expenditure. You are correct that government expenditures can be high. But as the government increased its expenditure from last year by 59%, how would the revenues be matched?
REALITY
When you increase your expenditures , you can balance by
increase of taxes and duties,
increase profits from public establishments,
increase your borrowing,
sale of public properties,
diminution of your reserves ( foreign currency , gold )
Some options are more “virtuous” and easier than others !!
September 26th, 2011, 5:09 pm
homsi said:
Thank you Ehsani
some news from homs away from the economy
HNN ???? ????? ???
??? ???? :::
?? ?????? ??? ??????? ????? ???? ???? ?????? ?? ?????? ??????? ??? ?? ???? ?????? ?????? ???????? ? ?? ??? ??? ?????? ? ???????? ??? ?? ????? ??? ????? ?????? ? ??? ???? ?????? ???? ? ???? ?????? ??????
???? ????? ????? ????? ???? ???? ???? ??????? ?? ??? ?????? ??? ????? ????? ?????* ?? ?????? ?????? ????? ??????? ???? ?????? ???????? ?????? ??? ???? ?????? ??? ?? ?????? ????? ? ?????? ??? ??? ?????? ?????? ?? ????? ?????? ??? ???? ??????? ?????? ???? ???? ???? ??????? ????????? ?????? ??????? ?? ??? ??????? ??????? ???? ??? ???? ???? ?? ??? ????? ????? ????? ????? ?? ???? ?? ????? ????? ???????? ???? ??? ?????? ??????? ???? ??? ?????? ?????? ?? ???? ????????? ?? ??? ??????? ?? ???? ?? ?????? . ?????? ????? ??????? ?????? ??????? ??????
?????? ????? ?? ??? ??????? ??? ??????? ??????? ??? ??? ??????? ????? ??? ???? ??? ??????? ??? ????? ??????
???? ??????? ??????? ?????? ??? ?????? ????? ??? ???????? ???? ? ????? ??????? ??? ???? ????? ???????? ??????? ???????? ????????? ???????? ??????? ?????? ????? ?????? ????? ??????
?????? ????? ????? ????? ????? ???? ?? ???
??????? ???????
????
??? ????? ????? ? ???? ????? ???? ????? ??????? ?? ??????? ???????? ????? ?? ????? ??? .
???? ???? ???? ?????????? ” ?? ?????? ???????? ??????? ??????? ?? ???? ??????? ?????? ????? ???? ??? ???? ???? ?????? ?? ???? ????????? ? ?????? ????? ???? ?? ????? ????? ??? ????? ” .
? ???? ?????? ?? ?????? ????? ???? ??????? ?????? ????? ???? ?????? ?? ?????? ???? ???????? ?????? ?? ???? ?????? ????? ????? ??? ????? “.
???? ??? ?? ?????? ??????? ?????? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??????? ??? ??? ???? ??? ??????? ??????? ?? ?????? ?????? ???? .
?? ???? ??? ???? ?? ????? ???? ?????? ??? ??? ?? ????? ??? ??? ????? ?????? ??? ??? ??? ????? ???? ?? ????? ?????? ?????? .
????????? – ???
http://www.syria-news.com/readnews.php?sy_seq=137777
September 26th, 2011, 5:13 pm
TRUE said:
Let’s get little bit more technical and look into the Keynesian formula:
C + I + G + X ? M = Y(GDP)
C (going down): High inflation and an spiked CPI would reduce the total personal consumption expenditure figure
I (going down): Uncertainty, vague ROI and massive $$ deposit withdrawals would lead to shrink this figure down
G (going up): Government expenditure figure according to the new announced budget is going up
X (going down): Export goods or services to foreign consumers is already impacted with more trade and investment sanctions around
M (going down): Import goods and services from foreign producers (that’s what the government was trying to reduce in order to fix this equation, what a naïve strategy!!)
Just by looking at these figures with basic math skills you could easily conclude the deficit (-) and understand where Betho and his stupid policy makers are taking the country. This is without even looking deeply into the weird practice of fiscal & monetary adopted policies.
Inevitably, this government is going bankrupt!!!
Call your friends and families ask them to buy gold or hard currencies NOW.
September 26th, 2011, 5:19 pm
Atheist Syrian Salafist Against Dictatorships (ASSAD) said:
@34 sadsyrian
I respectfully must note that the little sectarian insinuation you slipped in your post is most offensive to all Syrians. Irresponsible it is, too.
The head of surgery at Homs hospital was not knocked off because he was 3lawi, but most likely for the help he gave the torturers and killers of this sad and sorry regime AND for all the bodies that left his hospital sans many organs, with the perpetrator of the punishment being most likely a very angry relative of one of those people whose organs were extracted by the honorable head of surgery, regardless of what sect he belonged to.
September 26th, 2011, 5:26 pm
areal said:
52. NK said:
“”””
Areal
I thought those products were BANNED, meaning they will not allow them into the country, there are no extra taxes!
On that note, any estimates on how much wealth the minister will accumulate by the time he leaves office ?
“”””
REALITY
Obviously , you have your own answer to the problem of Syrian businessman based on the juicy experience of a former US Vice President.
I am not sure that it is the minister who stands at the border 24/24 7/7 52/52 .
September 26th, 2011, 5:30 pm
sheila said:
Dear #55. Areal,
You said” “REALITY
When you increase your expenditures , you can balance by
increase of taxes and duties,
increase profits from public establishments,
increase your borrowing,
sale of public properties,
diminution of your reserves ( foreign currency , gold )
Some options are more “virtuous” and easier than others !!”
Real REALITY:
None of these options are feasible:
1- Can’t increase neither taxes nor duties as people are already suffering from the sanctions and the economic impact of the revolution. This would cause major unrest.
2- Can’t increase profits from public establishments for the same reason mentioned above. People are already impoverished and consumption is down.
3- Can’t increase your borrowing as no one will lend you due to sanctions or lack of trust in the longevity of the regime.
4- Sale of public property is wishful thinking. The market is down and people have little money that they are willing to part with.
5- Diminution of your reserves has already been done and if the rumors are true, Syrian gold is already out of Syria.
Do you have any other ideas?
September 26th, 2011, 5:31 pm
OFF THE WALL said:
EHSANI
As usual, outstanding job. Food for thought, and the discussion is becoming more interesting with AREAL challenges.
AREAL
When you increase your expenditures , you can balance by
increase of taxes and duties,
Duties on what? no more import is allowed, I doubt that 51 exempted items are much of the total import to Syria. It most likely will be fees, and taxes, with much being paid by those who can least afford to pay.
increase profits from public establishments,
Say what?… How?, many of the unionized workers are already doing double shift as Shabeeha. You need efficient sector to increase its profit, and the public sector is in full disarray with minor exceptions.
Increase your borrowing,
From whome? Not even china will lend a government in such precarious situation despite of the incredible saving balance in china.
sale of public properties,
To whom?, … People have stopped their own projects, I do not think many will go on buying government companies. Other than public lands , or government vehicles, there is little to sell. One possible temporary way out would have been to embark on building spree and sell apartments at reduced price, but who would do that when they can build in informal settlement with little or no fear. An added complexity is that state owned (sorry, now Shalish owned) government construction firms, have forgotten how to do an honest work at low cost. I am not even talking about construction material, because I am not sure whether they are in or outside that ban.
diminution of your reserves (foreign currency , gold )
That is what the regime is either trying to avoid, or realizing that they don’t have much left to diminish?
September 26th, 2011, 5:35 pm
Ehsani said:
More from the Aleppo meeting today (comments at the end too)
http://www.aksalser.com/index.php?page=view_articles&id=c340ba70c3a95c7699f4fd054d545df2&ar=999935277
September 26th, 2011, 5:35 pm
zoo said:
21% depreciation against the dollar since the beginning of the year: The Turkish lira!
Turkish Lira depreciates to record low against US dollar
September 26, 2011
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=turkish-lira-depreciates-to-record-low-against-us-dollar-2011-09-26
Turkish Lira depreciated against US dollar at a record low level on Monday, reflecting the negative sentiment prevailing in global markets due to European debt crisis
The Turkish Lira depreciated and hit an all-time low against the dollar on Monday, marking a loss of 21 percent of its value since the beginning of the year.
September 26th, 2011, 5:49 pm
zoo said:
Syrian opposition to open office in Turkey next week
September 26, 2011
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=syrian-opposition-to-open-office-in-turkey-next-week-2011-09-26
Syria’s opposition is expected to open an office in Turkey next week as part of a drive to open several missions around the world to greater present the demands of anti-government dissidents.
“[The Syrian opposition] will open an office in Turkey in one week’s time. I told [Syrian President Bashar] al-Assad that we would let the Syrian opposition be organized in Turkey. I said that we were a democratic country and could not hamper [them],” daily Hürriyet quoted Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdo?an as telling a group of journalists. The decision to open an office in Turkey was taken after representatives of the Syrian National Council held meetings with Turkish officials in Ankara recently, a member of the Syrian opposition told the Hürriyet Daily News on Monday on condition of anonymity. The opposition representatives, who are closer to the Muslim Brotherhood than others, are expected to hold a meeting Thursday in Istanbul, the source also said. Two opposition groups were established in Turkey at the end of August; namely, the National Council, which is seen as more Islamist and the 94-member National Council of Syrian Transition, which is headed by Burhan Ghaliyoun, a Paris-based academic. In its meeting in August, the National Council decided to form a foreign office, launch a satellite television broadcast and establish a legal office to work on future court procedures. Meanwhile, Syrian tanks pounded a town on a strategic highway overnight, injuring at least three people in Homs, Reuters said. Meanwhile, the official websites of seven major Syrian cities and several government departments have been hacked, according to Al-Jazeera.
September 26th, 2011, 5:52 pm
sheila said:
Dear OTW,
This is down right funny. Did you notice how we both answered the same post almost identically?.
September 26th, 2011, 5:56 pm
mjabali said:
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??? ??? ??? ??? ???? ??? 599-661
???? ??? ?? ?????? ?? ??? ???? ?? ?????? ??? ??? ??? ?? ??? ???? ?????? ????? ???? ??????? ??? ???? ?? ???. ??????? ????? ?? ??? ??? ?? ???? ?????? ?????? ?? ?? ??? ????? ???? ?? ??? ?????
??? ?? ????? ?? ?? ???? ??? ?? ??? ???? ??? ???? ??????? ??? ???? ????? ??? ??? ?? ???? ???? ????? ?? ???? ?? ???? ??????? ?? ????…
???? ??? ?? ??? ???? ?? ?????? ??? ?? ?????.
?? ??? ?????? ??????? ???? ??? ???? ??????? ???? ??????? ?? ??? ????.
???? ??? ?? ??? ???? ??? ?????? ???? ?? ????? ????? ?? ??? ???. ??? ?? ????? ???? ?????? ????????. ??? ?? ???? ?????? ??? ???? ??? ??? ?? ?????.
??? ?? ???????? ?? ???? ?????? ?? ????? ????? ?? ?? ??? ??????? ?????? ??? ??? ????????? ??? ??? ??? ??? ????? ????? ???????? .
??? ?? ???? ???? ?????? ??? ????? ????? ????? ????? ???? ??? ??? ????? ?????? ????? ?????? ?? ?? ??? ?????? ????? ???? ????? ?????? ??? ?????? ?? ??? ???? ?? ????? ????? ?? ??????.
???? ?? ???? ????? ???? ???? ?????? ??????? ?????? ?? ??? ???????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ?? ??? ????? ????? ?????…
September 26th, 2011, 6:00 pm
OFF THE WALL said:
Dear Ehsani
This is definitely going to be a problem for the regime. The chamber of industry is joining the chamber of commerce and Aleppo is up for a surprise.
I think the regime will now be forced to rely exclusively on its drug smuggling shabeeha in Aleppo. No longer it can rely on the industrialists support to contain the situation. Off course, Addunya and others will blame the uprising and many Aleppans will do the same (including some I know, who already started the cracked record we hear frequently on SC. But I think the business community in Aleppo, especially middle size businesses, are talking very much like they are giving ultimatum.
Should we expect Besho to come to the rescue. And with that the complete the theatrics or is the situation really very bad?. The government will be let go, and Besho would try to look like the hero along with Saint Terezo Makhlouf, who is already blabbering about building affordable housing and selling his stocks to the people of Syria.
I liked one comment in which an exporter is asking about the dollars his Iraqi customers send to his account, which he has to receive in Syrian Liras.
Do you think Mr. Sha’ar can spend his weekends in Aleppo any longer?
A very very dear friend of mine was told earlier today that September paycheck is his last.
September 26th, 2011, 6:03 pm
Syrian Nationalist Party said:
We have asked the paid revolutionaries/mercenaries 3 times this question, what you (murderous scam artists) are going to do to release the 16,000 guppy Syrians you sent to Assad prisons by your false propaganda, incitements and deceiving promises.
And the Answers we got so far are:
0- HO HABLA ANGLAISE, NO COMPREHNDE
1- We are not Syrians, what do we care.
2- Get lost man, leave us alone; we got some serious cash to spend here.
3- This is confusing, what are you talking about.
4- I got to go.
5- Who are “they” you referring to, we really need to know “They”
6- What 16,000, you are confusing us, you make no sense.
7- And to add insult to injury, a poster calling “Itself Syrian”, who care less about these people that are most likely being tortured daily, posted this reply:
“…….Well, the unemployment benefits in Madhaya are much higher than those in Tel Kalakh, the partners are in Montana buying houses in the Italian Alps next to the emigrant community from Vermont. Rentals in Sedona, Arizona are not as expensive as those in Nogales, but San Diego beats Salt Lake City by a large margin because the Mormons will not adopt the MB revolution.
Assad’s cousin is buying the rights to Guantanamo from a French producer, who failed in killing himself after his hair dye ran red instead of blonde. He was s*e*we* by no other than the security official partners in Arida, after they started charging MB from Dair Alzour more than $3000 /day to park their trucks across the river. But the US found the long missing book about Islamically sanctioned Brunet dye for redheads who left atheism before the Bedouins became with conscious……..”
Looks like the 16,000 are going to rot in Assad dungeons till they die, and no one is going to stand up for their release. Moslem revolutionaries are all paid up and too busy spending the money to care. There is priority, having their Hijabed women turning to Peroxide blonds. No one care, the checks are cashed and who care about those dim witted 16,000 Syrians that bought our scam. We Moslem mercenaries left 20,000 dead in the 80’s and few more thousands in mass graves in Palmyra and enjoyed life in London and Vermont, we did not even think about it, will do it all over again if we have the chance. Allah is great, he may give us another if we preyed harder.
I know what they going to say next: Well we are F…ing Moslems, what you expect from us, get lost man, you are insane, you make no sense, leave us alone. Even if we sober from all that cash and whiskey and start to know what the hell you are talking about, it is not our fault, we made out good man, they are stupid, they believed us, and they bought our propaganda and false promises. They got what the deserve for being stupid, many of them got paid from us man, you know.
September 26th, 2011, 6:09 pm
OFF THE WALL said:
Dear Sheila
Yes. I did. It was funny.
I am waiting for SNK or five brain-cells to accuse us of conspiracy and of having received talking points from Ambassador Ford.
September 26th, 2011, 6:14 pm
SYR.EXPAT said:
This is for you Aboud.
The pathetic Syrian Electronic Army accomplished a new feat today by hacking into Harvard’s web site. Despite the sophistication of the attack, the pathetic army could not avoid making embarassing grammatical mistakes.
Isn’t it amazing that they don’t have within their ranks someone with good command of the English language!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-15061377
September 26th, 2011, 6:32 pm
Haytham Khoury said:
Dear Christians on SC:
From now and on, I invite you to eliminate all islamophobic ideas that could be entertained in your mind. Courageous people have no fear. Good people always look for the goodness in others. Further, good people provide the others the opportunity to show their goodness. Phobia and rejection promote indignation and repulsion. By your fear you are promoting sadness and absurdity.by your negative emotions, you are promoting absurdity and destruction, although you are the ones who are supposed to promote resurrection. Come friends and discover the goodness in others. Come friends and enjoy life with me.
September 26th, 2011, 6:45 pm
TRUE said:
More bullshit from a Sunni horn
“Muallem said foreign governments sought to undermine co-existence between Syria’s different religious groups.”
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/world/10347565/four-syrian-army-deserters-shot-dead/
Yet he could not name one of these “foreign governments” or at least to a show one single video to prove his empty allegations.
September 26th, 2011, 6:46 pm
sheila said:
Dear Ihsani,
I totally agree with OTW. The threat to the regime from the Halabi industrialists and business men and women is very clear: enact this new law and Aleppo will join the revolution. I want to see the regime’s response. They could either cancel or suspend the new law, or punish the people who signed the declaration. Either way it does not bode well for the regime. It is amazing how these people are their own worst enemies. Leave them to it and they will dig their graves with their own hands.
September 26th, 2011, 7:05 pm
sheila said:
Subsidizing Mazot in Syria:
My brother and I were discussing the mazot subsidy in Syria. Here is what my brother thinks:
It is an absolute travesty that the regime would subsidize the price of mazot for everyone and for all uses. The rich pay as much as the poor, mazot for factories costs as much as for heating and finally, taxi drivers pay as much as people who own BMWs. Isn’t it better to target the poor for subsidies? This way, the poor will get more and the country will spend less.
What do you think?
September 26th, 2011, 7:44 pm
Syrian Nationalist Party said:
@71 Dear Christians on SC
Christians, do not be deceived.
We have a library of YouTube videos collected for Syria Scam Islamic Mercenary /Terrorists 2011 Facebook page. It is horrifying to see the evil in these Moslem eyes while chanting threats against Christians, Shia and Alawites in Syria. They burned churches, beating and raping Christian women in Homs. Threatening Christians with punishment if they don’t join the scam revolution, all on videos they proudly displayed on YouTube for the world to watch.
Christians, do not be deceived by the evil and vile ones. Look how many rotting in Assad prisons, look how they are forgotten now already. History is full of chapters of Moslem deceit, innocent nations and people trusted their deceptive promises, only to be reneged on it. The Moslem massacres of Christians and other KUFFAR can fill a Smithsonian hall. There are streets in old Damascus to this day have blood stain of Christian slaughtered by Moslems less than 100 years ago. Millions of Christians died on hand of Sunni Turks this past Century. If you ever had doubt about the sincerity of Moslem promises, just go to Aleppo and grab any Christian and just ask you will get straight answer the horror stories.
To this day, in Saudi Arabia, A Christian will be killed if he to place cross in the land or even wears one. These paid Islamic mercenaries, sponsored by foreign powers and by Moslem Arabs are the worst of all Moslems. Just watch video of Satanist Moslem Arrour and other rag heads in Arabia. They said that even Two third of Syrians are HALAL to be slaughtered if one third survive to form an Islamic State.
The bible warns us in these closing last days that Christians will suffer and go thru the Tribulation by the Moslem hordes and their Demonic Reptilian backers. The book of Revelation and other books written by god help to guide you in these days not to be deceived. Because we live in the final days of the Age of deception. Ask your Bishop to explain to you was said here.
This is not a conflict about Freedom and Democracy for Syria, this is the final conflict between good and evil, the one spoken of by your Christian Bible. Assad thinks he is resisting US-Israel plots; he is resisting far more sinister and crucial plot than that. He is resisting pure Evil Reptilians that wants to enslave humanity, all of it, massacre all Christians, That is why the Evil ones choose to hire Moslem hordes to take over the entire Middle East, that is why he is sending millions upon millions to occupy Europe and America, he knows they will deliver his evil kingdom the One World Government, The One World Order.
The Bible teaches us to restrain this evil plan and to hinder it. As a Christian, you must hinder it; it is your Lord command.
Here are his words, confirm it with your Bishop:
Revelation 20:1-15
Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be released for a little while. Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. …
Matthew 24:22
And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.
Revelation 11:7
And when they have finished their testimony, the beast that rises from the bottomless pit will make war on them and conquer them and kill them (the Christians)
Romans 9:27
And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: “Though the number of the sons of Israel be as the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will be saved, ( be scared Jews, Know your Friends today)
Jeremiah 30:7 “Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it. ”
Daniel 12:1
“And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation [even] to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. ”
dragon = satan
(Revelation 12:9,
“And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”
Watch all 9 episodes:
September 26th, 2011, 7:50 pm
sheila said:
To #75. Syrian Nationalist Party,
Oh my God. This is absolutely scary. I did not know that Muslims were so evil. You said : “just go to Aleppo and grab any Christian and just ask you will get straight answer the horror stories“. I grew up in Aleppo. Many of my friends are Christian. They always wore their crosses with pride. I hope they would not have horror stories to share. We seem to get along just fine.
You said: “Millions of Christians died on hand of Sunni Turks this past Century”. And I say: millions of Muslims died on the hands of Christians throughout the centuries. Do I hold today’s Christians responsible for that? The answer is NO.
You said: “The bible warns us in these closing last days that Christians will suffer and go thru the Tribulation by the Moslem hordes and their Demonic Reptilian backers”. I say: excuse me, but wasn’t the Bible written a few hundred years before Islam was even on earth?
I have a simple question for you: Could you please explain to all of us what you are trying to accomplish by spread this lethal message?
September 26th, 2011, 8:13 pm
SYR.EXPAT said:
71. HAYTHAM KHOURY
As usual, thank you!
September 26th, 2011, 8:14 pm
TRUE said:
@75. Syrian Nationalist Party
LOL, ROFL, LMAO, LAWL, LMFAO, OIC … heheheh I can’t just stop laughing you’re a miserable sad case mate!! C’mon get a life, get a hobby or at least get laid and release this stress out hahahah
I bet you keep peeling the label off your beer eh OMG!! This is hilarious
I’m sure your party members would love to hear more
Please keep posting please heheeheh
September 26th, 2011, 8:14 pm
TRUE said:
@ 76. Sheila & SNP
“Could you please explain to all of us what you are trying to accomplish by spread this lethal message?”
Alsh3ab yreed tafseer el’7teb, Alsh3ab yreed tafseer el’7teb
Wo Yil3an ro7ak ya Hafiz
Hehhehehehehehehe 🙂
September 26th, 2011, 8:19 pm
SYR.EXPAT said:
Joke of the day:
“This is not a conflict about Freedom and Democracy for Syria, this is the final conflict between good and evil”
In other words, Assad and his mafia represent good.
A psychiatrist is needed ASAP. Someone here has lost it.
September 26th, 2011, 8:20 pm
TRUE said:
The legend of unstoppable bullshit
The horn of his time
Ladies and Gentlemen, Please give it up for ……….. “SNP”!!!
Hooray and now let’s all sing
Yil3an ro7ak ya Hafiz wo Allahya’7dak ya Betho 🙂
September 26th, 2011, 8:29 pm
SYR.EXPAT said:
???? : Falcon
– ?? ???? ??? ???? ???? ????? ?? ????? ???????? ?? ?????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ????? ???? ???? (????? ?? ?????? ????? ???????) ??? ??????? ?? 1970 ??? ???? ????? ??? 23 ??? ???? ????? ??????? ?? 1970 ??? 1992 !!
– ?? ???? ??? ?? ??? ????? ?? ??? ??? ???????? ????????? ????? ??? ??????.. ?? ????? ??? ????????? ?????? ??? ?????!!!
– ?? ???? ??? ??? ?????? ???? ????? ??????? ??????? ???? ????? (???? ??? ??????? ???????? ??????? ???????? ???? ????? ???? ??? ?????? ?????) ??? ?????? ?????? ?? 9-9-2001 ??? ???? ???? ?????? ?????? ??? ??????? ???? ????? ?? ??????? ?????? ???? ?? ????? ??? ?????? ?????? !!
– ?? ???? ?? ????? ?????? ??????? ??????????? ?? ?????????? ???? ?? ?????? ?????? ???? ??????? ?? ??? ???? ????? ?? ????? ?????? ???? ???? ?????? !!
– ?? ???? ????? ???? ???? ?? ??? ??… ?? ???? ?? ???? ?? ????? ?? ????????… ??????? ?? ???? ?? ??????? ?? ????? ???? ????!! ???? ?? ???? ??? ????!!
– ?? ???? ????? ??? ????? ????? ?? ?????? ????? ?????… ??????? ????? ?????……. ?? ???? ??????? ????? ????? ????????? ??? ????? ?? ???? ???? ??? ???????
– ????? ???? ?? ????? ??? ?????? ????? ????? ??? ????? ???????? ?????? ????????
?? ???? ?? ???? ?? ????? ?? ????? ????? ???????? ????? ?????? ????? ????? ??????? ??? ??? ????? ???? ?????!
– ?? ???? ??? ?? ?????? ??????? ?? ??????? ?????? ????? ???? ?? 90 ??? ????????.. ??? ??????.. ?? ?????? ???????? ???? ??????!
– ?? ???? ?? ??? ??????? ?? ??????? ????????? ?? ??????? ??????? ?????? ?? ????? ???? ???!! ?? ????? ??? ???? ??????? ????
– ?? ???? ?? ??? ??????? ?? ??????? ?? ???? ???? ???? ?? ???? ?????? ?????? ???? ???? ?????? ???? ??? ?? ????????? ????????!!
– ?? ???? ??? ??????? “????? ???????” ???? ??? ?????? ????? 5 ????? ??????? ?? ?????… ?? ???? ????? ????? ?????? ????? ?? ????? ?? ????!!
– ?? ???? ????? ??? ??? ?? ???? ???? ???? ????? ?? ??? ??????? ?????? !!
– ?? ???? ??? ?????? ????? ??????? ????????? ???? ????? ????? ???????? ???????? ??? ??????? ???? ?????? ??????? ?????? ???? ??????? ???????? !!
– ?? ???? ???? ???? ?? ???? ???????? ???????? ???? ?????? ??????? ????? ?? ????????? ?? ??????? !!
– ?? ???? ???? ???? ????? ????? ??? ?? ??????? ????? ???? ?? ??? ????? !!
– ?? ???? ????? ??????? ??? ???? ??? ??? ????? ?????? ?? ??? ?????!!
– ?? ???? ??? ?? ??????? ??????? ?? ???? ????????? ?????? !!
– ?? ????? ??? ??? ??? ??????? ????… ????? ??? ???? ??????? ?? ?????? ??????? ?? ?????? ???? ????? ??????? ??????? ?????? ??????? ??????? ??? ???? ?????? ?????? ?? ???? ???? ?????? ???????? ??????? ???????? ??? ????? ??????? ???? !!??
– ?? ???? ?? ??? ???? ?? ????? ????? ???? ???? ???? ???? ?? ??????? !!
– ?? ???? ???? ???? ????…. ??? ???? ????? ????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ???? ????? ?????? ????? ?? ????? ????? ?????!!
– ?? ????? ?? ???? ?????????? ???? ?? ?????? ?????? ???????? ????? ??????? ????? ??????? ??????? ??? ????? ??? ??????? ??????? ????? ?? ??? ?? ?????? ?? ???? ??????? ?? ?????? ?? ?? ???? ??????? ?? ????????? !!!
??? ??? ?? ?????? ?? ?????? ?????? ??? ???? ????? ?? ????? ???? ??????? ???????!!
??? ????? ???? ??? ?? ???????? ??? ??????? ???? ?? ???? ?????? ?????? ?????!!
??? ??? ????? ???? ????? ?? ?? ???? ???? ?????? ????? ????? ?????? ????? ?? ??? ???????.. ????? ?????? ???? ????????..
???? ???? ???? ?????.. ??? ???? ?????? ?? ??? ??? ?????? ????????? ??????..
?? ????? ??????? ??????? ?? ??????? ???? ?????? ?????? ?????..
??? ???? ??? ??? ??????? ??????? ??? ????? ?????? ????? ?? ??????..
????? ???????…
http://syrianrevolution.org/?p=13701
September 26th, 2011, 8:33 pm
SadSyrian said:
@58 ” Atheist Syrian Salafist Against Dictatorships (ASSAD)”
1) Believe me, I sincerely hope that I am mistaken with my “insinuations” however, the facts in the ground are sadly leaning in that direction. again, this is very sad and many groups are trying to avoid that path however, the regime acts are enticing this although they claim they are against it.
2) you indicated Dr. Eid was “knocked off” due to the help he gave to the “torturers and killers” & his assistance in removing organs from the dead bodies, can you shed some light on these accusations?
September 26th, 2011, 8:34 pm
NK said:
Darryl #372 from the previous entry
Kill in Arabic is ?????? and not ??????, when you say Darryl killed NK you must use ??? and not ????, the two are not interchangeable. Please feel free to consult any Arabic language teacher.
I presented you with Qaradawi’s tafsir regarding verse 9:29, he’s probably the most prominent Sunni scholar today and by many accounts he’s even an extremist (kinda odd coming from an MB leader and an extremist), his tafsir clearly contradicts yours, and 100% supports what I wrote previously, if you read the article I linked there he points to many examples dating back as far as the seventh century.
I presented you with the tafsir of a 2nd scholar who I never heard of before, I got that tafsir by merely Googling the verse.
And now I’ll add what the Bible says about Jizya (and in the bible it’s called Jizya)
?? ??? ??????? ????? ??? ???????? ??? ?? ??? ???????? ???? ???
?????? ??? ????? ?????? ?? ????? ???? ???? ??? ???????? ??? ??? ????? ??????? ?????? ?? ????? ???????? ???? ?? ??? ? ???????? ?????? ???? ???? ??? ???.
??? ??? ????? ?????? ??????? ???? ??? ?????? ? ??? ????? ??? ?? ?????? ???? ?????? ??? ??????: ” ???? ??? ?? ?????? ??? ???? ???? ????? ??????? ?? ??????? ??? ????? ?? ?? ???????? ??? ?? ???? ?? ???????. ??? ?? ????: ????? ?????? ?????” (??? 17/24-25).
????? ????? ?????? ???? ?????? ?? ????? ??????? ? ??? ???????? ????? ?????? ????? ?????? ?? ????? ???????? ??? ????? ??? ??? ??????? ? ??? ??? ????? ???? ?? ?????????? ??? ???? ????? “??? ?????? ?????????? ???????? ?? ????? ???? ?????????? ?? ??? ?????? ??? ??? ?????? ?????? ?????? ??? ??????” (???? 16/10)? ??? ??? ??? ??? ???????? ???????.
??? ???????? ??? ?????? ?????? ???? ?????? ???????? ????? ?? ??? ????? ? ??? ??? ????? ??? ??? ??? ?????? ????: ” ???? ??? ????? ???? ?????? ??????? ???? ???? ????? ????? ???? ???? ???? ??? ???????? ???? ?????? ??? ????” (??? 17/24-27).
????? ????? ???? ??? ?? ??? ???? ???: “????? ?? ???? ???? ????? ?? ??? .. ???? ???: ??? ??? ?????? ????????? ????? ??: ?????. ???? ???: ????? ???? ?? ????? ?????? ??? ???? ????” (??? 22/17-21).
?????? ????? ?????? ???? ?????? ???????? ???? ???????? ?? ?????? ?????? ?????? ????? ??????? ?? ???? ????: “????? ?? ??? ????????? ???????? ??????? ?? ????? ?? ????? ??? ?? ?? ????? ??????? ????? ????? ????? ?????????? ??????? ??????? ?????? … ?? ?? ???? ????? ????? ????? ?? ???? ???? ????? ???? ???? ?? ???? ?? ??? ???? ????? ???? ?? ???? ???? ??????? ????? ???? ??? ????? ?????? ?????? ?? ?? ???? ???? ??????? ??? ??? ?????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ?????? ??? ?? ??????? ??????? ??? ?? ???????? ?????? ??? ?? ?????? ???????? ??? ?? ???????” (????? 13/1-7).
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+13%3A1-7&version=NIV
1 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. 6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
That being said, you most likely will still insist that you’re right and all those Muslim Scholars are wrong, and keep on asking that 1.5 billion Muslims change their holy book to accommodate your vision of what words God should or should not have used. Who needs divine revelation when we have you!
September 26th, 2011, 8:37 pm
Syrian Nationalist Party said:
Effective, very effective, they gone Buzzzzzzzurk. LOL. Christians, do not be deceived. This is how they ridiculed and mocked your Jesus and his Christian disciples, all Twelve of them. Go to your Bishop and talk to him today, not tomorrow. I Know they are not Syrians, They are Americans. LOL. They did not understand the very first post today, which will be obvious for Homsi.
September 26th, 2011, 8:39 pm
TRUE said:
@ 85. Syrian Nationalist Party
“I Know they are not Syrians, They are Americans. LOL. They did not understand the very first post today, which will be obvious for Homsi.”
Hehehehe, OMG so funny “…Let me guess i got to become a fan of SNP..” ;P
Please keep posting mate!! honestly you should consider applying for “Qurdaha got talent” 🙂
September 26th, 2011, 8:52 pm
Syrian Nationalist Party said:
??”…………?? : Falcon
– ?? ???? ??? ???? ???? ????? ?? ????? ???????? ?? ?????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ????? ???? ???? (????? ?? ?????? ????? ???????) ??? ??????? ?? 1970 ??? ???? ????? ??? 23 ??? ???? ????? ??????? ?? 1970 ??? 1992 !!………”
May god bless Hafez soul forever for that deed. A prayer from the deep of my heart.
September 26th, 2011, 8:53 pm
sheila said:
To everybody,
I give up. The man is crazy.
September 26th, 2011, 9:02 pm
TRUE said:
Salil Shetty, secretary general of Amnesty International, paid tribute to youthful protesters who were “standing up and speaking out in the face of bullets, beatings, tear gas and tanks….This bravery – combined with new technology that is helping activists to outflank and expose government suppression of free speech and peaceful protest – is sending a signal to repressive governments that their days are numbered,”
he said. “But there is a serious fightback from the forces of repression. The international community must seize the opportunity for change and ensure that 2011 is not a false dawn for human rights.”
September 26th, 2011, 9:04 pm
TRUE said:
A report by BBC World News, May 12, 2011, cites Amnesty International’s recently published annual report. In the report, Amnesty highlights the fight for control over communications technology.
In a statement, Amnesty pointed to a “critical battle” for control of access to information, means of communications and networking technology. “Governments are scrambling to regain the initiative or to use this technology against activists,”.
It called on companies that provide internet access, mobile communications and social networking sites to respect human rights and not become accomplices to repressive governments.
The reputational risks are not abstract and one notable example of a high profile company that was alleged to have collaborated with a regime known for its human rights abuses was Yahoo.
In November, 2002, activist Jiang Lijun was arrested following an investigation that allegedly used information supplied by Yahoo. Again in September 2005, Yahoo was accused of supplying information to Chinese authorities which led to the jailing of journalist Shi Tao. In February 2006, Yahoo was accused by Reporters Without Borders of releasing information to the Chinese authorities that led to the arrest of Li Zhi, a net activist. In November 2007, Yahoo settled a lawsuit brought by families of bloggers convicted by information the internet firm handed over to the Chinese authorities.
(Source: BBC News. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/mobile/business/8581393.stm)
September 26th, 2011, 9:10 pm
uzair8 said:
Syrian UN speech.
Was there a mass walkout?
See video lower down on the following page. From 2.08 the camera pans the hall.
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=39802&Cr=syria&Cr1=
September 26th, 2011, 9:16 pm
John Khouri said:
Haytham Khoury – can you please explain to me why : –
1 ) christians in homs and hama have been threatened with their life, if they send their children to school?
2 ) christian females in homs and hama have been repeatedly warned by the islamic extremists, against wearing any clothing above their knees and elbows?
3 ) why 80% of christians have fled the hamadieh,bustan diwan,bab sabah, etc ( homs ) and hardi ( hama ) ?
I was in syria 4 weeks ago and spend 90% of my time in Homs and wadi nasara. I interviewed 20 christian families from the Homs and Hama areas, and have documented every single account of what they saw. Islamic extremists setting up road blocks with m16’s in homs and hama, priests and allawite clerics kidnapped, cars torched and burnt by these islamic terrorists. I have sent these recorded video interviews over to a few western government agencies, and await their reply.
Haytham khouri, stop being in denial and wake up to the reality on the ground in syria.
September 26th, 2011, 9:19 pm
TRUE said:
Sasha Pagella from “IW financial” wrote about “The Geopolitical Risk in Syria”
Geopolitical Risk in Syria
May 2011
The uprisings and protests that have rocked the Arab world have once again demonstrated the interlocked nature of our global environment. While the wider world at large has started to feel some of the consequences stemming from the ongoing upheaval e.g. rising oil prices, no one knows with any certainty what the overall impact will be. What is clear, however, is that risks associated with conducting business in countries that oppress their citizens or have ties to terror are being taken more seriously by institutional investors as a May 2011 IPE article attests. The article entitled, “Geopolitical risk of investments must be taken more seriously”, points out that most such risks could have been anticipated.
Notwithstanding the rapidly growing human rights crisis throughout the Arab region, a significant proportion of western business with involvement in countries such as Syria have much to lose. A quick look at IW Financial’s (IWF) global compliance database reveals that one fifth of companies from the 2010 Fortune Global 500 list have current business operations linked to Syria.
While publically traded companies with ties have already been operating within an existing sanctions regime that has existed since 2004, additional sanctions may be forthcoming if the widespread violence that been gripping Syria continues or escalates in intensity. Earlier this month the European Union (EU) announced that it will be establishing sanctions against top Syrian government officials. As of May 18, 2011 the U.S. has announced that it to, has imposed sanctions on senior Syrian officials as well as on Syrian President, Bashar al-Assad, something the EU had previously avoided. This marks a dramatic ratcheting up of pressure on the Syrian regime and bars U.S. individuals and companies from dealing with any of the named Syrian officials. Additional measures to isolate the Syrian regime are more likely to be adopted the longer that violent repression continues.
The potential risks to businesses, particularly those linked directly with the Syrian government are both reputational and business.
Reputational risk: Large cap publically traded companies are particularly vulnerable to reputational risk due to their raised public profile.
Business risk: A range of potential business risks apply to companies with operations in countries such as Syria and are sometimes highlighted in 10K filings. These include:
Breaches of current sanctions could result in criminal or civil penalties or other remedial measures – see example of Schlumberger Ltd listed below.
Increased level of sanctions might increase the risk and complexity for companies with involvement in Syria as well as cause them to cease operations in Syria all of which could increase costs, distract focus of senior management and result in a loss of earnings.
Regime change resulting in the establishment of a democracy or a radical anti-western government could increase the risks to firms with existing government contracts in Syria. Any new government may not recognize existing contracts or seek to renegotiate terms. Obviously, if a radical anti-western government were to seize power that would also likely result in a tightening of the international sanctions regime.
The examples below, drawn from IWF’s global compliance data, illustrate current company involvement (from 2010 Fortune Global 500) in Syria and some of the potential business and reputational risks that they might be exposed to:
NEC’s Microwave Communications (Pasolink) segment which currently “provides service” in Syria. No details of this service or existing customers are disclosed. According to the company website, the company’s PASOLINK products offer “a full range of economical short- and long-haul point-to-point microwave radio systems designed for a wide range of applications, such as mobile backhauls, broadband networks, enterprise solutions, and emergency networks.” (Company website, 01/2010)
Microwave communications are dual use technology that can be used both for “emergency networks” and for a wide range of government enforcement agencies e.g. military/paramilitary (police).
TUI AG, whose subsidiary, Oft Reisen offers tours to Syria for German travelers. (Oft Reisen website, 01/2010) Given the current circumstances in Syria, you can expect tourism to whither.
Schlumberger Ltd. In August 2010, Schlumberger Ltd. acquired Smith International Inc. which has disclosed corporate operations in Syria via its wholly-owned and partially-owned foreign affiliates. (Smith International Form 10K, 2009; Reuters, 03/01/2010) In the following paragraph, the company acknowledges the potential risks to earnings as a result of operating in U.S. sanctioned countries.
The company reports its activities in U.S. sanctioned countries as follows: “In addition, we are subject to risks associated with our operations in countries, including Iran, Syria, Sudan and Cuba, which are subject to trade and economic sanctions or other restrictions imposed by the United States or other governments or organizations. United States law enforcement authorities are currently conducting a grand jury investigation and an associated regulatory inquiry related to our operations in certain of these countries. If any of the risks described above materialize, or if any governmental investigation results in criminal or civil penalties or other remedial measures, it could reduce our earnings and our cash available for operations.” (Company Form 10K, 2009)
Schlumberger’s website lists Cairo-based East Africa & East Mediterranean GeoMarket (EEG) as a contact for customers in Syria. In addition, Schlumberger Information Solutions lists a contact in Damascus, Syria. (Company website, 05/2010)
In 2008, Schlumberger participated in the seventh annual Syrian International Oil and Gas Exhibition. The company is listed as an exhibitor and a sponsor of the 2010 exhibition. (Syroil website, 05/2010)
As mentioned at the beginning of this piece, “geopolitics will again become an important factor for investors to consider.” Speaking at the CFA Institute Annual Conference in Edinburgh, Pippa Malmgren said investors had forgotten about the “peace dividend” that has been in place since the fall of the Berlin Wall. “People cannot go along saying events [in the Middle East and North Africa] are a Black Swan,” he said. “Most of the geopolitical events we’ve seen could have been anticipated.” (Source: IPE, 09 May 2011)
Syria is one example of a Federally designated state sponsor of terrorism for which IWF has identified six U.S. States that have specific investment legislation pertaining to corporate involvement in Syria. Many of the corporations with involvement in Syria, such as Schlumberger are also exposed to risks from operating in other State mandated countries such as Iran and Sudan.
please contact:
Sasha Pagella
http://www.iwfinancial.com
September 26th, 2011, 9:29 pm
Norman said:
It looks like Homs is going to face a major operation soon, The government can not leave the people fending for themselves, it is going to be soon,
I wonder if the ban on products is meant to encourage smuggling so the people of Homs and Tal Khalakh can get busy with that and stay away from the street,
September 26th, 2011, 9:35 pm
NK said:
John Khouri
Please do us a favor and post those videos on youtube for all to see, also I’m pretty sure both Ehsani and Alex will gladly post them as a main entry.
Norman
What else can the regime do in Homs, other than using chemical weapons ?
For these incidents to stop the regime should withdraw all army and security personnel from the streets of Homs and then we’ll see how many crimes the armed gangs will commit, they’re clearly not doing a good job anyways, if indeed those armed gangs are roaming freely and committing all kind of crimes all over the city.
September 26th, 2011, 9:42 pm
John Khouri said:
NK – the last thing i would want to do is make this video public. Knowing jihadist wahabbi’s like ABOUD and the rest of extremists on this blog, they will be posting it on youtube
September 26th, 2011, 9:44 pm
TRUE said:
@ 94. Norman
People of Homs are busy with more important matter than smuggling (this is the job of Alawis), the whole Homs is busy with toppling the regime!
Up yours!
September 26th, 2011, 9:51 pm
NK said:
John Khouri
And …
If the videos document the statements of those who suffered under the armed gangs then you have a moral obligation to promote their case for all to see, Aboud posting those videos on youtube will actually help your cause.
And just in case you’re thinking of claiming that you don’t want them to be identified, here’s a link to a free program where you can blur there faces
http://www.thugsatbay.com/tab/?q=zweistein
and here’s a tutorial on how to use this program
September 26th, 2011, 10:03 pm
John Khouri said:
TRUE – you need to correct your statement
“”People of Homs are busy with more important matter than smuggling (this is the job of Alawis), the whole Homs is busy with toppling the regime”
Can you explain to me what religion the people of Wadi Khaled in Lebanon which borders Syria? What religion the majority of Telkalakh is? What religion is 90% of Quaysor? What religion is 95% of Daraa and Jisr Shougr? Sorry to dissapoint you but they are all Sunni. And how about Talbisi ( the drug capital of Syria ) ? All these towns border lebanon and jordan and are the main smuggling routes for the terrorists belonging to the so called “revolution”.
September 26th, 2011, 10:10 pm
Norman said:
True,
97. TRUE said:
@ 94. Norman
People of Homs are busy with more important matter than smuggling (this is the job of Alawis), the whole Homs is busy with toppling the regime!
Up yours!
Did you really say that, that is amazing, are you an orphan, because your parents would be ashamed of you if they are alive,
September 26th, 2011, 10:14 pm
TRUE said:
99. John Khouri
“Can you explain to me what religion the people of Wadi Khaled in Lebanon which borders Syria? What religion……..”
No I can’t bother!!
Inta 2li ween daher ellayleh ya Joni?
September 26th, 2011, 10:26 pm
TRUE said:
@ 100. Norman
“Did you really say that, that is amazing, are you an orphan, because your parents would be ashamed of you if they are alive,”
Rah rah rah irrelevant with no depth! So what’s you point you thick.
I’m afraid I have to list you down with SNK & SNP
September 26th, 2011, 10:28 pm
Haytham Khoury said:
Dear all and particularly islamophobic Christians:
When I answered Radwan Ziadeh and his colleagues on “The National Initiative for Change”, I did not tell my wife. That was simply because I am a very busy man and I do not remember what I tell and what I do not tell.
One week later, Radwan asked to talk to me. I said to my wife, I need some very quiet time to talk to this gentleman. My wife answered “?? ??? ???? ?????”. My wife is not sectarian, but she tends to avoid uncharted territories. I answered her “?? ??? ????? “?? ?? ???? ????? ?? ?????
The most important, I talked to Radwan. Then, Radwan went to the Antalya conference and when he came back, he said “Haytham, we have to write the new constitution of Syria”. He said that, because he was assigned that task. I told my wife that. She said “??? ?? ??????? ??????? ??? ??????”.
Come my friends join me writing the new constitution of Syria. Come my friends make history with me. If you stay in your fear and phobia, you will be on the margin of history. you will be nobody.
September 26th, 2011, 10:32 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
For SNP,John Khouri,Darryl,
This revolution is not Islam against Christianity, this is freedom against dictatorship,Christians all over the world support the Syrian revolution.
Prolonging the war by the regime will strain the army,increase the chances for desertion, impoverize the people,increasing the chance for the people to complain.
September 26th, 2011, 10:35 pm
TRUE said:
@ Norman
Listen up mate, my parents would be really ashamed if I kept hiding behind this virtual wall called the “Unknown” and puts all my misery and cowardice on my minorities complex disorder.
Got that big ears!!
September 26th, 2011, 10:38 pm
zoo said:
Pro-Assad ‘Army’ Wages Cyberwar In Syria
http://www.npr.org/2011/09/25/140746510/pro-assad-army-wages-cyberwar-in-syria
Syrian hackers crack Harvard website
http://rt.com/news/line/2011-09-26/#id19063
Syrian hackers have hit the website of Harvard University, one of America’s top universities, Itar-tass reports. The group of hackers placed a portrait of Syrian President Bashar Assad on the frontage with a Syrian flag in the background. Along with the image they left a message saying, “Syrian electronic army were here.” They also criticized US policy towards President Assad`s regime and wrote several threats to the US. The new design stayed on the website for nearly an hour.
September 26th, 2011, 11:04 pm
SYR.EXPAT said:
Musician’s family attacked in Syria
September 26th, 2011, 11:15 pm
N.Z. said:
Ya Haif, John Khouri.
Are you a true Khouri? Are you related to the late Syrian P.M. Fares Khoury’s, he was a nationalist and a proud Christian. Are you either?
Your religion is your business. We want to bring back the days when all Syrians had a common goal, when only eligibility guarantees you a position.
I will leave you with this:
This review is from: In the Name of Identity: Violence and the Need to Belong by Amin Maalouf.
Amin Maalouf begins this series of essays tautologically. At first, Maalouf is telling me that I am special and so is everyone else. I almost put away “The Nature of Identity.” His theme, then, took on complexity and subtlety. So do wade through the preliminaries, you will be repaid for your patience.
Of course, we are all singular. Of course, we all have shifting identities, depending on our context; answering the question, “Who needs an education about what I represent today?”
We are introduced to the fact that Mr. Maalouf is a Lebanese Christian who speaks Arabic, and now lives in France. Then Mr. Maalouf begins bringing things home.
In this age we are very concerned about the nature of Islam, and how we should regard its prospects in the world. Maalouf establishes that Islam is not, by nature, a religion for radicals. Islam tolerated alternative views of the world in a way unknown to medieval and renaissance Christianity (which butchered its dissidents). Islam was the midwife of modernism for chrissakes. Through Islam we of Western European Christian descent received the cannon of greek philosophy, the foundation of our philosophical world view.
What then is the force radicalizing Islam, Maalouf asks. What is the force leading to radicalization in almost every other form of identity, environmentalism, Christianity, Maalouf asks. Globalization, he answers.
Consistently Maalouf reminds us that people are changed by and change their religion, their identity, their allegiances. We are constantly interacting with our social context. Radicalism is on the rise because all groups, from Timothy McVeigh to Osama bin Laden, feel overwhelmed by the rising tide of what appears an unstoppable globalization. We all, in some sense, feel helpless before this tide. Maalouf views this sense of threat as legitimate. Yet, Maalouf argues, it need not be so. We are in charge of our destiny, we are so much more alike than we are different in this world today. We can all be represented in this globalization tide, although the path is unfamiliar and unsure.
This is a collection of essays in which the tensions and solutions rise together to a very satisfying crescendo. There is no pedantry, nor a trace of condescension in this short powerful book. To my mind, we have received in this volume a very workable program for diffusing the radicalism that so besets our world. At the same time, we receive a program for more comfortably realizing each one of us is a plural and singular entity.
This book finds its origin in anger against those who demand that each person must assert ONE identity, ONE allegiance. Maalouf skillfully establishes that we are plural in identity and allegiance. And if this is realized by most, we have the prospect of a future more of peace than war.
September 27th, 2011, 12:04 am
Syrian Nationalist Party said:
@MAJDKHALDOON
“…..This revolution is not Islam against Christianity,…”
I know. The Americans and NATO plotted it as Sunni Islam against Shia Islam. But when smart people in Syria woke up to the nature of this, they got alarmed.
“………..this is freedom against dictatorship,……..”
Sure and 911 was done by 19 Moslem hijackers who seven of them are alive and well in Arabia. WMD was found in Iraq in mass, and Colin Powel did not say to Bashar when the President stated to him that the policy demanded by Neocons is not acceptable to Syrians, Colin did not reply “What do you care about them, you are a dictator and all you need to care about is us”
“……….Christians all over the world support the Syrian revolution…….”.
I talked to many Christians and unlike the dim wits and paid blogger here, surprisingly, they are well informed. The Internet brought up pretty smart Americans nowadays, unlike the days of Cronkite. They did not support Iraq war, Afghan war, for sure not the Libyan genocide and they have clear understanding of what is going on in Syria. Just the other day I was talking to an Investment banker and devout Christian whom we discuss issue with him and surprisingly, he got it all right. Just before Kaddafi escaped, was having launch and had a quick table to table chat with someone named B.Gross, a really big shot in the investment business, was surprised at the things he mentioned to me and even more when he said he was hoping Kaddafi will beat up Britain paid mercenaries. Common man, who are you trying to sell this to, no one is buying except the dim wits. Of course there are plenty of them in Lebanon, those Christians who lacked the intellect and dignity to join a Saudi puppet in Coalition called March 14 instead of forming own Christian Coalition and maintaining independence. Of course the Bishop, thank god is brainy and figured things out the right way, understood the serious danger that will eventually Lebanon will find on its boarders, surrounded. Those Christians supporting the Islamic Mercenaries Revolution are ignorant, we talking fascist like Lebanese Forces leader, a murderer for heaven sake. Those same Christians will need to remember Lebanon Civil War and how they could have lost Lebanon back then. They will all be refugee in Paris. I guess Sarkozy still see that is coming eventually anyway with a bit of delay. It is really a shame ??? ???? that
??? ?????? ???? ????? ???? ????? will act like puppy for a ??? ????? ????? ?? ???? ???????? ?????????, ??? ??? ????????
“…………..Prolonging the war by the regime will strain the army,……….”
It wills not, this is a cake walk for Syria hardened army, Lebanon Civil War and occupation for decades did not even strain it.
“………increase the chances for desertion,……”
Fantasy, no truth to this in practical reality. There is a system and in the army you follow command and superior orders or you will be shot. At one moment in time the army action and desertion could be possible, but that was on March 8 1963, when the mother of all bastards Louai Atassi and his brother and cousin ceased power and declared suspension of the Constitution. On Constitutional ground that army action is possible. Now there exist a Baathist Constitution and the State is recognized by all world countries, including United Nations, even country with a state of war declaration, Israel.
“…..impoverize the people,increasing the chance for the people to complain……”
It did not happen in DPRK, Belarus and may other countries. What you referring to as an actionable way, required a whole different kind of campaign and I assure you are not going to get any tips from me on that subject.
September 27th, 2011, 12:10 am
Aboud said:
LOL! UnReal, stop being so touchy. Man you people are so intellectually immature you can’t even stand having a debate on history. Ya zalami when are you guys going to get out of a 1960s mentality and join the 21st century 🙂
And Germany didn’t have enough gold to cover the cost of reparations. Until the payments were suspended, the government thought it a neat trick to print money like there was no tomorrow. I hope some idiot from the idiots running the country has learned a lesson from the 1930s.
September 27th, 2011, 12:28 am
Aboud said:
““This is not a conflict about Freedom and Democracy for Syria, this is the final conflict between good and evil””
So we are back to Saddam’s “Mother of all Battles”? And how did that work out for him?
I don’t think SNP is really with the SNP. Only someone with a grudge against the SNP could be so stupid that he’d blame prisoners for their own incarceration, and not the son of mal3oon aslo Hafez. Very strange way of thinking, these old men of the SNP. They claim to be secular, but all we hear is “Islam this and Muslims that and wa wa wa I blame Mohamad because I’m such a loser with blonde women”.
🙂
#100 All the smuggling in the country was done with the cooperation and participation of members of the Athad family and their associates.
“It looks like Homs is going to face a major operation soon,”
That’s always been the wet dream of the menhebaks. “When are you all gonna pound Homs into the dust!” Clearly forgetting that there is an army division inside Homs, and two outside it. Every week we hear the same “Any day now, we are gonna subdue Homs. Yeah, any day. I said so last week, but this week I mean it”
Toooooooz 🙂
“I was in syria 4 weeks ago and spend 90% of my time in Homs and wadi nasara”
And yet when I challenged you with a simple question on Homs, you turned tail and hide for a few months.
September 27th, 2011, 12:39 am
Aboud said:
So, how many demonstrations did the SNP manage to hold in its 30s years? How many world leaders received its members? How many countries broke off relations with the Qurdaha mafia thanks to the SNP’s activities.
In fact, just what the has the SNP achieved during its existence, with the exception of a constant stream of whining and bitching about Muslims? It sounds like a really ineffectual party, even by Syrian standards 🙂
Islamophobia, the last refuge of the intellectually bankrupt.
September 27th, 2011, 12:47 am
True said:
Bloody hopeless low IQ douchebags!!
just look at the mirror and see the L shape on your foreheads LOSERS eh!
September 27th, 2011, 12:55 am
NEW REGIME NEW HOPE said:
The UN hall looked very empty for the Syrian speech.
Perhaps they were outside the building joining a demonstration.
Maybe the Syrian delegation chose a quiet time for their speech like very late at night or early morning.
September 27th, 2011, 12:55 am
TRUE said:
@ SNP
[Edited by admin]
On one post you support Christians and attack Sunni Muslims in Syria. on the other post you attack Christians in Lebanon!!
Make up your two cells mind or you know what? go take your med wo 7el 3an tezna
September 27th, 2011, 1:01 am
Aboud said:
“NK – the last thing i would want to do is make this video public.”
Dear God, at least no one can accuse you of being even slightly original. Hey guys, remember Mohamad Hamwi, who was supposed to have a treasure trove of videos? The menhebaks on Al Dunya ALWAYS claim to have damning and incriminating evidence that will BLOW THE CONSPIRACY APART but which for various reasons they can’t make public just yet. Maybe next week, yeah, remind me next week 🙂
Pathetic. Every hour the revolution releases iron-hard evidence of Betho’s crimes. There is enough out there to send him to the Hague for ten life times. And yet after six months, the feeble menhebaks still can’t tell us who is supposed to be paying Homsi garbage men 4000 liras to go out and demonstrate *facepalm*.
Oh yeah, and this information came from a “revolutionary”. Dude, why stop there? Why not make it a long standing member of the LCC, and a relative of someone on the National Transition Council, and a good friend of Michele Kilo to boot 🙂
September 27th, 2011, 1:04 am
N.Z. said:
115. NEW REGIME NEW HOPE,
Reform has been delayed in Syria due to foreign intervention…duh!
This is the newest invention, in a long list of lies.
September 27th, 2011, 1:06 am
uzair8 said:
Trader on the BBC says Eurozone Market will crash
In a scary and painfully frank interview a freaked out BBC interviewer is visibly shaken when market trader Alessio Rastani predicts that the “Market is Toast.” Apparently there is nothing Euro governments can do.
September 27th, 2011, 1:06 am
Aboud said:
True
“On one post you support Christians and attack Sunni Muslims in Syria. on the other post you attack Christians in Lebanon!!”
And in one post he claims the SNP are persecuted for being opposed to the Baath, and in the next post he loves the Baath.
Very confused bunch, these old men of the SNP. Usually, when old geezers forget to take their medication, they mumble to themselves out of sight. Now, with the Internet, the whole world has to see their confused mumblings.
September 27th, 2011, 1:07 am
NK said:
Dear Haytham
I’m not sure if you got a chance to check the constitution that Anwar Buni wrote a few years ago.
Here’s a link
http://al3asefah.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=24887
I think that’s a good place to start.
September 27th, 2011, 1:23 am
TRUE said:
ABOUD
Yeah bro just a waste of space, they’re funny when acting like kids with tears and running to the moderator.
[deleted by moderator]
September 27th, 2011, 1:24 am
Ghufran said:
?????? ??? ???? ??????? ?????? ????? ?????
??? ????? ??????? ????? ??? ????? ? ????? ?? ????????? ? ????????? ????? ?????? ? ????? ?????? ???
http://www.alarabonline.org/index.asp?fname=%5C2011%5C09%5C09-26%5C428.htm&dismode=x&ts=26-9-2011%2011:57:47
??? ????? ?? ?? ?? ???? ????????? ?? ?????? ??????? ?????? ????? ? ??? ?????? ???? ?????? ???? ??????
?? ??? ?????? ????? ???? ??? ???? ?? ???????? ????? ?????? ?????
September 27th, 2011, 1:34 am
Ghufran said:
???
http://www.alarabonline.org/index.asp?fname=%5C2011%5C09%5C09-26%5C428.htm&dismode=x&ts=26-9-2011%2011:57:47
???????
http://www.alquds.co.uk/index.asp?fname=today%5C26z495.htm&arc=data%5C2011%5C09%5C09-26%5C26z495.htm
?????
http://www.alquds.co.uk/index.asp?fname=today%5C26qpt963.htm&arc=data%5C2011%5C09%5C09-26%5C26qpt963.htm
September 27th, 2011, 1:44 am
agatha said:
Via Houria Abdelouahed :
================================================
Dernières informations sur Rafah Nached
Chers collègues, Rafah Nached se trouve dans une prison pour femmes.
Elle a droit à deux visites par semaine (durée de la visite : 30
minutes). Son état de santé est de plus en plus préoccupant. Son mari
(Professeur Faïsal Abdallah) m’a dit aujourd’hui [Lundi 26 Septembre]
qu’il était allé lui rendre visite. Mais Rafah était incapable de
rester debout pendant les 30 mn de l’entrevue. Nous avons fait
circuler des pétitions, collecté un certain nombre de signatures. Mais
ce n’est pas suffisant.
Rafah est accusée d’incitation au soulèvement, incitation au
renversement du gouvernement et non respect de l’ordre public. Elle
risque d’être condamnée à sept ans de prison.
============= message end ============
September 27th, 2011, 1:57 am
uzair8 said:
Last night on the BBC a documentary on the Syrian uprising was broadcast. Panorama is BBC’s prime time flagship investigative current affairs programme.
Panorama. Syria: Inside the Secret Revolution
30 minutes.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b015flwq/Panorama_Syria_Inside_the_Secret_Revolution/
September 27th, 2011, 2:36 am
SYRIAN HAMSTER said:
MESSAGE RECEIVED, WE FOLLOW YOUR COMMANDS
SNP @ 69 , 76, 86, 88, & 110
Thank you for relaying our message. We don’t have your credibility among you. The satanic forces led by one reptilian Elohim who has escaped from its subterranean banishment are about the encircle our multitude. We are very happy that the billions of our brethren SNP members have finally found a way to transcend their physical being and to migrate to your highness’s brain. As told by the first mammal to walk on two , this transmutation may cause an apparent incoherence to those who are not in the need to know or in the know . But we hear each and every one of those billions in your head through your mutual messages and have needed neither translation nor interpretation, and we suggest that you keep up the good work. We also suggest, as the first mammal who walked on two once said, that you talk to each others more. It is easily done if one stops those reptile medication your mother is forcing you to take. Avoid them as much as you can, for humanity’s future hinges on your continuing your message. You have succeeded with your combined intellect in throwing the enemies off the mark. Don’t take the medication.
END MESSAGE
September 27th, 2011, 2:40 am
Syria no kandahar said:
????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ???? ???????? ????????
??? ??? ??? ??????? ??????? ?? ???
??? ???? ???? ??????? ?? ???
?????? ?????? ????? ???? ??????? ????? ???? ??? ??????
??? ??? ?? ???
????? ???? ???? ??????
September 27th, 2011, 2:54 am
Aboud said:
Every day that goes by, the regime looks more and more like George Orwell’s 1984. In that book, the population is deliberately kept in a state of poverty. It makes the Inner Party members easier to control, as every packet of cigarette or coffee ration becomes more valuable. When even being able to switch off one’s two-way television becomes a privilege, people’s loyalties can be bought with very little indeed.
Apparently, the regime realizes that it cannot deliver high standards of living to the country, and instead has embarked on a program of bringing down the standards of living of the Syrian people, to be better able to reward the shabiha with little crumbs left to it. In a country where importing new cars is banned, even beat up old clunkers are suddenly viewed in a new light.
The regime thinks that the whole world are shabiha, that every man, woman and child on the planet only act out of motivation for material rewards. They look on their bought Lebanese trumpets, and think that Azmi Beshara and Najati Tayara must likewise have been bought out by some unknown, undefinable foreign power. Qurdaha peasant thinking in all its simplicity.
September 27th, 2011, 2:56 am
Aboud said:
“????? ???? ???? ??????”
That’s all No Klue has left, curses 🙂
Ya Bashar esma3 wa shoof, 3am ensebak 3al makshoof!
September 27th, 2011, 2:58 am
Atheist Syrian Salafist Against Dictatorships (ASSAD) said:
????? ?????
?? ??? ???? ?? ???? ?
We must put up with our oppressive dictators just because they say they are standing up to the west (in most cases they collude with the west in secret, just like Ghaddafi, that fake revolutionary did)?
And I don’t quite get your drift @123: yes, I agree Sudqi Ismail is a true revolutionary thinker who would put the present corrupt Baathists to shame, the ones who are using their Baathist label to rob Syria blind and who now would have your respected writer living in a prison cell. So which side are you on, the side of freedom from corrupt Baathist tyranny otherwise known as the Assadist Mafia and Associates, the side of freedom, democracy and unity for all Syrians or the side of this corrupt murderous sectarian gang that hijacked the lofty ideals of Hizib Al Baath al 3arabi al ishtiraki? [Dear Aboud, there’s another acronym you’re gonna love ASMAA…;-) ]
As Haytham Khouri said before, those who want a secular Syria for all Syrians should stop trying to smother this uprising, instead they should roll up their sleeves and participate in building that kind of Watan. But if they are beneficiaries of the A.S.M.A.A then they should come clean and say so instead of hiding behind the anti-west, anti-Israel sham (no pun intended).
September 27th, 2011, 3:07 am
Aboud said:
Hey menhebaks, what changed for you guys since you kidnapped Harmoush? From what I’ve seen, all you managed to do was expose your agents in Turkey, which if half the things in the Turkish press are to be believed, is going to come out with a few sanctions of its own soon.
I’ll believe it when I see it, but the omens are not good for Besho. He is just a political amateur, he just doesn’t understand that some historical forces just can’t be stopped, no matter how many people he tries to kill.
The KKK couldn’t stop the American civil rights movements. The Vatican could never stop the Reformation. The Soviet hard liners were powerless against the wave of freedom that swept Eastern Europe and the USSR. Besho’s tragedy was that he happened to be president at this of all times. This revolution was going to succeed, spread and grow no matter what he tried.
And now he and his thugs are reduced to murdering university professors. When things get to that sorry state of affairs, not even the densest menhebak can deny the widespread penetration and appeal of the revolution, and that junior has become highly isolated from Syrian society, with the only loyalty being among people whose material interests are tied up with the regime.
September 27th, 2011, 3:15 am
uzair8 said:
Just finished watching the BBC documentary (@126) for the first time. I dont know what to say. Went thru every emotion.
A must watch.
All I will say is that the prayer of the oppressed is a powerful weapon. A very powerful weapon.
September 27th, 2011, 3:27 am
Mina said:
Aboud
About the standard of living of the Syrian people, could you just cut short your propaganda and admit you have the best autobus system of the Middle East? Your buses and roads are better than the ones I took in Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt. And the price is okay too, even in local standard (200 SP for 450 km between Damascus and Aleppo, that’s about 4 dollars).
If prices had been up in the recent years, it is true also everywhere else. I am sorry you only gaze at your own omphalos.
What do you expect in plunging Syria in a new Iraq? Do you think thugs will not find enough corrupted/confused/hungry souls to carry a programme of “targeted” killings and kidnappings?
The problem is that most Syrians have no idea of the standard of living in other countries because indeed, they hardly go out. Not only their own government is to blame for that, since Europe is a fortress and takes the money of the application but never give visas… Except for “friendly-thugs” of course. Mafia rules the world, it is a sad reality that starts to be obvious to everybody who has been reading financial news lately (and Berlusconi news, of course).
September 27th, 2011, 3:29 am
SYR.EXPAT said:
Another Joke of the Day by the non other than Walid Mu’alem, Syria’s Foreign Minister, known, among other things, for threatening to ignore and forget about Europe:
“???? ?????? ???????? ?????????? ???? ?????? ???????? ??????? ???????? ???????? ??? ????? ????? ??? ?????? ????? ?????? ??????? ?? ????? ???? ???????.”
If you don’t know Arabic (shame on you), Walid Mu’alem was accusing the USA and Europe of violating human rights. The guy has the audacity to talk about human rights while people in Syria and killed and tortured in the most barbaric way by the Syrian government. This guy has no shame.
September 27th, 2011, 3:30 am
majedkhaldoun said:
SNP
You are extremely disturbed person, and have illusions,none of your statements make sense,you said you are for freedom,and you support a brutal dictator,you also talk about Gaddafi,while we are talking about Assad,how could possibly any reasonable person defend Gaddafi knowing all the atrocities he had committed,unless the person is deeply disturbed,you said that your friend wishes that Gaddafi wipe out England and France armies,are you dreaming?
Norman
The regime is attacking Homs,and continue to use the army and the Shabbiha against the people of Homs, but if the regime try to wipe out Homs,even Russia will turn against Bashar,Bashar pretends that he is doing reform,but his action contradict his words,in this time of mobile phones and internet,I doubt that Hama 2 can be repeated.
September 27th, 2011, 3:31 am
TRUE said:
C’mon ABOUD do you really expect X-Box or Menhebaks to understand what you’re talking about?
too much history and info for them, look around and check out SNK, SNP, Up Yours and little Joni then tell me if their 2 cells brains would be able to digest it? so just go easy on them unless someone who claims some knowledge pops out to debate eh.
So why Betho could not subdue the unrest in Homs so far?
September 27th, 2011, 3:34 am
uzair8 said:
@134 MNA said:
“About the standard of living of the Syrian people, could you just cut short your propaganda and admit you have the best autobus system of the Middle East?”
Yes even the Shabeeha use them to travel to their destination.
(Are they different buses?)
September 27th, 2011, 3:34 am
Atheist Syrian Salafist Against Dictatorships (ASSAD) said:
#126 Dear Uzair
Any chance of seeing this video elswhere as it seems restricted to BBC UK?
September 27th, 2011, 3:35 am
Mohamed Kanj said:
These are the true honerable syrians
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hL9wuQ7y7bs
Just as the Nir Rosen said “these protestors come from the slums”.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSqXKLgojDg
Aboud how did u manage to get use of a computer? Ah i forgot you sold your ass to the Gulf tourist in lebanon, tripoli. Hope they drilled you nice and hard.
September 27th, 2011, 3:39 am
uzair8 said:
@139 A.S.S.A.D
Is it restricted. Damn!
I’ll take a look elsewhere.
I posted another documentary a couple of weeks ago. That must have been restricted too. Although yesterday I posted the youtube version of the 20 minute part covering Syria.
September 27th, 2011, 3:39 am
TRUE said:
Losers listen up, don’t cry when i tell ya Up Yours!!
It’s really quite common in the Cymru land (Wales) and people use it like “shut up” or some sorts. So for those ignorant losers (too many of them around here) stop trying to translate it literally as UP YOUR A*S ok?
Up Yours Menhebaks!!
September 27th, 2011, 3:45 am
Aboud said:
From SNN
????? ??? ?????? ???? ??????? ?????? ?? ?? ??????? ??? ???? ????? ?????? ???? ??? ????????
??? ?? ?? ??????? ??? ???? ????? ?????? ?? ????????? ????????? ???? ??? ??? ??? ??? ?????? ?????? ????? ?? ?????? ?? ????? ?????? ?? ???? ???? ???, ??????? ????? ??????? ?? ???? ???? ?????? ?????????? ?????? ??????? ??????? ???? ?? ????? ?? ??????? ?????????? ????????, ??? ??? ?????? ??????? ??? ???? ?????? ??? ?????? ???? ?????? ????, ???? ??????? ???? ????? ??????? ?? ????? ?????? ???? ?????? ????? ?? ????? ???, ??? ??? ??? ?????? ???? ????? ???? ??????: ?? ??? ????? ???? ?? ????? ?????? ?? ????? ??? ??????? ?????? ????? ?????? ??? ???????
#140 You know, I have a nickname, it’s Al Fatih. I got it after meeting Besho’s sister 🙂
“About the standard of living of the Syrian people, could you just cut short your propaganda and admit you have the best autobus system of the Middle East?”
Oh dear me, how long has it been since you’ve been to Syria. When we could use the small mini buses, things were great. Then the government gave contracts to its cronies to replace the small mini buses, with big massive green buses, for which no city in Syria has the roads for. The buses frequently need servicing, and on the ill equipped city roads, they causes all kinds of congestion. Yet another sad case of a few cronies benefiting at the expense of the people.
“What do you expect in plunging Syria in a new Iraq”
Turn that lecturing tone toward your president. Why was Najati Tayara arrested? How many of the 3000 Syrians killed were armed terrorists? It is your president that has tried everything he can to turn this into a sectarian war, in bungling his response to a country’s yearning for freedom.
“The problem is that most Syrians have no idea of the standard of living in other countries because indeed”
Bullshit. I find that patronizing sentence quite offensive. Syrians are very aware of the higher standards of living that their neighbors in Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey live. They are very aware of the privileges even a garbage man in Europe gets. If a garbage man in Syria goes out to demand the same, he gets accused of taking 4000 liras a demo from God knows who.
Don’t think that Syrians are ignorant, it is you Baathist who are ignorant of the way the world’s political and economical systems have developed and evolved over the past 40 years. The Baathists are content to stay stuck in 1963. The Syrian people have spoken loudly and clearly, and such a brave and resilient country will not be denied by the Baath nor their pathetic 3rd rate power buddies in India and South Africa, and especially not by their Iranian theocratic Ayatollahs. Ya fake secular inta.
September 27th, 2011, 3:59 am
abbas said:
Every one living in Europe watch this, Ehsani is he right
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/26/trader-to-bbc-goldman-sachs-goldman-sachs-rules-the-world_n_981658.html
September 27th, 2011, 4:25 am
Mohamed Kanj said:
ABOUD ( islamic extremist ) –
you said Jordan has higher standards of living, with unemployment of 30% ?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6xkSWaIU0Y&feature=relmfu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uWrl4S8t7I&feature=relmfu
higher standards of living in lebanon ?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqXmiLMsE1E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4H2hZsyHao
higher standards of living in turkey?
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=minimum-wage-in-turkey-is-below-the-poverty-line-2010-12-27
Aboudijan, when are you going to admit that you are not Syrian? Your a lebanese hater. I apologise if the syrian mukhabarat (deleted due to excessive profanity)………………..ehsani
September 27th, 2011, 4:53 am
annie said:
125. agatha said:
================================================
Dernières informations sur Rafah Nached
AGatha, où trouver la pétition pour Rafah Nached ?
Moderator : the Kanj insults at #140 and #144 are a little too much. I have no problems with homosexuals but they should keep their phantasms private.
September 27th, 2011, 5:07 am
kubbeh said:
Honest Qestion to the board,
I’ve been following the Syrian revoution for quite a while and it seems to be at a stalement, a nasty one at that (is this really the situation?).
For those of you inside Syria: is Bashar loosing support? Or are the protestors loosing steam?
Is there a next step which can conceivably break the deadlock?
Thanks
September 27th, 2011, 5:09 am
Areal said:
104. Haytham Khoury said:
.. I did not tell my wife. That was simply because I am a very busy man and I do not remember what I tell and what I do not tell.
…
Come my friends join me writing the new constitution of Syria.
“”””
REALITY
Sometimes , your spouse and mother of your children gets a higher view than yourself.
So , if your spouse is suggesting that you should sit at your desk in your home “incommunicado” until you finish to translate the text of the Canadian constitution into Syrian as explained by Anwar Buni in
http://al3asefah.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=24887
please follow her very wise advice .
September 27th, 2011, 5:13 am
Atheist Syrian Salafist Against Dictatorships (ASSAD) said:
Don’t worry Annie, Aboud can hold his own against BtB’s sycophants. Let them show their true face and nature. Notice how they ever-so- casually and matter-of-fact-like admit that BtB’s mukhabarat do torture people by impaling them. They do it so often they have become totally blase about it.
HEAR IT HERE ONCE MORE PEOPLE, M. KANJ SAID:
I apologise if the syrian mukhabarat shoved a batton up ur anus
This is the regime and it’s “security” system and their sycophants we have had to deal with for nearly 5 decades.
September 27th, 2011, 5:20 am
Mohamed Kanj said:
ABOUD and your fellow islamic terrorits –
here is one of your fanatical revolutionaries from Egypt. What he preaches is the reality of your revolution.
http://www.memritv.org/clip/en/3115.htm
September 27th, 2011, 5:22 am
Mohamed Kanj said:
@ 148 – just admit that you are jealous that you never got to taste the batton. When it comes to islamic terrorists, the only way they should be treated is like DOGS AND CANNIBALS. I am a syrian sunni, and the 10% of the popultation whom these terrorists represent, should be all put to jail. Just ask the majority of sunni’s in syria who are sitting back and watching these terrorists in shame and disgust.
September 27th, 2011, 5:26 am
Mina said:
Aboud
What you state about buses in Syria indeed show you are not there. Plus you are certainly not the same Aboud posting all the time since March, because you would know i have stated repeatedly that I am not Syrian but I know Syria and have lived there and still have a lot of friends there.
September 27th, 2011, 5:34 am
Mohamed Kanj said:
@ 151 – its ok MINA, we all know ABOUD is not syrian and has never stepped foot in syria. His just a jihadist riding the bandwagon with his terrorist friends from the Gulf and Bin Laden Schools of thought
September 27th, 2011, 5:41 am
Areal said:
Dear Joshua Landis , ehsani and Otrakji ,
After following your blog for some time , I now have the feeling that the audience is dwelling during the last weeks as shown by the cumulative number of Thumb up / Thumb down after each comment for the comment section.
I will not explain the reasons of the defections as they should be obvious to you.
Can you publish the audience data you can easily collect from the stats module in your dashboard.
( not the individual IP address of commentators !!! )
September 27th, 2011, 6:00 am
Aboud said:
Yes Mr “I have an apartment overlooking a military airport but never mentioned it until it was in the news” LOL! Or was that another generic menhebak? I dunno, these Persians all seem to be cut with the same cookie cutter.
Notice how the menhebak is incapable of saying how what I said is wrong or inaccurate, just the usual whine, “Aboud isn’t in Syria moderators why don’t you ban him wa wa wa!”
And what’s with the menhebaks preoccupation with gay sex? That’s all their posts contain, disturbing images of man on man love. I’m beginning to think that their obsession with Ar’or has a touch of macho-sadistic fantasies about it. Is the baker who baked the menhebaks a gay one?
I guess “Drill baby drill!” means something else to the menhebaks 🙂
Annie, let the menhebak make enough rope to hang himself. If the moderators continue to tolerate him the way they have, I can come up with alot of nice insults as well and drown this website in them.
Now, here’s a nice story that deserves to be posted again
Syria seeks cutback in oil production because of E.U. embargo
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/syria-seeks-cutback-in-oil-production-because-of-eu-embargo/2011/09/26/gIQAbDdczK_print.html
Let’s see the Persians sugar coat this one 🙂
September 27th, 2011, 6:07 am
Areal said:
BRICS
REALITY
Brazil , Russia, India , China , South Africa are experiencing trouble from sectarian organization and armed gangs.
No wonder that these governments are very receptive to the facts and explanations of the Syrian government.
September 27th, 2011, 6:09 am
Aboud said:
The UK ambassador to Syria’s blog. Excellent first post
http://blogs.fco.gov.uk/roller/collis/entry/the_truth_is_what_big
Areal, although that explanation may be comforting to your sort, that’s not the case. The 3rd rate powers of South Africa, India and Brazil are only on the security council until the end of the year, and until then they are indulging in one of the very few times they will be able to stick it to the USA and Europe. They are enjoying their pathetic little moment in the sun, at the cost of thousands of Syrian lives.
Syrians will not forget who their real friends were in these times. Nelson Mandela would be ashamed. And so would Ghandi.
September 27th, 2011, 6:20 am
Khalid Tlass said:
The revolution should no longer be peaceful; the red line has been crossed long ago, brother !! Pick uo the gun and pierce yheir hearts with your bayonets and pluck out their hearts with the bayonet, so that Hassan Nasrallah get a chance to write more sad stuff for his Ashura. Ya Hussein Ya Hussein ya Ali Ali Ali Ya Fatima give me more 5 yr olds to sodomise !!!
September 27th, 2011, 6:24 am
Khalid Tlass said:
Darryl, the Qur’an is for everyone, not just for Muslims, it is a sign for humanity, just think about it, in the Qur’an Muslims have been asked to protect Christians, so it is our obligation to protect people like you as protected persons; remember the names of people like Umar ibn al Khattab, Khalid ibn al Walid, Saad ibn Abi Waqqas and Amr ibn Aas; if these people wanted they could have exterminated the whole Christain population of Egypt, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Palestine. Middle Eastern Christains are very weak as they have shown time and again getting their ass kicked by all in Lebanon, so you need the protection of Sunni Muslims. Look at Lebanon, Christians have accepted the protection of Muslims, Gea and Gemayel are being protected by Hariri while Aoun is being protected by Nasrallah, all this despite that Christians control the top ecehelons of the Lebanese Army. As I said, Middle Eastern Christians are very weak, in 1864 the Druze who were just 5 % of Lebanese population were able to massacre and slaughter 10,000 Maronites who were 40 % of Lebanese population, just give it up, the only way out for you is to be protected persons under the Muslims , like Christains in Egypt, Lebanon, and elsewhere have already done, Syria is an irritating exception but it will follow sooner rather than later. Christians were better off under the Rigtheous Caliphs, in fact during Umar’s time Christians from Turkey and Armenia wanted to pay the Jizya so as to live in Syria and enjoy the great social services and security offered by the Rashid Caliphate.
And for all the Islamophbes, try doing some original research on Ilsam rather than listening to repetitive propaganda, try seeing the video lectures of Dr. Zakir Naik, or Abdul Rahim Green, and Sheikh Ahmad Deedat, and tell us what you think.
September 27th, 2011, 6:40 am
Akbar Palace said:
As I said, Middle Eastern Christians are very weak, in 1864 the Druze who were just 5 % of Lebanese population were able to massacre and slaughter 10,000 Maronites who were 40 % of Lebanese population, just give it up, the only way out for you is to be protected persons under the Muslims…
Khalid Tlass,
You aren’t making any sense. First you tell Christians to “give it up” to be “protected persons under the Muslims”, then you admit that the “Lebanese population were able to massacre and slaghter 10,000 Maronites”.
What kind of “protection” is that?
No, what is needed is freedom and RULE OF LAW; not Muslim states and their “promises” of protection or despots who use sectarianism and racism to control their population.
And if Christians are having such a difficult time, just think how nice it would be for Jews.
It’s time to enter the 21st century. The time is ripe for democracy, not Presidents-for-Life.
September 27th, 2011, 7:01 am
Akbar Palace said:
More on Muslim “protection”:
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4128382,00.html
September 27th, 2011, 7:06 am
Aboud said:
AP
“The time is ripe for democracy, not Presidents-for-Life.”
Are you implying that you are against the idea of my left toe ruling for 5 consecutive 6 year terms?
>_<
If you guys head over to the UK ambassador's blog, you see the typical menhebak whine;
"please STFU and join your 2 friends the Iraqi children butcher Robert Ford "
Tsk tsk, and these people wonder why are losing the media war. They make my work soooooo much easier 🙂
I just found out that India and SA are on the security council for one more year. But at least Lebanon and Brazil are out. It will be hard for the Indian/South African axis to keep its position against the rest of the security council. Today China made some very disturbing (at least to the Besho lovers) statements 🙂
September 27th, 2011, 7:16 am
Akbar Palace said:
3 Wasted Decades
Are you implying that you are against the idea of my left toe ruling for 5 consecutive 6 year terms?
Aboud,
Eeeeew! OTOH, it couldn’t be any worse than President Athad and his sidekick Asthma.
September 27th, 2011, 7:32 am
areal said:
57. Aboud said:
¨¨¨¨
The 3rd rate powers of South Africa, India and Brazil are only on the security council until the end of the year,
¨¨¨¨
REALITY
The 2012 United Nations Security Council election will be held in October 2012 during the 67th session of the United Nations General Assembly, held at United Nations Headquarters in New York City. The elections are for five non-permanent seats on the UN Security Council for two-year mandates commencing on 1 January 2013.[1]
In accordance with the Security Council’s rotation rules, whereby the ten non-permanent UNSC seats rotate among the various regional blocs into which UN member states traditionally divide themselves for voting and representation purposes, the five available seats are allocated as follows:
One for Africa (held by South Africa)
One for Asia (held by India)
One for Latin America (held by Colombia)
Two for the Western European and Others Group (held by Germany and Portugal)
The five members will serve on the Security Council for the 2013–14 period.
September 27th, 2011, 7:42 am
sheila said:
To #100. John Khouri,
I am dismayed at your post. It shows a deep hatred for Sunnis. You are attaching all evil to the Sunni Muslims of Syria. Do you think this is fair?. Syria has been ruled by the Assads for over 40 years and yet you manage to blame the Sunni for everything. Why is that John?. Have you had a bad experience during your life time with Sunni Muslims?. And when you have a bad experience with someone, do you usually blame it on his or her religion instead of on that person’s bad character?. Do you truly believe that all Sunnis are bad and all Christians are good?. Have you ever had a good Sunni friend?. Can you think of one good experience where a Sunni person actually helped you?. Or this is when you thank character instead of the person’s religion?. Or were you just raised to hate Sunnis?.
I just would like to point out that there is the bad and the good in every religion. Let us not stereotype. Let us judge people by their actions not by what God they worship.
September 27th, 2011, 7:49 am
Abu Umar said:
151. Mohamed Kanj said:
“I am Sunni”, start packing your bags as you will be expelled to Iran along with Fashar. As one poster mentioned, if there really were jihadist groups, then the death rate of the shabiha, mukhabarat and army would be tenfold. Be careful what you wish for, and if the despicable Nusayri regime doesn’t stop its onslaught, it will rue the day it seized power. It’s over menhebek majaneen. Start packing your bags to Iran.
September 27th, 2011, 8:07 am
MNA said:
155. Aboud said:
Yes Mr “I have an apartment overlooking a military airport but never mentioned it until it was in the news” LOL!
Aboud,
That was me MNA and not MINA who said the above.
Am I the only one on this forum who did not give details about where they live?
September 27th, 2011, 8:10 am
Khalid Tlass said:
Abu Umar, “KANJ” is a Lebanesen Shia surname from the Jabal Amil in south Lebanon. You should have realised that.
September 27th, 2011, 8:12 am
sheila said:
To #134. Mina,
You are right. Our inter-city bus system is quite good and pretty well priced, but have you seen:
1- our schools?
2- our teachers?
3- our public restrooms?
4- our public libraries?
5- our government institutions?
6- our judicial system?
7- our agricultural policies?
8- our economic policies?
The list goes on, but I do not want to bore you. Bottom line, you managed to find one of the few things that are half decent in Syria, otherwise, every thing else is in miserable shape.
You said: “Europe is a fortress and takes the money of the application but never give visas… Except for “friendly-thugs” of course”. The reason why we are not given visas to Europe easily is because they know that we will stay there and never come back. It seems that the good inter-city bus system is not enough of a reason for Syrians to stay in Syria.
September 27th, 2011, 8:17 am
Aboud said:
#164 you are only half right (but still pretty good for a menhebak). 3rd rate India and South Africa keep their seats until the end of 2012, but Brazil and Lebanon are out. I don’t see how the Indian/South African axis can hold out against the rest of the security council, especially with China making the statements it did today.
“Am I the only one on this forum who did not give details about where they live?”
No one gives details on where they live. Only an idiot would. Which is why I’m dubious as to why you’d want to tell people where you live just to score cheap debating points. Anyway, to each their own.
Sheila
“I am dismayed at your post. It shows a deep hatred for Sunnis”
If it walks like a Persian, quacks like a Persian, hates over a span of 1400 years like a Persian, it sure as heck isn’t a Christian Homsi 🙂
September 27th, 2011, 8:17 am
sheila said:
To #140. Mohamed Kanj,
Last time I checked, people from “the slums” were still considered human beings.
September 27th, 2011, 8:23 am
Äreal said:
REALITY
125 United Nations member states ( out of more than 190 ) so far elected to the United Nations Security Council, including the five permanent members, .
Syria elected 7 times , first in 1947 last in 2003
more or as often and earlier than
Mexico
Romania
Turkey
Yugoslavia
Algeria
Austria
Bulgaria
Costa Rica
Cuba
Ecuador
Gabon
Ghana
Indonesia
Philippines
Sweden
Tunisia
Ukraine
Zambia
Ireland
Malaysia
New Zealand
Portugal
Uganda
Bangladesh
Benin
Bolivia
Burkina Faso
Cameroon
Côte d’Ivoire
Ethiopia
Finland
Greece
Guinea
Guyana
Hungary
Iraq
Jamaica
Jordan
Kenya
Lebanon
Libya
Mali
Mauritius
Morocco
Nepal
Nicaragua
Republic of the Congo
Senegal
Tanzania
Zaire
Zimbabwe
Czechoslovakia
South Africa
Angola
Bahrain
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Burundi
Byelorussian SSR
Cape Verde
Ceylon
Croatia
Czech Republic
Djibouti
Gambia
East Germany
Guinea-Bissau
Honduras
Iran
Kuwait
Madagascar
Malta
Mauritania
Namibia
Niger
Oman
Paraguay
Republic of Korea
Rwanda
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
Somalia
Sudan
Thailand
Togo
Trinidad and Tobago
Qatar
United Arab Emirates
United Arab Republic
Uruguay
Vietnam
Yemen
Liberia
Give you an idea of the skills of Syrian diplomats !!
September 27th, 2011, 8:28 am
areal said:
170. Aboud said:
#164 you are only half right (but still pretty good for a menhebak). 3rd rate India and South Africa keep their seats until the end of 2012, but Brazil and Lebanon are out.
REALITY
My subject was BRICS and as far I know Lebanon is not part of BRICS.
I am 100% right.
Therefore , regarding your diversion on the Security Council ,
you were 66.666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666 % wrong .
September 27th, 2011, 8:40 am
sheila said:
To #151. Mohamed Kanj,
I am a Sunni Muslim and it just happens that 90% of the Sunnis I know are with the revolution and against the regime. So please stop talking like you represent the majority of Sunnis, because you represent no one but yourself.
I am quite disgusted with your language and vulgarity. This is a forum for exchanging ideas not insults. If you think you can get your point across better by using these vulgarities, think again. All you do is expose yourself for who you really are.
I am ashamed and disgusted that you and I belong to the same religion.
September 27th, 2011, 8:42 am
Abu Umar said:
128. Syria no kandahar said:
Don’t let the door hit you on your way out of Syria. The pathetic cries of a menhebek dead-ender.
September 27th, 2011, 8:44 am
Aboud said:
@172 Dude, your insecurity is painful to witness. Put a few more digits behind the decimal point. You might excuse yourself by saying you were talking about the BRICS, but I didn’t have the BRICS in mind.
But hey, menhebak is desperate for any sort of validation.
I notice that I’ve mentioned China several times, but none of the menhebaks want to talk about its shift in tone. They don’t like to discuss uncomfortable topics. Which leaves them nothing to discuss except conspiracies and gay fantasies LOL!
September 27th, 2011, 8:51 am
Abu Umar said:
” 168. Khalid Tlass said:
Abu Umar, “KANJ” is a Lebanesen Shia surname from the Jabal Amil in south Lebanon. You should have realised that.”
Khalid, this might be a portent. This psychopath Kanj might be related to Bassam Kanj(Sunni), whom the Lebanese and Syrian army needed 10000 men to take him and a few hundred men on in Dinniyeh. Be careful what you wish for menhebek majaneen.
September 27th, 2011, 8:56 am
Aboud said:
I’m looking over the resolutions of the UN Security council when the junta’s UN ambassador was a member during 2002-2003.
It voted for 1481, which gave more powers to the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. LOL! Hypocrites.
Syria’s representative didn’t participate in the vote on 1483, which extended the food for oil program. Baathist wimps.
It voted for 1482, “Extends terms of judges at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda”. Hypocrites.
On almost every single other issue, the Baath’s representative obligingly toed the line and humbly voted as the other great powers told them to. “Muqawama” LOL! If everything the US does is a conspiracy, the Baath regime voted for every single conspiracy when they got on the UN security council.
September 27th, 2011, 9:08 am
zoo said:
H. Clinton ‘subtly’ threatens Lebanon if it does not abide to the US sanctions against Syria.
“We also cautioned the prime minister that Lebanon needs to be very, very careful in not getting caught up in the unrest in Syria, in terms of not allowing Lebanon to be a way for Syria to evade sanctions and accountability for the brutality that the Syria government is showing against its people,” he said.
Read more: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Politics/2011/Sep-27/149804-us-warns-mikati-over-syria-sanctions.ashx#ixzz1Z9qXKi5e
(The Daily Star :: Lebanon News :: http://www.dailystar.com.lb)
September 27th, 2011, 9:11 am
Mina said:
Sheila
I agree with the poor state of the afore-mentioned, but it also means that many people are corrupt. I think it is deeply a consequence of the culture of patriarchy, and is not going to change with a regime change. See Greece? See Italy? See Lebanon? See Egypt? See Pakistan?
September 27th, 2011, 9:13 am
Alescander said:
FYI a letter from Nelson Mandela, I have noticed some frequent blogger referring to N Mandela,
This is a voice of reason from someone who endured long years of oppression, imprisonment , and humiliation
There is very little chance that any of the “day of anger” guys and gals would absorb this, but it is worth a shot,
I wish I have the time you have to blog back and fourth, unfortunately I don’t, plus this dialogue resembles what goes in the middle east when even just 2 friends argue, they start insulting, show ther ugliest features, and the whole point , in this case the destiny of our loved ones in Syria ,will be lost.
A serious consideration is asked from the moderators to really try to persuade people away from resorting to insults, direct and vicious attacks on religious and ethnic groups .
I am fearing that these attacks are very purposeful , not just in the context of a heated blog.
Moderators should try to elevate the level of this blog back to a polite, and civil discussion aimed to bring up the best of people that now are showing their worst.
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???? ?? ??? ?????? ?? ???? ??? ?????? ???? ???? ????? ?????? ?????? ????? ????? ????? ??????? ??? ?????? ?? ?? ???????? ???????? ??? ????? ??????? ?? ?????? ??? ??? ??? ??????? ????? ?? ??????? ?? ??????? ?? ????? ??? ?? ???? ?? ????? ?????
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????? ???? ??? ??? ?????? ?????? ?? ??? ??? ?????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ???? ??????? ??? ??? ????? ??????? ?? ??? ???????????? ?? ????. ???? ???? “???? ??????? ?????????” ???? ??? ???? ??????? ???????? ???? ??????? ????? ?? ????? ?????.
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September 27th, 2011, 9:35 am
sheila said:
Dear #179. Mina,
You bring up a very valid point: “many people are corrupt. I think it is deeply a consequence of the culture of patriarchy”. Yes, we do have deep seeded cultural issues, however, this does not mean that we throw our hands in the air and call it quits. We can change and improve. It takes a government that is working for the best interest of its people. I can give you many examples to prove my point:
1- A dictatorial example: Franco of Spain. A brutal dictator who was detested by the Spaniard when he was alive. He took over Spain after a destructive civil war in the thirties. When he died in the seventies, Spain was one of the top ten most industrialized nations in the world. He also managed to civilize the Spaniards by the carrot and stick methodology.
2- A current example: India. If any country suffers from deep seeded cultural issues it is India. No other country can claim a more patriarchal and backwards social culture. Yet, with the political will for change, India today is leaps and bounds ahead. It graduates some of the best educated people around the world and has created a very strong middle class. It is true that it still has a long way to go, but it is well on its way.
I can really go on and on, but what I am trying to tell you is that the fatalistic position of : “this is the way we are. We will always be at the bottom of the barrel”. is wrong. We can change and we can be very successful. Look at the Syrians who leave the country. Many become very successful. So, given the right environments and having the will, Syria can be an advanced nation. This current regime has proved beyond reasonable doubt that it has no interest in change. Removing this regime does not mean the end of Syria’s problems. It will be a very hard transition, but it is the only way that Syria will have any hope in a bright future.
September 27th, 2011, 9:38 am
areal said:
REALITY
China calls on International community to respect Syria’s sovereignty
Sep 27, 2011
New York,
Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi called on the international community to respect Syria’s sovereignty, independence and security, implicitly warning of any international act against Syria.
AFP quoted Jiechi as saying in a speech at the UN General Assembly meeting on Monday that Beijing hopes the different sides in Syria avoid any form of violence and ease the situation as soon as possible.
For his part, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov underlined the importance of supporting the Syrian government in carrying out reforms.
Russia’ Today Channel quoted Lavrov as calling, in a TV dialogue with an American Channel, on the Syrian opposition to conduct dialogue with the Syrian government, accept the announced reforms, underlining, at the same time, the necessity for stopping violence.
September 27th, 2011, 9:46 am
Aboud said:
#181 Where is the Baathist F.W de Klerk? They have murdered thousands of Syrian Mandelas. Of course, the losing Baathist side would plead and pray for reconciliation after the revolution, but what the country needs is something along the lines of the Nuremberg trials.
Call it a conspiracy all you want, but no one forced the Baathist scum to murder Giath Matar. Nor did anyone force the despicable and gutless Baathist losers on this forum to claim he was an MB member on a suicide mission. Disgusting Qurdaha mentalities. Walla lan tale3 rabkon Hafez men qabro wa nehroqo.
September 27th, 2011, 9:50 am
Areal said:
Statement by Minister Al-Moallem at UN General Assembly on the current events in Syria and reforms taken by the Syrian leadership
Sep 27, 2011
Mr. Walid al-Moallem Minister for Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Syria Arab Republic
At the General Debate of the 66th session of the United Nations General Assembly
Your Excellency Nassir Bin Abdel-Aziz al-Nasser
President of the 66th session of the UNGA
Allow me to congratulate you on your election as President of this session of the General Assembly. I wish you success in your endeavors to promote the interests of our international organization. I salute your predecessor, Mr. Joseph Diess and express to him our appreciation for successfully presiding over last year’s session.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Allow me first to address the current situation in Syria, our position in regard to this situation and to the circumstances and events unfolding inside and outside the country. Positions and circumstances of states are undeniably governed by their geopolitical realities and by the constraints and demands stemming there from. They are equally influenced by the repercussions they endure, the stances they adopt and the price they pay, be that high or low for their positions towards these questions.
The Syrian Arab republic is located in the heart of the Middle East region. This location determined the major role which Syria played in the balances and politics in the Arab world and the region in general. For many decades, Syria faced major challenges and stood-up firmly against attempts to curtail its role and divert the national course it charted for itself. It is no secret that Syria upheld its national sovereignty and the independence of its national decision. This position has always been one of the primary pillars of Syrian Foreign policy.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Syria spared no effort in support of the legitimate struggle of the Palestinian people and championed resistance governments. Syria upheld its inalienable right to liberate the entire occupied Syrian Golan to the line of June 4, 1967. At the same time,
Syria extended a hand of friendship to all states, and built its international relations on mutual respect and reinforcing interests. It used its leverage to serve and promote the centerpiece of Syrian national prerogatives, namely the Middle East question to liberate the land and restore the rights. Following the occupation of Iraq, Syria was dragged into another battle. It had to choose between enduring siege and isolation or submitting to dictates.
Again Syria summoned all its must to prevail, despite the exorbitant price we had to pay- at the expense of other priorities and domestic interests. We emerged from this battle having gained strength while preserving the independence of our decision and safeguarding our national prerogatives.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
There are two sides to the problem Syria faces today: on the one hand, the country needs the people-driven political, economic and social reforms.President Bashar al-Assad already declared that these reforms are needed and due. He expressed a strong desire to accomplish them. But the force of the political circumstances to which I have briefly alluded earlier forced internal demands- important as they were- to take a back seat to other priorities, Our overriding priority was facing the external pressures which at times tantamount to blatant conspiracies.
On the other hand, popular demands and claims have been manipulated to further objectives which are alien to the interests and express desires of the Syrian people. These demands were the stepping stone used by armed groups to sow discord and sabotage our security. They became the new pretext for foreign interventions. Syria exercised its responsibility to protect its citizens. It acted to guarantee their safety and stability.
Vigilance against the danger of foreign intervention that assumes a different form with every passing day, and challenging it does not mean underestimating popular demands. These demands have already been accommodated prior to the recent events.
In our view, these are needed reforms that have fallen due. Many of their elements have been already met. Those reforms are a work in progress that will continue through national dialogue in the context of national unity, sovereignty and independence. Ladies and Gentlemen, To shed more light on the situation, I will recall at this juncture the statement that President Al-Assad made on June 20 of this year.
In this statement, the President declared reform measures comprising new laws: the political parties Act to guarantee political pluralism, the information Act to lay the ground for free and independent media, the parliamentary elections act and the local demonstration Act.
The proposed reform measures were to be culminated by a thorough examination and review of the Syrian constitution. The review would delete certain articles to allow for political pluralism and democratic practices. It may even lead to framing a new constitution that would guarantee all of the above. The Constitution is the backbone of the political, economic and social life of states. This reform measures will definitely respond to the popular demands and needs.
Furthermore, the President left the door open to views and proposals on the reform effort in general. In a TV interview that followed, the President announced that a time line has been set to agree on and implement the proposed reforms in no more that six months. This is an extremely important stance which requires a serious in-depth national dialogue to arrive at the desired mechanisms and results.
A comprehensive dialogue began a couple of weeks ago in different Syrian governorates. Representatives of various sectors of the Syrian society including opposition figures joined the process to examine the comprehensive, political, economic, and social components of the proposed reform package.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We deeply regret the surge in the activities of armed groups in Syria which have not waned and instead continued to spiral. The presence of these groups, which of itself is the other aspect of the problem in Syria, is the manifestation of foreign intervention. We expected the states that advocate the need for reform and change to support the Syrian official position instead of opting for incitement and defiance.
In fact, the more ground we cover towards stability and reform, the stronger the foreign incitement. Armed violence surges in tandem with multiple economic sanction. By targeting the Syrian economy with sanctions, the United States and the European Union jeopardize the interests and the basic daily subsistence needs of the Syrian people.
The course can’t in a way be reconciled with pronouncements about concern for the interests, security and rights of the Syrian people. It further runs counter to the basic principles of human rights in defense of which these states base their interference in our internal affairs.
It must be recalled that the Charter of our organization states that “Nothing contained in the present Charter shall authorize the UN to intervene in matters which are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of any state.”
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Syria provided our region with a model of peaceful coexistence among the different components of the Syrian people, a model which deserves to be emulated. It opted for secularism to promote its national unity in view of the religious and ethnic diversity of the region to which it belongs, a region that was the cradle of divine religious and the birthplace of human civilization.
Any objective analysis of the events in and around Syria will demonstrate clearly that the purpose of the unjust anti-Syria campaign currently underway is to attack the model of coexistence that has been a source of pride to our people. How can we otherwise explain media provocations, financing and arming religious extremism? What purpose could this serve other than total chaos that would dismember Syria- and consequently adversely affect its neighbors? What else could this course achieve other than spreading Western hegemony over the countries of the Mediterranean and serving Israel’s expansionist interests?
I assure you that our people are determined to reject all forms of foreign intervention in their internal affairs. We shall continue pursue security and stability. We shall proceed in implementing the comprehensive program of reform through national dialogue to turn Syria within months into a model of political pluralism and an oasis for peaceful coexistence among the different components of its people. .
From this rostrum I call on states which have partaken in the unjust campaign against Syria to reconsider their positions. To them I say our people will foil your schemes.
I also express our appreciation and thanks to the countries that stood by our people’s side in this crisis, pre-empted any harm that could have befallen their interests and encountered them to pursue their aspirations.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
For years, the international community has considered the two-sates solutions the basis for establishing peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians.
The negotiations between the two sides continued for years. They have failed though to achieve any progress towards a solution due to Israeli well known positions and measures. Therefore, the international community’s pursuit of the recognition of Palestinian statehood on the Palestinian territories occupied in 1967 is legitimate. It is a positive step in the direction of restoring all the Palestinian rights. Syria calls on the international community to support this request. .
Our position on declaring the Middle East a nuclear weapon free zone is established and known. We continue to call for exercising pressure on Israel to implement international resolutions that have called on it to accede to the Non-Proliferation Treaty, and submit its importance to the security and stability of our region. We at the same time stress that all states have the right to acquire nuclear technologies for peaceful purposes. This right is guaranteed by the NPT.
We renew the call to lift the embargo that has been enforced on Cuba for decades.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We aspire to a more just and secure world. This international organization has a major role to play in this regard. It can play this role more effectively if some powerful states gave up attempts to further their own agendas. We still hope that the international community will be able to follow the right course to bring about a better world to which our peoples aspire.
September 27th, 2011, 9:56 am
Aboud said:
Goodbye, balloon of Baathist UN-reality, you are about to burst. LOL! Khazoooooooooq!
US urges China for strong UN action on Syria: official
(AFP) – 20 hours ago
NEW YORK — US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged China to back a strong UN Security Council resolution on Syria when she met Monday with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, a senior US official said.
Their conversation “had to do with the need for a strong UN Security Council resolution that calls for the violence to end,” the senior US State Department official told reporters on the condition of anonymity.
“I think it’s fair to say that foreign minister Yang understood and supported the notion of the Security Council taking further action and they agreed to have our ambassadors work on this in the coming days,” the official said.
Speaking at the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, US President Barack Obama called for UN Security Council sanctions on Syria, saying there was no excuse for inaction when people were being tortured and murdered by their government.
But US officials said Clinton’s conversation with Yang was more general than the issue of sanctions.
America’s western allies have joined Washington in imposing sanctions against Syria, but Russia and China have opposed attempts to frame a sanctions regime in the Security Council and threatened to veto any such resolution.
China, Russia, the United States, Britain and France make up the five veto-wielding permanent members of the UN Security Council.
September 27th, 2011, 10:04 am
sheila said:
Dear #181. Alescander,
Thank you for posting the Nelson Mandela letter. Very nice and profound. It takes a lot of foresight and constraint to be able to do this.
You said: “There is very little chance that any of the “day of anger” guys and gals would absorb this, but it is worth a shot“. I take offense in this statement. The majority of us are neither “day of anger“ people, nor limited and narrow minded as you imply.
September 27th, 2011, 10:17 am
areal said:
REALITY
Simon Collis
Ambassador to Syria, Damascus
I am very happy to return to Syria, the country where I first studied the Arabic language over 25 years ago, and which I have regularly visited since. I return at an important time for our relations, and for the region.
The British Government will continue to support the reform process in Syria through dialogue and partnership with the Government and people of Syria.
http://ukinsyria.fco.gov.uk/en/about-us/our-embassy/our-ambassador/
September 27th, 2011, 10:17 am
annie said:
Aboud, you let this one slip away unless I am dwindelling on the wrong word.
154. Areal said:
I now have the feeling that the audience is dwelling during the last weeks as shown by the cumulative number of Thumb up / Thumb down after each comment for the comment section.
September 27th, 2011, 10:22 am
Aboud said:
#188 Dude, now you are reaching. Really, really reaching. In fact you are starting to look even more pathetic than usual.
This was Ambassador Collis’ article just a few hours ago. I’m dying to see you sugar coat it with your own peculiar brand of Baathist reality LOL!
Simon Collis
Ambassador to Syria, Damascus
RSS feed
The truth is what big brother says it is
Posted 26 September 2011 by e-Media Global | 22 Comments
I’ve been British Ambassador in Syria for the last four years. Last weekend I decided to start this blog after Syria passed a terrible milestone. The Syrians have now endured six months of unrest and violent suppression of mostly peaceful protests. As they now look towards the next six months with a mixture of uncertainty, fear and hope, I wanted to share some personal impressions about what’s happening. Some thoughts about why it’s happening. And maybe to spark some debate about what comes next and what can be done.
In doing so I am privileged. Because I can. The last six months have shown the Syrians can too. But in doing so, they face censorship, threats and arbitrary arrest.
The Syrian regime doesn’t want you to know that its security forces and the gangs that support them are killing, arresting and abusing mostly peaceful protesters: The UN says over 2,700 people have died in the last six months, some of them under torture in prison. It doesn’t want you to know that it is preventing many from meeting peacefully to discuss reform. It wants you to hear only one version of the truth – its own. And to see only one way out – the return to authoritarian rule where fear surpasses a desire for freedom. This is a regime that remains determined to control every significant aspect of political life in Syria. It is used to power. And it will do anything to keep it.
People say that in today’s world it’s no longer possible to hide the truth. A lot’s been said about the power of Twitter and Facebook, the inability for information to be censored in Tunisia and Egypt. The cruel reality in Syria is that they are doing all they can to pull the shutters down.
Foreign journalists are refused entry. Any non-Syrian local correspondents are kicked out – sometimes after a beating. Syrian correspondents, bloggers and citizen journalists are systematically tracked down and imprisoned. It’s a criminal offence to have a satellite phone. Mobile phone and internet networks are heavily monitored, or connection reduced to a crawl especially on Fridays. They are cut entirely anywhere the security forces mount mass arrest campaigns or send heavy armour into cities. Websites and satellite TV channels are blocked, with help from Iran. Before the start of this crisis Reporters Without Borders already ranked Syria as the fifth worst place in the world for media freedom. Over the last six months it’s got worse. A lot worse. The regime wants to create its own truth. We should not let it.
Is it a bird, is it a bullet? It’s Syria’s new media law!
I suppose we all learn early in life that there’s quite a difference between saying something and doing it. Like pretty much all of its reform programme to date, the regime’s answer to its critics was to announce that there would be a new media law; and that a committee had been set up to draft it. But you don’t need a new law to decide to let journalists in. You don’t need a new media law to prevent the big brother mentality that prevails here. You just need to decide to stop restricting media freedoms, and then to act on your decision. And until that happens, why should anyone believe that anything will be different?
Mind the gap
I’ve got a feeling that this gap between reality and promise will sadly continue. President Assad has announced a big reform programme, several times. It’s got a lot of stuff in it that sounds pretty good. Some laws are indeed being passed, and there are more to come. But when you read the fine print, what you tend to find is that every path that’s signposted towards increased freedom and openness actually winds back to a chokepoint. Every avenue leads to a regime official who only lets through what he’s told to let through. Everyone else has to turn back. Or face the consequences.
Shine a light
Even so, brave individuals continue to find ways through to get out video clips that show Syrian security forces firing into crowds of unarmed protesters, or abusing detainees – you can search for them on YouTube. I’m constantly amazed at their skill, daring and ingenuity in finding ways to capture and upload pictures of events on the ground in something close to real time. Regime attempts to dismiss most of this as the fabrications of a foreign conspiracy are absurd.
But without context, it can be hard to make sense of jumpy grainy images. And tragically, repetition dulls the senses. Unless we have some information about what’s happening and why, we risk forgetting that another day, another death is real. It is not just an image of people in a street we don’t recognise, in a town we’ve never been to, chanting slogans in a language that perhaps we don’t understand.
That’s where I hope to come into the picture. As far as I’m concerned this blog will be worth it if it helps to get a discussion going – on this page, with your friends, or even just inside your head – about what’s happening, why it’s happening, and why it matters. Thanks for sticking with me this far. I hope you’ll want to take a look at the next installment.
Daaaaamn dude, that sounds pretty damning coming from a diplomat. Did the MB buy him out too?
Annie, thanks for pointing that one out. It is bizarre phrases like this that convinces me the menhebaks are Persians. It doesn’t even sound like they are trying to translate from Arabic into English. Maybe Farsi though….
September 27th, 2011, 10:32 am
annie said:
Wow, the Ambassador !
http://blogs.fco.gov.uk/roller/collis/entry/the_truth_is_what_big
quite a contrast with the official site
http://ukinsyria.fco.gov.uk/en/about-us/our-embassy/our-ambassador/
Do you think that Ariel means the Ambassador did not write the entry in the blog ? Aboud, confess ! It is you !
September 27th, 2011, 10:40 am
Aboud said:
Reality challenged menhebak, that particular page went up in 2007. Guess what, if you look outside your baathist reality field, you’ll notice the world has changed quite a bit since then. Like some Earl Grey tea with that khazoooooooq? 😉
September 27th, 2011, 10:41 am
Haytham Khoury said:
@ Areal# 148
Thank you very much. I never looked at that document, although I heard about it. It is very helpful. I have had recently some exchanges with Anwar Al-Buni, but all were regarding unifying the opposition.
September 27th, 2011, 10:42 am
Aboud said:
Annie, that page went up in 2007 when the ambassador was first appointed. Poor feeble menhebaks think it’s recent. They are clutching at any straw now.
I’m sure they looked around for a date, and noticed the copyright 2011 at the bottom. That is what’s known as a footer, it is automatically generated on all the website’s pages 🙂
September 27th, 2011, 10:46 am
Mina said:
Sheila
If you say Franco’s dictatorship brought the Spaniards somewhere, you probably show us why most Syrians have been ok for 40 years with the kind of regime they had. Actually I know people who protested in Hamidiyye and Midan who explain me that Hafez al Asad was good but that Bashar is stupid… You get an idea of their education level.
You didn’t read my reply to your idea of shari’a in the constitution (previous post and comments section).
About India, do you really think this great (Western, if I follow your standards) education would have been achieved without the UK having colonized the place and pre-empted its elite for quite a while, and the special relation that allowed a lot of this elite study in top schools such as Oxford and Cambridge? What you say about India is pure denial of the wild corruption and savagery that is taking places in many places far from cameras.
About bringing democracy to Syria in a week, I am afraid you have to admit it is right on the geopolitical frontline, and no one cares about the lack of civil rights in China, businessmen all around the world are just too happy to make business with them. You can imagine if the Syrians were 80 millions (like the Egyptians) or more than one billion (like China), not a single newspaper would ever mention any protest: they could kill half the population as long as Vodafone can sell subscriptions to those who remain.
September 27th, 2011, 10:51 am
Syria1 said:
So not only is the world imposing sanctions on us, but our government has decided that we should impose sanctions on ourselves. What an amazing fiscal policy!
September 27th, 2011, 11:03 am
Aboud said:
Mina, if I may
“You can imagine if the Syrians were 80 millions (like the Egyptians) or more than one billion (like China), not a single newspaper would ever mention any protest”
But the Egyptians ARE 80 million, and yet the protests there were front page news the world over.
Now, you are correct when you say that economic interests trump human rights concerns with regards to China. So it begs the question; what stopped the Baathists from building up Syria to be a considerable economic force in the region? Syria has resources in abundance, water, a hard working population and cheap labor force.
Economic power brings with it political influence, that is undeniable. The Baathists choose to enrich a few cronies at the expense of the population, and as a result their only friends today are Russian and Chinese arms dealers, and 3rd rate powers like India and South Africa, who want to stick it to the West while they still can.
If the world turns a blind eye towards human suffering for the sake of business interests, then the Baathists are doubly guilty of allowing the Syrian economy to fall into such a sad state, that no one, not even Turkey, sees any economical benefits to staying friends with them. For that level of incompetence alone, people call Besho stupid. How can you possibly blame them.
September 27th, 2011, 11:10 am
Jihanne said:
Agatha
This is the AFP article from Sammy Ketz that is responsible for Mrs Rafah Nached’s arrest
“The paradox is, everyone is scared in Syria,” says Rafa Nashed, a psychoanalyst and one of the organisers of the gatherings at a Jesuit home in the centre of Damascus.
“Why does the regime use violence and repression? Because it is scared of losing power. And the people who protest, do you think they are not scared? They are very scared, but they are still going.”
Read more: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2011/Aug-31/147618-fear-unites-syrians-of-all-faiths.ashx#ixzz1ZASB2HUP
(The Daily Star :: Lebanon News :: http://www.dailystar.com.lb)
Lettre du mari de Rafah Nached aux journaux
http://acfmp.wordpress.com/2011/09/27/une-lettre-du-mari-de-rafah-nached-aux-journaux/
Le Monde ,Le Figaro, Libération, Lorient, LeJour Alsafir
A propos de l’arrestation de Madame Rafah Nached, psychanalyste syrienne
Monsieur, Madame
Vous avez publié récemment des informations sur l’arrestation de la psychanalyste syrienne Rafah Nached (66 ans qui a des problèmes de santé) à l’aéroport de Damas, le 10 septembre 2011. Elle est toujours détenue, après 5 jours de disparition entre les mains des services de la sécurité militaire. Nous vous remercions pour toutes les informations justes et claires que vous avez diffusées pour soutenir notre demande de sa libération. D’autre part, nous voulons vous informer que Madame Nached n’a jamais exercé aucune activité politique, ni d’activités autre que son travail de psychanalyse. Au début des événements dramatiques qui se déroulent actuellement en Syrie, elle a entrepris un projet de travail de thérapie de groupe avec un collègue, père jésuite psychanalyste aussi. Ce travail était fondé sur le psychodrame et se tenait dans les lieux de prière des jésuites à Damas. Un jour, un journaliste de l’AFP a assisté à une scène de psychodrame sur la peur. A la suite de quoi, il a publié un article sur ce psychodrame, et bien qu’on lui ait demandé de ne pas citer de noms des personnes présentes, il a cité le nom de Madame Rafah dans son article. Vous trouverez ci-joint l’article de AFP et les correspondances entre Madame Nached et le journaliste Sammy Ketz, article qui a causé certainement son arrestation en même temps que mis sa vie en danger. Nous souhaitons que vous donniez votre témoignage sur cette affaire pour nous aider à sa libération. Quant au journal, l’Orient le Jour, il a publié une caricature en citant son nom, ce qui jette de l’huile sur le feu et augmente le danger de sa vie en prison. Nous vous remercions pour votre attention et nous vous demandons de publier cette lettre dans votre journal. Fayssal Abdallah Professeur d’histoire a l’Université de Damas Mari de madame Rafah Nached
September 27th, 2011, 11:37 am
areal said:
189. annie said:
Aboud, you let this one slip away unless I am dwindelling on the wrong word.
154. Areal said:
I now have the feeling that the audience is dwelling during the last weeks as shown by the cumulative number of Thumb up / Thumb down after each comment for the comment section.
REALITY
Obviously a whole lot of people read for a full 4 hours 20 min :
I now have the feeling that the audience is dwindling during the last weeks as shown by the cumulative number of Thumb up / Thumb down after each comment for the comment section.
September 27th, 2011, 11:59 am
areal said:
194. Aboud said:
Annie, that page went up in 2007 when the ambassador was first appointed. Poor feeble menhebaks think it’s recent. They are clutching at any straw now.
I’m sure they looked around for a date, and noticed the copyright 2011 at the bottom. That is what’s known as a footer, it is automatically generated on all the website’s pages
REALITY
I knew perfectly that the UK ambassador arrived in Syria 4 years ago from Qatar.
His first sentence of his statement is
“I am very happy to return to Syria”
The last sentence of my quoting of his statement
”
The British Government will continue to support the reform process in Syria through dialogue and partnership with the Government and people of Syria
”
is very disturbing.
A government has a partnership with another government :
it is the normal job of an ambassador.
A partnership of a government with the people of another country is called :
FOREIGN CONSPIRACY
September 27th, 2011, 12:15 pm
Alex said:
Someone earlier asked for Syria Comment’s recent stats.
Here they are for the past 30 days:
85,832
Visits
30,777
Absolute Unique Visitors
173,265
Pageviews
Yesterday there were 2266 visits… about average for SC.
You can see the number of all visitors on the right column of the blog. Now it is 3,182,013 visitors. Check it tomorrow and you will be able to calculate the difference from today.
September 27th, 2011, 12:20 pm
Aboud said:
“A partnership of a government with the people of another country is called :
FOREIGN CONSPIRACY”
Soooooo….um…dear me, I’m seriously starting to worry for the mental health of the menhebaks. From the sentence “The British Government will continue to support the reform process in Syria through dialogue and partnership with the Government and people of Syria”, the reality challenged menhebak has extracted a conspiracy going back to 2007…..and based in Qatar no less.
Dude, what would you have liked the UK ambassador to have said?
“BIL RO7 BEL DAM NAFDEEK YA BATHAR BATHAR WA BAS WA TOZ BIL SHA3B EL SOURI!”
Do you people see conspiracies in your morning cereal? You realize that if you get an STD from all the gay sex you people fantasies about, it isn’t Al-Jazeera’s fault?
Anyway, send off an email to the embassy, and tell them you caught them red handed with proof of their conspiracy dating back to 2007. Seriously dude, in your repeated attempts to dig yourself out of the holes of your own making, you only manage to sound even more outlandish.
September 27th, 2011, 12:25 pm
Aboud said:
“173,265
Pageviews ”
25% of them are me 🙂
Anyway Alex, since you apparently find comments like #145 and others like it acceptable to your blog, I will response in kind from now on.
September 27th, 2011, 12:29 pm
agatha said:
#146
Dear ANNIE,
have a look here: http://www.oedipe.org/phpPetitions/index.php?petition=3
#198
thanks JIHANNE
September 27th, 2011, 12:34 pm
Tara said:
Alex and Ehsani
Why are comments like 145 tolerated? I thought there is a clear policy stated above.
September 27th, 2011, 12:40 pm
5 dancing shlomos said:
under duress, syria comments presents:
the cubicle jewmates featuring tara
today, everyday, their single “we lie like dogs” from their dustbin cd “rote propagandists”
will, as usual, be bleated.
September 27th, 2011, 12:41 pm
norman said:
•
Reprints
This copy is for your personal, noncommercial use only. You can order presentation-ready copies for distribution to your colleagues, clients or customers here or use the “Reprints” tool that appears next to any article. Visit http://www.nytreprints.com for samples and additional information. Order a reprint of this article now.
——————————————————————————–
September 27, 2011
Fearing Change, Many Syrian Christians Back AssadBy THE NEW YORK TIMES
SAYDNAYA, Syria — Abu Elias sat beneath the towering stairs leading from the Convent of Our Lady of Saydnaya, a church high up in the mountains outside Damascus, where Christians have worshiped for 1,400 years. “We are all scared of what will come next,” he said turning to a man seated beside him, Robert, an Iraqi refugee who escaped the sectarian strife in his homeland.
“He fled Iraq and came here,” said Abu Elias, looking at his friend who arrived just a year earlier. “Soon, we might find ourselves doing the same.”
Syria plunges deeper into unrest by the day. On Tuesday, government troops attacked the rebellious town of Rastan with tanks and machine guns, wounding at least 20 people. With the chaos growing, Christians visiting Saydnaya on a recent Sunday said they feared a change of power could usher in a tyranny of the Sunni Muslim majority, depriving them of the semblance of protection the Assad family has provided for four decades.
Syria’s Christian minority is sizable, about 10 percent of the population, though some here say the share is actually lower these days. Though their sentiments are by no means monolithic — Christians are represented in the opposition, and loyalty to the government is often driven more by fear than fervor — as a group they help explain how President Bashar al-Assad has held onto segments of his constituency, in spite of a brutal crackdown aimed at crushing a popular uprising. For many Syrian Christians, Mr. Assad remains predictable in a region where unpredictability has driven many of their brethren from war-wrecked places like Iraq and Lebanon, and where many have felt threatened in post-revolutionary Egypt.
They fear that in the event the president falls, they might be subjected to reprisals at the hands of a conservative Sunni leadership for what it saw as Christian support of the Assad family. They worry that the struggle to dislodge Mr. Assad could turn into a civil war, unleashing sectarian bloodshed in a country where minorities, ethnic and religious, have found a way to co-exist for the most part.
The anxiety is so deep that many ignore the opposition’s counterpoint: The government has actually made those divisions worse as a way of dividing the country and ensuring the rule of the Assad family, which itself springs from a Muslim minority.
“I am intrigued by your calls for freedom and for overthrowing the regime,” wrote a Syrian Christian woman on her Facebook page addressing Christian female protesters. “What does freedom mean? Every one of you does what she wants and is free to say what she wants. Do you think if the regime falls (God forbid) you will gain freedom? Then, each one of you will be locked in her house, lamenting those days.”
The fate of minorities in a region more diverse than many recognize is among the most pressing questions facing an Arab world in turmoil. With its mosaic of Christians and heterodox Muslim sects, Syria has posed the question in its starkest terms: Does it take a strongman to protect the community from the more dangerous, more intolerant currents in society?
The plight of Christians in Syria has resonated among religious minorities across the Middle East, many of whom see themselves as facing a shared destiny. In Iraq, the number of Christians had dwindled to insignificance since the overthrow of Saddam Hussein, driven away by bloodshed and chauvinism. Christians in Egypt worry about the ascent of Islamists. Christians in Lebanon, representing the largest minority by share in the Arab world, worry about their own future, in a country where they emerged as the distinct losers of a 15-year civil war.
This month, Lebanon’s Maronite Catholic patriarch urged Maronites, the single-largest community of Christians in the country, to offer Mr. Assad another chance and to give him enough time to implement a long list of reforms that he has promised but never enacted.
The comments by the patriarch, Bishara Boutros al-Rai, prompted a heated debate in Lebanon, which lived under Syrian hegemony for 29 years. A prominent Syrian (and Christian) opposition figure offered a rebuttal from Damascus. But Mr. Rai, who described Mr. Assad as “a poor man who cannot work miracles,” defended his remarks, warning that the fall of the government in Syria threatens Christians across the Middle East.
“We endured the rule of the Syrian regime. I have not forgotten that,” Mr. Rai said. “We do not stand by the regime, but we fear the transition that could follow. We must defend the Christian community. We, too, must resist.”
It is a remarkable insight into the power and persuasion of fear that the status quo in Syria these days remains preferable to many. The United Nations estimates that more than 2,600 people have died since the uprising erupted in mid-March in the poor southern town of Dara and, given the desperation of some, even activists warn that protesters may resort to arms. Estimates of arrests run into the tens of thousands. Indeed, the toll has proven so grave that not all Christians express fear alone.
Some Christians have joined the ranks of the uprisings, and Christian intellectuals like Michel Kilo and Fayez Sara populate the ranks of opposition figures.
An activist in Damascus recalled over coffee at the upscale Audi Lounge how a Christian friend found himself hiding in the house of a conservative Muslim family in a town on the outskirts of Damascus. His friend was marching in a demonstration, along with others. When security forces arrived at the scene shooting randomly at people, they ran for cover, hiding in the nearest houses and buildings, he said.
When the tumult was over, his new host asked him what his name was. Scared, he thought for a moment about lying, but worried that they might ask for his identification papers he told the truth. To his surprise, the host and his family and all those hiding in the house began cheering for him. He had joined their ranks.
The formula often offered of the Syrian divide — religious minorities on Mr. Assad’s side, the Sunni Muslim majority aligned against him — never captured the nuance of a struggle that may define Syria for generations. Even some Alawites, the heterodox Muslim sect from which Mr. Assad draws most of his leadership, had joined protesters. When a few came to the central Syrian city of Hama to join huge demonstrations in the summer, they were saluted by Sunni Muslims with songs and poetry.
But while the promise of the Arab revolts is a new order, shorn of repression and inequality, worries linger that Islamists, the single most organized force in the region, will gain greater influence and that societies will become more conservative and perhaps intolerant.
“Fear is spreading among us and anyone who is different,” said Abu Elias, as he greeted worshipers walking the hundreds of stone steps worn smooth over the centuries. “Today, we are here. Tomorrow, who knows where we will be?”
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September 27th, 2011, 12:45 pm
Aboud said:
{deleted by admin}
September 27th, 2011, 12:47 pm
areal said:
Simon Collis
Ambassador to Syria, Damascus
The truth is what big brother says it is :
“Foreign journalists are refused entry”
“Websites and satellite TV channels are blocked, with help from Iran”
REALITY
Only today , a journalist from BBC entered Syria but a UK ambassador cannot know about her because she is Canadian and the UK foreign office advised UK citizens to leave Syria some weeks ago.
It is impossible for Syria ( or Iran ) to block a satellite TV channels because they don’t control the satellite ,
Only Europeans and USA can do it , they have blocked the satellite TV channel on Hotbird.
http://www.addounia.tv/web/main.php
September 27th, 2011, 12:50 pm
Aboud said:
“Christians are represented in the opposition, and loyalty to the government is often driven more by fear than fervor”
The only evidence presented for Christians support for Besho is some Facebook comment. And infact a third of the article is about a Christian activist running from the security goons and finding sanctuary at a nearby house.
September 27th, 2011, 12:51 pm
ann said:
U.S. makes inquiry about Syrian deposits
September 27, 2011 ? 12:34 pm
http://www.yalibnan.com/2011/09/27/u-s-makes-inquiry-about-syrian-deposits/
The United States Treasury Department has made an inquiry about Syrian deposits in Lebanese banks but has yet to request formal action.
The inquiry came during the visit of Finance Minister Mohammad Safadi and Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh to the United States, The (Beirut) Daily Star reported Monday.
Since the beginning of the unrest in Syria March 15, a number of sanctions have been imposed on Syria by the United States and European Union to pressure the Syrian government to stop violence against civilian protesters.
Most recently, the U.S. Treasury placed sanctions on the Syrian-Lebanese Commercial Bank and its shareholder, the Commercial Bank of Syria, freezing Damascus’ U.S. assets and blocking Syria from doing business in the United States.
September 27th, 2011, 12:56 pm
Syria no kandahar said:
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September 27th, 2011, 1:01 pm
5 dancing shlomos said:
reposted by popular demand:
“We mustn’t forget that some of greatest murderers of modern times were/are Jewish” – sever plocker
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3342999,00.html
add to the mass murders by jews in soviet union/russia: iraq, palestine, lebanon, armenia.
and
jewry hopes for many deaths in SYRIA and iran.
September 27th, 2011, 1:07 pm
5 dancing shlomos said:
211. ann – “The United States Treasury Department has made an inquiry about Syrian deposits in Lebanese banks but has yet to request formal action.”
i smell looting about to happen. steal from libya. steal from iran. steal from syria.
fake syrians will bless/encourage this standard free market activity.
September 27th, 2011, 1:12 pm
sheila said:
Dear #195. Mina,
Sorry Mina, but you are wrong on all fronts:
1-“Franco’s dictatorship brought Spaniards somewhere”, because Franco’s main goal in life was to improve his country and push it forward. This is far from what the Assads goal in life is. Neither Hafez nor Bashar give or gave a hoot about Syria. All they care or ever cared about is their Swiss bank accounts balance.
2- Sorry, I did not read your reply. But my post was about the Sharia being a source and not THE source for the constitution. What I meant is that Sharia could be one of the sources and that there is nothing wrong with that. We should be open minded enough to seek knowledge from all available sources and choose what works for us best.
3- About India: For you to claim that all there achievement is because they were colonized by the British is wrong. You also said: “What you say about India is pure denial of the wild corruption and savagery that is taking places in many places far from cameras”. I have mentioned very clearly that it has a long way to go, but you can not deny that India today is in much better shape than Syria Alassad (sad to say).
4- About China: Again it is a story of good governance. With all the corruption and lack of human tights in China, it is still governed by a group that has the country’s best interest at heart. The Chinese government transformed China for the better in the last 11 years, while your beloved Bashar was in his palace granting his cousins the right to rob everything in sight in Syria. Just can not compare the two. Syrians were willing to take the dictatorship for the promise of reform and change, they got neither. Today, those who are smart enough, are convinced that all we will get from the current regime is more corruption and no reform. Open your eyes and try to see the truth.
September 27th, 2011, 1:12 pm
annie said:
http://www.npr.org/2011/09/25/140746510/pro-assad-army-wages-cyberwar-in-syria
…
A recent documentary on Addounia, a private channel owned by the president’s cousin, outlined the “plot” with satellite photos said to show sites where replicas of Syria’s cities have been built. There, Americans, French and Israelis direct actors in protest videos.
These film-makers will never make it to Hollywood. Lousy shooting except for the hoodlums. Lousy casting, we only see backs, lousy lighting !
September 27th, 2011, 1:16 pm
Tara said:
5 Dancing Ballerinas
Hi. I am not Jewish.
Also, did I tell you I like Ballerinas. My daughter is one. She practices every day.
September 27th, 2011, 1:19 pm
ghufran said:
Homs is now a playground for criminals,many are using the anti regime slogans to facilitate their activities. Assassinations and kidnapping are becoming a daily scene in that city. Victims include doctors,dentists,university professors,etc.
It is easy for Syrian expats to advocate violence against military personnel as long as that violence does not affect their life style in the west and squeeze their bank accounts. the problem is that violence now is not only directed at military and security officers but it is targeting everybody,this violence also will not lead to the fall of the regime as some predicted but to the fall of Syria as a country that was once relatively safe and hospitable to its citizens and its visitors.
This is not the country we used to call home.
September 27th, 2011, 1:21 pm
Tara said:
Ghufran
By the way, I like you. You have lots if class. You remind me if Abu Ghassan and you may be him. I hear you loud and clear and I do not disagree a bit. But Ghufran, how are we going to topple Bashar. Selmiah simply did not work.
September 27th, 2011, 1:27 pm
Akbar Palace said:
Hi. I am not Jewish.
Tara,
Thanks. You’ve been spared not being associated with a tribe of murderers;)
http://www.jinfo.org/
Also, did I tell you I like Ballerinas. My daughter is one. She practices every day.
It sounds like you’ve been blessed.
September 27th, 2011, 1:30 pm
annie said:
Agatha, merci pour le lien; j’ai mis la pétition sur mon site
et je vais la twitter et la fessebooker
Dommage que la belle affiche soit en pdf; pas moyen de l’enregistrer sous jpg et de la mettre dans mon post.
http://data.oedipe.org/pdf/oe__rafahnached0.pdf
208. Aboud, don’t go down to their level please. We deserve better than that coming from you.
As for #213. 5 dancing shlomos said:
You know how much I dislike Israel and everything connected to it, but leave Jews (and Alawis) alone.
http://youtu.be/BAV-3-AqP9M
And that is for Big Palacio too; they fill more than a phone booth and their numbers are growing.
September 27th, 2011, 1:35 pm
Mina said:
Well Sheila, obviously you don’t want to answer on the constitution issue: do you really think the MB are going to mention “shari’a (which one, by the way… you know how diverse are even the four main madhhab-s?), the bible, and roman law”, which would actually reflect the truth of the sources of law in Syria and other Arab countries?
You are happy with Franco, with the Chinese regime, but have a problem with the Asad-s. I bet you won’t be happy with any other mafia that will replace them (remember Karzai… ? a good friend of Lise Doucet, who would never be interviewed on corruption and anything she may have witnessed during the long time she has spent in the secret of Afghanistan’s presidency…)
Well, then you just confirm that probably it’s true that 50 percent of the country are happy with a strong regime, no matter the horrible things it does. Then, if the other 50 percent is unhappy with that, they can turn to civil war. This is what happen when people resort to violence.
For the record:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-15079620
But you’ll probably say that the Al Saud family as “the best interests of the “Saudis subjects” at heart”. Obviously you just avoir sensible topics, and do not actually take the issue of patriarchy on which you have pretended to answer above. Same propaganda as Tara and Aboud and Revlon, all the Canada Syrian fols who have put a foot there once in twenty years.
September 27th, 2011, 1:36 pm
annie said:
Agatha, merci pour le lien; j\’ai mis la pétition sur mon site
et je vais la twitter et la fessebooker
Dommage que la belle affiche soit en pdf; pas moyen de l\’enregistrer sous jpg et de la mettre dans mon post.
http://data.oedipe.org/pdf/oe__rafahnached0.pdf
208. Aboud, don\’t go down to their level please. We deserve better than that coming from you.
As for #213. 5 dancing shlomos said:
You know how much I dislike Israel and everything connected to it, but leave Jews (and Alawis) alone.
http://youtu.be/BAV-3-AqP9M
And that is for Big Palacio too; they fill more than a phone booth and their numbers are growing.
September 27th, 2011, 1:37 pm
Tara said:
Talking about film making, since I am so much now into “art” this time trying to neutralize the horrid scenes, feelings, and thoughts dominating my life living the revolution hour by hour, I emailed 2 famous Iranian movie makers asking them to consider making a documentary about our sacred revolution. I realize they might be Shiaa and I hear all this arguments about religious fights yet I have a genuine belief that a real artist always look for and able to find the truth.
September 27th, 2011, 1:41 pm
Mina said:
Tara, last March you didn’t know anything about Iranian films. Did JAD got you to watch some? May I ask which ones you liked? Could you give the names of the “famous movie makers”, because so many are in jail now that it would be interesting to know who remained outside (it’s like Turkist journalists who dared writing about the Kurds or Armenia).
September 27th, 2011, 1:47 pm
areal said:
218. ghufran said:
Homs is now a playground for criminals,many are using the anti regime slogans to facilitate their activities. Assassinations and kidnapping are becoming a daily scene in that city. Victims include doctors,dentists,university professors,etc.
This is not the country we used to call home.
MORE REALITY etc = teacher,etc
Armed Terrorist Groups Murder Officer and Three Civilians in Homs and Idleb
Sep 27, 2011
HOMS, IDLEB, (SANA) – The body of First Lieutenant Mohammad Firas Jadid, who was abducted by armed terrorist groups on Monday in the town of Maaret al-Numaan in Idleb, was found bearing a gunshot wound on Tuesday on the road between the towns of al-Tamana’a and al-Khouin.
In Homs, teacher Hasehm Yousef Nassour was martyred at the hands of an armed terrorist group as he was heading to work at al-Shumawiya School near Homs.
Homs Police said that the incident occurred around 8:00 AM on the road of Qattina, with hooded gunmen on a motorbike attacking the teacher who was in his car and shooting him, killing him and injuring his relative Ghazi Bashlawi.
Authorities in Homs also found the body of Manhal Sleiman in his car near Amr Bin Abdulaziz School on Monday afternoon, with the body bearing several gunshot wounds. Homs Police told SANA that the deceased’ father reported him missing since Monday morning.
The body of Samer Ali Hourani was found near Al-Nawawi Mosque in al-Bayyada neighborhood, with the body bearing gunshot wounds and signs of torture and trauma induced by sharp objects.
Mustafa Sharif Shaiir and Ahmad Mustafa Shaiir were injured when an armed terrorist group intercepted them on Al-Siteen Street in Homs and opened fire on them.
In al-Rastan area in Homs, an armed terrorists group attacked the director of the Homs branch of Omran Establishment and stole his car. Sources said that four hooded gunmen on bikes forced the director out of his car, an Opel Omega, and took it to an unknown destination.
Authorities seize new quantities of ammunitions and weapons in Homs
Competent authorities today seized new quantities of ammunitions and weapons in a KIA car parked at al-Wa’er neighborhood in Homs.
A source at Homs Police said the seized weapons include two TPGs, 3 rifles, 2000 bullets, 6 hand bombs as well as 6 car boards. All used by the armed terrorist groups to attack people.
http://www.sana.sy/eng/337/2011/09/27/371953.htm
September 27th, 2011, 2:00 pm
5 dancing shlomos said:
a repost for cubicle jewmate annie:
213. 5 dancing shlomos said:
reposted by popular demand:
“We mustn’t forget that some of greatest murderers of modern times were/are Jewish” – sever plocker
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3342999,00.html
add to the mass murders by jews in soviet union/russia: iraq, palestine, lebanon, armenia.
and
jewry hopes for many deaths in SYRIA and iran.
September 27th, 2011, 2:04 pm
Syrian Nationalist Party said:
“…..Also, did I tell you I like Ballerinas. My daughter is one. She practices every day….”
Break a leg, or better…two, how else we can get rid of these poor hip hopp bullshiterina dancers that give real ballerinas a bad name. Silmiya will not do it.
September 27th, 2011, 2:22 pm
Jihanne said:
Annie
Excusez-moi, mais je ne sais pas si une campagne pour Madame Rafah Nashed ne serait pas plutôt nuisible à sa libération car elle radicaliserait encore plus les autorités, dejà à bout de nerfs..
Dejà son mari a fait la remarque suivante dans la lettre qu’il a adressée aux journaux:
‘Quant au journal, l’Orient le Jour, il a publié une caricature en citant son nom, ce qui jette de l’huile sur le feu et augmente le danger de sa vie en prison’
Je pense qu’il faudrait plutot consulter son mari sur la démarche car c’est un sujet delicat qu’il ne faut pas prendre à la légère surtout que d’après son mari, son inculpation est due à un journaliste anti-régime de AFP qui lui a prêté des phrases qu’elle n’a sans doute pas dites.
A mon avis la presse ferait mieux de se taire que de mettre en danger des innocents en montant les autorités contre eux.
September 27th, 2011, 2:28 pm
Khalid Tlass said:
160. Akbar Palace said:
“Khalid Tlass,
You aren’t making any sense. First you tell Christians to “give it up” to be “protected persons under the Muslims”, then you admit that the “Lebanese population were able to massacre and slaghter 10,000 Maronites”.
Zionist, you won’t understand these things. What I was saying was that in 1860-64 in Lebanon, the Druze who were just 5 % of the population were able to slaughter 10,000 Maronitesd who were 40 % of the poulation. I showed that to illustrate how weak the Middle Eastern Christians are, and why they need the protection of Muslims. In the Qyur’an they are referred to as “protected persons”.
September 27th, 2011, 2:39 pm
Mina said:
Areal
About how “salmiyya” were the demos in Ma’arrat al Nu’maan already in April, search for the link to the Youtube video I provided then or with google ‘risalat from the people of Ma’arat’, posted online 2 days before a demo and with a guy burning portraits of B al Asad.
September 27th, 2011, 2:44 pm
uzair8 said:
@126 and 133. The previous video was restricted for outside of UK viewers. Here is a youtube version.
Post 126:
‘Last night on the BBC a documentary on the Syrian uprising was broadcast. Panorama is BBC’s prime time flagship investigative current affairs programme.
Panorama. Syria: Inside the Secret Revolution
30 minutes.’
Post 133:
Just finished watching the BBC documentary (@126) for the first time. I dont know what to say. Went thru every emotion.
A must watch.
All I will say is that the prayer of the oppressed is a powerful weapon. A very powerful weapon.
September 27th, 2011, 2:48 pm
Akbar Palace said:
Denial isn’t just a river in Egypt
Zionist, you won’t understand these things.
Khalid Tlass,
Show me a Islamic state that protects its citizens as well a secular democracy. Pakistan? Saudi Arabia? Iran?
I showed that to illustrate how weak the Middle Eastern Christians are, and why they need the protection of Muslims.
Like a chicken needs a butcher.
September 27th, 2011, 2:58 pm
TRUE said:
As a wise man once said “Stinky smell leads to the shit”
http://all4syria.info/web/archives/29708
So who was shovelling fog high eh?
Stop bloody Kirking us right now and get your facts straight!!
September 27th, 2011, 3:08 pm
Syrian Nationalist Party said:
Too much profanity………ehsani
September 27th, 2011, 3:12 pm
tarek said:
True,
So that is what we smell when we see your note,!
September 27th, 2011, 3:16 pm
Amir in Tel Aviv said:
Dear Girls and Guys,
The new Jewish year of 5772 ( ????”? ) begins tomorrow. According to the Jewish tradition, we’re commanded to ask for forgiveness and be sorry for wrong doings. If I said something that did hurt your feelings or upset you, I want to ask for your forgiveness, and say that I am Sorry!
I wish a better new year to Syria and to all Syrians. I wish Syria, Freedom, peace and the full fulfillment of the talents, inspirations and abilities of the Syrian people.
Shana Tova.
.
September 27th, 2011, 3:18 pm
Akbar Palace said:
The Khazar-Neocons Syria Roll Back Plan NewZ
… you are the best thing that ever happen to Assad, and the best tools to defeat your own plan and your hired mercenaries…
SNP,
What “plan” and what “mercenaries” are you referring to? I’d like to learn more about this.
September 27th, 2011, 3:19 pm
Khalid Tlass said:
SNP, (SSNP in Lebanon)
Do not forget that (no need for such violent remarks……………ehsani)
September 27th, 2011, 3:20 pm
Akbar Palace said:
Amir in Tel Aviv,
Happy New Year! You have my forgiveness for not answering our questions about your family ancestry;)
September 27th, 2011, 3:23 pm
Syrian Nationalist Party said:
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL THE NICE JEWISH PEOPLE IN ISRAEL, AND FOR THOSE THAT ARE NOT, HAPPY NEW YEAR AND NEXT YEAR IN JERUSALEM.
September 27th, 2011, 3:26 pm
TRUE said:
@ 236. Tarek
Very true it’s the smell of your mouth and your god Betho
Hurry up go prostrate few time on his portrait and you might sniff some shit as well
September 27th, 2011, 3:29 pm
Khalid Tlass said:
Aboud and all,
I have reached a state of mind where I now only care about (comment deleted due to excessively violent remarks…….ehsani)
September 27th, 2011, 3:29 pm
TRUE said:
@ 236. Tarek
I shall call ya Na3iq instead of Tarek
Go join your crony Jamal eh you both are bloody lousy and super lame horns!!
1919
September 27th, 2011, 3:34 pm
Tara said:
Amir
Happy New Year.
September 27th, 2011, 3:34 pm
uzair8 said:
Let me get this right. I used to get confused in the past. Getting used to it now.
Am I correct? :
“Annie ‘Good’
Ann ‘Not Good’
Annie ‘Good’
Ann ‘Not Good’
Annie ‘Good’
Ann ‘Not Good’
…….”
lol
September 27th, 2011, 3:37 pm
TRUE said:
239. Khalid Tlass
(deleted………….ehsani)
The SPP boys are so good and eventually they’ll come back to us.
September 27th, 2011, 3:39 pm
Khalid Tlass said:
You just have to hate the Democrats and the Labour Party, we just can;t get along with them….although we aren;t friends with Neocons and Conservatives, at least we can do business with them. Stupid BLAIR was the grratest friend of Gaddafi and Besho,……………….(deleted …………….ehsani)
September 27th, 2011, 3:41 pm
uzair8 said:
Last night on the BBC a documentary on the Syrian uprising was broadcast. Panorama is BBC’s prime time flagship investigative current affairs programme.
Panorama. Syria: Inside the Secret Revolution
30 minutes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_SIeljZ3Tc
PS: Link previously posted may have been missed in a convoluted post @232.
September 27th, 2011, 3:42 pm
Ghat Al Bird said:
http://media.crooksandliars.com/download/2011/06/Islamist-Guns_6-4-11.wmv
September 27th, 2011, 3:55 pm
Syrian Nationalist Party said:
A Saudi woman has been sentenced to 10 whip lashes for driving a car in defiance of the ban on female drivers and another woman has been arrested in this connection, says an activist.
An activist said on condition of anonymity on Tuesday that Sheima Jastaniah was sentenced one day earlier by a Jeddah court, where she was caught driving in July, AFP reported.
The activist added that Jastaniah “had refused to talk to media about her trial and we were shocked yesterday (Monday) that she was sentenced to 10 lashes.”
Amnesty International (AI) has condemned the sentence, describing it as “discrimination against women in the kingdom.”
September 27th, 2011, 4:07 pm
jna said:
disgusting 243,247, 248
Please control yourselves. This is a forum for discussion and not for ginning up a slaughterhouse of hate.
September 27th, 2011, 4:21 pm
annie said:
227. 5 dancing shlomos said:
My answer
Sorry, I had not read the article you referred to. It is true.
I referred you to the young Jewish Americans who dissent because those are the ones who will eventually tip the balance away from US support to Israel.
As for Franco, I lived under his regime and living in Syria reminded me of that time. But there was probably more freedom of private expression in Spain. I was not paranoid about someone filing a report about me.
September 27th, 2011, 4:31 pm
TRUE said:
The real alliances yet to be formed after militarising the revolution, hopefully very soon.
A quick glance suggests that Alawis & Christians have decided to stick together. Such an alliance is totally skewed towards Alawis as it would give them the necessary shield to use the word “Minorities” and at the same time a bargain card to play at the right time whether during a civil war or future election. On the other hand, and from Christians perspective, such an alliance might be a Déjà vu to what happened in Lebanon when Christians refused to partner up with Sunnis. Eventually, Lebanese Christians have been ousted for a long time from the political life till they reached to the point, under Assad’s regime, where Muslims elect the Christians MPs.
On the other side, the Druz are on standby and playing the patience game with their fingers on triggers. The recent history exhibits a tendency of Sunni & Druz alliance such as the Lebanese civil war. Druz control very strategic geographical area goes all the way from Syria to connect with Lebanon and deepens in Palestine and the occupied Golan heights.
Additionally, Kurds are the key to unite or divide the future Syria. Kurds have experienced the bad and the worst from both Alawis and Sunnis, hence lacking of trust. Kurds opposition is quite reluctant to charge fully and take a supreme side, they rather prefer to keep the distance, distinct their independent opinion and seek future guarantees.
September 27th, 2011, 4:44 pm
Tara said:
Dear Aboud
“The 3rd rate powers of South Africa, India and Brazil are only on the security council until the end of the year, and until then they are indulging in one of the very few times they will be able to stick it to the USA and Europe. They are enjoying their pathetic little moment in the sun, at the cost of thousands of Syrian lives.”
Thank you very much for this info. Their support of the Syrian murderous regime was their “moment of fame” probably triggered by intense feeling of inferiority and happiness of just assuming a position against the west no matter what the cost is.
A tribunal to try Besho for crime against humanity sanctioned by the UN security council is then coming soon.
September 27th, 2011, 4:54 pm
sheila said:
Dear #222. Mina,
I am not trying to avoid any subject, I am not Canadian, I go to Syria every year and hopefully, I am not a fool.
1- The constitution: all I am trying to say is that we should derive good from any source, be it: Islamic Sharia, the Bible, the Torah, the American constitution, Hammurabi….You get the picture. Nothing should be off the table. The MB s are part of the Syrian society and they should be present at the table, however, Syria has many other participants that will weigh in too. The constitution is not the word of God. We might not get it right at first, but we can always amend it. Please let me know if you feel that I avoided anything, so that I could try again.
2- I understand your concern about replacing one mafia with another. It is a distinct possibility. There is no guarantee that if the regime falls, we will get a democracy. On the contrary, the transition is going to be very hard. We all know what happened during and immediately after the French revolution. Syrians are not used to democracy and have no mature political opposition (thanks to Alassads), however, what I am trying to tell you is that Syria has been on a downward spiral since these thugs took over and to stop and reverse that, we have no other choice but to topple this regime. What I am trying to say is that the Assad route is known and the result is guaranteed disaster, at least with toppling this regime we have a sliver of hope that things might improve.
3- To answer your question: yes, I would have been fine with a dictatorship had I seen any improvements on the ground. Every year I go to Syria and see the decline in everything. It makes your heart ache. I do not think any of the countries mentioned are perfect. I do not know of any country that is perfect. I am not expecting perfection. I just want the basics for the Syrians and I can assure you that they do not get even the basics with this regime. Never did. Never will.
4- As for Saudi Arabia, I consider it to be the most backwards country of all. I do not think that the king has the best interest of his subjects at heart, he just has a lot of money to throw at his problems. In my view, the US is far more of an Islamic state than SA is. Discriminating against women and other religions was never a part of Islam.
Finally, I have no agendas or goals other than hoping for the best for my country. We deserve better, don’t you agree.
September 27th, 2011, 5:02 pm
Syrian Nationalist Party said:
“………….The real alliances yet to be formed after militarising the revolution, hopefully very soon……”
Here is the correction needed:
The real alliances yet to be formed after militarising the online, virtual revolution, hopefully very soon.
Just don’t get virtually nuked in the militarising process.
September 27th, 2011, 5:16 pm
Syrian Nationalist Party said:
UUUUGGHHH , Soryy one more correction:
“…………On the other side, the Druz are on standby and playing the patience game with their fingers on triggers….”
On the other side, the Druz are on standby and playing the patience game with their fingers up their ass.
September 27th, 2011, 5:19 pm
TRUE said:
@ 235. SNP
Are you implying the following?
(deleted due to repeating profanity of others…….ehsani)
“LOL & LOL & LOL” as an expression of severe mental issues
Using such expressions indicates to one conclusion of “post traumatic stress disorder”. Clearly you haven’t been taking your med or you haven’t even visited a shrink yet!! If you feel short just go to your next door Azadi Psychiatric Hospital in Tehran.
“WE would …, so that WE can post … .LOL and LOL. WE done past …, WE created various internet .. WE were doing because .., but WE did not care, …, WE just laugh and ..”
Who do you mean by (WE)? Is it the division 225 of Mukhabarat or the Syrian electronic thugs?
September 27th, 2011, 5:26 pm
Alescander said:
Shiella
Thanks for your kind words , and thanks for paying a deserved attention to a precious advice by Mandela,
The people who were intended to read this did not comment,
Your voice of reason , although I don’t agree with, helps making the dialogue more productive
Just hope we can desert the negatives and focus on the common positives we have and help advance our country without bloodshed nor revenge
September 27th, 2011, 5:28 pm
TRUE said:
@ 258. Syrian Nationalist Party
“On the other side, the Druz are on standby and playing the patience game with their fingers up their ass.”
Since your English is a bit weird I need to understand is “up their ass” an expression of some sorts? Or is it just a reflection of frustration?
September 27th, 2011, 5:32 pm
Ehsani said:
I have moderated few comments. This is time consuming. Everyone knows that profanity and excessive violent remarks will not be tolerated. Rather than deleting and moderating some of these comments, an outright ban may take place next.
September 27th, 2011, 5:33 pm
sheila said:
Dear #253. Annie,
I also lived in Spain under Franco and was there to witness the chaos when he died. The Spaniards were like a genie in a bottle all these years, were let out after the death of Franco and did not know what to do with themselves. They rioted, burnt cars and broke every phone booth they could get their hands on. In my mind, I always worry about what will happen after the Assads fall. I think it will be far worse than what happened in Spain.
September 27th, 2011, 5:36 pm
amal said:
A reminder to all Al-Qaeda contributors and their supporters on this blog. The resort at GUANTANAMO BAY is still open, and waiting for you with lots of open vacancies
Cheers
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guantanamo_Bay_detention_camp
September 27th, 2011, 5:37 pm
sheila said:
Dear #259. TRUE,
You just stooped to his level. I hate to see you or Aboud do that. There are ladies on this forum and this is quite offensive. Please stay above the fray. We all know the man is unhinged.
September 27th, 2011, 5:44 pm
TRUE said:
@ 265. Sheila
Sure thing, No worries!
September 27th, 2011, 5:59 pm
Mango said:
??? ?????? :
?? ???? ?? ?????? ???????? ?????????? ??? ????? ????????? ??????? ?????????
?????? ?? ????? ??? ????? ????????? ??? ???????? ????????? ???? ????? ????? ???? ????? ????? ???? ???????? ?????. ?? ???? ?? ?????? ???? ???? ?????? ???? ?? ????????????
September 27th, 2011, 5:59 pm
SYR.EXPAT said:
262. EHSANI
“I have moderated few comments. This is time consuming. Everyone knows that profanity and excessive violent remarks will not be tolerated. Rather than deleting and moderating some of these comments, an outright ban may take place next.”
Dear Ehsani,
Please go for it. It’s becoming too much.
September 27th, 2011, 6:02 pm
Ehsani said:
Mango,
I did not compare Syria to the USA. Please tell me specifically where I did that. The title admits that this is a “new reality” for Syria which is what you are implying, no?
September 27th, 2011, 6:04 pm
Syria no kandahar said:
True
I noticed that you insult a lot of posters her and you call them smelly mouths.Do you smell online?
What kind of mouth wash you use ?is it Aroorin mouth wash?
You know when minorities will join your jihadists?
When the wolf friends sheep
When the sun stops rising
When Alaaroor gets to be a saint
When your mouth does not smell
When
September 27th, 2011, 6:08 pm
Alex said:
Please email me or Ehsani if you encounter a comment with profanity, racism and violent threats. Emails are listed on the top right corner. This will be the fastest way to get a comment moderated.
Happy New Year Emir (and Akbar, and Shai and Yossi and AIG if you are here). Thank you for your wishes.
I just added two historic photos about Jews in Syria.
Qamishli Jews (originally Kurdish Jews)
http://www.mideastimage.com/blog/?p=160
Gabbai’s stamp (consuls to British India in Aleppo)
http://www.mideastimage.com/blog/?p=155
September 27th, 2011, 6:11 pm
TRUE said:
@ Sheila
Would you have an idea what’s the roughly % demography structure in Aleppo (including the outskirt) in terms of sects and backgrounds?
September 27th, 2011, 6:12 pm
SYR.EXPAT said:
The Syrian government’s media mouthpeices can’t hide their true colors anymore. The latest example is that of Talib Ibrahim who challenged his guest and the guest’s creator (in other words, he is challenging God) to prove that the security forces and shabiha tortured, mutilated, and killed Zaynab Al-Husni. Prior to that, he had an iterating slip of the tongue when he said that the shabiha killed her.
The exchange starts at 43:00
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbuvkHqpP9A&feature=player_embedded#!
This is what the Syrians have been dealing with for a long time. May God destroy them.
September 27th, 2011, 6:12 pm
TRUE said:
@ SNK
How many times did I tell ya “stop talking to me”?!!
I find it really hard to decipher your encrypted posts eh
@ Sheila
See I managed to “stay above the fray” 🙂
September 27th, 2011, 6:15 pm
SYR.EXPAT said:
“This is what the Syrians have been dealing with for a long time. May God destroy them.”
“May God destroy them.”
This is referring to those challenging God and their supporters.
September 27th, 2011, 6:25 pm
Syrian Nationalist Party said:
What a relief, finally my Iranian Shia partners in Tehran (Noble Moslems) completed a board game called: Syria Revolution 2011 it is for ages 3+ it is part of a series of board games, the last one will be called Syria Revolution 2111 THE DAY ASSAD JR BECOME EMPORIO DE SYRIA. Willing to give each one of the kids in here a board game and a real size squirting dildo shaped gun to get off from this blog and go play with the new game board. The chances of advancing 2 squares on the board is great too, but don’t ever land in C407 block, you are out and lost just like the 16000 Syrians who played a virtual revolution and landed in real block C407 for life, GAME IS OVER.
September 27th, 2011, 7:11 pm
Amir in Tel Aviv said:
Armed terrorist gang
Assad’s new reforms; arresting Salafists
.
September 27th, 2011, 7:11 pm
TRUE said:
According to the current available resources (only 1 book that I’m aware of) there’s no trace of al-ASSAD family prior to the appearance of Hafiz’ grandpa (the porter “3atal” Sulayman al-Wahhish) coming from Turkey.
It’s quite bewildering how there was no exact date of Sulayman’s arrival to Qurdaha. Patrick has only mentioned the date when Sulayman changed his surname from al-Wahhish to al-Assad in 1920.
Are these ASSAD criminals really Arabs?
How come the porter “3atal” Sulayman al-Wahhish could not speak Arabic when he arrived to Qurdaha?
(Ref: Asad of Syria: the struggle for the Middle East By Patrick Seale)
http://books.google.co.nz/books?id=6D9EiJKRTHcC&pg=PA12&lpg=PA12&dq=his+grandfather+arrived+to+Latakia&source=bl&ots=RoXZh5UQ8n&sig=dOGl0_F6thy8NZ8Iw6QzRQZrnjU&hl=en&ei=9FKCTrLxNeyyiQeYkongDg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CB0Q6AEwAA#v=snippet&q=sylayman&f=false
September 27th, 2011, 7:25 pm
TRUE said:
@ 277. Amir in Tel Aviv
These are Betho’s thugs and Shabiha arresting “underage” students with no permit from their caregivers or even supervision from the school administration.
September 27th, 2011, 7:30 pm
TRUE said:
It’s about 7:45 pm (after dinner and a cup of coffee) mmmmm just about time to receive a wave of posts from Menhebaks
September 27th, 2011, 7:44 pm
Ghufran said:
???? ???
??? ???? ???? ??? ???????
??? ????? ?? ????? ?? ?????
http://www.syria-news.com/readnews.php?sy_seq=137834
September 27th, 2011, 7:54 pm
Akbar Palace said:
Life behind the Walls
Alex,
Thank you for the New Year’s wishes.
(BTW – you’ve got a handful of violent nutcases on this website, just so you know)
These are Betho’s thugs and Shabiha arresting “underage” students with no permit from their caregivers or even supervision from the school administration.
True,
Thanks for the above video. I would love to help Syrians who want freedom and democracy, but I feel helpless.
Frankly, Jews are at the bottom of the “totem pole”. A half year ago, no one was demonstrating against Assad and everything was good. Everyone hated the Zionist enemy, and it all made sense.
Now that Syrians are getting killed and pulled off the street on a whim, what can we do? Even if you have the audacity to ask for help, you would immediately be referred to as a Zionist sympathizer, the worst epithet known to Man.
So now the question is, where are your Arab and Muslim brothers? If they can’t help, how can we?
September 27th, 2011, 7:56 pm
sheila said:
Dear #272. TRUE,
Thank you for obliging.
In terms of the demographic percentages in Aleppo, the straight answer is: I do not know and do not believe that anyone knows for sure. As you well know, we do not have good statistics in Syria overall.
I believe there are a few on this forum from Aleppo and are welcome to contribute.
Here is what I think Aleppo’s composition is like today:
In terms of religion:
1- Muslims : Predominantly Sunnis. Some Alawiis mainly from Aliskandaroun and some Shia. I think Muslims are probably around 65 to 75% of the population of Aleppo.
2- Christians: Predominantly Orthodox, then Catholic and a small Protestant community. They are also divided into many churches including Greek Orthodox, Syriac Orthodox, Syriac Catholic, Chaldean, Latin, etc.. Christians are probably between 20 to 25% of the population of Aleppo.
3- Jews: many have left Aleppo when the travel ban was lifted.
In terms of ethnicity:
1- Arabs. (I am considering Syriacs, Chaldeans and Assyrians to be Arabs. I will leave it up to them to decide whether they consider themselves Arabs or a different ethnic group. I have seen it both ways)
2- Kurds.
3- Armenians.
4- Circassians.
5- Turkmen.
Historically speaking, Aleppo always had a good size Christian community and a decent size Jewish community, but what most people do not know is that the majority of Muslims in Aleppo were at one point Shia. You know Alhamadaniyeen: Abu Firas Alhamadani and Abu altaib Almutanabi (the famous poet). Those were all from Aleppo and were all Shia. The Ottomans annihilated the Shia of Aleppo and here we are today where the majority of Muslims in Aleppo are Sunni.
September 27th, 2011, 8:00 pm
Mohamed Kanj said:
How funny is this. Thank God for Addounia. Addounia Tv is a slap in the face for Alqanzeera and AlAirrrrrrrrrrabia. Now we know why the europenas sanctioned Addounia. Its because it shows the actual facts on the ground. None of this Abu hamwi or abu daara or abu homsi from alqanzera
http://www.youtube.com/user/HananNoura
September 27th, 2011, 8:11 pm
Tara said:
I am tired of the moronite patriarch Mr. Rai using religion for scaremongering among the Christians in order to serve Bashar.
The best quote for the day is: Only in the ME:??????? ?? ???? ????? ? ????? ?? ???? ??????? ? ????? ?? ???? ??????
I am also tired of watching Lebanese sycophants. I thought I liked the Lebanese. I am thinking again. The one featured on Aljazeera today was a hateful Lebanese who got his talking points from his masters. I guess some people do like slavery.
September 27th, 2011, 8:12 pm
TRUE said:
@ 282. Akbar Palace
baruhim haba’im
Honestly, it would be interesting to examine how Syrian Jews would act (if there was any :() during the revolution? I hope they would not join the minorities and hide behind their cowardice.
“where are your Arab and Muslim brothers?”
Let’s try to get the support from the confused Syrian brothers first :). We in NO need for Arabs & Muslims, Syrian freedom fighters would do the job themselves and earn their freedom.
“what can we do?”
If you really mean it from your heart then make us all a favour and go out tonight to the old city, shake a hand with a Palestinian and place a red rose near the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, the FREEDOM rose.
Catch these moments on video and dedicate it to every innocent soul butchered by Betho and his thugs.
September 27th, 2011, 8:18 pm
Mohamed Kanj said:
TARA – it seems your beloved New York Times ( the newspaper you always praise ) , is showing the point of view of christians in syria. You just cannot handle the truth. Are you trying to state that the christians in syria are slaves ? How about the people who live under Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Yemen, pakistan? The women cannot leave their house unless they have written permission from their husbands or fathers. The women are not permitted to drive. The women are not permitted to be seated next to a male unless they are related etc etc etc . Isnt this slavery?
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/28/world/middleeast/fearing-change-syria-christians-back-bashar-al-assad.html
September 27th, 2011, 8:19 pm
Syrian Nationalist Party said:
So Ehsani deleted my previous post for excessive profanity. Although I did edit the curse word down to the first and last letters only, but I guess he is right, it still is understood to be profanity and thousands of women read this blog, my apology. Agree 100% there should not be use of it at all and neither these actors use of violence is acceptable.
But the underlying of the post is interesting. So here it is clean. Back in March 2005, Landis blog was just starting up, at the same time SNP mobilized for the third time in the hope that the U.S. after so much loss of life, regardless who did it, was ready to start a new Middle East.
We soon found out that there existed no opposition willing to participate in a change of Political landscape in Syria except for the MB. Then came Khaddam NSF and we right away knew the book from its title “Not Sufficient Fund” and opted out of any association.
Syriacomment were really dry, especially the comment section, so we resorted to setting up “Internet Identities” to stimulate the comments. Landis knew nothing about it. Each identity had own name, IP, email and passionately fought for Political view, one that is tailored in a way that suited what we wanted to comment on. There is the belligerent foul mouse bloggers, the Pro Assad bloggers, the anti Assad ones and then there is SNP that responded in respectable words to all of them, begging others for moderation. We basically played the “market maker in stocks and commodity trading pits”.
Back then we thought using SNP name and all the symbols are non-starter, so we put up a website by the name of Syrian Republican Party (which is smaller of the 4 group comprising SNP) and put the Syrian Falcon for logo, adding the Greco-Roman olive branch to promote peace with Israel. Now we don’t care, that is what we are Nationalist and Right wingers.
Of course the whole game was being watched by spies, Israeli, Americans and maybe others who have interests in bugging others (as you know Israelis wired planet earth already). So these were laughing all the way knowing, studying and learning tactics of this virtual game played. We know that too, because for one thing, I know where all the bugs are and for second it was so outrageous for them they sometime comes on the blog and leave comments that they know. But we did not care, they know, but the readers and the world out there did not know, it was all done professionally.
So now, these Johnny came lately, after seven years, comes up with similar plot and the guys paid to post here and elsewhere are not aware that we invented this virtual game and now we are laughing at it.
September 27th, 2011, 8:20 pm
Ghufran said:
??? ?? ????? ?? ??????? ???? ? ?? ??? ?? ????? ??????? ??????? ? ?? ????? ????? ????? ? ?????? ???????? ?? ????? ? ?????? ???? ?? ?????? ????? ?? ?????? ? ??????
???? ????? ?????? ??? ????? ????
? ????? ?????? ?? ???? ??????? ???? ? ??? ????? ????? ???? ???? ?? ?????? ? ??? ??? ??? ???????? ?? ?? ?? ??? ? ??? ? ???
????? ????? ? ?? ???? ????? ?????? ??????? ? ??? ??? ???? ?? ??? ??????? ? ?? ?? ????? ?????? ?? ?? ????? ?????? ??????
??? ????? ???? ?? ????? ????? ??? ????? ?? ???????? ? ????????
??? ???? ? ???? ? ??? ??? ? ??? ? ??????? ??? ??? ?? ??? ????? ??? ???? ? ???????? ?? ??? ?????? ?? ?????
?????? ?????? ???? ??? ??? ? ????? ???? ??? ????? ?????? ? ??? ????? ???? ? ?? ???? ?? ???? ?????? ? ?? ??? ????? ??????? ???? ???? ?????
September 27th, 2011, 8:28 pm
TRUE said:
@ 283. Sheila
Very comprehensive, ta.
The more diversity within a city the more risk of sectarian attacks during a civil war (God forbid)
The regime during the time of Rifa’t al-ASSAD has implemented a cunning plan of placing Alawi gatherings around major Sunni hot spots such as Meza 86, Tadamon, Dahayet ASSAD and others in the capital. If you examine these locations you would easily conclude the surrounding of Damascus and its four entries.
September 27th, 2011, 8:32 pm
Tara said:
Mohamed Kanj
Hi. No I did not mean Syrian Christians are slaves. In my mind, slavery is that of thoughts and soul. Any one who always conform to a concept or frame of thoughts without internally challenging it especially when it originate from fear, desire, certain agendas, or even habit is a slave. So women who are not permitted to drive are not slaves unless they are content with it.
I do not have favorite newspaper. Any smart writing can do
September 27th, 2011, 8:35 pm
Ghufran said:
????? ?????????
http://www.alarabonline.org/index.asp?fname=%5C2011%5C09%5C09-27%5C961.htm&dismode=x&ts=27-9-2011%2011:16:22
???? ????
http://www.alarabonline.org/index.asp?fname=%5C2011%5C09%5C09-26%5C426.htm&dismode=x&ts=26-9-2011%208:49:48
September 27th, 2011, 8:36 pm
TRUE said:
@ TARA
The Lebanese Christians are quite famous in taking the wrong side. They challenge when they suppose to bend and the suck up when they suppose to charge forward.
Fundamentally, the old Lebanese Maronites are ready to drink, feed and sleep with Lucifer himself rather supporting a Sunni and most precisely a Palestinian.
Sadly speaking it’s in their blood!!!
September 27th, 2011, 8:47 pm
Ghufran said:
?? ???? ?? ???? ????? ???? ??? ?????? ?? ??? ?????? ??? ??? ?? ???????
??? ??????? ?? ????? ??? ???? ? ????? ????? ?? ????
September 27th, 2011, 8:51 pm
zoo said:
Syria ‘is heading for financial disaster’
Phil Sands
Sep 28, 2011
DAMASCUS // Syria could be heading for financial disaster after the government revealed dramatically expanded spending plans for 2012, economists warned yesterday.
With European Union sanctions beginning to bite, on Monday Damascus adopted a budget for next year equivalent to Dh97 billion, an increase of 58 per cent from 2011.
“Where are they going to get the money from to pay for this? That’s the big question,” said Nabil Sukkar, a leading economist and former World Bank official who now heads an independent think tank in Damascus.
“Our concern is that they are going to start printing money to meet their expenditure, which will lead to serious inflation,” he said. “With the economy stagnating that would be an unfortunate situation to find ourselves in.”
Another independent Syrian economic analyst was more blunt. “It is hard to see how Syria is doing anything other than walking into an economic disaster,” he said. “They are spending more money, money they do not have, at a time when their income has dropped significantly as they have no way of getting credit.
“The numbers do not work. I cannot see any light at the end of the tunnel. I cannot see any way out of this, we will be feeling the effects of this for a long, long time.”
Nevertheless, neither analyst expects the worsening economic climate to turn Syrian business leaders against the president, Bashar Al Assad.”This will not topple the regime,” the independent economist said. “The business community isn’t happy about any of it but they will not turn against the regime, they cannot, they will not.”
Washington and Brussels have imposed sanctions on Damascus, including the small but vital oil sector, for its handling of an anti-regime uprising. The United Nations says more than 2,700 people have been killed since March by security forces suppressing of pro-democracy demonstrations, with tens of thousands of dissidents arrested, many of whom face torture while in detention.
Syrian officials deny that, and insist they are locked in a battle against armed Islamist insurgents and foreign conspirators who have killed 700 members of the security services.
The budget was announced with little fanfare, and few precise details, although economists say day-to-day expenditure, including fuel subsidies and payment for expanded security operations, would account for more than 70 per cent of the total.
“If anything, I had hoped to see more investment spending, something that would inject some life into the economy and generate some growth,” said Mr Sukkar. “But the investment programme has been frozen, we are seeing a reversal of essential market reforms and a return to protectionism.”
The International Monetary Fund this month predicted Syria’s economy would shrink by 2 per cent this year, revising its previous estimate of 3 per cent growth.
Many foreign aid programmes have been suspended and international banking services halted, while anecdotal reports indicate rising unemployment – which unofficially had been hovering at about 20 per cent even before the crisis began – as well as reduced payment of taxes and significant reductions in consumer spending.
Syrian officials have acknowledged the economy is under pressure. The foreign minister, Walid Moallem, told the United Nation’s General Assembly on Monday that economic sanctions by the United States and EU would “jeopardise” the lives of ordinary people.
Working and middle-class Syrians have said they are braced for bleak economic times, with some already complaining of recent prices rises on basic foodstuffs, including eggs and sugar, with expectations of fuel and power shortages in coming months. Government sector salary increases from earlier this year have already been wiped out by creeping inflation, Syrians say.
“We know it is going to be bad for us,” said one government employee, a father of six who has a second job as a delivery driver in Damascus. “The rich will be fine and the smugglers will be happy, but the rest of us are going to suffer.
“If we’re lucky we will be able to afford to eat and heat one room in the house this winter. There will be nothing else, we will simply be existing.”
Nonetheless, regime officials say the country – which faced sanctions, inflation, stagnation and hard currency shortages in the 1980s – will cope.
“We expect it will cost us at least one year’s worth of budget to overcome the crisis and we have not spent that much yet,” said one official. “In a few months the protests will stop and the situation will be getting back to normal, this is a problem we will overcome.”
Hamidi Abdullah, a Syrian commentator and analyst, said the economy would not be crippled because of its relative self-sufficiency and the absence of a blanket UN-imposed embargo.
“Sanctions on oil will not amount to a deadly hit because we’re not an oil dependent economy,” he said. “We still have good links with non-EU countries, including Iraq, we’re not heavily indebted and our strategic foreign currency reserves are still strong.”
He also backed the expanded budget, saying it would safeguard the poorest section of society by ensuring fuel and food subsidies remained in place. “Economic reforms will continue and if waste is cut and corruption cut back, the economy will emerge from this period stronger than it was at the start,” he said.
The budget announcement comes days after the authorities imposed a ban on non-essential imports. That move, made without advance notice, alarmed Syrian economists and businessmen, who described it as a “panic” measure.
Prices of electrical goods and cars have already begun to rise, with reports that the cost of a small family saloon is now thousands of dollars more than it was last week .
“The only explanation for the import ban is that the treasury saw some numbers that frightened it,” said another leading Syrian economist. “They must be burning through their US dollar reserves faster than they thought and they had to plug the leak.”
Syria says it has about US$17bn in hard currency reserves, although analysts say they have no way of knowing if that figure is correct because of opaque accounting practices.
The minister of economy and trade, Mohammad Nidal Al Shaar, said the suspension of luxury imports was designed to maintain those reserves. He also insisted it was a short-term move and that the list of items on the banned list was already under review.
“It is a preventive, temporary measure which will help enhance productivity and give a chance to local factories to produce more and create jobs,” he said.
http://www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide/middle-east/syria-is-heading-for-financial-disaster?pageCount=0
September 27th, 2011, 8:56 pm
Tara said:
Mina
No Jad can only influence himself. I was influenced by some one brilliant but exquisitely sensitive. I liked few that are very spiritual and sad.
September 27th, 2011, 8:59 pm
TRUE said:
@ Mohamed Kanj
Can you please introduce yourself? like where do you stand? What’s your background ..etc
I hope you’re quite comfortable with your skin and this question won’t irritate ya eh
September 27th, 2011, 9:01 pm
jna said:
Armed defenders of Syria’s revolution
Nir Rosen
http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/features/2011/09/2011927113258426922.html
Al Jazeera special correspondent Nir Rosen spent seven weeks travelling throughout Syria with unique access to all sides. He visited Daraa, Damascus, Homs, Hama, Latakia and Aleppo to explore the uprising and growing internal conflict. In the second article of his series he meets with leaders of the armed opposition in Homs. Names of some of the indivduals quoted have been changed to protect their identities.
Better than 1st article by Nir Rosen. He reports on both insurgents and soldiers.
September 27th, 2011, 9:07 pm
Ghufran said:
?????? ???? ?? ???? ???????? ???????? ? ?????????? ??????? ????? ????? ?? ????? ? ???? ?? ????? ??? ??? ???? ????? ????? ????? ?????? ? ??? ???? ???? ???????? ? ?????
???? ???? ?? ??? ????????? ???? ????? ???? ??? ????
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September 27th, 2011, 9:11 pm
Akbar Palace said:
Honestly, it would be interesting to examine how Syrian Jews would act (if there was any 🙁 ) during the revolution? I hope they would not join the minorities and hide behind their cowardice.
True,
That’s a difficult question. I think you have to put yourself in the shoes of the minority. Arab Christians are now doing what the Arab Jews did: they leave. It just isn’t safe.
And of course, it’s a shame, because if these governments had rule-of-law, they wouldn’t feel the need to leave.
Unfortunately, many arab countries are broken, and the hope is that the Arab Spring will eventually start to repair them.
If you really mean it from your heart then make us all a favour and go out tonight to the old city, shake a hand with a Palestinian and place a red rose near the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, the FREEDOM rose.
Not a difficult task and certainly a good idea. I been in the Dome of the Rock several times, but never with a red rose.
Catch these moments on video and dedicate it to every innocent soul butchered by Betho and his thugs.
In my next visit, I will do it.
BTW True, most (Arab) Israeli Christians are sympathetic to the palestinians, certainly those that live under the PA. However, the Christian palestinian population is decreasing, and the Israeli Christian community in increasing.
Fundamentally, the old Lebanese Maronites are ready to drink, feed and sleep with Lucifer himself rather supporting a Sunni and most precisely a Palestinian.
True,
I don’t know what you’re saying here, but an individual should be able to support whoever they want in an election. Don’t you agree? Or do you want it the way it’s been for the last 300 years: the most violent thug wins?
September 27th, 2011, 9:11 pm
Syrian Nationalist Party said:
“………Names of some of the indivduals quoted have been changed to protect their identities….”
Is it perhaps because they don’t exist except in the imagination of the foreign intelligence operatives.
September 27th, 2011, 9:18 pm
sheila said:
Dear Tara,
I just gave up on that person. I do not think he read or understood the article in the New York Times that he is referring to. It is a very good article about the position of Christians in Syria vis-à-vis the revolution. It is a very balanced article talking about the legitimate fear that the Syrian Christians have and the participation of many of them in the revolution. It is a good read.
September 27th, 2011, 9:20 pm
TRUE said:
@ 300. Akbar Palace
“Arab Christians are now doing what the Arab Jews did: they leave. It just isn’t safe.”
I have to disagree.
Do you really believe your should pack your bags and run instead of fighting for your own country?
It’s their country as it’s everyone’s else, they owe their country the duty to protect it as the country gives them the right and honour to be part of it.
“In my next visit, I will do it.”
That’s quite positive, well done.
“and the Israeli Christian community in increasing.”
How come they’re increasing while they’re under the risk of being deported after the racist Binyamin Netanyahu has declared that Israel is a “Jewish state”.
September 27th, 2011, 9:27 pm
TRUE said:
@ AP
“individual should be able to support whoever they want in an election. Don’t you agree? Or do you want it the way it’s been for the last 300 years: the most violent thug wins”
I agree One-person/One-vote is the solution and this surely includes the Palestinian Right to Self-Determination, do you agree?
September 27th, 2011, 9:36 pm
Syrian Nationalist Party said:
Someone here is making me feel really guilty after reading SNP post on fake internet identity and the Syrian Revolution 2011. We should have stated in big bold print:
DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS IN REAL SITUATION. SERIOUS BODY INJURIES AND SEVERE COMPLICATIONS TO YOU AND OTHERS WILL RESULT WITH IMPROPER USE.
I never thought that a warning label was necessary, I thought most Intelligence Agencies that some are behind this Syria Virtual Revolution ploy will only employ operatives aged 12 years and older.
September 27th, 2011, 9:37 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
I watched The opposite direction
I think Taleb Ibrahim,he said many many lies,and he denied that Zainab AlHosni was killed by the regime ,he said she was killed by Shabbiha, who are those Shabbiha,they are walking side by side with the troops, why do,nt the army troops arrest them if they are not sponsored by the regime?, He is also denying things denied that there was revolution, denied that Bashar using the army to kill syrians.
September 27th, 2011, 9:49 pm
Darryl said:
85. NK said:
Dear NK, I have respect for you and I appreciate you taking the time to explain your perspective and that of Sheikh Qaradawi. NK, I know the Qur’an says Qatilu and not Iqtilo, but the intent is the same of destroying a life. The intent of Qatilu is to kill and harm.
Jizya, is an old concept that dates to the first time when we had lots of hair and the strongest man picked up a piece of fallen tree branch to make a weapon out of it. Well most of us don’t have lots of hair now and we have constitutions that promote inclusion and citizenship rather than master-slave philosophy, that reflect that society evolves, cultures change, we all think differently, and we dream.
My other point in this bringing up this verse is in fact is due what is being talked about in Egypt after the revolution. A number of disgraceful sheikhs who are calling for Jizya and even have the guts to call Christians, who were there from day one, as “Crusaders”. They do this live on television in a most disrespectful way. Off course the same Sheikhs are calling for an Islamic state and openly care less about 10% of the population.
My last point in the other verse I quoted if you are interested, is that there are a number of really good verses in the Qur’an that in fact promote harmony, respect and multiplicity. Unfortunately, these verses are never mentioned by Muslims Sheikhs when the camera is in their face. And most unfortunately, the majority of Muslims have never read the Qur’an and rely on the Sheikhs.
In conclusion, I know you cannot change the Qur’an, Christians and Jews did not change the Bible to promote and encourage democracy and free thinking, however, we sidelined it and we do not take it literally because we know a government based on it will discriminate against Muslims, Atheists, Buddhists, Hindus etc. and limit society’s potential. Can Muslims stop taking the Qur’an literally when most do not know what is in it?
September 27th, 2011, 9:52 pm
TRUE said:
@ TARA
Very comprehensive!
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http://www.annahar.com/content.php?priority=14&table=makalat&type=makalat&day=Wed
September 27th, 2011, 10:02 pm
Norman said:
I wonder if the ban that the government did is meant to do the little thing that the Syrian government can do to punish the West for the sanctions, as most these products come for west,( Cars and other luxury items.
September 27th, 2011, 10:03 pm
Norman said:
Ehsani,
your efforts are appreciated, but try to slow down so you do not get burned out with all the work related to the blog in addition to your other work, just saying,
Shiela,
All Christians in Syria consider themselves Arabs first then Christians beside the Assyrians who are special case,
September 27th, 2011, 10:14 pm
Ghufran said:
??? ??????
http://www.alquds.co.uk/index.asp?fname=today%5C27qpt399.htm&arc=data%5C2011%5C09%5C09-27%5C27qpt399.htm
?????? ?? ???? ???? ???? ??????? ??? ?? ???? ???????? ?? ?????? ?? ???? ?????
http://www.alquds.co.uk/index.asp?fname=today%5C27z500.htm&arc=data%5C2011%5C09%5C09-27%5C27z500.htm
September 27th, 2011, 10:21 pm
Haytham Khoury said:
@ AP# 300 and True# 303: (I need Camille and Dr. Landis opinions on this comment)
I disagree with Akbar Palace’s comparison of the situation of Christian Syrians now with the Syrian Jews after 1948.
Indeed, the Syrian Jews after 1948 suffered from Anti Jews rhetoric. While the public media always used the word Zionist when describing the state of Israel, in the public mind there was no distinction between Zionist and Jew. The media rhetoric against the Zionist state transformed to a rhetoric demonizing the Jews in the public mind. The word Jew had become in the public mind the byword for all kinds of bad quality, particularly hate and criminality.
However, I should insist that rhetoric never transformed in Syria, contrary to what happened in Egypt, to a systemic harassment or physical harm. Indeed, the Jews in Syria were physically protected by the state. They enjoyed good economic prosperity. Further, the public attitude in everyday life toward them was relatively tolerant, in contrast to the rhetoric. The quarter where I grew up was not far from the Jewish quarter in Damascus. My family physician was Jew. A lot of shops in the area where owned by Jews, who were providing excellent service for the community. Indeed, the main point that made them uncomfortable was the rhetoric against them.
The remaining Jews in Syria are very few (few hundreds. They are all old. I met some of the Syrian Jews in New York. Some (minority)of them regret leaving Syria.
There is no comparison between the situation of the Jews (after 1948) and the present situation of the Christians. There is no one calling them of bad names. There is no raging against them stupid rhetoric. Their fear is just in the mind. It has baseless origin.
(please notice how I put the adjectives and the names Christian Syrians Vs Syrian Jews).
September 27th, 2011, 10:22 pm
Tara said:
True
Thanks. Good read. To any christian who brings Iraq and Egypt stories, how hypocritical!! Mubarak\’s regime attacked churches covertly and blamed it on the Muslims and the peasant\’ regime in Syria exported terrorists to Iraq to wreck a havoc. So what minorities\’ protection under dictators you are talking about? Or is it just slavery to a thought process that you can\’t get rid of? Can I hear one convincing response?
September 27th, 2011, 10:26 pm
Akbar Palace said:
I agree One-person/One-vote is the solution and this surely includes the Palestinian Right to Self-Determination, do you agree?
True,
I agree. One person/one-vote means a Christian can vote for or against Assad. Or for/against Hezbollah or for/against Likud, or for/against Hamas or the PA. The point is, only in Israel do they have elections where this is possible. And that includes “racist” Israel, where Arabs are free to vote for whomever they want.
You should be able to vote for whoever you want and support whoever you want without having to worry about your job or your health.
Palestine’s right to self-determination was agreed to between Israel and the Palestinians. It is called the PA. Membership to the UN is not a human right. It has to be agreed to in the UN.
Kurds, for example, do not have the right to “self determination” unless they are granted self-determination from Iran, Iraq, Syria or Turkey. So far, none of these states feel the need to follow Israel’s “racist” example.
Do you really believe your should pack your bags and run instead of fighting for your own country?
True,
Sure. Jews have fought for every country they lived in. The point is, throughout history, the very countries Jews have fought for have turned against them. So perhaps some small minorities of Christians are “feeling the heat”. This is what I am hearing/reading. Why risk your life for a country that doesn’t want you?
How come they’re increasing while they’re under the risk of being deported after the racist Binyamin Netanyahu has declared that Israel is a “Jewish state”.
True,
Who is being deported? Israel is a state of the Jewish People. Again, for the umpteenth time, we identify ourselves as a people AND as a religion. Because we are the majority in Israel, we have the right to identify as such. Moreover, Israel has freedom of speech, free elections, freedom of religion while having no State religion. Therefore, when the majority identifies itself differently, Israel can change her flag, national anthem, and/or identification. If Palestine wants to identify itself as a Muslim state, it wouldn’t be the first one.
September 27th, 2011, 10:32 pm
SYRIAN HAMSTER said:
To the despiring poet of 212
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——————
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* Consuming alcohol with sweets increase intoxication substantially.
SNP.. DON’T TAKE THE MEDICATION
September 27th, 2011, 10:34 pm
ann said:
Israel approves 1,100 settlements despite peace talks
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-09-28/am-israel-settlements/3025782?section=world
Israel has approved the construction of 1,100 new settlement homes on disputed land in the West Bank, less than a week after promising to pursue peace with the Palestinians.
The houses, as well as a new school, public buildings and an industrial site, will all go up on land claimed by the Palestinians but occupied by Israel.
The new homes are to be built in Gilo, an urban settlement that Israel erected on West Bank land it captured in the 1967 war and annexed unilaterally as part of its declared capital, Jerusalem.
The plan dramatically increases the size of the Jewish settlement there.
One member of the planning committee says the approval “is a nice gift for the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah”.
September 27th, 2011, 10:34 pm
Haytham Khoury said:
@ Norman 310.
I agree. Rather I would say all Christians in Syria consider themselves Syrian before being Christians. For examples, this is one of the nuances that should be emphasized in the new constitution.
September 27th, 2011, 10:36 pm
Ghufran said:
????? ?????? ? ????? ???????? ??????? ??? ?????? ???????? ???? ???? ?? ????? ? ?????
?????? ?? ?????? ?????? ?? ???? ?? ????? ????? ? ?????? ?? ??????? ???????
???? ?????? ?? ???? ????? ?? ???? ??? ? ???? ??? ???? ?? ???? ????? ??? ???? ??????
??? ?? ????? ?? ????? ????? ?????? ?? ??? ????? ?????????? ? ???????
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September 27th, 2011, 10:36 pm
Haytham Khoury said:
@ Akbar Palace #314
There is no comparison between the Jews situation and the Christian situation in Syria. Please read #312
September 27th, 2011, 10:40 pm
Akbar Palace said:
Protect your local Zionist
I disagree with Akbar Palace’s comparison of the situation of Christian Syrians now with the Syrian Jews after 1948.
Haytham Khoury,
Just to clarify, I don’t think the situation is the same, except that both communities are vulnerable. The Christians didn’t try to create a new Christian state for example. However, the fact of the matter is, Christian communities are dwindling all over the ME. Why?
But you’re saying 2 contradictory things:
First you’re saying Syrian anti-semitism was acute:
The word Jew had become in the public mind the byword for all kinds of bad quality, particularly hate and criminality.
And then you say Jews were treated well:
However, I should insist that rhetoric never transformed in Syria, contrary to what happened in Egypt, to a systemic harassment or physical harm. Indeed, the Jews in Syria were physically protected by the state. They enjoyed good economic prosperity.
Apparently, Syrian Jews got the message. They’re gone.
September 27th, 2011, 10:41 pm
TRUE said:
309. Norman
“the Syrian government can do to punish the West for the sanctions”
That’s a shaggy dog story!!
Syria imports only %9.4 from Europe in total. The biggest hit is on the Chinese best friend with %10.8
Imports $15.44 billion (2010 est.) Import goods machinery and transport equipment, electric power machinery, food and livestock, metal and metal products, chemicals and chemical products, plastics, yarn, paper
Main import partners
China 10.8%,
Saudi Arabia 10.1%,
Turkey 7%,
UAE 5%,
Italy 4.9%,
South Korea 4.7%,
Germany 4.5%,
Russia 4.2%,
Lebanon 4.1%,
Egypt 4.1% (2009)
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/sy.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Syria
September 27th, 2011, 10:47 pm
Akbar Palace said:
The Obstacle to Peace is the PA
Israel approves 1,100 settlements despite peace talks
Ann,
What “peace talks” are you talking about? Whether Israel builds settlements or not, the PA has refused to return to the negotiating table.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703558004574581672227706980.html
September 27th, 2011, 10:56 pm
louai said:
Dear Jad @ 223
https://joshualandis.com/blog/?p=12186&cp=all#comment-274837
‘Thank you very much for sharing with us your experience traveling back home’
you are welcome , as I said I had the intention to share my observations with all of you guys but I only shared here some notes about the Christians
I stopped taking notes in Syria when a member of my family was threatened and we had to flee out of the city, my main concern was the safety of my family, I am sorry to say that my family is already on the run inside Syria , you know my brother is here already and it will not be long before the rest of my family is coming here however they are safe now .
I found one page that I didn’t delete from my visit to Syria , I would like to share with you and who ever cares . here it is :
‘’i will take advantage of the limited internet access i have to share with you my experience
i arrived few days ago to rediscover Syria again ,the first thing surprised me was the over polite air port police officers ,the word to describe them was polite and professionals but they are over doing it .
in Damascus all was quiet and normal ,we had to refill the car we stopped near yabrud to refill , we heard that George Nakhli from yabroud was shot dead on the front of his door ,he was threatened before and accused to be a government informant
we drove to Homs in the early morning to avoide arriving during the night to Homs
the first military presence i saw was at Tadmure junction ,the entrance of the city from Damascus ,group of 3 soldiers looked very nervous ,i waved for them and they waved back smiling !! its amazing what a smile could do to the other person in this days in Syria
Homs was a ghost city, very few people i saw in Al-Hadara and less people in Babelsbaa ,
in babelsbaa the first thing I noticed the tanks marks on the streets , the streets were filthy but I was told its was clean comparing to few days a go before the army entered the neighbourhood .
people were vigilant ,they would stare at you as if they can read and scan your mind ,a smile will do you and do the other person a big favour and he/she would smile back ,all people looked like they were let down by someone or something /something
People are still the same, very kind very simple what changed is that they speak politics now , you can feel their anger and great disappointment i don’t know from what but i am sure i will find out
i want to share with you about the Christian community , my observations to the people i met from my family and friends most of them were politically virgins when i left Syria but not anymore
i arrived expecting them (Christians) to be on the side of the government but i was surprised to learn they are not, they still as i left them, criticize the government a lot but now they pray things will calm down and they expect the government to sort things out ,speaking to any of them will confuse you he dose criticize the regime and acknowledge the demands of the protestors but at the same time criticize the protestors even more ‘because the are destroying the country ‘
, in the entrance to babelsbaa ,there is few military vehicles one of them is anti aircraft when i asked why this needed i was told for the protection of the solders from bullets . you could see empty bullets at any corner my nephew has a new hobby ‘collecting bullets ‘ he has more than 40 , I found on my way 2 he added them to his collection .
every day after altarayeeh prayer we hear gun shots , I was hopping to see the people protesting sopecially that I live in the heart of babelsbaa , but I couldn’t see any , all the protests starts from the mosque and they walk toward the castle , I could hear voices from far away but in babelsba I hear only guns without any protests ,‘’
I stopped the writing here because of the threats.
It’s very sad how Homs became! Homs is already in a civil war, without the army there, the city will explode, every one knows that even revolutionists.
In reply to your questions
‘ Wadi Al Nasara is the place to measure it from, because it has the majority of Christian Syrians there, right? ‘
I am not sure as I have no accurate statics but as percentage you are absolutely correct
‘it seems that Syrian Christians are split between anti and pro, the same % of all other Syrian communities no surprise there and all what we are reading about Christians being either 100% pro or 100% anti are nothing but pure propaganda to be used by either side of the conflict for political gains.’
you are right with that as well if you are talking about Syria in general but if you are speaking about Homs so its different. in Homs unfortunately people split according to their sects already , I am talking about Homs the city and not the towns , almost all Christians do not support the revolution and almost all sunnis do support the revolution.
‘ how much more Syrian blood do people need to see before they say enough? ‘
People are saying enough already , everyone wants things to stop , but the do not underestimate the media effect on people , the regime supporters and ‘the silent majority’ do NOT watch Aljazeera and co ,the revolutionists they do not watch SANA and co , in my opinion the media has the biggest role on what is going on in Syria ,people do not want war every one thik he is doing the right thing , I spoke to some revolutionists , I dare not to call them mundaseen , I met only good people thinking they are doing the right thing ,everything we learned in school and from our parents and our media about resistance martyrdom and heroism is what driving those people ,the only thing changed is the enemy , the media managed to change the enemy from the occupier to the current regime ,very sad what I saw . I don’t know how the media will stop its war, but what I know is the majority of the people are fed up with the current situation and they are the one who should end it !
September 27th, 2011, 10:58 pm
TRUE said:
@ Akbar Palace
I refuse to talk to anyone who does not acknowledge the Palestinian rights of
• Ending the occupation
• Stopping the expansion of settlements
• Right of return to the real Palestine in 1948
• Right of self-Determination which means to ask them where do they prefer to live
Comply with these legitimate rights then claim being in the state of democracy. For the time being it’s an Israeli occupation.
Nuff said.
September 27th, 2011, 10:58 pm
Syria no kandahar said:
????? ???????
What I wrote was not intended to be poit.it is just a food for thought .if you did not like it,I have achieved my goal.
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September 27th, 2011, 11:02 pm
Syria no kandahar said:
Where is Aboud Alwahabi today?is he boiling a soldier?or is he using the name True today?
September 27th, 2011, 11:08 pm
Haytham Khoury said:
@ Louai 322
Excellent and objective description.
September 27th, 2011, 11:10 pm
Mina said:
For Mr Simon Collins,
As the demonstrations in Syria are losing their momentum and thus allowing newspapers to mention the Palestinian issue again, you have decided to take off you ambassador’s hat and do what an ambassador is not supposed to do. Not only you give wrong information by stating that satellite channels and websites are blocked, but you omit to mention the hundreds of thousands Iraqi refugees that get phonecalls everyday from all over the world without being bothered, or the thousands of Syrians who have recently joined Skype and Facebook and are now participating in the global conversation. It is your country and the US who wanted Syria to be a totally locked territory in the last years, after some attemps of opening up were made by B. Al Asad, officially to guarantee the safety of your troops in Iraq. But what did you do to prevent the massacre of Christians and others in Iraq and their exodus to Syria? And where are they supposed to go next, if we have to sign up for a regime fall and a debaathification and the request of autonomy of the Kurds and columns of Palestinian refugees going back home? I wonder what you will find then, but it’s your job to be cunny, no doubt, after all, with all his Mubarak and Kadhafi’s friendship, Blair is still the head of the totally discredited quartet.
You are obviously trying to give a green light to activists on the ground, and this comes next to H. Clinton threats to the Lebanese premier. So again, it’s all about Iran and Lebanon.
Coming from a monarchy, where most people don’t know why they should pay extra taxes to help the royal family live a life of leissure and tax evasion, you are certainly the last person who can give lessons in democracy. The record of the UK in education is also deeply unbalanced, with half the population not even understanding the slang spoken by the working class (cockney english) and “top schools” (Oxford and Cambridge) that are the symbol of a co-opted, super-rich, elite.
What did your country and the UN do in 2009 when 40,000 Tamils were massacred by the army in Sri Lanka? Nothing. You are simply trying to have Syria in the news because you prefer the media to turn a blind eye on Yemen,Bahrein and the coming events in Palestine. If the refugees headed home, and fell under the bullets of the Israeli army, I bet you wouldn’t have a single post on your blog. When the Muslim Brothers in Germany and France will take the streets and request the right to have Muslim political parties, you won’t move a finger, because with a Muslim population mainly from South East Asia, the MB are not a problem for the UK. Quite the opposite, while these extremists were under trial in their countries of origin (Yemen, Syria, Jordan), you gave them accomodations and a microphone, enabling the famous “Londonistan”. Now the UK, Qatar and France are distributing weapons all over North Africa to keep a way of presuring Tunisia and Egypt in case they turn too far left. It is so convenient to create yourself an enemy somewhere, now that you can’t do more in Iraq, Somalia, and Afghanistan/Pakistan. It diverts people from their problems: a financial crisis, caused by the most powerful on earth (for lack of regulations, and personal interest)that they should accept and sit watching the glamorous lives of royal families…
September 27th, 2011, 11:11 pm
louai said:
Dear NK
‘219. NK SAID:
‘I have no doubt that monsters are being created, and the regime bears full responsibility for creating this mess. For months now 5-10 people die every single day and that’s in Homs alone, you can not expect them to remain rational especially when there’s total disregard to the law by non other than those expected to uphold the law. You are talking about a few sectarian incidents now, however this situation should persist I expect a full fledged civil war on the streets of Homs, and maybe in other places. It’s so sad that the Army and the Police cannot be part of the solution here since they’re the agitators and the reason we got here in the first place.’
I would disagree with you about the reason we got there but You are partially right however the same apply on the revolutionists ,in Homs the civil war is already there , trust me without the army we will the ugliest civil war ever ! I know you think the army is the problem but in Homs at least the army is the protection for both sides .
‘’Dear Louai, have you noticed that despite all the crimes you just described and the many many more crimes the regime propaganda machine accused the armed gangs of committing we have not seen a single trial ? not even against those who appeared on State TV confessing their crimes ‘
I have no good answer for that , I always wonder why we don’t see this trials or hear that those people were charged with this crimes , I mean the government could use it as a big propaganda tool , there are crimes you and me know that they did happen , Nidal Janood for example was killed and filmed , his killers admitted on TV and there is no doubt that he did it , I don’t understand why they are not sentenced so far I hope some one or you explain to me .
September 27th, 2011, 11:12 pm
ann said:
ID ABOUD is out preparing to celebrate the Jewish New Year, “Rosh Hashanah”
September 27th, 2011, 11:18 pm
louai said:
thank you Haytham
September 27th, 2011, 11:19 pm
Akbar Palace said:
It Takes 2 to Tango
I refuse to talk to anyone who does not acknowledge the Palestinian rights of
True,
Feel free to talk to whoever you want. However, I just want you to know that regarding your 4 points above, the international community understands that these issues can only be solved by negotiation.
September 27th, 2011, 11:21 pm
Akbar Palace said:
Habby New Year
ID ABOUD is out preparing to celebrate the Jewish New Year, “Rosh Hashanah”
Ann,
No, he’s probably conspiring with Arabs who want freedom for Palestinians but not for themselves.
September 27th, 2011, 11:25 pm
Mina said:
Louai, thanks a lot. This reflects my experience too. The only fundamentalists I ever met in Syria were from Homs, and the brother had got papers to go to France and open a shop of “Islamic clothing”, no doubt with the help of the MBs. The most important problem in France as it seems for this person was that there was a need for more mosques because people were praying in the streets on friday. I mentioned that they could also take the tube or buses and go to the big mosque in the centre of Paris instead, but obviously there was an agenda of claiming political rights as a “Muslim minority”. I saw the same thing in Berlin with pot-smokers who were bought by some Wahhabis to play Coran in some garden of big appartment blocks and of course, it was just 2 months before a local election.
Again, if it was Zawahiri instead of Aroor talking of the UK instead of Syria, there would have been an immediate answer. When you think Aroor has been also active on Twitter and FB promoting his hatred shows on his Wesal TV since March, you get a picture of the media impact. Syria is unwillingly now at the forefront of the battle against the extremists, and it pays for having given asylum to Hamas and helping Hizbollah, who indeed are in part basing their popularity on spreading extremism and a medieval versions of islam, but this is something to expect from armed resistance, when it has to discipline the troops.
September 27th, 2011, 11:26 pm
Haytham Khoury said:
@ Akbar Palace #319
I can talk precisely about Syria.
The Christian emigration from Syria happened mainly, during three periods: 1860 (due to the Ottoman persecution), 1915 (during the first world war due to the famine) and 1980-now (during Assad’s rule due to the police state instated by Hafez al-Assad).
Infact, during Hafez al-Assad, not only the Christians left, but also the Muslims. For this reason, the dwindling number of Christian in Syria in the last decades is not not because they are specifically targeted, but because the general situation is bad.
I am one of the people who refused to go back to the country, because I do not want to kneel to Hafez al-Assad’s thugs. I did not emigrate because I felt threatened by me fellow Syrians.
The Assad regime account for the Christians’ dwindling number.
September 27th, 2011, 11:34 pm
SYRIAN HAMSTER said:
To the not so Poetic
And what I wrote applies to both your poetic pretense, literary attempts, and the non-nourishing food for the single thought you have been hammering for months on with no evolution or any meaningful contribution to the dialog. You keep painting everyone you disagree with using a single cartoonish image that has been discredited from day one.You are scared and angry, and I can understand your spasms and reactions. But what I can’t understand is that after months of being on this site, you have taken nothing, nothing from all the discussions and arguments. What a shame. Fear is freezing you into a vicious cycle of a single nightmare. But pitty is more negative than sarcasm. So be happy that I do not pitty you and be happier that had I not felt that you have a thread or two of decency, I would not have bothered.
September 27th, 2011, 11:37 pm
Mohamed Kanj said:
@ 327 – well said MINA. We syrians have the palestinian issue embedded in our blood. We have sat down and watched the Gulf nations bow down to the wests hypocrisy, and that is why you see 70% of the sunni population and 99% of the other sects and religions in syria stand by the current syrian government. We will not join the wahhabi states with their hidden agendas.
September 27th, 2011, 11:39 pm
John Khouri said:
@ 334 – Haytham, your completely wrong. Yes the christians did emigrate during the early 1980’s. But it was as you should recall, due to your uncles and grandfathers who belonged to the muslim brotherhood, murdering and raping the christian minorities. The Assad family brought about security and freedom of religion. So you better think twice before spreading your lies and propaganda on this blog. Just call one of your christian friends who lives in Homs or Hama and ask them how life is with all these islamic extremist roaming the streets at night? Ask them if they will let their daughter out alone at night to buy an icecream? Let them tell you about how they have been threatened by the terrorists for not wearing full body clothing. Let the truth be told. These islamic terrorists in Homs are trying to turn the city into another Saudi Arabia and Wahhabistan. How about the christian girl who was kidnapped and forced to strip naked and be filmed by the islamic extremists. She was forced into saying that the army raped her. This is the SYRIAN REVOLUTION
September 27th, 2011, 11:48 pm
SYR.EXPAT said:
322. LOUAI
Thank you for your input and your candor.
September 27th, 2011, 11:53 pm
Mina said:
Sheila,
What you write show that it is easier to be a cyber activist than a politician. You don’t want to think seriously about sharia and the law/legal system, i. e. about the power given to religious authorities in dealing with private and civil matters (this apply also and even more for the various Christian sects). In that case you don’t want to think about the possibility of achieving egality between genders in terms of rights. You just say “it would be nice, Hammurabi, etc”. By the way, shari’a is already in most Arab constitutions, so it is not about writing it, but just about admitting that Arab societies are more than the different madhhabs and their different customs (plus recognizing the existence of the non-Muslims in the society).
Finlly, you say in one sentence “As for Saudi Arabia, I consider it to be the most backwards country of all. (…)In my view, the US is far more of an Islamic state than SA is. Discriminating against women and other religions was never a part of Islam.”
Well that tells a lot about cyber activism and living in a virtual reality. I bet you wouldn’t exchange the rights you have in the US for the ones offered in Saudi Arabia.
As for Islam discriminating agains women and other religions, indeed, that’s not what we can read in the Coran (unless we want to take every sentence literally), but unfortunatly, this is what has happened through history. And this again, is because the reality of power differs from cyber activism.
September 27th, 2011, 11:54 pm
SYR.EXPAT said:
Just finished watching the BBC documentary about the Syrian uprising. It’s another indictment of the criminal Assad mafia. I am sure Asma’ won’t be watching it any time soon (from wife of a dictator/reformer to wife of a mass murderer and war criminal).
BBC Syria Inside the Secret Revolution Daraa
September 28th, 2011, 12:01 am
Syria no kandahar said:
????? ??????? ??????
Your Terrorist Jihadist friends like kaled Tlass who is going on and on hoping to collect larynxes and slash Syrian commando throat are your pride.Any way I don’t like rats and especially wahabi ones.your response to my posts shows that they are bothering your big master paying rats.if my posts were so stupid then you are you trying to be smart responding to them.I think you are very smart but unfortunately I see no hope in the way you and your jihadist and terrorist friends are taking my country,so I strongly disagree with you,but you seem,being a hamster,not matur enough to accept different opinion.
September 28th, 2011, 12:08 am
Haytham Khoury said:
@ John #337
I am one of the people that refused to Syria, because Hafez al-Assad’s images used to provoke my nausea.
Further, this is a meassage that I recieved from a Hamwi christian
I am Hamwi and I have been in Damascus since 1998. In Hama most of Christians people are with the revolution, but here is Damascus is not the same situation, take me as an example I have lost most of christens friends because the thing that I am bad person and I do not like our county just because I want freedom and I say the troth.
Whatever the situation is I will try and try and always say the truth , what I know my muslims friends are not salafeen and not mondaseen.. by the way the same story in 1982 my grandfather had been killed by the government because of we were living in Hama, yes the government killed my Christian grandfather under because they thought that he is Ekwan Muslemiin…. In 1982 the all Hama had been destroyed because of the story of AlAssd system “Ekwan Muslemiin” and now all Syria us being destroyed in the same way and lies ” Mondaswwn, Salafeen> and whatever.
And now right now my godfather. Gorger sabra is in jail somewhere in Syria… actuality Christian free people are lost and week we cannot so almost anything. Because this will be against the church and the system.
Thank you again and sorry for my bad English.
Adham
September 28th, 2011, 12:16 am
Ghufran said:
???? ?????? ???? ???? ??? ? ???? ?. ????
????? ???????? ? ??????
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=3&ved=0CB8QtwIwAg&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DpoxBPcCJr6E%26feature%3Drelated&ei=Ro-CTsy1AqLm0QHFor22AQ&usg=AFQjCNGZ9MqaVU_nZy8i7oCKfIH4eqjUKw
September 28th, 2011, 12:16 am
Akbar Palace said:
Haytham Khoury,
Thank you for the explanation in 334. It makes more sense to me now.
September 28th, 2011, 12:28 am
Aboud said:
#325 Ask Besho’s sister where I am. “Drill baby drill!” LOL!
So delicious that the cookie cutter menhebaks are pissed off at the British ambassador. He really hit a nerve with them 🙂
When you boil down the cookie cutter menhebaks’ posts, they come down to this;
“Extremists. Jihadists. Extremists. Jihadists. Extremists profanities conspiracies extremists Jihadists*
The same tired excuse that didn’t work for Bin Ali, Mubarak or Zinga Zinga. If I was a menhebak (God forbid) I’d be sorely disappointed at Besho’s lack of imagination.
September 28th, 2011, 12:34 am
Ghufran said:
????? ????
????? ? ???? ?????? ????? ??????? ??????
???? ?????????? ?? ????? ???? ?? ??????? ? ???????? ? ????????
?? ???? ?????? ????? ???????? ? ?? ???? ???????? ??? ????? ?????? ?????
???? ????????? ? ???? ???????? ?? ?????? ??????? ??????? ???? ????? ? ??? ????? ? ??????
????? ????? ????? ??? ???????? ? ?? ?????? ??? ??? ???????? ? ??????? ? ????? ??????
September 28th, 2011, 12:40 am
Aboud said:
Just saw another of the regime’s trumpets on Al-Jazeera. For all the whining the menhebaks do about Al-Jazeera, the channel does allow everyone from all sides to express their opinions. You will never see that on the sectarian incitement promoting Al-Dunya. One wonders where the menhebaks are going to get their daily fix of incitement from now.
“Extremists jihadists extremists jihadists extremists with a sprinkle of posts that try to make believe that the SNP was ever relevant (it never was. One moment the dude is pro-regime, the next he’s anti-regime.)”
September 28th, 2011, 12:49 am
Aboud said:
“Just call one of your christian friends who lives in Homs or Hama and ask them how life is with all these islamic extremist roaming the streets at night?”
More sick and perverted fantasies about rape from the disturbed menhebaks. The army has a division in Homs, and two more outside it. Homs has been under military occupation for months. How then are “islamist extremists” roaming the streets at night? What is your army doing then? Pleasuring each other? LOL!
September 28th, 2011, 12:53 am
Syria no kandahar said:
Aboud Alwahabi
At least jihadist and extremist are all over like your dudes Kalid Tlass and Abumer.
You wahabis are hallucinating about:Persians ,shabiha,Persians,shabiha,Persians…
September 28th, 2011, 12:57 am
John Khouri said:
@ 342 – Haytham, why dont you pay a visit to Wadi Nasara or mashta helou, where 90% of the christians and 50% of the sunni’s from Hama have fled your loveable Hamwi extremists, that you claim are with the revolution. Why dont you go and listen to their stories first hand about what they witnessed. Why dont u go and drive down to Mhardeh which is part of the city of Hama ( inhabited with 25,000 christians ). Ask the christians their how they have their town besieged by your freedom loving revolutionists. Ask the family of the car dealer in Mhardeh who was kidnapped and held for ransom by your loveable and caring islamic extremist revolutionist, how they adore your revolution. Hiding behind this blog and claiming to be christian and also claiming that the christians of Hama are with the revolution is really absurd.
You can keep on blabbering on about how you are christian and how the christians are with the revolution. It wont achieve nothing but appease the geek islamic extremist internet bloggers on this.
September 28th, 2011, 1:02 am
ann said:
*** L’SHANAH TOVAH ***
EU powers drop UN Syria sanctions call
European countries proposing a new UN resolution over Syria have dropped demands for immediate sanctions against President Bashar al-Assad’s government.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-15085816
The draft, proposed by the UK, France, Germany and Portugal and backed by the US, threatens sanctions only if the repression of protests does not end.
The scaled-back version is aimed at winning the support of China and Russia, which oppose sanctions.
Western diplomats say they are planning for a vote by the end of the week.
The draft resolution “demands an immediate end to all violence”, according to copies obtained by news agencies.
It says the 15-nation Security Council “expresses its determination, in the event that Syria has not complied with this resolution, to adopt targeted measures, including sanctions”.
Last month the US, Britain, France, Germany and Portugal put forward a draft resolution calling for sanctions against President Assad, members of his family and close associates.
But Russia and China have threatened to veto any sanctions resolution against Syria.
Others countries which oppose sanctions include a bloc of key emerging powers – India, South Africa, and Brazil.
Wider crisis
The BBC’s Barbara Plett at the UN in New York says some countries fear any outside involvement in Syria could trigger a much wider crisis.
Their position has been hardened by Nato’s actions in Libya, which they say has overstepped a UN mandate to protect civilians there, she adds.
September 28th, 2011, 1:02 am
agatha said:
An other inside story:
Une journaliste a filmé la répression en Syrie
Sofia Amara, 43 ans, est la première journaliste indépendante à avoir pu filmer – en août 2011 – la révolte du peuple syrien et sa sanglante répression. Son documentaire “Syrie, dans l’enfer de la répression”, sera diffusé le 11 octobre à 20h40 sur Arte. Pour lavie.fr elle nous raconte son périple à haut risque.
http://www.lavie.fr/actualite/monde/une-journaliste-a-filme-la-repression-en-syrie-27-09-2011-20316_5.php
September 28th, 2011, 1:09 am
ann said:
Syria sanctions strategy ‘unreliable’ – Lavrov
http://rt.com/news/syria-sanctions-lavrov-507/
Russia cannot support the project on Syria being pushed through by the West, Foreign Minister Lavrov stated in New York ahead of his address to the UN General Assembly.
Sergey Lavrov said he believed that placing sanctions on Syria are “not a very reliable strategy”.
“We ask what the next strategy is, how have you calculated your next steps? The answer we get is that we haven’t thought about it yet, but President Assad needs to go, we need to drive him into a corner with sanctions – he should go first, and then we’ll see,” Lavrov said in an interview with “Russia 24” channel. “It’s a very simple but – I believe – not very reliable strategy, if it can be called a strategy at all,” he concluded.
The United States and the European Union have already implemented unilateral sanctions against Syria.On September 13 they announced measures including bans on oil imports and an asset freeze. Western powers have been calling within the United Nations Security council for a resolution on Syria in the form of a set of sanctions. The US is calling for the resignation of the Syrian president, Bashar Assad, whose regime has led a deadly crackdown on anti-government protesters.
And while new fighting erupted in Syria between pro-government forces and rebels for the control of several key cities, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moualem said in an address to the UN General Assembly that the West was trying to create “total chaos” in order to break up the country.
Government troops have reportedly stormed a key opposition town after pounding it overnight with heavy machine-gun fire.
The United Nations says more than 2,700 Syrians, including 100 children, have been killed during six-months of unrest sparked by an uprising against the 41-year rule of the Assad dynasty.
Journalist and anti-war activist Susan Lindauer says that Syria should heed the words of Russia’s foreign minister and allow in foreign mediation.
“There is no way the Syrian president can do it by himself, and he is not receiving any proper assistance from the United States or any European power that would be able to offer conflict resolution,” she told RT. “Sanctions are not the answer, sanctions only hurt the Syrian people. If Bashar al-Assad is wise, he would quickly invite a Russian delegation to come in and help the Syrian government resolve this problem.”
“Sanctions freeze the situation, so that diplomacy is stalled,” she concluded. “It never works. It is a bad strategy, and it means that they lack ideas for solving the problem.”
September 28th, 2011, 1:14 am
Darryl said:
322. LOUAI said:
Louai, from my relatives in Wadi-Alnsara, here is the picture I get:
1. The wadi is now swelling from those who vacated Homs and many non-wadi citizens are desperately looking for somewhere to live there.
2. Apparently, some body has been trying to stir trouble as Sunni citizens have told their Christian comrades that they were told to attack the Christians as well the Alawites. North-western portion of the Valley has pure Alawite and mixed Christian-Alawite towns. But given the excellent relationship and long shared history among all groups, the Sunni comrades told the “trouble makers” to piss-off.
3. “Trouble makers” from Tell Khalakh have passed through the valley seeking hide out from government forces and were told to go away by Sunni and Christian citizens.
4. The valley is still behind the president and if there was any dissent, it may have shrunk after the city dwellers vacated and told stories of horror and killing. One of the reasons they are behind him (and possibly) most Christians in Syria, he has encouraged Christians to be proud of who they are and to promote their long history in the country. Also the Valley has a large population of SSNP supporters that dates back to the 50-60s and this is another reason they support the government to transition rather than have a revolution.
5. Wadi Al-Nasara citizens, at least Christians have lots of land holdings that is still owned by the same families for generations and have many relatives and family members outside Syria. Through the years, they learned to manage with good and bad government policy and they receive lots of money from those overseas clan members. Hence, they can ride-out the economic sanctions on the country without feeling much pain and not turn against the government. Being close to Lebanon (we can see the snow covered mountains with the naked eye), they can also rely on goods smuggled easily.
September 28th, 2011, 1:17 am
ann said:
Thank you for your honest report DARRYL
The TRUTH offends haytham koury and his al qaeda friends
September 28th, 2011, 1:32 am
agatha said:
Bonjour Annie et Jihanne,
est-ce-que vous avez déjà visiter http://souriahouria.com/ aujourd’hui?
Il me semble que son mari veut distribuer l’appel.
September 28th, 2011, 1:33 am
NK said:
Darryl
Now we’re talking the same language, and I totally agree with what you wrote in #307. Let me just point out a few things
We are already paying Jizya in Syria, forget the name and let’s look at what Jizya is. “You pay a set amount of money and in return you don’t have to serve in the Army”. Does that sound familiar ?, now that I’m thinking about it, even if you insist on the (being humiliated while paying it) bit, there is plenty of humiliation going around, if you visited “???? ???????” before then you know what I’m talking about 😉
As for the Egyptian sheikhs, they are miserable souls but they’re not alone in this world, just check out Terry Jones, or Franklin Graham or even this guy
http://bit.ly/ocLxKz
Or even our own SNP, not to go too far
https://joshualandis.com/blog/?p=8673&cp=4#comment-243828
Luckily those guys can never flourish in an open society, and it’s about time the Arab countries join the rest of the civilized world.
As for your last point, I think the problem is not the sheikhs but the media that only focuses on the bad and ignores the good.
In conclusion, I agree that the culture in the Arab world has to change, the first step is to free ourselves of tyranny and oppression.
September 28th, 2011, 1:35 am
Syria no kandahar said:
Aboud
Are you doing ?? ?? ?? ?? ???? ???? ?? ?? ??
In the US now.it is almost 9am in Homs,go get some ??????? ?? ???? or ???.
September 28th, 2011, 1:52 am
ann said:
Russia’s Lavrov says BRICS aren’t looking for fight
Russia and its partners in the “BRICS” bloc of emerging market economies, which Western powers see as increasingly obstructionist on Syria and other issues, are not looking for a fight, Russia said on Tuesday.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/09/27/us-un-assembly-russia-idUSTRE78Q4ET20110927
The BRICS group — Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa — has resisted attempts by the U.N. Security Council to impose sanctions on Syria, thwarting efforts by U.S. and European officials to punish Damascus for its six-month crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators.
But in Russia’s annual speech to the United Nations, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov denied that there was any attempt by the five nations to cause trouble.
“BRICS does not aim at confrontation with anyone,” he told the 193-nation U.N. General Assembly. “Its goal is to enhance productive multilateral collaboration to address the urgent problems of the contemporary world.”
By coincidence, all five BRICS nations are currently on the Security Council, where they have managed to block U.S. and European efforts to impose U.N. sanctions on Syria for its crackdown that has killed at least 2,700 people, by U.N. counts.
Some Western diplomats complain that the BRICS countries increasingly favor policies of nonintervention in crises like Libya, Syria and elsewhere.
BRICS members charged that NATO overstepped a U.N. mandate in Libya, although South Africa initially voted in favor of a March 2011 U.N. Security Council resolution that authorized NATO operations to protect civilians in the north African country and enforce a no-fly zone.
Lavrov repeated the BRICS’ criticism in his U.N. speech.
“The attempts to go beyond the UNSC (U.N. Security Council) mandate are unacceptable, since they undermine its authority and multiply the suffering of innocent civilians,” he said.
PROVOKING VIOLENCE
On Syria, Lavrov repeated Russia’s criticism of the opposition to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who has faced growing street protests demanding an end to 41 years of Assad family rule.
In response, Assad has sent troops and tanks into cities and towns across the country over the last six months, though he has promised to implement some political reforms.
“As for Syria, it is inadmissible to boycott proposals on a national dialogue, stir up confrontation and provoke violence, while neglecting, albeit late, but still achievable reforms proposed by President Bashar al-Assad,” Lavrov said.
Western diplomats on the Security Council say that Russia, which like China holds a veto on the Security Council, is the strongest opponent among the five BRIC nations to imposing U.N. sanctions on Syria’s leadership.
The Western powers, however, plan to submit a new draft resolution to the Security Council soon that would condemn Damascus and threaten future action if Syria does not halt its crackdown. Such a resolution, European diplomats say, will hopefully be more palatable to the BRICS.
Lavrov confirmed Russia’s support for the Palestinian application for U.N. membership for a Palestinian state, which President Mahmoud Abbas delivered to the United Nations on Friday. Washington has vowed to veto the Palestinian application when and if the Security Council votes on it.
Lavrov also called for stepped-up diplomatic efforts to solve the confrontations over the nuclear programs of Iran and North Korea, saying that ending both of those disputes would improve the global nonproliferation regime.
“We see no alternative to their political and diplomatic settlement and taking concrete steps to create conditions for the resumption of negotiations,” Lavrov said. “We call on all partners to address these tasks with utmost responsibility.”
September 28th, 2011, 1:53 am
annie said:
Dear 263. sheila :
I also lived in Spain under Franco and was there to witness the chaos when he died. … They rioted, burnt cars and broke every phone booth they could get their hands on. That was not my experience in the Levante.
I lived there much earlier but used to visit every year thereafter.
In 1975 when Franco died, the pent up frustration that exploded was also sexual.
Spaniards used to travel to the French border to buy pornography. That was the explosion I witnessed. I remember the bus where all the men were buried in their x rated magazines.
September 28th, 2011, 1:59 am
Aboud said:
Cookie cutter menhebak #335, when it comes to the truth and credibility, your regime is the Bernie Madoff of the media world. If Standard and Poor gave credit ratings for credibility, you’d be in the minus triple F. Who else would claim that al-Jazeera had built mock ups of Syrian cities. Heck, you people would get your own special Betho rating.
The entire efforts of the menhebaks on this forum tend to drift towards fantasies; the absurd, and the frankly sick. We have the fake Christian Homsi getting off on imagining the rape of women. We have the irrelevant SNPer day dreaming that his bunch of old men were ever relevant. We have the frustrated writer No Klue seething that his Besho fan fiction isn’t getting picked up by publishers (“Besho Athad and the Global Extremist Conspiracy By Extremists to Promote Extremism”)
The menhebaks are no longer even pretending that the majority of the country support their leader. Their efforts this past week has all been focused on trying to convince the world that a *sizeable* segment of *Christians* support the Baathists. Not even *most*, just a sizeable. They bring up Iraq and Lebanon, ignoring the disgraceful role their own regime played in wrecking those countries.
Even the NY Times article offered only a Facebook comment as evidence of *Christian* support for the murderous junta. A third of the article was about a Christian who ran away from the shabiha scum and found sanctuary with a family. Typical menhebaks, post an article without bothering to read it. And since when did the menhebaks start loving the NY Times anyway? LOL! They are nothing if not hypocrites. Just look at how their UN representative voted when he was on the security council, obligingly toeing the line drawn by the Americans and Europe.
September 28th, 2011, 2:05 am
ann said:
Syria may fall victim to ‘new cycle of colonial wars’ – UN debate hears
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=39844&Cr=syria&Cr1=
27 September 2011 –
Syria runs the risk of falling victim to the same “new cycle of colonial wars” that was imposed on Libya, Venezuela told the General Assembly’s annual general debate today.
In a message delivered by Venezuelan Foreign Minister Nicolás Maduro Moros, President Hugo Chávez Frías said that the real reason for military intervention in Libya this year was to take over its wealth, and that the same imperialist tactics are being exercised in Syria.
“It is intolerable that the powers of the world intend to claim for themselves the right to direct the lawful rulers to resign immediately. This was the case in Libya and they want to proceed in the same way in Syria,” he said.
In March, the Security Council authorized Member States to take “all necessary measures” to protect civilians, following the crackdown against a popular uprising by the forces supporting the then leader Muammar al-Qadhafi.
Members of NATO subsequently carried out air strikes and, after months of fighting between pro-Qadhafi forces and rebels, the National Transitional Council (NTC) has been internationally recognized as having assumed authority over the country.
Mr. Chávez called for the immediate cessation of the bombing operation in Libya, and spoke strongly against any form of intervention in Syria.
“The ‘Libyan Case’ was brought before the Security Council on the basis of an intense propaganda by the Western mass media, who lied about the alleged bombing of innocent civilians by the Libyan air force, not to mention the grotesque media setting of the Green Square of Tripoli,” he said.
“After the Libyan air force was completely annihilated, the continued ‘humanitarian’ bombing shows that the West, through North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), intends to impose their interests in North Africa, turning Libya into a colonial protectorate,” he added.
Mr. Chávez stressed that the same should not happen in Syria, and that military intervention should not be an option for the country.
“Only the Syrian people can solve their problems and decide their fate in the light of the right to self-determination of the peoples, an inalienable right in all respects,” he said.
“Were it not for some permanent members showing a firm stance, everything would be defined within the Security Council to authorize shooting missiles and sending bombardiers against Syria,” he added.
September 28th, 2011, 2:07 am
annie said:
240. Akbar Palace said:
Amir in Tel Aviv,
Happy New Year! You have my forgiveness for not answering our questions about your family ancestry;)
Let me guess; Big Palacio assumes that Amir being so nice with Arabs must be an Oriental Jew.
Since we have a delegation of the people from over the border Emir and Akbar, and Shai and Yossi and AIG I would like to send them to this site http://www.youngjewishproud.org/.
As I said before, these youngsters will tip the balance away from the blind US support for the rogue state they are connected with or live in.
Syrians are much more tolerant of your posts however irritating they can sometimes be. Try and have a dissenting voice heard at some zionist sites.
September 28th, 2011, 2:10 am
ann said:
At UN, Syria warns of ‘blatant conspiracies’ from outsiders against its people
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=39802&Cr=syria&Cr1=
26 September 2011 –
Syrian authorities will continue to undertake political, social and economic reforms but they will also act to protect citizens from “blatant conspiracies” aimed at sabotaging national security or inviting outside interventions, the country’s Foreign Minister told the United Nations today.
Addressing the General Assembly’s annual general debate, Walid al-Moualem said the reform process is “a work in progress” in Syria, where large numbers of protesters have for months been calling for greater democracy and freedoms.
He said many of the demands for reform have already been met, and they will continue through a process of national dialogue based on “national unity, sovereignty and independence.”
He cited changes announced in June to liberalize the country’s media, guarantee political pluralism and reform the staging of parliamentary elections and the management of local government.
Top UN officials have repeatedly expressed concern this year about the nature of the Government’s response to the largely peaceful protest movement, with at least 2,600 Syrians estimated to have been killed after military forces clashed with demonstrators.
The UN Human Rights Council has ordered an inquiry into the violence after an earlier UN fact-finding mission outlined a litany of Government abuses, including murders, enforced disappearances and acts of torture.
But Mr. al-Moualem said the overriding focus of authorities has been to deal with “the external pressures which were at times tantamount to blatant conspiracies.”
He said that “popular demands and claims have been manipulated to further objectives which are alien to the interests and express desires of the Syrian people. These demands were the stepping stone used by armed groups to sow discord and sabotage our security. They became the new pretext for foreign interventions.
“Syria exercised its responsibility to protect its citizens. It acted to guarantee their safety and stability. Vigilance against the danger of foreign intervention that assumes a different form with each passing day, and challenging it does not mean underestimating popular demands.”
Mr. al-Moualem said there had been a “surge in the activities of armed groups” within Syria that was a “manifestation of foreign intervention,” and he criticized moves by the United States and the European Union to impose sanctions, saying they would hurt the daily needs of ordinary Syrians.
Describing his country as a model of coexistence that has opted for secularism over religious or ethnic favouritism, the Foreign Minister said that the clear “purpose of this unjust anti-Syria campaign currently under way is to attack this model of coexistence that has been a source of pride to our people.
“How we can otherwise explain media provocations, financing and arming religious extremism? What purpose could this serve other than total chaos that would dismember Syria – and consequently adversely affect its neighbours?”
September 28th, 2011, 2:17 am
annie said:
363. annie
I was of course wrong about Oriental Jews being nicer to Arabs; it is often the opposite since they have to out-Herod Herod to prove their loyalty to the state.
Yet, some remain what they are : Arabs, Jewish Arabs or Arab Jews
I feel a little bad about our occasional bantering while people are under siege and I think often of Sheila and the others who are in daily danger.
22:02 A massive protest began in the Daraa neighborhood of Al-Arbain. Security forces stormed the area and pursuing the fleeing demonstrators. (S.N.N.)
22:00 Heavy gunfire was heard in Deir az-Zour. (S.N.N.)
21:33 Security forces are pursuing protesters in the Houran town of Jassem. (S.N.N.)
21:30 Anti-regime protests began in the Houran towns of Mseifra, Al-Jeeza, Taseel, and Al-Teeba. (S.N.N.)
21:15 Protests against the regime began in the cities of Latakia and Deir az-Zour. (S.N.N.)
21:10 Protests demanding the fall of the regime began in the Edleb town of Sermeen and the Homs neighborhood of Deir Baalba. (S.N.N.)
20:37 Protests began in the cities of Qamishli and Amouda. (S.N.N.)
20:35 An anti-regime protest began in the Homs town of Rastan. (S.N.N.)
20:30 A massive protest against the regime began in the city of Teir Maaleh. (S.N.N.)
20:13 A protest began in the city of Derbasiya against the regime. (S.N.N.)
20:07 Explosions rocked the Homs neighborhood of Al-Khaldiyeh. (S.N.N.)
20:04 Security forces arrested four youths in the Homs village of Bouwayda while they were marching in a funeral. (S.N.N.)
20:00 Security forces killed four defecting soldiers in the Homs neighborhood of Baba Amro. (S.N.N.)
To read more: http://www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=253828#ixzz1ZE4Cf0bG
Only 25% of a given NOW Lebanon article can be republished. For information on republishing rights from NOW Lebanon: http://www.nowlebanon.com/Sub.aspx?ID=125478
September 28th, 2011, 2:28 am
ann said:
Syria intends to retaliate against Turkey for arms interception
http://www.todayszaman.com/news-258107-syria-intends-to-retaliate-against-turkey-for-arms-interception.html
Syria has announced intentions to review a free trade agreement (FTA) that the country claimed was favoring Turkish trade over Syria’s, a move that came as an obvious attempt at retaliation following Turkey’s initiative to intercept an arms shipment to Syria.
“Political relations and economic relations are two different things. … We need to review certain articles in the FTA we signed with Turkey because it currently favors Turkish trade over Syrian benefits, and it damages us,” Syrian Economy and Trade Minister Mohammad Nidal al-Shaar was quoted as saying by the Cihan news agency on Monday.
The announcement of Syria’s intention to review the FTA, signed back in 2006, comes in clear retaliation for a move by Turkey to increase interceptions on arms shipment to Syria, an initiative Turkey took since Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s rule came under heavy fire over the killings of Syrian civilians. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdo?an is also expected to introduce sanctions against the Assad administration, as he announced last week that he was planning to pay a visit to a camp hosting thousands of Syrian refugees in the southern border province of Hatay. The premier also noted that Turkey would evaluate options for sanctions in the meantime, the outcome of which would be publicized during his visit to Hatay.
Meanwhile, a US diplomat on Tuesday acknowledged that the US welcomed the measures Turkey will take regarding Syria, and the two countries were also engaged in talks to bolster cooperation at a US foreign policy conference regarding the 2011 UN General Assembly meeting.
Michael Hammer, the acting assistant secretary for public affairs at the US State Department, told reporters in New York that although the US applied unilateral sanctions to Syria, they remained minor, and it was highly important for neighboring countries such as Turkey to take steps that might increase the pressure on the Syrian regime, according to an Anatolia news agency report.
The remark came days after Prime Minister Erdo?an announced Turkey would keep on intercepting arms shipments to Syria, as it has been doing in the recent past.
The official also commented on the delivery of US unmanned aerial vehicles named Predators to Turkey, saying the US has a strong partnership with the country and would support Turkey in its fight against the terrorist Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). Erdo?an announced last week that the US and Turkey had “agreed on principle” for the delivery of the vehicles, and Turkish Defense Minister ?smet Y?lmaz noted on Saturday that the Predators would be delivered to the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) in June 2012. Hammer did not elaborate on the details of the deployment of the Predators, but said he had seen media reports announcing an agreement between Washington and Ankara to deploy the vehicles at the strategic ?ncirlik Air Base in the southern province of Adana.
Turkish officials have met or had phone conversations with their counterparts from the US many times this year, which Hammer considers essential for increasing bilateral cooperation. Hammer also noted on the sidelines that the US had hailed the Turkish decision to install an early warning radar system under a new strategic defense strategy within NATO countries to block missiles coming from outside Europe. Although the defense system was speculated to be a means of protection from the alleged nuclear ambitions of Iran, Turkey insists the system targets any country that threatens NATO members. Iranian officials condemned the Turkish government last week over the decision, warning that there would be serious repercussions for the country and accusing Turkey of hypocrisy with regard to Iran.
Hammer also touched upon the debate over oil and gas resources in the eastern Mediterranean seabed that have set the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities at odds, suggesting that the US-based company that acquired the Greek Cypriot licenses for research and excavation had the right to carry out drilling activities. Greek Cypriot drilling for hydrocarbon sources also triggered Turkey to sign an agreement with Turkish Cypriots to determine continental shelves, allowing the countries to carry out their own drilling operations for resources. Hammer noted that the US had hoped the drilling initiatives would not cause new tension in the region, and that it was in touch with Turkey regarding the situation.
September 28th, 2011, 2:31 am
ann said:
Israeli prove Reality of State Terrorism against Arab People
http://www.dp-news.com/en/detail.aspx?articleid=97953
GENEVE- During a Human Rights Council session, Syria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Dr. Fayssal al-Hamwi, stressed on Monday that the Israeli violations of human rights prove the reality of state terrorism practiced by Israel and the aggressive tendency against the Arab people.
Al-Hamwi said the talk about Israeli violations of human rights in Palestine and the occupied Syrian Golan comes at a time of critical escalations committed by the Israeli occupation which committed the crime of killing Syrian, Palestinian and Lebanese peaceful protesters who were stressing their legal right of returning to their lands.
Al-Hamwi pointed out to the Israeli crime few weeks ago as the occupation authorities started to build a racial separation wall to separate the occupied Syrian Golan from the homeland, Syria.
He added that the Israeli authorities have arrested for 27 years 9 prisoners from the Golan and the international Red Cross knows that.
He went on saying that the Israeli crimes and aggressive policies led to escalating hatred and isolation of Israel by the vast majority of the world peoples, stressing that the Human Rights Council and the High Commission for Human Rights should end their silence on such practices.
September 28th, 2011, 2:38 am
Aboud said:
“At UN, Syria warns of ‘blatant conspiracies’ from outsiders against its people”
What did I tell you. “Extremists conspiracies extremist extremists rape of girls conspiracies Al-jazeera built a mock up of cities in Qatar”
If the menhebaks are so sure of their narrative, why not let in the world’s press and let them see for themselves, instead of relating what one cookie cutter menhebak heard from his smelly drug addled shabiha scum cousin.
But of course Besho would never allow a free press to see what is going on in Syria. He might as well let in the four horsemen of the apocalypse; Famine, War, Pestilence and the extremist conspiracy salafi guy who built fake cities in Qatar.
September 28th, 2011, 2:40 am
Darryl said:
Aboud, you are attacking that cute and cuddly Syrian Hamster in #335. You are losing it Aboud, take a break and have a shot of Frangelico.
September 28th, 2011, 2:42 am
ann said:
Syria forces storm refuge for army defectors
Updated: 2011-09-28 09:28
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2011-09/28/content_13807596.htm
AMMAN – Syrian forces backed by tanks and helicopters stormed into the central town of Rastan on Tuesday to crush army deserters who are fighting back after months of mostly peaceful protests against President Bashar al-Assad, residents said.
Undeterred by the crackdown, more deserters declared the formation of another rebel military unit, of uncertain size, in the same area. And in a sign of increasingly heavily armed opposition to Assad, people in the nearby city of Homs said rebel soldiers hit a government tank with a rocket.
Early on Tuesday, dozens of armoured vehicles entered Rastan, a town of 40,000 on the Orontes river north of Homs, after tanks and helicopters pounded it with heavy machineguns through the hours of darkness.
“Tanks closed in on Rastan overnight and the sound of machineguns and explosions has been non-stop. They finally entered this morning,” said a resident named Abu Qassem.
Hundreds of soldiers who have refused orders to fire on protesters have formed the Khaled Bin al-Walid battalion, named after the Arab conqueror of Syria, in Rastan. The force, led by Captain Abdelrahman Sheikh, has some tanks. Colonel Riad al-Asaad, the most senior military defector, is active in the area.
In the area of Houla, across the Orontes, thousands of villagers held an anti-Assad rally on Tuesday during which a new battalion of defectors was announced. Several soldiers in fatigues were seen in a YouTube video as a crowd chanted “Freedom!” Houla residents said they had attended the event.
To cheers, an announcer was seen in the video saying: “The Syrian Free Army declares the formation of the Ali bin Abi Taleb Battalion in Houla, Homs, under the command of First Lieutenant Colonel Fayez al-Abdallah, to be supervised by the Khaled bin al-Walid battalion … to protect peaceful protests.”
Rebel forces
Rebel soldiers, who are estimated to number in the thousands across the country, have attacked army buses and roadblocks manned by troops and pro-Assad militiamen, known ‘shabbiha’. These have multiplied in recent days as security forces try to disrupt protests and hunt down activists in the Rastan area.
Activists in Homs said at least six inhabitants were killed in raids by security forces and rebel soldiers hit a tank on Tuesday with a rocket propelled grenade in the Bayada district, which is inhabited by members of desert tribes who are now among the main opponents of Assad in the city of one million.
The official news agency said “armed terrorist groups” killed three civilians in Homs on Tuesday.
The region around Homs and the adjoining province of Idlib on the border with Turkey have emerged as hotspots of armed resistance, although the bulk of the armed forces, commanded by officers from Assad’s Alawite minority, has remained nominally loyal, with tight surveillance by Alawite secret police and soldiers who disobey orders to crush protests risk being shot.
A senior diplomat in Damascus said rebel units were a mixed bag of deserters but that only the efforts of the Alawite officer corps were preventing much larger units joining them.
“The deserters so far are a hodgepodge,” the diplomat said. “They did not train together and whole divisions are not leaving because of the Alawite control.”
Julien Barnes-Dacey, Middle East analyst at Control Risks said unless more defections occur “the regime won’t face a meaningful military challenge.”
September 28th, 2011, 2:44 am
ann said:
Arab Uprising Whirlwind Catches Lebanon
http://www.eurasiareview.com/28092011-arab-uprising-whirlwind-catches-lebanon-oped/
Lebanon has always been the epitome of freedom of speech in the Middle East. The press has a long history in the Lebanon and the variety of political and religious groups there have prevented its diverse community from ever falling under the domination of one of its internal powers.
It’s all too clear that such a community would never be affected by the same fate as the other Arab countries and there would never be any sign of a revolution there. Most of the revolutionary leaders which have come close to power in Arab countries have either spent some part of their lives in Lebanon or have briefly benefitted from the blessing of its freedom. Even though there is no real democracy in Lebanon and the Lebanese factions run the country in the form of a “consensus democracy,” its political situation has always been the envy of the oppressed people of other Arab countries.
Notwithstanding, Lebanon is not disconnected from the developments and revolutions of other Arab countries. The groups and parties of this country are categorized based on their support of or opposition to one or more of the Arab governments who are currently categorized as exposed to threat or at risk of collapse. While some of the political wings in Lebanon such as Saad Hariri, former prime minister and the leader of the March 14 alliance, are accused of shipping weapons to Syria to incite a civil war there, the president, parliament speaker and the prime minister of Lebanon support Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
The support of the Lebanese leaders for Damascus appears natural on account of its special historical and geographical ties with Syria. The Lebanese elite are intensely afraid of the effects of the unseemly repercussions of a civil war in Syria or its disintegration on their own small country, especially that Israel is still lying in ambush for Lebanon and the unbalancing of the political map of the Middle East might tempt the appetite of its leaders for a fresh round of adventurism in Lebanon.
What has recently become the focus of attention in Lebanon is the stances and demeanor of Archbishop Bechara el-Rai, the new Maronite patriarch, who has faced opposition and criticism from the March 14 alliance, which is close to Western states. Their censure has escalated to such an extent that they have accosted the outgoing patriarch, Nasrallah Sfeir, and are seeking to place him head to head with his successor.
It’s still not clear why Nasrallah Sfeir stepped down, voluntarily or otherwise, from his religio-political position. Some believe that the Vatican has played a key role in this replacement. Developments in Arab countries and increase in the power of Islamist groups has concerned the Vatican that the Christians of the Middle East and especially Lebanon might be exposed to force and threat. Thus, a figure with no previous hostilities on his records must assume the leadership of the Maronite Christians to be able to guarantee the future for Christians.
The former Lebanese Maronite patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir was on the March 14 alliance’s side and not willing at all to build a normal relationship with its rival March 8 faction. He was oppose to the trial of Israeli mercenaries after they fled southern Lebanon in 2000 and insisted that light punitive sentences be issued against them. He never travelled to the liberated southern Lebanon to avoid being accused of supporting anti-Israeli resistance.
The new Patriarch has adopted a new policy in line with the recent developments in the Arab world, a policy which the previous patriarch was incapable of implementing due to his political background.
Patriarch Bechara el-Rai made a trip to France a few weeks ago to warn President Nicolas Sarkozy that his and other European leaders’ attempts to initiate transformations in Syria and change its regime would not benefit Lebanese Christians and the rise to power of the Muslim Brotherhood as well as Salafis in the country means wreaking havoc on Christian interests and setting them on fire.
He also supported the maintenance of Hezbollah’s military capabilities by pointing out that it is the Israeli occupation of Shebaa Farms south of Lebanon which makes Hezbollah retain its armed forces and that Israel’s withdrawal from these regions will resolve the problem.
Sources close to the Lebanese patriarch have spoken about his great astonishment after hearing the proposal made by the French president, who has asked el-Rai why all Lebanese Christians do not immigrate to Europe and the West to steer clear of the problems or dangers potentially caused by regime change in Syria.
Another significant measure taken by the Lebanese patriarch was his several-day trip to southern Lebanon to visit the liberated areas, which was warmly welcomed by the Hezbollah and Amal movements. During the journey, he addressed the residents and members of the resistance organization and praised their sacrifices in repelling Israeli forces. He also called for vigilance against threat that could split and disintegrate the region.
Such positions are not favorable to the March 14 alliance leaders and the Western governments sponsoring. These leaders have, as a counteraction, tried to use the previous Maronite patriarch in order to threaten Bechara el-Rai with removal from his position or pressuring him into continuing to follow the political line of his predecessor.
In addition to Paris, which resentfully tolerated the opposition of Lebanon’s Maronite leaders to regime change in Syria, Washington has informed el-Rai that he cannot meet President Barack Obama during his trip to the United States despite the previously drawn schedule and may meet only with the low-ranking American officials. And this is why the Maronite patriarch of Lebanon has cancelled his trip to the US.
September 28th, 2011, 2:54 am
Syria no kandahar said:
Aboud Alwahabi
You keep calling every one who is against your terrorist gangs:Menhbak.You really have to look at this world with an open brain.let me give you an example :does every one who does not like Obama likes Binladen.your terrorist friends have hijacked this movement,you are mentally a hijacker because you have rarely spoken about subjects,all you talk about is using your language skills in immoral,low and impolite ways.you have been for thousands of times talking about (Besho)
,his sister and so forth…you and your Islamist terrorist friends are worst than Baathists,all you want is to be another Maliki or Chalabi or Tantawi..You claim to want good for Syria,yet any one who has any mental capacity can see that the path you are pointing to will have more Skulls than the ones we already have.Many Syrians(at least I hope)are smart enough to not let Syria go into that jumpy ride.
Next time you are of your computer sit outside and have a cup of tea and look at the world:is it all black or white…do you see green or orange or yellow…open your mind..the world in smart people mind is not :Menhbak or mabenhbak..it is like that in closed an stupid minds alone..I hope you stay away from those words because I hate to see you labeled like that.
September 28th, 2011, 3:01 am
Syrian Nationalist Party said:
“………….and he criticized moves by the United States and the European Union to impose sanctions, saying they would hurt the daily needs of ordinary Syrians…inst …”
It will just raise prices, create inflation and destitute the lower income class further. It will not bring them to the street against Assad, on the contrary, it will solidify the population behind him because Syrians are aware of what is really going on and are not fool like the virtual reality idiots and their backers. Don’t expect Syrians to contemplate trading living standard with Islamic horror or worse American one like that of Iraq. It aint going to happen.
There is a disconnect between the people of Syria and the outside, someone on the outside is misrepresenting the Syrian people aspiration and demand and using this to further own agenda by lying.
Russia will make a fatal mistake if it let up one iota on U.N. thugs and permit even passing of sanction threat resolution against Syria. If floored VETO is a Russian strategic must. An Islamic terrorist regime of sort in Syria is a serious strategic threat for Russia volatile Caucasus region. In less than 3 years Russia will be forced to intervene militarily to stop it and remove the Islamic Terrorists triggering a bigger International Conflict for Russia than this insignificant issue.
At any rate the plotter defeated fatally. There hardly exist any sign of opposition rising up in Syria and most activities are by Islamic Terrorist Gang of 4-6 cells only that are financed by foreigners wishing ill for Syria. This is now strictly a virtual revolution online with no ground support left. Assad wiped it out very effectively and efficiently, with a lot of tack and more butchery exposed by the terrorists anyway.
The vile language alone they used against Christians and Others is by itself a crime. Rather than continue in a failed miserably seditious conspiracy against the Syrian Nation, the dim witted losers needs to have some compassion (even if fake one) try to please President Assad and pay him and Syrians some reparation, say 20 billion or so in exchange for the release of the 16000 guppy Syrians that landed in his prisons based on the conspirators false promises and inapt plan.
The release of those prisoners should be priority one, not more sanctions. Whatever negotiation can be conducted with President Assad to release them in exchange for cash compensation and serious promises of non interference in Syrian affairs should be undertaken. That is what the handful so called Syrian oppositions should be pushing for now, they should have a bit of conscious for the trouble, sorrow and sadness, mothers grieve they caused by their greed and lust for power and money.
MANASEB that is all they are after. What a shame, awful people of exceptionally low moral quality. How could they even sleep, We at SNP are losing sleep over the suffering of these 16000 prisoners, knowing what condition and trauma they are facing daily. Doesn’t the United Nation wish to pass some resolution regarding them, make a deal. They are just forgotten, no one mentioning them at all.
September 28th, 2011, 3:09 am
Ya Mara Ghalba said:
Various relevant points about the Syrian economy that Ehsani didn’t mention can be taken from the data at the Syrian Central Bank at:
http://www.banquecentrale.gov.sy/reports/statistics.htm
http://www.banquecentrale.gov.sy/reports/financial-monetary-data-eg.htm
http://www.banquecentrale.gov.sy/reports/publications.htm
http://www.banquecentrale.gov.sy/reports/graphs/bop%20balances.jpg
Ehsani claims that Syria is under “pressure stemming from an imbalance in its foreign trade position”, but he doesn’t quote data to support it. The Syrian Central Bank data says he’s wrong:
(1) Throughout the decade 2000 – 2009 Syria had a positive balance of payments in foreign trade.
(2) Throughout the decade 2000 – 2009 both imports and exports grew at a fast growth rate, but imports grew at a faster rate. (Syria’s imports and exports per capita are still low in comparative international terms today).
(3) Syria had a negative balace of payments in year 2010 but the amount of the negativity was about the same as one year’s growth in either imports or exports. That is, it’s not a big amount.
Addendum: The surplus in balance of payments that Syria enjoyed longterm — for more than a decade — enabled the country’s Central Bank to accumulate foreign reserves.
In any economy, a large adverse shock event in one sector of the economy can cause the whole broad economy to go into a recession. When that happens, and the risks of inflation are low, the country’s Central Bank can print money and get the money injected into the whole economy through government spending. This money-created-by-fiat is financing actual economic activity, which directly and indirectly flows through to the whole private-sector economy, and offsets the contractionary effect of the adverse shock. In Syria’s case the collapse of the foreign tourist sector has stopped money from flowing to the people who work in and around the tourist sector, which stops their money in turn from flowing across the whole economy, which thereby has the power to induce contraction in nearly all sectors of the economy. It removes money from the whole economy. Ehsani reports that just yesterday the Syrian government announced that its expenditures in its 2012 budget are planned to be 59% greater than in 2011. Ehsani asks “How would the revenues be matched?” The better question is: Can the current condition of the Syrian economy absorb quantitive easing and “government borrowing” without getting inflationary? The lesson we’ve seen in the US and the UK in recent years is that, yes, in a recessionary climate the Central Bank really can print money without inducing inflation. And therefore should print money, since the society as a whole’ll be the richer for it. (If inflation raises its head then a real hard recession is called for and is meritorious to cure the currency of inflation.)
Ehsani says:
The first of those three sentences is dead wrong: The regime won’t be so foolish as to seek to take away substantial money from the private sector and move that money into the government sector, because the government sector can “borrow” (i.e. print) money without inducing inflation in the current environment. I read the last two of the sentences as vague and muddled. I read them as aiming primarily to slur the regime and slur the Syrian Establishment, without aiming to genuinely explain anything.
Ehsani says, and he’s said this at least once before at SyriaComment,
I trust the integrity of the Syrian Establishment. Ehsani apparently doesn’t. I trust that the head of the Central Bank and the other professionals who work for the Central Bank believe in The Theory of Reality. That is, I trust that they do not think that image & perception is more important than reality. They are not like the Syrian Dissidents. They do not make stuff up, I trust. I haven’t delved into the details of the official government accounts. I’m inclined to suppose that Ehsani is probably right that the accounts could benefit from being more detailed and more verifiable — transparency is a virtue. But Ehsani is almost surely mistaken and bigoted when he insinuates that the US$18 billion number could be untrue. Honest and intelligent and trained individuals in the regime are involved in monitoring that number down deep.
September 28th, 2011, 3:32 am
ann said:
Miqati Says Lebanese Banks Respect International Will
28 September 2011, 10:06
http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/16015-miqati-says-lebanese-banks-respect-international-will
Prime Minister Najib Miqati stressed on Tuesday that the cabinet is keen on protecting the Lebanese banking sector from any harm.
He said at a press conference in New York that “we’re following all the required measures… The Lebanese banks can’t carry out any action that might provoke the international community.”
The PM revealed that he will call for a meeting with Central Bank governor (Riyad Salameh) and the Association of Lebanese Banks to confirm this issue.
Miqati stressed that “Central Bank governor and Secretary of State (Hillary) Clinton said that there are no objections to (the operations of) any Lebanese bank.”
Asked about the reasons behind tackling this issue, he said “there are Lebanese banks that are active in Syria, and some fear that they might be used to transfer money and carry out transactions that might affect the decisions made on Syria.”
Miqati noted that there is no dispute over “deposits made by Syrian individuals in Lebanese banks… No one discussed this issue with us.”
September 28th, 2011, 3:48 am
Aboud said:
“Whatever negotiation can be conducted with President Assad to release them in exchange for cash compensation and serious promises of non interference in Syrian affairs should be undertaken. ”
Sorry, maybe holding people for ransom worked well for your Lebanese Hizboll-shaytan, but we don’t negotiate with terrorists like that. If your X-Box president is so strapped for cash, let Athma sell some of her cloths.
Besho is going to the Hague. Nothing you can do can stop that. He doesn’t dare step a foot outside of Syria, and no matter how long he hides, he will be bought to justice for the thousands of lives he has taken. And you will be called as a witness, as you’ve admitted he illegally jailed 16,000 people. Good move that, thanks menhebak.
September 28th, 2011, 3:57 am
Ya Mara Ghalba said:
Thanks to LOUAI #322 concerning the bad situation currently in Homs city. Also GHUFRAN #218 is saying the same thing about Homs.
On the bright side, the security forces have had a good record in restoring order in all other cities that descended into anarchy. On the dark side, the security forces have gone into Homs several times now, and exited after apparently restoring order, and then disorder and anarchy returned again.
September 28th, 2011, 4:02 am
Aboud said:
We’ve always maintained that the shabiha and security forces arrest people at random, to demand ransom from their families. One of the benefits of having the SNPer here is that he outright admitted it.
The people arrested by the security scum are not criminals. They have done nothing wrong. But despicable menhebaks see them as a way to make money. Don’t have oil, get into the ransom and kidnapping business.
September 28th, 2011, 4:04 am
Samara said:
http://youtu.be/z4OI0GUCI_A
http://www.stopwar.org.uk/index.php/media/anti-war-songs/790-lowkey-obama-nation-part-2
September 28th, 2011, 5:33 am
Mohamed Kanj said:
ABOUDIJAN – u need to relax and chill out. im afraid you are about to strap urself with some falafel rolls and baba ghanouj and blow urself up. I recommend u watch some syrian revolution comedy to make u smile 🙂
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apuVPg-AvWw
And after watching the last video u can watch these videos to make u calm down and finally figure out ur revolution is going nowhere but downhill 🙂
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hL9wuQ7y7bs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbUDV3ULirc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8gJOjy7LJs
Did i just see u in the last video cheering for your president Dr Bashar Al Assad. Ah aboudijan that means ur a MENEHABAK now.
After your done calming down you can finally relax by watching these videos of how your Alkhanzera puppet was lost for questions when being given everything thrown out him by one of the most patriotic SYRIAN. Any by the way he is SUNNI like myself. Ummm maybe thats why the majority of sunnis in syria havent followed the violent murderous path of ur ancestors and relatives aboudijan
http://www.youtube.com/user/syriaoursoul3#p/u/2/U0VEVy7IKTo
http://www.youtube.com/user/syriaoursoul3#p/u/4/xFjoxU3HrFs
September 28th, 2011, 5:41 am
Mohamed Kanj said:
ABOUD – did you forgot to tell your mother that she isnt permitted to drive in Saudi Arabia. Maybe if she was driving in Syria under Dr Bashar Al Assad she would have been able to drive. Dont worry we will give her a permit to ride her camel in Homs
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/09/201192717284798867.html
September 28th, 2011, 6:04 am
Areal said:
256. sheila said:
I am not a fool.
The MB s are part of the Syrian society and they should be present at the table, however, Syria has many other participants that will weigh in too.
Every year I go to Syria and see the decline in everything.
Finally, I have no agendas or goals other than hoping for the best for my country.
“””””
REALITY
This a copy/paste of the tusual MB propaganda , denying the facts :
the 70’s and 80’s terrorist actions of the MB killing 1000s of innocent people like in Homs today ,
nobody ( except fools and MB ) in Syria wants the return of the MB to Syrian politics
September 28th, 2011, 6:33 am
Tara said:
It is so sad that people are not comfortable in their own skin. Kanj is not Sunni and John Khouri is not Christians. This is very obvious that one tends to skip their posts because it lacks credibility. Guys, nothing wrong of being Alawis. You can still defend the regime being Alawis. Claiming otherwise when it is so clear hurt your cause. I hope you realize that.
September 28th, 2011, 6:59 am
areal said:
374. Ya Mara Ghalba said:
“””
Ehsani says, and he’s said this at least once before at SyriaComment,
“the Central Bank sits on a comfortable foreign exchange reserve position of nearly US$ 18 billion. In reality, this number is impossible to verify. The official government data and accounting is simply not transparent enough to confirm such claims.”
I trust the integrity of the Syrian Establishment. Ehsani apparently doesn’t. I trust that the head of the Central Bank and the other professionals who work for the Central Bank believe in The Theory of Reality. That is, I trust that they do not think that image & perception is more important than reality. They are not like the Syrian Dissidents. They do not make stuff up, I trust. I haven’t delved into the details of the official government accounts. I’m inclined to suppose that Ehsani is probably right that the accounts could benefit from being more detailed and more verifiable — transparency is a virtue. But Ehsani is almost surely mistaken and bigoted when he insinuates that the US$18 billion number could be untrue. Honest and intelligent and trained individuals in the regime are involved in monitoring that number down deep.
REALITY
Don’t be too harsh on poor Ehsani.
As an American banker , he is aware of cooking numbers by American accountants and auditors in an all American transparency :
ENRON , MADOFF , LEHMAN Bros , WORLDCOM , GRECE , etc
September 28th, 2011, 7:23 am
syau said:
And you Tara are not female. So stop claiming you are, when it is so clear you are not, it will only hurt your cause. I hope you realize that.
What’s the weather like in Tel Aviv today?
September 28th, 2011, 7:25 am
OFF THE WALL said:
I have tried to stay clear of attacking “PERSIANs” or “Iranian”. The reason being is that Like TARA and a few others who are also Citizens of the United States, we have come to know many Iranians rather well and form lasting friendships that allowed us to know more about their culture.
A while ago SS posted a note about Iranian women, and I do agree with much of it. The mullas, Baseij and other reactionaries are nothing but a mirror image (albeit much more civilized) than Syrian Shabeeha and thugs. But the People of Iran are as ambivalent about Shia and Sunni divisions and about the dead people from 1400 years ago as Me and I would probably be safe in saying Sheila, Ehsani, Jad, and a few others.
Today a group of Iranian Doctors confirmed my good faith in our neighbors and friends. Here is the story
????? ??????? ?? ????? ?????? ????? ???????? ??? ?????? ?????!!!
?????? ADMIN – 2011/09/28
??? ??: ????? ?????
???? 200 ???? ?????? ??????? ??????? ???? ?????? ?????? ?????? ?? ??????????? ???????? ?????? ?? ??? ????.
????? ????? “?????” ????????? ????????? ???? ????? ??????? ???? ?????? ?????? ?????? ???? ????? ???? ???? ???? ???? ??? ????? ???? ????? ??? ???? ?? ???? ??? ??? ??????? ?? ???? ??? ????.
????? ???????”:”??? ????? ????? ????? ??????? ???? ??????? ???? ????? ??? ????? ?????? ?????? ? ???? ??? ????????? ?? ??????? ??????? ? ???? ??????? ???? ????? ?? ????? ???? ?? ?????”? ???? ??? ??????? ???? ??? ???? ?? ????? ???? ????.
????? ??? ?? ??????:
??? ???? ?????? ??????
????? ??????? ???? ?????
???? ??????? ????? ???????
??????? ??????? ?? ????? ??? ??? ???? ??????? ?????? ??? ????? ?????? ???????? ????? ?????? ? ??? ???? ?? ??????? ???????? ? ????? ??????? ??????? ?? ????? ?????? ? ?? ??????? ?? ???????? ???????? ?? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??????? ??????? ?????? ??? ???????? ? ???????.
? ??? ???? ????? ?????? ??? ?????? ?????? ? ?? ?? ????? ???? ????? ???? ??? ???????? ?????? ?? ???? ? ???? ???? ?? ????? ?????? ?? ???? ????? ????? ????? ???? ?? ????? ???? ???????? ?????? ?? ???? ??????? ???????.
??? ????? ??????? ????? ???????? ????? ???? ??? ???????? ?? ????? ?????? ???????? ???? ???? ???????? ???? ???????? ?? ??? ??????? ?????? ???? ???? ?? ????? ??????.
The names of the 200 doctors are available on All4syria website.
September 28th, 2011, 7:27 am
Tara said:
Syau
Hi. Ok. If you say so.
September 28th, 2011, 7:28 am
Mohamed Kanj said:
TARA – does it really hurt ur vicious mind so much that i am a sunni. And being sunni doesnt come on my skin as u said. I am born with it and proud of it. It really must burn you with a passion that we, the majority of sunni’s in syria have not supported your extremist idealogy, that you turn to deciding who is sunni,allawite or christian on this blog. So therefore due you conclude that the mufti of syria is not sunni also? Do you conclude that 70% of the syrian parliament is not sunni also, due to the fact that they dont support your extremist agenda? Do you say that the majority of sunnis in the millions upon millions who went out in support of the reforms and in support of the government 2 months ago in every city of syria, are not sunni also??? Why is it that you have been brainwashed. I bet that you went to a madrissi in pakistan or saudi arabia. Why does it hurt you that sunni’s like myself will not kneel to the west and the puppets of the arab countries who support israel and everything it stands for? Why does it hurt you so much that sunni’s like myself stand beside the only ARAB leader who has ever stood by the resistance( Hizbollah ), who the west and its puppets in the middle east have tried to wipe it out. Is the mufti of the sunni’s in lebanon not a sunni also, just because he went and met shiite leaders in the south? Such hatred and evil in you. Women like urself should live in saudi arabia,pakistan and afghanistan and than you will appreciate what freedom you have in syria.
Watch and learn from the MUFTI OF SYRIA and than you will come to understand why the majority of SUNNI’S in syria are too smart for the foreign media and the west.
September 28th, 2011, 7:34 am
Akbar Palace said:
As I said before, these youngsters will tip the balance away from the blind US support for the rogue state they are connected with or live in.
Annie,
That’s what they said about “Peace Now” 30 years ago. Israel has so many “pro-peace”, liberal organizations, I can’t count them on the two hands I have. Israelis got burned by Arafat and Oslo alomst 20 years ago, so I doubt these organizations will ever be able to recover. Moreover, they are still Zionist organizations that promote the State of Israel, so in that sense, they will always be illegitimate to those that are intolerant.
Syrians are much more tolerant of your posts however irritating they can sometimes be. Try and have a dissenting voice heard at some zionist sites.
Annie,
I TRY not to start discussions about Israel. I find that discussion of Israel creeps in despite my best effort to shut up. However, some people see a Jew behind everything that happens in the world. And the sad thing is there’s medication for this type of ailment;)
Like I’ve said many times before, I’m here to promote Syrian democracy. End of story. A free ME is a WIN/WIN for everyone.
September 28th, 2011, 7:44 am
zoo said:
Analysis: Iraqi Shi’ites fear fallout of Syria turbulence
Reuters By Rania El Gamal | Reuters –
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraqi Shi’ites, like their allies in Iran, fret that unrest in Syria could oust President Bashar al-Assad and bring to power hardline Sunnis eager to put their weight behind fellow-Sunnis in Iraq who have lost out since Saddam Hussein’s fall.
They fear the turmoil next door could spill into Iraq, reignite sectarian violence and intensify a proxy battle between Iran and Saudi Arabia, which sees itself as the bastion of Sunni Islam and has never come to terms with Shi’ite rule in Baghdad.
“If Syria falls, Iraq will work with Iran to influence events in Syria,” said a senior Iraqi Shi’ite politician, who asked not to be named.
“Change in Syria will cause major problems for Iraq. They (Sunnis) will incite the western (Sunni) part of Iraq.” {..}
http://news.yahoo.com/analysis-iraqi-shiites-fear-fallout-syria-turbulence-085508798.html
September 28th, 2011, 7:59 am
Areal said:
376. Aboud said:
“”””
Besho …. , he will be bought to justice
“”””
REALITY
bought :
Please stop buying people like the HOMSI garbage man for 4000 SP ; at least until you bring home your Ph.D in Indian English literature from a 3rd rate university.
Sorry , I can’t resist , it is too easy to be mean sometimes.
September 28th, 2011, 8:03 am
annie said:
.389 AKBAR
happy to hear you say I’m here to promote Syrian democracy. End of story.
How is a zionist American going to do anything about that ?
I choked on reading Habby Newyear; utter disrespect for the beautiful language. The tongue of the ? . May be they don’t pronounce “p” but neither can you say ??d.
Agree with you about “they are still Zionist organizations”
and as such I am intolerant of them. Only solution is One country for all with equal rights for all and end of zionism.
And please, don’t equate Zionist with Jew
September 28th, 2011, 8:17 am
Ali said:
“Tara” said
“You can still defend the regime being Alawis”
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! That’s what we need! permission from a fake Syrian to support the government…because we were too scared to do that before. “Tara” you should seriously consider dying your hair black. It MIGHT do you some good.
September 28th, 2011, 8:20 am
norman said:
AL Arabia reported the killing of a nuclear scientist in Homs this morning,
I wonder if this the start of killing the educated people in Syria as it was the case in Iraq.
September 28th, 2011, 8:21 am
zoo said:
Obama reaching out to Muslim Brotherhood
in Syria; Pro-West opposition protests
September 26, 2011
WASHINGTON — The administration of President Barack Obama has been quietly consulting with the Islamic opposition in Syria.
Senior U.S. officials have been meeting with the Muslim Brotherhood as well as its lobbyists in the United States. They said the two sides have convened several times over the last three months to discuss the Brotherhood’s role after the ouster of President Bashar Assad.
“We ask the U.S. and international community to put an end to bloodshed and send Bashar Assad to the International Criminal Court,” Susan Misto, a board member of the Syrian American Council, said.
The Reform Party in Syria has protested the administration’s meetings with the Brotherhood. RPS, regarded as one of the most pro-Western elements in the Syrian opposition, said Washington was signaling its endorsement of the Brotherhood’s goal to make Syria into an Islamic state rather than a democracy that would foster its large minority community of Alawites, Christians and Kurds.
“This ill-advised policy of the U.S. State Department will have dire consequences, not only for the future of Syria, but also through an immediate increase in violence and the strengthening of the Assad base,” RPS said on Sept. 23.
On Sept. 24, the council, regarded as a lobbyist for the Brotherhood, held a meeting in Anaheim, Calif. to discuss a post-Assad Syria. The session was addressed by U.S. special envoy Frederic Hof, responsible for U.S. policy on Damascus.
“As Syrian-Americans we stand in solidarity with the peaceful protestors in Syria who are giving their lives daily in the pursuit of freedom and liberty,” Ms. Misto said.
This marked at least the second session between the State Department and the Brotherhood in as many months. The first meeting was headed by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and excluded members of the secular Syrian opposition.
Hof was said to have met Najib Ghadban, a member of the Syrian National Council and a political science professor at the University of Arkansas. The meeting was endorsed by the Brotherhood-aligned Council on American-Islamic Relations.
http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/WTARC/2011/me_syria1203_09_26.asp
September 28th, 2011, 8:34 am
DIGGING FOR GOLD IN BOSRA said:
@ areal said: and 374. Ya Mara Ghalba
Guys, you sound so ridiculous and gullible that I don’t even know where to begin.
“I trust the integrity of the Syrian establishment”. Why? They have only just recently admitted that figures for GDP growth have been made up (although no one believed them in the first place). Why would you continue to trust them?
“. I trust that the head of the Central Bank and the other professionals who work for the Central Bank believe in The Theory of Reality”
“The Theory of Reality”. I don’t think you realise how stupid you sound when you capitalise those words. You’re not alone though; there are plenty of other idiots on this forum who do similarly inane things.
“They are not like the Syrian Dissidents. They do not make stuff up” – see the first comment that I made.
“. But Ehsani is almost surely mistaken and bigoted when he insinuates that the US$18 billion number could be untrue.” Mistaken maybe, but bigoted?
It’s true, there have been many tales of greed and corruption in recent American history. However, the difference is that in the States you hear about these scandals and the perpetrators are punished. If the scandal involves a politician they will inevitably be voted out of power if they aren’t put in prison first, and that by the way extends to the President.
I’m going to make this really simple. Right now we are unable to vote for the President of Syria.
Were there free and fair elections there would undoubtedly be people such as yourself who would vote for Assad – I don’t deny that. You believe that he is a reformer and you think Syria is a better country for having him as President. Fine. However, there are a whole body of people who think the opposite. We think that he has not only failed to reform the economy, but that he has also been complicit in the spread of corruption. There’s more but I’ll spare you.
In the same way that you hold your view with conviction, we also hold ours. You believe that you are right, but so do we. The problem is that in Syria there is no political process through which to reconcile these competing visions. You guys have your man in power and you will do whatever it takes to keep him there. You are forcing your will upon us. This has been tolerated for a long time, but patience ran out 6 months ago. Given that there is no credible political process in which to make known our views the result will be civil war. In the same way that his militia target protestors, Assad himself has now become a legitimate target.
People have been arming themselves for a long time. Both sides know what is coming. We are heading for all out war in which everybody becomes a combatant. Get your tin hats on now guys. Man the best man win.
September 28th, 2011, 8:34 am
Aboud said:
Hey menhebaks, weren’t any of you invited to the Athadian wedding in Spain? I hear two Athad cousins are getting married. Yuuuuuuch, my God, Qurdaha is the red neck town of the Middle East. How long will it take you people to get into the 21st century.
All I can say, good thing Besho doesn’t have a daughter, he’d be marrying her off to one of his sons. Disgusting.
“Please stop buying people like the HOMSI garbage man for 4000 SP ”
No way dude, we don’t have enough money left over to buy Homsi garbage men for 4000 liras, not after we finished building mock cities in Qatar and importing crazy pills LOL!
And from the look of things, you people don’t have enough money left to pay your garbage men in Qurdaha. Why not kidnap a few people and hold them for ransom? No worries, maybe we will help you with the payroll after we shove a bus load of shabihas off the roads in Marmarita 🙂
September 28th, 2011, 8:48 am
Akbar Palace said:
Only solution is One country for all with equal rights for all and end of zionism.
Annie,
Your “only solution” is just your inability to think beyond your anti-zionism. A two-state solution is what the PA, the State of Israel, and the international community are seeking. You may not want a two state solution, but you’re just one lone observer.
Obviously me being an American Jew can’t help Syria very much, and equally, you don’t seem capable of helping the Arab-Israeli conflict.
And please, don’t equate Zionist with Jew
Why not? It’s done here all the time, and the vast majority of Jews are pro-Israel.
Annie,
You have the right to hate Israel. And by doing so, you (IMHO) hate Jews. I would say the same to a Jewish anti-Zionist.
September 28th, 2011, 8:52 am
Aboud said:
“I bet that you went to a madrissi in pakistan or saudi arabia”
Said the Persian who so wants to be a Sunni so badly he fantasies about it online. And it’s madrassa. Once more the Persians show their own ignorance of both Arabic and English.
So, for our next conspiracy, we will kidnap the Iranian president and inflict a horrible punishment on him…we will forcibly shave him. Muwahaahhahahah! What a scruffy little midget.
(heheheh, menhebaks will remember me and my insults looooong after this website is gone)
September 28th, 2011, 9:02 am
Aboud said:
“I wonder if this the start of killing the educated people in Syria as it was the case in Iraq.”
*facepalm* Not the infamous “Bandar Plan Conspiracy” again. Dude, for someone who claims to be a doctor, your analytical and critical thinking capabilities stink. Maybe you didn’t go to the right “madrissi”? Hehehehe
September 28th, 2011, 9:05 am
Areal said:
REALITY
Colonel, Charge d’Affaires at al-Baath University and 2 Citizens Killed by Armed Groups in Homs and Hama
Sep 28, 2011
HOMS/HAMA/DAMASCUS COUNTRYSIDE, (SANA) – Engineer Aws Abdel Karim Khalil, a nuclear engineering specialist and charge d’affaires at al-Baath University was martyred on Wednesday by the fire of an armed terrorist group in Homs governorate.
A source in the governorate told SANA correspondent that the martyr was targeted near Jisr Bab Amr and shot in the head, which caused his immediate death.
The authorities found the body of Citizen Abdel Rahman al-Maghrebi with a gunshot wound in the head thrown near al-Patraa Pharmacy in al-Baiyadeh neighborhood in Homs.
Citizen Abdel Rahman al-Mbaiyed from Bab Hood was transported to the hospital after he was shot dead in al-Adawiyeh neighborhood.
Law Enforcement Colonel Martyred in Hama
Law enforcement Colonel, Tayssir al-Oqla, was martyred on Tuesday after being shot by an armed terrorist group at al- Ta’awuniya Neighborhood in Hama.
An official source in Hama told SANA Correspondent that al-Oqla was performing his duty in preserving the security of the aforementioned neighborhood with a group of his colleagues when an armed terrorist group opened fire on them using machine guns.
Col. al-Oqla was shot in his head, and he was transferred to al-Hourani Hospital in Hama where he died affected by his injuries.
Forensic Doctor at Hama National Hospital, Mohsen al-Zubaidi, said “The body of martyr al-Oqla was transferred to the Hospital where the examination of the body showed that the death resulted from a brain hemorrhage and skull fracture resulted from a gunshot.
Large Amounts of Weapons and Explosive Devices Seized in Damascus Countryside
The authorities in Damascus Countryside seized amounts of weapons and explosive devices in Kanaker village.
The seized weapons included improvised high explosive devices, ammunition, chemical raw materials for making explosives, in addition to a large number of Molotov cocktails, catapults, computers and loudspeakers.
http://www.sana.sy/eng/337/2011/09/28/372103.htm
MY LITTLE NOTE
Sometimes , I doubt that the SANA Arabic to English translation is dead correct.
REWARD
1000 SP for the first one who understands my little note.
September 28th, 2011, 9:09 am
Aboud said:
“Col. al-Oqla was shot in his head”
Good, maybe that will ease the pressure on your payrolls, and you can import a car or two.
September 28th, 2011, 9:13 am
areal said:
393. norman said:
AL Arabia reported the killing of a nuclear scientist in Homs this morning,
I wonder if this the start of killing the educated people in Syria as it was the case in Iraq.
REALITY
It was the case in the 70’s and 80’s when the terrorist MB murdered educated people in Syria.
September 28th, 2011, 9:13 am
annie said:
397. AKBAR
ending this discussion
“You have the right to hate Israel. And by doing so, you (IMHO) hate Jews. I would say the same to a Jewish anti-Zionist“.
See ? Poor Jews, they HAVE to be pro-Israeli; no freedom of choice here.
I deeply dislike Israel and I wish it had never existed but I have no hate.
September 28th, 2011, 9:16 am
Halabi said:
I love how Assad supporters waste time trying to prove that the government’s financial and economic data is reliable, when even the vice president says it’s manipulated. But then again, it’s only a matter of time until Sharaa meets the fate of Khaddam and is lumped in the conspiracy, despite decades of service to the criminal gang…
?????? ????? ????? ??? ??? ??????? ???? ?????? ?? ?? ??? ??????? ???????? ??? ???? ????? ??? ???? 6-7%? ????? ????? ??????? ???? ?? ??? ?????? %3.5
http://syria-news.com/readnews.php?sy_seq=134892
As for Enron, Madoff, etc., there is no doubt that there are bad actors in every country. The difference is that sometimes powerful people in the West face justice, while criminals like Khaddam and Rifaat Al Assad are allowed to get away with their billions and live a life of luxury in exile. Bashar had a decade to issue an Interpol arrest warrant to bring his uncle and former VP to justice rather than let them organize the armed, extremist, fake democratic movement against the utopian Assad regime.
I hope the next Syrian government will not make that mistake, and will hunt down Bashar, Maher, Rami and their fellow mobsters.
September 28th, 2011, 9:21 am
Akbar Palace said:
Deeply Disliking Annie
See ? Poor Jews, they HAVE to be pro-Israeli; no freedom of choice here.
Annie,
Wrong again. Jews don’t HAVE to be pro-Israeli; most Jews don’t have any strong opinion one way or the other. But most are tolerant of Israel and don’t get stomach aches when discussing Israel like anti-Zionists do. So yes, IMHO, a Jew that is anti-Zionist is anti-semitic. Not recognizing the right of Jews to govern themselves is anti-semitic. Anyway, in this case, it is a small number of people/Jews.
I deeply dislike Israel and I wish it had never existed but I have no hate.
Annie,
“Deeply disliking” something and wishing it “never existed” seems like splitting hairs to me when comparing to “hate”.
Hating anything takes time and energy, and it seems to me that too much effort is expended in the ME hating Israel rather than fixing problems at home.
Just for comparison, the vast majority of Israelis do not hate Palestinians and recognize their need to self-determination and eventually statehood. In this sense, Israelis are smart, because it takes too much energy to hate anyone. People have lives and businesses to attend to and hate can get in the way.
Everyone has “freedom of choice” except those in the ME living under Arab despots.
I deeply dislike Israel and I wish it had never existed but I have no hate.
September 28th, 2011, 9:31 am
sheila said:
To dear #307. Darryl,
You are right and on the money. I appreciate that you are looking at this issue as objectively as you can. It has become a custom to attack Islam for the sins of Muslims. Only people with intellectual depth can see very clearly the separation between the two. Religion is a reflection of the people who adhere to it at any specific point in time. People look back at the time of jizya and complain that it was unfair. They forget that this was the 7th century. The Islamic model was the best in the context of the era. Historically speaking, Islam had to be the best model. It took advantage of Judaism and Christianity and created a better model. The benefit of being the newest and latest. However, today we are in a different era. Things have changed (hopefully for the better). We can not take a model that worked in the 7th century very well, and use it verbatim today.
Looking at the Arab countries’ current situation, we get really angry at our state of affairs, but we tend to forget that we only became countries few decades ago. Some Arab countries gained their independence as late as the seventies. This is really nothing in the grand scheme of things.
You said: “, the majority of Muslims have never read the Qur’an and rely on the Sheikhs“. I would like to add that a few Sheikhs have never read all the Quran and a few could not understand it even if they did. Remember that it was only through a presidential decree by Alshishakli that it became a requirement to be appointed as a Sheikh, to have graduated from elementary school. Many Sheikhs in Syria before this decree were illiterate. My question is: what do you expect from these people?. Their goal is to keep their subjects even more ignorant so that they can control them.
Most Muslims today are uneducated, uncultured and uncivilized. Unfortunately, this holds true to all other religious groups living in those countries. I find Christian Syrians to be suffering from the same ailments. After all, it is not the religion that is at fault, it is those who interpret the religion with very limited tools of thought. (I am talking here about the masses. Of course both Muslim and Christian Syrians have intellectual elite).
September 28th, 2011, 9:35 am
areal said:
395. DIGGING FOR GOLD IN BOSRA said:
@ areal said: and 374. Ya Mara Ghalba
Guys, you sound so ridiculous and gullible that I don’t even know where to begin.
“I trust the integrity of the Syrian establishment”. Why? They have only just recently admitted that figures for GDP growth have been made up (although no one believed them in the first place). Why would you continue to trust them?
REALITY
The Syrian central bank is an establishment with accountants with the normally simple task to count US dollars banknotes and weight gold .
The Syrian government has to rely on the collection of ” reliable” economic data from the economic actors ( like production from the private companies ) by economists to compute a figure for the GDP:
a messy job prone to many errors even in the USA where economic monthly figures are usually corrected the next month.
May I hope you will be able to acknowledge the difference.
September 28th, 2011, 9:57 am
Amir in Tel Aviv said:
Annie,
I’m (Amir) a young Jew, and I get to decide what that means. I respect others to do the same, including the “Young Jewish and Proud”. I’m proud of them, because they wish for something better (in their eyes).
About what you said on Mizrahi Jews being nicer to Arabs. The opposite is true. The Israeli ‘Peace Now’ movement, is almost entirely white urban and Ashkenazi (European Jews). This is because Jews who came from Arabia, know what is Jewish life like, under Arab rule.
Did you know that during the times of the Ottomans, Jews had to wear pink colored cloths, to identify them? Read the Turkish Nobel prize laureate Orhan Pamuk’s ‘My Name is Red”. I’m reading it now.
.
September 28th, 2011, 10:05 am
Ghufran said:
is burning schools (Idleb) and assassinating doctors and teachers (Homs and Hama) part of the revolution to topple the regime?
I used to listen to skeptics who say that the Shabeehas are responsible for every criminal act since March but not anymore, it is easy now to see why Syria is in such a mess,too many idiots with guns,some are hired or supported by the government and some are not.Too many idiots who never finished high school but can still finish the life of a doctor or a scientist. When they can not hit a soldier or a security officer,they will hit civilians who are labeled as collaborators.
We as Syrians must answer a bigger question,not just what type of a regime we want,that question is: do we deserve to live as one nation in one country,or is it a war that will spare nobody and send the best of us outside the country or to the morgue?
September 28th, 2011, 10:05 am
Aboud said:
“The Syrian central bank is an establishment with accountants with the normally simple task to count US dollars banknotes and weight gold . ”
Yeah, and your VP admitted that economic statistics were faked. Try to *weigh* that and take it into consideration. There is a difference between a small margin of error and outright fraud. And do your Baathist peasants correct their statistics on a monthly basis? Hehe, more like once in a blue moon.
Athadstan, the only place in the world where the government admits it lied, and still the menhebaks plead and beg with us to believe them.
Funny thought occurred to me. The Persians here hate the Sunnis so much, and yet look how full of Iranians Qatar and the UAE are. Those countries provide a standard of living to the Iranians, and an investment climate, that they could not possibly dream of back in Iran. Iranian prostitutes also find an easier time of making a living in Dubai, catering to Gulf clients. The Ayatollahs really should loosen up, stop banning everything, and maybe some of the money would stay in Tehran and help with the high unemployment problem.
But at least some Persians have found gainful employment prostituting what feeble media skills they have in the service of Besho. Make sure he pays you by cash though, I hear his banks can’t honor any cheques 🙂
September 28th, 2011, 10:12 am
Mina said:
Aboud
“Athadstan, the only place in the world where the government admits it lied”
you probably missed the one where Berlusconi told the Italian police that a prostitute he used to have sex with and who was in custody was actually Mubarak granddaughter and that they should release her to avoid a diplomatic crisis.
Sorry you have never read the news before last March!! The ONLY governemnt that admits it lied…. ah ah ah! Best joke of the day.
September 28th, 2011, 10:20 am
Haytham Khoury said:
Phillip Salem is an oncologist. He works in Huston, TX.
?????? ?????????? ?? ????? – ???? ??????? ????? ????
– 2011/09/28??? ??: ?????? ????????
??????? ????? ???? – ????? ??????
????? ????? ????? ?????? ??? ??? ????? ????? ???
???? ???????? (?? ??????)
??? ????? ?? ?????. “???? ???? ???? ??? ???? ????? ???? ?????? ??????”? ????? ????? ???? ????? ?? ????? ??? ?? ???? ?? ????? ??? ????????? ?????. ??? ??????? ???? ?????? ????? ??? ???? ????? ?????? ????? ?????? ?? ????? ??? ??? ????? ?? ??? ??????? ?? ????? ??? ?????? ?? ?????. ????? ?? ???? ?? ?? ???????? ?? “???????” ??????? – ???????? ?? ????? ??????? ??????. ???? ?? ???? ??? ???????? ?????? ???? ???? ????? ?? ?????? ??? ???? ??????? ??????? ???? ?? ??? ??? ??? ?????????. ?? ??? ???? ????? ?? ????? ?????? ??????? ?? ????? ???? ????????? ?? ??? ???? ???? ????.
????? ?????? ??????? ?? ????? ???????? ?????? ?????? ?????. ???? ????? ????? ????? ??? ??????. ?? ????? ????? ?????? ?????? ???? ??????? ??? ???? ????? ???????. ????? ????? ????? ???? ??? ?????? ??????. ???? ???? ??? ??? ???? ????. ?? ?????? “????? ?????? ?????????” ???? ????? ??? ??? ?????????? ????? ??????? ?????? ?? ?????? ?? ?????? ????? ?? ???? ??????. ??? ????? ???????? ?????? ???? ????????? ??? ???? ???? ?? ???? ???????? ??? ??? ??????. ?? ???????? ???? ???? ??? ?? ?????? “????? ?????? ???????”. ??? ?? ???????? ???? ??? ?? ??????? ????? ?? ????? ??? ???? ?? ??????. ???? ???? ?????? ??????? ????? ???? ??? ????????
?????? ?????? ??????? ????? ??????. ??? ?????? ????? ????? ???? ???????? ?? ?????? ?? ?? ???? ?? ????? ??? ???? ??????? ????? ??? ???? ??? ????? ??? ????? ???? ????? ??? ??? ??? ???????? ?? ???? ??? ????? ??? ?? ??????. ??? ????? ??? ??????. ???? ???? ?? ?????? ?????? ?? ????? ?? ????? ?? ?????? ??? ????? ?????? ??????? ???????? ?? ?????? ??? ?? ?? ??? ??? ????? ??????? ?? ??? ?????. ??????? ?? ??????? ???? ????? ???? ????. ??? ?????? ?? ????????? ????????? ?? ????? ?? ????? ???????? ?? ??? ??? ??????? ??????? ?? ?? ??? ???? ???? ?? ?????. ????????? ????? ???????? ?? ???? ??? ??????. ?? ??? ????? ??? ??????? ??????? ???? ????? ???????. ???? ???? ??? ???? ?????? ?? ??? ????? ?? ??????? ?????? ???????. ???? ??? “????” ?????? ?????? ???????.
????? ????? ?????? ??????? ?? ????? ???????? ??????? ???? ??? ????????? ?????????. ??????? ?? ???? ?? ????? ????? ?? ????????? ?? ????? ??????? ???? ?????? ?? ???? ????? ?? ???? ???? ??? ???????? ???????? ??????. ????? ?? ???? ??? ??????? ?? ??? ????? ?????. ??? ????? ?????. ??? ???? ??? ????????? ?? ????? ?? ????? ???? ??????? ???? ????? ??????. ???? ???? ?????? ??? ??????? ??????? ?? ??? ?????. ???? ???? ???????? ????????. ?? ??????? ???? ??? ???????? ???????? ????? ??? ??? ????? ????? ?? ???? ?? ??????. ?? ??? ???? ??? ???????? ??????? ???????? ?? ??? ?????? ??? ???? ??? ?????? ???????? ??????? ??????? ????????. ?????? ????? ???????? ???????? ????? ??????? ?? ?? ????? ??? ?? ????? ???? ?? ?? ?????? ???. ??? ??? ?????? ????? ???? ?????? ??? ???? ????? ????? ??? ?? ????????? ?? ????? ?? ????? ??????? ???????? ??? ?????? ???? ????? ??? ??? ??? ??? ????? ????. ??? ??? ??????? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ????? ???? ?? ???? ?????.
?? ?????? ??????? ????? ?? ???? “??? ????? ????????? ?? ??????? ???????”. ??? ???? ?? ??????? ?? ??? ?????? ?? ????? ???? ???????? ??? ???????? ??????????? ????? ??? ?? ????: ????? ????? ????????? ??? ?????? ?? ?? ????? ?? ??? ?????? ?? ?? ?????? ??? ???? ?????? ???? ?? ?? ?? ????? ?? ????????? ????? ?? ??? ????? ??? ???? ???????? ????? ????? ???? ?????? ??????? ???????. ??? ????? ???? ?????? ?? ??????? ??????? ??????? ?????? ??????????. ??????? ?? ??????? ???? ?? ????? ?? ????????? ?? ?? ??? ??? ???? ??? ?????. ??? ???? ???????? ???????? ???????. ?? ??? ??? ??? ????? ??? ???? ?????? ??????? ???? ???? ??? ????? ??????? ????? ???? ?????? ??????? ????? ?????????. ??? ??? ?? ???? ???? ?????? ?????? ?? ???? ???? ???????. ??? ??? ?? ????? ??? ??? ????? ?? ??? ??????? ????? ???? ??????? ??????.
???? ?? ???? ?? ???? ?????? ????? ?????? ?????? ?? ???? ??? ???? ????? ????? ?????? ??? ??????? ??? ?????? ????? ?? ??????. ????? ?? ????? ?? ??? ?????? ???? ???? ??? ????? ???????? ??? ?????? ???????. ?? ????? ???????? ?? ??? ?? ????? ????? ??????. ?????? ?????? ????? ??????? ??? ?????? ?? ????? ?? ?????? ????? ????? ??????. ??? ????? ?? ???? ????? ??????? ?????? ??? ??? ?? ???? ?? ?? ?????? ??? ?????? ??????? ???? ???? ??? ?????? ?? ??????? ????????. ???? ????? ????? ?????? ????????? ???? ?? ??? ????????? ????? ?????? ?????? ??? ??????. ??????? ???????? ???? ??????? ????? ?????? ?????? ??? ?? ??? ??? ?????? ???? ?????? ???????. ?? ??? ?????? ??? ?????? ?????. ????? ???? ??? ???? ????? ????? ?? ?? ??? ???? ??????? ?? ?????? ??????? ?? ???? ?? ????? ??? ?? ????? ?????? ??????. ???? ?? ????? ?? ?????? ???? ?????? ????? ?? ???? ??? ??????? ??? ??????? ??? ???? ?????? ????? ?????? ????????? ??? ??????. ???? ???? ????? ????????. ????? ????? ?? ??????? ?? ????? ??? ?????? ?????? ?????? ???????. ???? ??????? ?? ??????? ????????? ????????. ???? ??????? ?? ???? ???????. ??? ???? ????? ?????? ?????? ???? ?? ????? ????? ?????? ??? ?????? ??? ???? ??? ????? ?? ?????? ????. ?? ?????? ??????? ?????? ???? ???? ???????????? ???? ??????? ?????? ??????? ?? ?????? ????????? ??????. ???? ??? ????? ?? ?????? ???? ????? ??? ???? ????? ?????? ?????????? ?????????. ?????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ???????. ??? ??? ????. ?? ?? ?????? ??? ??????? ???? ??????. ?? ????? ?????? ?? ??? ????? ??????. ??????? ?? ???? ???? ??? ??? ??????? ?? ??? ???????? ???? ?? ??? ??????.
?? ??? ??????? ??? ?????. ??? ??? ????? ??? ?????? ?? ????. ??? ??? ????? ?? ????? ????? ??????. ??? ????. ??? ???? ???? ?? ??? ???? ?????? ?? ????? ??????? ??? ???? ???? ???? ?????? ?? ??? ????? ?????? ??????? ?? ?? ??????? ??? ?????? ??????. ?? ????? ???? ????? ?? ???????? ???????? ??? ???? ?????? ??????. ????????? ?? ????? ?? ??? ?? ??????. ????? ?? ?????? ????? ?? ??????. ??? ?? ???????? ?? ????? ??????? ?? ??? ??????? ?? ?????? ???????? ?? ?????? ??????? ?? ?????. “?? ?????? ?? ???? ?????? ?? ?????”. ??? ?????? ??????? ???????? ????? ?????? ??? ???? ?????? ????????. ??? ?? ?????? ???? ??? ??????? ?????? ??? ????? ?????????? ???????. ?? ??? ??? ???? ???? ?? ???. ?? ?????? ?? ??????? “?? ???? ?????”. ?? ???????? ????????? ?? ?????. ????? ????? ????? ????? ?? ??? ????? ???. ????????? ??? ?????? ?? ???? ?????. ??? ???? ?????? ?? ??????. ??? ???? ?? ???? ???? ??? ??????
September 28th, 2011, 10:22 am
sheila said:
Dear #405. Akbar Palace,
You said: “Not recognizing the right of Jews to govern themselves is anti-semitic”. I would like to say that we Arabs have a problem with the term anti-Semitic, when we ourselves are Semites. The second problem that we have with your statement is that we Arabs recognize the right of Jews to govern themselves and have no problem with that, however, we do have a problem with the right of the Jews in somebody else’s land. I know that you can come up with a million excuses to why Palestine is rightfully yours: from God gave it to us to we bought it. The truth really is that Zionists, who strangely enough are secular, decided to create a country on top of other people, the Palestinians. There is no denying that the Palestinians were robed their land and this is where we have a problem.
I have to tell you that you are right. Israel is an advanced nation. The Jews have accomplished a lot that the Arabs have failed to even get close to. That even living under a “Jewish state” is much better for many Arabs than living under the dictatorships that the Arabs suffer from. That there were many atrocities committed by both sides. This still does not change the core of the problem.
Toady, we have Israelis that were born in Israel that did not really have a choice in what happened. They are in a position to have the moral courage to admit that nobody has a divine or not so divine right in anybody else’s land, apologize for the injustice that was perpetrated on the Palestinian people and live in peace with their neighbors. As long as Israelis contend that they had the right to Palestine, there will never be true reconciliation with the Palestinians and the Arabs.
I want to remind you that the Muslims, Christians and Jews lived in the Middle east in peace for many centuries before the creation of Israel. It could happen again. Israel can have a tremendous positive impact on the region if the Israelis can only bring themselves to admit and apologize for what they did. This does not remove Israel from the map, but rather gives it a moral standing
September 28th, 2011, 10:31 am
Ehsani said:
Ya Mara Ghalba (#374):
First, thank you for taking the time to read my note in detail. Writing such articles takes a long time and it’s great to see that people take their time to read them in the detail that you clearly have done.
You did not need to refer to me as “bigoted”. I personally prefer that we stick to the issues. Areal in #384 tries his best to jump on that same bandwagon by questioning the integrity of my profession. Again, I will refrain from entering into low quality personal attacks and exchanges. Instead, I will focus on the issues that you raised:
It is good that you admit that you “have not delved into the details of the official government accounts”. Perhaps you should.
Let us talk about the all-important issue of the reserves. I have tried my best to go through the Central Bank balance sheet to add the foreign exchange reserves. I was not able to come up with $ 18 billion. I was only able to add up much less. My suspicion is that the $18 billion are not all in foreign currencies or gold. The government may include in the reserves number SYP assets with the Commercial Bank of Syria. To me, foreign reserves are none SYP assets. If I am wrong, please write to the Central Bank and let me know how I can arrive at the $ 18 Billion.
You have linked data from the Central Bank. Why don’t you add up the imports or look at the main indicators on the website? Imports are supposedly $13 billion. However, just yesterday the head of the Central bank claimed that the new ban will cover 25% of all imports and will save the government $6 billion.
http://www.syria-news.com/readnews.php?sy_seq=137832
But, how can the 25% saving of $6 billion be part of total imports of $13 billion (website figure)? Does this imply that imports are actually $24 billion? Indeed, in the same article he also claims that car imports are valued at $4.5 billion. But, industry sources confirm to me that Syria imports a maximum of 80,000 cars a year. This means that the value of each imported car into Syria is $56,250. This is substantially higher than the figure of the industry sources who claim that the average is close to $15,000. Local bankers confirm that the car imports value is closer to $1.5 billion than the $4.5 billion cited by the Governor.
You suggest that the Central Bank should print money by doing quantitative easing. First, there is no government bond market in Syria that the Central Bank can buy. Quantitative easing works after the Central Bank cuts its main policy rate to near zero first. When that does not generate enough borrowing and investments by the private sector, it can resort to the so-called quantitative easing which effectively expands bank reserves in the system even after short term rates reach the zero-bound. Do you know where short term rates are in Syria? They are near 9% and were “raised” which is tightening of monetary conditions in order to support the SYP. What your entire critique missed is the interaction between interest rate policy and the foreign exchange peg. In order to hold the SYP at 47, the Central Bank is forced to pay 9% on SYP deposits to entire depositors to keep their money in SYP accounts at the local banks. What you totally miss also is the level of interest rates that the Syrian government will have to pay to borrowers to execute what you suggest. The only level that they wanted to pay the last time they tried was 1-2%. At that rate, no private bank participated in a single bond auction. That experiment of starting a local bond market has been shelved since. The level of interest rate that private lenders were willing to accept to lend to the Syrian government was way too high for the government to accept. If inflation as you say is not a problem, the SYP 47 peg should be gone as I suggest. This will enable the Central Bank to lower rates and entice private borrowing which took place only at double digit rates. I say “took” because no local bank is lending money right now.
September 28th, 2011, 10:38 am
Akbar Palace said:
Bank Mizrakhi vs Bank Hapoalim
The Israeli ‘Peace Now’ movement, is almost entirely white urban and Ashkenazi (European Jews).
Amir in Tel-Aviv,
When I lived in Israel, we used to call them “Tzfonim”. They were the only ones who read “Haaretz”.;)
September 28th, 2011, 10:39 am
irritated said:
Abboud
#401. Aboud said:
“Col. al-Oqla was shot in his head”
Good, maybe that will ease the pressure on your payrolls, and you can import a car or two.#
Are you sick in the head or mentally retarded? You should be ashamed of yourself to write such stupidity and please, your english is lousy, so stop teaching the SC commenters how to write.
Your usage of ‘oooo’ and ‘dude’ show that you at most 12 years old or your brain has been seriously damaged.
You are rendering a famous service to the regime by your childishness, the stupidity of your comments and your pretention.
Continue, it is very helpful to have guys like you in the opposition.
September 28th, 2011, 10:52 am
Aboud said:
Ehsani #413
Wow, so that’s what an intelligent and articulate reply to obvious menhebak nonsense looks like.
*we are not worthy! we are not worth!*
“where Berlusconi told the Italian police that a prostitute he used to have sex”
*faceplams so hard his hand hurts*
Dude, are you seriously comparing the sexual escapades of the Italian prime minister, with the wholesale forging and fabrication of vital economic statistics? Heck, how do we know your VP’s new figures make any more sense than the forged ones?
You don’t know, and you can’t possibly know. Civilized countries have freedom of information acts, their figures and conclusions are transparent. When someone tries to pull off an obvious lie like the Nigerian Yellow Cake Iraq WMDs etc etc, it eventually comes out due to checks and balances.
The only checks and balances you people know are the checks you write the shabiha drug addled scum after they have balanced killing 20 people from Hama with 10 people from Damascus and 10 from Aleppo.
“Best joke of the day.”
Hehe, here’s a joke for you; Besho is so stupid that to raise money, he’ll sell his car to pay for gas. Muwahahahahaha 🙂
September 28th, 2011, 11:03 am
DIGGING FOR GOLD IN BOSRA said:
@ AREAL
You’re right, figures in the US are corrected from month to month, but never by 300 basis points as was the case in Syria. To anybody with any knowledge and understanding of these issues that is a shocking error to make – although I don’t believe it was a simple miscalculation.
You have way too much faith in the independence of the central bank. As with any institution in Syria its aims are subordinate to the security of the Assad regime. We aren’t talking about the Fed or the ECB here.
Also, you make the task faced by the Syrian Central Bank sound like it’s a case of adding up the numbers on your grocery receipt. It’s a tad more involved than that.
September 28th, 2011, 11:07 am
Akbar Palace said:
I would like to say that we Arabs have a problem with the term anti-Semitic, when we ourselves are Semites.
It’s english. Build a bridge…
The second problem that we have with your statement is that we Arabs recognize the right of Jews to govern themselves and have no problem with that, however, we do have a problem with the right of the Jews in somebody else’s land.
Build another bridge (#2). Israel is a UN member state recognized everywhere except in the minds of Athad, Nejad, and Nasrallah (The 3 Stooges).
I know that you can come up with a million excuses to why Palestine is rightfully yours: from God gave it to us to we bought it.
Annie,
Israel is not mine. It a state of 6 million Israelis where 75% are Jewish and 25% are not. Palestine is home to some 3 million Arabs with a border and status yet to be determined. No excuses necessary.
The truth really is that Zionists, who strangely enough are secular, decided to create a country on top of other people, the Palestinians.
Jews legally immigrated to Palestine and legally bought land and settled. Build a third bridge.
There is no denying that the Palestinians were robed their land and this is where we have a problem.
No, the problem is the Arab rejected partition and lost a war they started. Build a fourth bridge.
Thank you, however, for acknowledging the accomplishments of Israel and the Jewish people. Don’t you think it is time for Arabs to follow suit?
This still does not change the core of the problem.
The core of the problem is all these “bridges” the Arabs have to build. Interestingly, these bridges are not tangible but only concepts. Very little effort is needed except to change how one thinks.
Toady, we have Israelis that were born in Israel that did not really have a choice in what happened.
Profound comment Annie!
They are in a position to have the moral courage to admit that nobody has a divine or not so divine right in anybody else’s land, apologize for the injustice that was perpetrated on the Palestinian people and live in peace with their neighbors.
Lose the word “divine”. This smacks as some sort of jealousy. People have migrated all over the world. Indians passed through North America to South America. Muslim passed through North Africa to Spain and through South East Asia. Magyars passed through Turkey, Hungary, and Finland.
For many solid reasons, Jews moved into Palestine. Some were already there.
As long as Israelis contend that they had the right to Palestine, there will never be true reconciliation with the Palestinians and the Arabs.
Bridge Number 5. Israel is Real;) Make peace with it. It isn’t going anywhere, and only her border will be adjusted when and if negotiations with the Palestinians resume.
I want to remind you that the Muslims, Christians and Jews lived in the Middle east in peace for many centuries before the creation of Israel.
See Amir’s post above. This is good information. Thanks.
It could happen again. Israel can have a tremendous positive impact on the region if the Israelis can only bring themselves to admit and apologize for what they did.
If an apology is needed, I am sure this could be worked out as part of the negotiations. Minor issue.
This does not remove Israel from the map, but rather gives it a moral standing.
Thank you for your interest in the morality of Israelis. Are you going to discuss the morality of Arabs and Muslims too?
September 28th, 2011, 11:13 am
Syrian Nationalist Party said:
REMINDER: DON’T FORGET YOUR 16,000 PRISONERS. HAVE MERCY ON THEM. I KNOW IT IS HARD FOR MOSLEM TO DO SO, THAT IS CONTRARY TO ISLAM AND MOHAMMAD THE MESSENGER OF SIN, THE ALIEN REPTILIAN MOON GOD NATURE AS WELL. BUT PLEASE DO SOMETHING TO RELEASE THEM. MAKE A BARGAIN. DON’T REPEAT 80’S LIVING IN ANAHEIM AND VERMONT AND LEAVING BEHIND THOUSANDS TO ROT TILL DEATH IN BAATHIST CONGLOMORATE PRISONS.
September 28th, 2011, 11:15 am
Amir in Tel Aviv said:
Akbar,
It’s actually closer to 8 millions. It’s 7,797,000 Israelis.
http://www.glz.co.il/PrintNewsArticle.aspx?newsid=90912
.
September 28th, 2011, 11:19 am
DIGGING FOR GOLD IN BOSRA said:
Ehsani, you are wasting your time attempting to educate him/her.
If they think Syria has no inflation problem now, just let them wait a few months. Let’s see how willing the central bank is to defend this peg. The venerable Bank of England faced a similar economic issue with the ERM in the early 90s, interest rates jumped to 12% in an attempt to defend that peg. It didn’t work.
Syria may well have a lot of foreign reserves stashed away in order to defend this peg, but the market is far bigger than any one bank’s reserves, especially the Syrian central bank. My guess is that in the next few months the SYP will start trading at ever higher numbers on the black market (which is the real market by the way), the central bank will then be faced with the prospect of having to sell its hard currency to defend the peg. I don’t think they’ll do this. Overnight local people will find themselves unable to afford even the most basic foodstuffs. They certainly won’t be travelling to Turkey or Lebanon. Prices will then sky rocket internally.
As Ehsani pointed out, Syria lacks the normal monetary transmission mechanism that serves other countries well. There is no mortgage market and few people have any form of credit, so there is a complete disconnect between the average person and interest rates. I’m not even going to discuss bond auctions, bid to cover ratios and the Syrian yield curve –although thinking about it, if it had one it would probably look V-shaped.
September 28th, 2011, 11:23 am
annie said:
Why the number of protests is dwelling
http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/arrests-and-death-threats-silence-syrian-activists-2011-09-27
When Syrian security forces came looking for Muhammad Al Hamwi on 23 September, they made a threat calculated to strike fear into any Syrian parent’s heart.
The man in charge told Muhammad’s parents: “I will crush the throat of your son with my foot. I will return him to you like Ghayath Mattar.”
These terrorists are lying that is for sure. The mukhabarat don’t talk like that. (sarcasm)
September 28th, 2011, 11:32 am
Akbar Palace said:
Let’s Get Nack to SYRIA Comment
Amir in Tel Aviv,
Right, thanks. No wonder why housing is so expensive!
CIA World Factbook says:
7,473,052 (July 2010 est.)
PS – Since it is Rosh Hashanna, could you please apologize to Annie for the creation of your illegal state that she “deeply dislikes”? It would help the Peace Process.
September 28th, 2011, 11:37 am
Aboud said:
#419 AND SNPER MUST USE CAPS BECAUSE HE CAN’T HEAR HIS OWN THOUGHTS FROM THE ACID TRIP HIS BRAIN HAS BEEN ON SINCE YESTERDAY!!!!!! HE ALSO CAN’T SPELL CONGLOMERATE! HE NEEDS TO GO TO A GOOD “MADRISSI”!
Hehehehe 🙂
Digging
“Also, you make the task faced by the Syrian Central Bank sound like it’s a case of adding up the numbers on your grocery receipt. It’s a tad more involved than that.”
But maybe that’s how they approach such complex economic matters. They are after all simple Qurdahan peasants. They can’t be expected to have much sophistication in these matters.
September 28th, 2011, 11:37 am
ann said:
Nuclear engineer assassinated in central Syria – 4 hours ago
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jnOHsAhVxsnDJ9jEIZD61VPys3nw?docId=ec1618918d8744d5aa3c247c0ba32580
BEIRUT (AP) — A Syrian nuclear engineer was assassinated in a hail of bullets in central Syria Wednesday, the latest casualty in a string of murders this week of academics and scientists, Syria’s state-run news agency and activists said.
SANA said engineer and university professor Aws Khalil was shot in the head by an “armed terrorist group” operating in Homs, but activists accused the regime of going after academics in an attempt to terrorize the city’s rebellious population.
His killing came as fighting raged in the nearby town of Rastan for the second day between troops trying to enter the town and army deserters who have switched sides and joined the mass revolt against President Bashar Assad that began in mid-March.
Activists say there are hundreds of soldiers who have defected in Rastan and other areas on the outskirts of Homs. The Local Coordination Committees activist group and London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said a defected lieutenant died in Wednesday’s clashes.
Khalil is the fourth Syrian academic to be assassinated in Homs since Sunday. The city, a hotbed of dissent against Assad’s autocratic regime, has witnessed some of the largest anti-government protests since the uprising against Syrian President Bashar Assad began six months ago.
In the past month, it has witnessed almost daily clashes between Syrian troops and army defectors. There also have been increasing reports of attacks on security forces and police patrols by some who have taken up arms to fight the military crackdown.
Mohammed Saleh, an opposition figure in Homs, said Khalil’s assassination Wednesday is part of a string of killings — all in the same manner — of Syrian academics. They include Hassan Eid, chief of chest surgery at the Homs hospital who had treated wounded Syrian protesters in the past months.
Also shot dead were professors Nael Dakhil, 54, and Mohammed Aqeel, 49, who was assassinated by bullets that struck his car in the Ghouta neighborhood of Homs.
The dead men came from different religious backgrounds — Shiite, Alawite and Christian — and it unclear whether the killings had any sectarian motives. None of those killed were Sunni, Saleh said.
The killings are reminiscent of assassinations in Iraq following the 2003 U.S. invasion of that toppled Saddam Hussein’s regime, when the country was hit by a wave of assassinations that claimed the lives of scores of physicians, professors and nuclear experts in what led to a brain drain from the country.
Syria, like Iraq, has a volatile sectarian divide, making civil unrest a frightening prospect. The Assad regime is dominated by the Alawite minority, an offshoot of Shiite Islam, but the country is overwhelmingly Sunni Muslim.
Saleh said it was not clear who was behind the killings, adding there were gunmen operating in Homs and that the situation was fluid.
Syria-based activist Mustafa Osso blamed the regime was for the assassinations. “They are trying to sow chaos, fear and terror in the hope that protesters will be cowed into retreat,” he said.
A statement by the Al Ghad coalition, an umbrella group of Syrian activists, said it was yet another attempt to crush the Syrian people’s peaceful revolution.
“The regime has failed until now to create sectarian strife in Homs and it’s trying again now to do so in a brutal way, disregarding the importance of scientific experts to Syrian society,” a statement said.
SANA, the state-run news agency, said Khalil, like the other three academics, was killed by armed terrorist groups which it blames for the unrest in Syria.
The New York-based Human Rights Watch group, meanwhile, called for an international investigation into the possible role by Syrian security agents in the recent decapitation of an 18-year-old Syrian woman.
Zainab al-Hosni from Homs was beheaded and mutilated early this month, and her body returned to her family. She is believed to be the first woman to die in Syrian custody since the uprising started.
Activists said she had been detained by security agents to pressure her activist brother to turn himself in.
“Syrian security forces either killed and mutilated Zainab al-Hosni or are turning a blind eye to gangs committing gruesome murders against anti-government activists and their families,” said Joe Stork, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch.
September 28th, 2011, 11:45 am
majedkhaldoun said:
SNP
The total number of your party is only one, it is you only, there is no way that someone else other than you who thinks like you.if you say different, please prove it.
September 28th, 2011, 11:49 am
Ghufran said:
Fayez Sara
http://www.arab2.com/akhbar/f/f.html?http://www.alraialaam.com/
September 28th, 2011, 11:54 am
Revlon said:
336. Dear Mohamed Kanj,
You said:
@ 327 – well said MINA.
“We Syrians have the Palestinian issue embedded in our blood……”
“that is why you see 70% of the Sunni population and 99% of the other sects and religions in Syria stand by the current Syrian government”
I SAY:
The Syrians have risen against Asad-Makhloof clan tyranny and been sacrificing to regain their right to self determination in their own country.
They share with their Palestinian brethren the struggle against oppression and the seeking to restore their confiscated properties and resources and abridged basic human and civil rights.
I am not surprised that the Palestinian issue is in your blood as you claimed; You have been feeding on it ever since you and your Baathist and Minority led regime came to be. For that matter, please refer to Coz’s article in the NYT in March, where he described the Syrian regime as the Guarantor of Israel’s stability!
I WONDER!
Did 70% of Sunni and 99% of Christian Syrians (Never mind the 3alawi’s), support the Palestinian cause by brutally bombing Tal AlZa3tar during the civil war?
Did 70% of Sunni and 99% of Christian Syrians (Never mind the 3alawi’s) support the Palestinian cause by standing behind the brutal bombing of the refugee camps in Southern Lebanon by Nabih Berri’s Forces.
Did 70% of Sunni and 99% of Christian Syrians (Never mind the 3alawi’s) support the Palestinian cause by giving the blind eye to the inhumane economic conditions of Palestinian labour practiced by Ghazi Kan3an through their Proxy Lebanese Government?
I QUIZ:
Name a single Baathist Army soldier or officer who sacrificed his blood in defence of any Palestinian soul, or any Syrian citizen for that matter?
September 28th, 2011, 12:27 pm
atassi said:
Roundup: Foreign sanctions rebound on Syria as prices skyrocket
gongzhenxi
28 September 2011
Xinhua News Agency
XNEWS
English
DAMASCUS, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) — The recent EU sanctions over the Syrian government’s alleged crackdown on protesters during months of unrest have actually rebounded on the Syrian citizens by pushing up prices and making basic commodities out of reach.
The European Union agreed on Saturday to impose sanctions on six Syrian companies, including Syriatel and the largest private company, Cham Holding, to intensify pressure on President Bashar al-Assad, who has come under withering international criticisms for his government’s dealing with the months-long protests.
A day earlier, the EU also agreed to ban investment in Syria’s oil sector.
In a move aiming to help offset the impact of the EU sanctions, Syrian Minister of Economy and Trade Mohammad Nidal al-Shaar announced Friday the suspension of Syria’s import of cars and luxury goods to “save foreign exchange reserves.”
All the import of products subject to tariffs of 5 percent or more will be suspended, the minister said.
The decision covered a wide array of commodities.
Shaar said late Sunday that the decision, though temporary, is “sovereign and irreversible and will remain in force according to the changes in the current situation,” referring to the EU sanctions.
The measure, according to many Syrians, including the upper class of merchants, has further crippled the economy and forced all Syrians into belt-tightening.
Practically, there are no acute shortage of foods or basic household items so far and the capital Damascus is awash in big- ticket items such as cars and refrigerators. However, the prices of nearly all imported items, ranging from fancy chocolates to other nonessential goods, have soared by nearly 30 percent since Friday, making such items a luxury most Syrians cannot afford.
“It’s very strange. Most imported commodities have vanished all of a sudden and the prices of the remaining items doubled,” said Mohammad Saleh, a 35-year-old citizen.
“I can’t blame the government as it’s trying to preserve the country’s reserve of hard currency,” he said, “Greedy merchants are the sole people to be blamed.”
Some traders who don’t want to see the chance slip through their hands have renewed the prices of the basic items on the shelves of their shops.
Fawaz Ahmed, a car merchant, said the car prices would rise between 100,000 to 200,000 Syrian pounds (about 2,050 to 4,100 U.S. dollars).
“In fact, I didn’t increase the price but all other car dealers have done so… At the end, I will be obliged to cope with the new situation,” he said.
The nearly seven-month-long crisis in Syria has brought life to a standstill as revenue from tourism, workers’ remittances and foreign investment plunged sharply since then.
Many complained that their lives have become worse economically and the new ban on most imported items has further aggravated the situation.
Hamdi al-Abudllah, an economist, told Xinhua that the ban would put an “additional burden on the ordinary Syrians, as well as the merchants and the manufacturers, as the prices of some commodities would inevitably rise and would thus decrease the percentage of sales.”
Adib Mayala, the governor of Syria’s central bank, said recently that the decision to reduce imports would “enable Syria to save 6 billion dollars annually to face the sanctions imposed by both the EU and the U.S.”
Syrian Minister of Industry Adnan Slakho told Xinhua recently that the step is not final and some of its items could be reversed after the government studies its repercussions on the citizens.
“For instance, halting the imports of ready-made cloths has positive impact on manufacturers, but halting the import of fabrics would have negative one,” he said.
Mazen Hamour, member of a Damascus chamber of commerce, said the government should reconsider the measure “to prevent smuggling business across borders in search of raw materials.”
September 28th, 2011, 12:33 pm
Revlon said:
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2011/09/28
http://www.sooryoon.net/?p=34023
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September 28th, 2011, 12:37 pm
ann said:
Syria urges end to foreign intervention in its internal affairs
2011-09-27
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-09/27/c_131161259.htm
UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) — Syria on Monday called for an end to foreign meddling in its internal affairs, saying that the Syrian people are “determined to reject all forms of foreign intervention.”
The statement came as Walid Al-Moualem, Syria’s minister for foreign affairs, addressed the general debate of the UN General Assembly’s 66th session, which entered its fifth day here on Monday.
“I assure you that our people are determined to reject all forms of foreign intervention in their internal affairs,” said Al- Moualem. “We shall continue pursue security and stability.”
He said within months Syria Al-Moualem will “proceed in implementing the comprehensive program of reform through national dialogue.”
“From this rostrum, I call on states which have partaken in the unjust campaign against Syria to reconsider their positions,” Al- Moualem said. “To them I say our people will foil your schemes.”
Syria has been wracked by six months of unrest which it blames on foreign conspiracy and armed thugs. A recent UN statement put the number of civilians killed during the past six months in Syria at 2,600.
Meanwhile, the Syrian foreign minister thanked all countries that “stood by our people’s side in this crisis, pre-empted any harm that could have befallen their interests and encouraged them to pursue their aspirations.”
September 28th, 2011, 12:46 pm
Aboud said:
Revlon, what kind of Arab doesn’t know a simple word like “madrassa”? A Peeeeeeeeeeeeeeeersiaaaaaaaaaaaaan!
These Persians. They’d give their right balls for a visa to Saudi Arabia to be able to wash cars for 750 riyals a month LOL!
September 28th, 2011, 12:55 pm
Mina said:
Aboud, you are not convincing anyone when you say that Western govs are perfect and that their lies make it to the media.
You did not even understand what I wrote about Berlusconi.
Sorry to say it again, but you are not in Syria and certainly not in Homs. Louai’s tone was the tone of someone who’s been recently there. My friends on the phone have the sad and broken voice of people seeing their country plunging into civil war the way Iraq or Lebanon did. Target assassinations are certainly the result of Western and Gulf interference and directed against Iran. The attack on Iran HAS started, and since there was a bilateral defense agreement, the ally has been targeted first, since Lebanon has been the playground too recently.
Your hysterical chuckle proves definitly that you’re not in Syria, because even with being fed up of the regime, no Syrian would react this way.
September 28th, 2011, 12:56 pm
SYR.EXPAT said:
Ladies and gentlemen,
It’s official. The president announced that the “painful incidents” that affected Syrian cities is over and that things are getting back to normal.
I hope we don’t hear more nonsense about mundaseen, defectors, and criminal gangs supported by foreign entities.
http://www.syria-news.com/readnews.php?sy_seq=137852
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September 28th, 2011, 1:01 pm
Revlon said:
Dearest Ehsani and Alex,
A belated thank you for taking pains in keeping Syriacomment blog alive.
Coverage of economic developments have been amply and brilliantly covered in your posts since!
I urge you to consider broadening the scope of your posts by including other emerging political, military, and human rights issues.
Cheers!
September 28th, 2011, 1:04 pm
Syrian Nationalist Party said:
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So all those fabrications above is really to get more cash to buy high end property in Vermont and to relocate from a dump in Anaheim to white neighborhood (blonds-blue) in Newport Beach. You think Newport will tolerate Islamic filth? They will pass city ordinance within 24 hr of seeing hejab at the local Victoria Secret where most Peroxide blond fat/ugly Moslem wives shop.
September 28th, 2011, 1:06 pm
uzair8 said:
Recently Turkey has gone through some changes. The uncovering of an alleged coup and arrests of Officers, resignations of 4 top Generals, Turkeys high profile visits to Somalia, Libya and Egypt. Also its tough stance against Syria and Isreal.
I welcomed these changes and was hopeful Turkey was moving in the right direction (put to one side the recent comments on secularism in Egypt).
Tough talk against Isreal alongside a deteriorating relationship.
However I was wandering why the west and especially the US (including commentators) weren’t making a fuss about Turkey. Maybe they want Turkey to talk tough and gain popularity and hence become a role model for the region (arab, muslim, and ‘arab spring’ nations). A role model representing an acceptable form of government to the west.
Today I have come across a familiar voice concerned about Turkey:
Daniel Pipes
September 27, 2011 4:00 A.M.
Is Turkey Going Rogue?
Newly Islamist leadership threatens the entire Middle East.
In a Middle East wracked by coups d’état and civil insurrections, the Republic of Turkey credibly offers itself as a model, thanks to its impressive economic growth, democratic system, political control of the military, and secular order.
But, in reality, Turkey may be, along with Iran, the most dangerous state of the region. Count the reasons:
(Read more:)
http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/278398/turkey-going-rogue-daniel-pipes
September 28th, 2011, 1:09 pm
Syria no kandahar said:
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September 28th, 2011, 1:10 pm
OFF THE WALL said:
Dear EHSANI @ 414
That was outstanding, respectful, and the most professional rebuttal I have read on SC in a very long time. Thanks for the incredible efforts.
Dear DIGGING FOR GOLD IN BOSRA @ 422
I don’t think Ehsani is wasting his time. Some of us are learning a tremendous deal reading Ehsani’s main articles and posts, not to mention that they are written in ways that we can understand. Your posts are also very informative.
September 28th, 2011, 1:11 pm
ann said:
Syria’s leader forms election commission – Sep 28, 2011
http://english.ruvr.ru/2011/09/28/56897090.html
Syria’s leader Bashar Al-Assad has signed a decree on forming the Supreme Election Commission in the country comprising 10 members of the Court of Appeal. The date for the general elections will be announced later. They are due by late 2011 as a law in this respect was approved in July together with a draft law on political parties.
The country’s Minister of Information Adnan Mahmood said that the bills open a new stage of democratic development when people can choose their representatives .
September 28th, 2011, 1:14 pm
Ya Mara Ghalba said:
Ehsani says more about Syrian government finances in #414. Ehsani says:
Okay. The Syrian government has a responsibility to clear up this question. We need more transparency.
**************
Separately from that, I said earlier that the Central Bank can and should print money by doing “quantitative easing”. Ehsani in reply to me uses a narrow defintion for “quantitative easing”, and I’ll quit using the term because I was using it in a loose sense. What I meant to say is that the Central Bank can give the government a piece of paper that says “Here is a present of another SYP 500 billion. Spend it.” This can be done without inducing inflation. The extra SYP 500 billion in government expenditure stimulates the whole economy in the shorter term and compensates for the contractionary effect of the Events. Governments who control their own currency can do this during recessionary weather.
I have no argument against Ehsani’s proposition that the foreign exchange rate is too strong. A devaluation may be beneficial, as Ehsani has been saying. I thank Ehsani for his knowledge and comments.
September 28th, 2011, 1:30 pm
Mina said:
Moderators,
The stigmatization of Persians and/or Shias is becoming embarrassing on this forum. It is almost calling for genocide. No one is being insulted because he’s jew, christian, or sunni.
By the way, Shiism has been in Lebanon and Syria far before it was in Iran. In the 11th, when Syria was mainly shiite, Iran was rather Sunni (see the Samanids).
To think that “Sunnis” and of course “Arabs” have no Persian, Nubian, or Turkish ancestors is also completely ridiculous.
Aboud, if you are a Syrian in Syria, as you claim to be, how come you never mention TV shows from Syria and Lebanon and the ongoing discussions on the events ? Is it after reading your posts that the UK ambassador in Damascus thought satellite TVs were blocked in Syria?
September 28th, 2011, 1:32 pm
Syrian Nationalist Party said:
@SOMEONE OR SOMETHING
OOOOH First we are less than 20, now we are down to one. You are right it is only me. How did you get that, wow, you are as smart as American and Semites. It is too bad President Bashar Assad (MENHEBEK) refused to allow us to open office in Syria. I think know why, maybe he knew what we are up to next with all these filth buckets called Sunni Mosques. Especially this Islamic Bedouin genocidal maniac, your favorite, called Khaled Ibn Alwalid. I am already thinking this vile character burial over a Holy Syrian Site needs to be dealt with even before we put foot in Syria. Those 2 Cocks (phallic symbols or reptilian demon race) standing in the front are an intolerable site to look at in Homs. Let me tell you something, you Moslems pissed me personally off so much that any chance of you managing to get the whole dam world against Bashar Assad is now ZERO.
There are a lot of highly educated Syrians that think like me (and non Syrians) that read my newsletters and are comprehending what is going on, what is this is all about. Not everyone has his head pointed at Al FILTH AL ARABI news channels, CNN, FOX and for you in the gutter of a Mosque. If SNP needs popularity and numbers, it will take one video to have the whole Syria behinds us, and blow the filth that you represent out of Syria borders to Muscat.
Assad, would not allow SNP to open office in Syria because, if you notice, he, Syria and its media, did not attack neither Arabs nor Turks. He thinks we are a liability, but at one point, if you revolutionaries to progress, he will be overruled and no more Mr. nice guy with all this worthless nations of Banadik, Arab and Turkmen. Will deal with them then effectively, consider them physically gonner.
September 28th, 2011, 1:49 pm
Shabbi7 said:
Revlon, 429
I wanted to ignore your post because it was so stupid, but I just had to say this: `Izz Ad-Deen Al-Qassam.
After the Palestinians themselves, no country sacrificed for Palestine like Syria did (people, army, nation, and president). We’ve suffered decades of sanctions for our position on Palestine and the Arab Nation. Stop being so retarded. You can’t just cherry-pick events in the Lebanese civil war. The Palestinians were not very innocent at the beginning stages of the Lebanese civil war.
Moron!
September 28th, 2011, 2:04 pm
Revlon said:
The FSA is setting the record straight.
Its soldiers and officers are dying in defence of their fellow civilians, something the Baathist Asadist army has never done in 4 decades.
13 civilians and FSA fighters fell martyrs today.
AlFati7a upon their souls.
may God bless their family with solace and empower them with patients.
???? ????? ???? ?? ??? ?????? Youth Syria For Freedom
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39 minutes ago
September 28th, 2011, 2:09 pm
Tars said:
Zoo
I asked a question yesterday and no one had an answer for it. May be you can help. It is a well known fact that Mubarak’s regime was responsible for covertly attacking Coptic churches in Egypt to blame it on the bogeyman, the MB. It is also known that Bashar al Assad regime was exporting ” terrorists” to Iraq to ignite the civil war. Why then some Christians were/ are against toppling the dictators both in Egypt and in Syria. Isn’t that counter- productive? Wouln’t the rule of law protect them rather than make them “collateral damage” at a dictator’ whim?
September 28th, 2011, 2:15 pm
Tara said:
Mohamad khanj
You are Sunni if you say so. I certainly do not know for sure. You just sounded like pretending to be a Sunni to convince people that ” the majority of Sunnis support the regime”. Regardless of your belief, You need to know that majority of Sunnis are against the regime. The Sunnis that support the regime are the one who benefited financially from it and there are many. It is my word against your word. How do we find out? By a NOVEL concept that is never practiced in Syria before. They call this novel concept ” free election”. Have menhbaks ever heard of it?
September 28th, 2011, 2:24 pm
Revlon said:
445. Dear Shabbi7:
You said:
“Revlon, 429
I wanted to ignore your post because it was so stupid, but I just had to say this: `Izz Ad-Deen Al-Qassam”
I SAY:
I am so glad you brought that name up!
The named was an Islamist Syrian, not a coward, hypocrite, corrupt Baathist.
He voluntarily fought for the Palestenian cause long before you or the Baath party came into being.
Do I need to tell you what would have become of him had he been borne in Syria in my time with Thug One or his Dad in charge?
http://middleeast.about.com/od/glossary/g/me080315.htm
I repeat the Quiz, this time with multiple choice answers for obviously needed simplification:
Q: Name a single Baathist Army soldier or officer who sacrificed his blood in defence of any Palestinian soul, or any Syrian citizen for that matter?
A:
1- I do not know
2- You do not know
3- No body knows
4- Who knows
September 28th, 2011, 2:31 pm
baran said:
SNP
Try Clozaril. It may work.
September 28th, 2011, 2:46 pm
Shabbi7 said:
Ravlon,
Look douche, there is nothing wrong with being an “Islamist”. The term carries negative connotations today because of Western media. When people like `Ar`our are called “Islamist” that is when I have a problem with it. It’s one thing to be a devout Muslim, but totally another to proclaim it “7alal” to kill, slaughter, chop, torture `Alawis, or any other people for that matter, in the name of Islam. This also applies to any “sheikh” who declares any group he wants as Muslims or non-Muslims. Of course, almost all those pieces of shit are now hiding in Europe or Saudi Arabia, still pretending to speak, in the name of God and Islam, against the “Alawite regime” in Syria.
If you don’t consider Qassam a Syrian citizen (which doesn’t seem like it, because you’re so stupid), then remember the post-independence Syrians that died in 1948 for Palestine. I just cannot comprehend how stupid you are with this “quiz”. There are so many Syrians who secretly went to Palestine to fight for the freedom of Palestine. All wars that Syria has had was against the Zionist entity, or some element belonging to the Zionist entity. Does that not qualify as also fighting for Palestine? In Syria, we grow up with a concept called the Arab Nation. If we ever forget to think of the Arab Nation as having a unified history, we will get stupid comments from stupid people like your comment from you.
September 28th, 2011, 2:51 pm
Mango said:
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September 28th, 2011, 2:52 pm
Syrian Nationalist Party said:
@MORON
Try ZERO, go for it, it may work.
September 28th, 2011, 2:53 pm
R said:
Khaled Ibn AlWaleed phalange of the FSA calls able civilians to enlist in its ranks to defend their neighbourhoods and loved ones.
???? ????? ???? ?? ??? ?????? Youth Syria For Freedom
?? ???? ?????? ?? ????? ????? ?? ??? ?? ????? ?????
… ?? ?? ?????? ??? ?????? ??????? ??? ??????
?? ????? ??? ???? ????? ????? ?????? ???? ???? ::
???? ????? ???? ??? ?????? ??????? ?????? ???????? ????? ????? ???? ??? ?????? , ??? ?????? ????????? ?? ???? ????? ????? , ????? ???? ??? ?????? ???? ??? ???? ??????? ??? ?????? ?? ????? ????? ??????
3 hours ago
September 28th, 2011, 2:59 pm
Mina said:
447, Tara
“the rule of law”? why don’t you try to experiment it on the size of a 200 person village, first, and guarantee equality of men and women in terms of choices, weddings, inheritance, access to jobs? just like the hippies in the seventies, the MB should first demonstrate they can agree on something that enable them to live even between themselves, to start with… Ever heard about Sudan?
September 28th, 2011, 3:00 pm
Revlon said:
???? ????? ????? ???? ??? ???????? ???? ????? ??????? ???????? ? ??? ????? ? ???? ????? ????? ?????? ?? ??? ???????? ..
by ????? ???? ??? ???????? on Wednesday, September 28, 2011.
???? ????? ???? ???? ?? ??? ?????? ????? ??? ??? :
???? : ?? ???? ?????? ?? ???? ?? ??? ??? ????? ??? ????, ??? ?????? ?????? ? ??? ?????? ?? ??? ??? ??????? ???? ???????? ? ??? ???? ??????? ?? ?????? ??????? ?????? ????????? ?? ????? ??? ?????? ?????? ?
?????? : ?? ???? ?????? ?? ???? ?? ??? ???? ????? ??? ???? ? ?? ???? ?? ????? ??? ? ??? ????? ?????? ??? ???? ?????? ?? ?? ????? ? ??????? ??? ????? ?? ?????? ??????? ?? ??? ????? ???????? ? ???????? ???? ?????? ?? ????? ? ?????? ??? ??????? ? ??? ????? ( ??? ??????? ??? ????? ???????? ) .
???? : ??? ??? ?????? ??? ?????? ?? ??? ?????????? ?????? ? ??? ???? ??? ?? ????? ????? ??? ??? ??????? ???? ??? ????????
?????? : ?????? ?? ??? ??????? ???? ???? ???? ???????? ??? ?? ??????? ????? ? ???? ??? ????? ??????? ???? ?????????? ???????? ?? ?? ????? ????? ? ??????? ????? ?? ??? ? ????? ???? ?????? ??????? ( ?? ???? ??? ??? ???? ???? ???? ? ??? ???? ?? ??? ????? ??? ????? : ??? ?? ???? ???? ) ?
???? ?? ??? ?? ?????? ????? ???? ??? ?? ??? ???? ??? ?? ???? ???? ????? ? ???? ???? ?? ????? ( ??? ????? ) ?? ????? ( ????? ) ?????? ????? ??? ?????? ??? ??? ??????? ???????? ??????? ?? ??? ????? ?????? ? ????? ????? ( ??? ??? ?????? ???? ?????? ???? ????? ???? ????????? ??? ???? ) ?????? ???? ???? .
???? : ?? ??? ??? ?????? ????? ??????? ?????? ? ??? ??????? ?????? ?????? ?? ???????? ????? ???? ????? ?? ????????? ?? ??? ?????? ? ??? ??? ???????? ??? ????? ??? ?????? ??????? ?? ????? ???????? ?? ????? ????? ??? ?????? ?? ???????? ?
?????? : ?? ??? ??? ?????? ????? ??????? ?????? ??? ???? ??????? ??? ??? ?????? ??? ????? ?? ?????? ? ???? ???? ????? ? ???? ??? ?????? ??????? ?????? ????? ????? ??? ?????? ?? ????? ? ????? ?? ??? ???????? ? ??? ?? ?????? ???? ????? ????? ? ?? ??? ????? ???? ?? ????? ?? ????? ? ??? ?????? ?? ??????? ???? ????? ?????? ???? ???????? ? ???? ????? ????? ?????? ??? ?????? ? ???? ??? ?? ?????? ?? ????? ??? ??????? ?? ????? ??? ?????? ?????? .
???? : ??? ??????? ?? ??? ?????? ?????? ??????? ?? ?????? ????????? ? ????????? ????? ? ??????? ????? ???? ?? ???? ?????? ??? ?????? ? ??? ???? ??? ?? ???? ?????? ??? ???? ????? ? ???? ??????? ????? ???? ?
?????? : ?????? ??? ?????? ?? ??? ?? ??????? ????? ???? ???? ??????? ? ????? ??? ???? ???? ????? : ( ??? ???? ???? ???? ?? ???? ?????? ?? ???? ??? ??????? ???? ) ??????:?? ??? ???? ??? ?
??????? ?? ???? ???????? ?? ??? ?????? ? ??? ????? ? ???????? ???? ????? ?? ?????? ??? ??? ?????? ? ??? ????? : ( ???? ????? ????????? ???? ?????? ????? ?? ???????? ) ??? ???? ?????? ?? ??? ??? ????? ?? ??????? .
????? ??? ???????
http://www.facebook.com/m.a.alsabouni
September 28th, 2011, 3:04 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
I want to see no fly zone all over Syria,but Israel must not do anything weanwhile,
FSA is our hope,more of Shabbiha must be eliminated,they are what the regime is depending on,this can be done thru deception,there are many things That can be done,rebels must be educated to do.
September 28th, 2011, 3:05 pm
Revlon said:
Shops and residence buildings on main street of Rastan city are on fire as a result of Thug One’s tank shelling today!
This is Thug One’s concept of calm in Syrian cities and towns on Wednesday!
The Syrian Revolution 2011 ?????? ??????? ?? ???? ?????
?????? ??????? ?? ????? ?????? ????? ??? ???? ??????? ???????? ???????
????? ???? ??????? ????????? ???? ?? ????? ??? ?????? ..
about a minute ago
September 28th, 2011, 3:10 pm
Akbar Palace said:
How to be Pro-Palestinian
All wars that Syria has had was against the Zionist entity, or some element belonging to the Zionist entity.
Syrian Math 101:
Fighting for Palestine = no human rights for Syrians
Human rights for Syrians = not helping for the Palestinians
Killing Protestors = helping the Palestinians
Syrians killing Syrians = helping the Palestinians
Putting Syrians before Palestinians = Zionism
OK, tomorrow we’ll learn American Social Studies:
http://media.hotair.com/wp/wp-content/cachefly/images/2009-06/ramirez-govt.jpg
September 28th, 2011, 3:10 pm
baran said:
SNP
Trust me. It works when Halodol does not. Discuss it among your party’s members. It may be the best thing that happens to you.
September 28th, 2011, 3:10 pm
Aboud said:
#434 Whatever. If you don’t know about the human capacity to get used to anything, you are indeed very sheltered. I’ve been in this atmosphere for seven months. One gets used to anything. It is human nature. Your friends sound like they want some money or sympathy, sounding all doom and gloom. Or (as I suspect) you have no idea what people who live for an extended time in a place of crisis sound like.
And suppose I did mention TV shows, you think they don’t have satellite dishes in Europe and the USA? I have no idea if they get Syrian or Arab TV shows there, but I always have my TV on one of the numerous news channels all the time.
I didn’t even get a TV at my new home until May. I was never big on TV shows….ah screw it, why do I bother. According to you people, you are supposed to be Syrians even though you don’t know the words “madrasa”, “Ramadan Kareem” and what the badal was. While I’m supposed to be in Tripoli, Washington, the UK and Tel Aviv all at the same time. Dude, believe what you want. I smuggle crazy pills and build fake cities in Qatar 🙂
September 28th, 2011, 3:12 pm
SYR.EXPAT said:
Soldiers take over people’s homes and play in the backyard. These are the soldiers that will return the Golan Heights.
September 28th, 2011, 3:16 pm
Tara said:
Mina
The Syrian revolution is a popular uprising calling for the topple of Bashar al Assad and the establishment of a democratic government where everybody is equally represented. It is not calling for the rule of MB. MB will have their reps too.
Your jump to discuss what a country ruled by MB would look like is a cheap propaganda. Majority of Syrians do not have MB mentality and not interested in literal Shariaa law. You can answer that way to Aldunya audience but not on SC.
You may try again.
September 28th, 2011, 3:23 pm
Syrian Nationalist Party said:
@VIRTUAL REVOLUTIONARIES:
Try my well designed new Board game, available at toy stores near you, AS SEEN ON TV. Syria Revolution 2011, hurry up. Save the UPS code on the box and present it to cashier next year when the new version is out, Syria Revolution 2012, you will get 10% discount on that. VALID FOR ONE MOSLEM HOUSEHOLD ALIVE ONLY. The 2012 version is much more complex to play. It has 32,000 prisoners that you need to roll dice to play, land on ALWALID PHALLANGE SQUARE and roll the dice again, the number you see, is the number of prisoners you can free, (of course remember, it is a game ) You do not actually free a real person.
Enjoy the game but CAUTION: NOT FOR CHILDREN UNDER 12 and DO NOT USE IF YOU ARE INTOXICATED BY HOLLY QURAN VERSES. DO NOT PLAY WHEN YOU ARE WATCHING CNN, AL JAZEERA, AL ARABI AL HAKIR, OR ARROUR ON TV. SERIOUS HARM CAN BE CAUSED BY IMPROPER PLAY.
September 28th, 2011, 3:27 pm
atassi said:
Syria must have a “No Shabbiha and Security forces” Zone.
It will be the Shabbiha Buster Zone “SBZ”
September 28th, 2011, 3:34 pm
Aboud said:
Great, first we had the president who withdrew from reality through his X-Box, and now we have generic menhebak #464 who spends his old age playing Risk. I’ve heard of taking shelter from one’s problems in games of leisure, but the menhebaks take it to a ridiculous degree.
Let me guess, no one ever conquers Persia in your games, because the holy Ayatollah zaps them all with his Sacred Laser Eyes, and the unshaven midget bores opposing armies to death with his 9/11 conspiracy theories and Holocaust denials.
September 28th, 2011, 3:42 pm
TRUE said:
“381. Mohamed Kanj said:
ABOUD – did you forgot to tell your mother that she isnt permitted to drive in Saudi Arabia. Maybe if she was driving in Syria under Dr Bashar Al Assad she would have been able to drive. Dont worry we will give her a permit to ride her camel in Homs”
How about I start by giving your mum a good ride in LA, I’ll teach her how to drive then she could go back to drive a fancy governmental car in Syria and yeah tell her not to forget to stick as much portraits as she could of Betho, Hathan 3adoallah and the Persian God.
Sunni my arse!!
September 28th, 2011, 3:45 pm
OFF THE WALL said:
Subheading ones paragraph with words like REALITY, THE TRUTH, THE FACTS, does not make the argument either.
By the record, odds are 50-50, at best.
September 28th, 2011, 3:50 pm
atassi said:
Christians in Syria fear the worst if Assad falls; In mosaic of minorities, many believe it takes a strongman to shield them
English
© 2011 The New York Times Company. All Rights Reserved.
Abu Elias sat beneath the towering stairs leading from the Convent of Our Lady of Saydnaya, a church high up in the mountains outside Damascus, where Christians have worshiped for 1,400 years.
‘‘We are all scared of what will come next,’’ he said, turning to a man seated beside him, Robert, an Iraqi refugee who escaped the sectarian strife in his homeland.
‘‘He fled Iraq and came here,’’ said Abu Elias, looking at his friend, who had arrived just a year earlier. ‘‘Soon, we might find ourselves doing the same.’’
Syria plunges deeper into unrest by the day. On Wednesday, government troops attacked the rebellious town of Rastan with tanks and machine guns for a second day, Reuters reported. With the chaos growing, Christians visiting Saydnaya on a recent Sunday said they feared that a change of power could usher in a tyranny of the Sunni Muslim majority, depriving them of the semblance of protection the ruling Assad family has provided for four decades.
The fate of minorities in a region more diverse than many recognize is among the most pressing questions facing an Arab world in turmoil. With its mosaic of Christians and Muslim sects, Syria has posed the question in its starkest terms: Does it take a strongman to protect the community from the more dangerous, more intolerant currents in society?
The plight of Christians in Syria has resonated among religious minorities across the Middle East, many of whom see themselves as facing a shared destiny. In Iraq, the number of Christians has dwindled to insignificance since the overthrow of Saddam Hussein, driven away by bloodshed and chauvinism. Christians in Egypt worry about the ascent of Islamists. Christians in Lebanon, representing the largest minority by proportion in the Arab world, worry about their own future, in a country where they emerged as the distinct losers of a 15-year civil war.
Syria’s Christian minority is sizable, about 10 percent of the population, though some here say the share is actually lower these days. Though their sentiments are by no means monolithic — Christians are represented in the opposition, and loyalty to the government is often driven more by fear than fervor — the group’s fear helps explain how President Bashar al-Assad has held on to segments of his constituency, in spite of a brutal crackdown aimed at crushing a popular uprising.
For many Syrian Christians, Mr. Assad remains predictable in a region where unpredictability has driven their brethren from war-racked places like Iraq and Lebanon, and where others have felt threatened in postrevolutionary Egypt.
They fear that in the event the president falls, they may be subjected to reprisals at the hands of a conservative Sunni leadership for what it sees as Christian support of the Assad family. They worry that the struggle to dislodge Mr. Assad could turn into a civil war, unleashing sectarian bloodshed in a country where minorities, ethnic and religious, have found a way to coexist for the most part.
The anxiety is so deep that many ignore the opposition’s counterpoint: The government has actually made those divisions worse as part of a strategy to ensure the rule of the Assad family, which itself springs from a Muslim minority, the Alawites.
‘‘I am intrigued by your calls for freedom and for overthrowing the regime,’’ wrote a Syrian Christian woman on her Facebook page, addressing Christian female protesters. ‘‘What does freedom mean? Every one of you does what she wants and is free to say what she wants. Do you think if the regime falls (God forbid) you will gain freedom? Then, each one of you will be locked in her house, lamenting those days.’’
This month, Lebanon’s Maronite Catholic patriarch urged Maronites, the largest community of Christians in the country, to offer Mr. Assad another chance and to give him enough time to carry out a long list of reforms that he has promised but never enacted.
The comments by the patriarch, Bishara Boutros al-Rai, prompted a heated debate in Lebanon, which lived under Syrian hegemony for 29 years. A prominent Syrian (and Christian) opposition figure offered a rebuttal from Damascus. But Patriarch Rai, who called Mr. Assad ‘‘a poor man who cannot work miracles,’’ defended his remarks, warning that his overthrow would threaten Christians across the Middle East.
‘‘We endured the rule of the Syrian regime. I have not forgotten that,’’ Patriarch Rai said. ‘‘We do not stand by the regime, but we fear the transition that could follow. We must defend the Christian community. We, too, must resist.’’
It is a remarkable insight into the power and persuasion of fear that the status quo in Syria these days remains preferable to many.
An activist in Damascus recalled over coffee at the upscale Audi Lounge how a Christian friend found himself hiding in the house of a conservative Muslim family in a town on the outskirts of Damascus. His friend had been marching in a demonstration, along with others. When security forces arrived at the scene, shooting randomly at people, they ran for cover, hiding in the nearest houses and buildings, he said.
When the tumult was over, his new host asked him what his name was. Scared, he thought for a moment about lying, but he told the truth. To his surprise, the host and his family and all those hiding in the house began cheering for him. He had joined their ranks.
But while the promise of the Arab revolts is a new order, shorn of repression and inequality, worries linger that Islamists, the single most organized force in the region, will gain greater influence.
‘‘Fear is spreading among us and anyone who is different,’’ said Abu Elias, as he greeted worshipers walking the hundreds of stone steps worn smooth over the centuries. ‘‘Today, we are here. Tomorrow, who knows where we will be?’’
Syria’s state-run news agency reported Wednesday that a nuclear engineer had been assassinated in a hail of bullets in the restive central city of Homs, The Associated Press reported from Beirut.
Aws Khalil, an engineer and university professor, is the fourth Syrian academic to be assassinated in Homs recently. The chief of chest surgery at the Homs hospital who had treated wounded Syrian protesters in the past months was also recently assassinated.
Homs has been a hub of anti-regime protests since the uprising against Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian president, began six months ago.
The state-run news agency, Sana, reported Mr. Khalil’s killing on Wednesday, blaming it on an ‘‘armed terrorist gang.’’
International Herald Tribune
September 28th, 2011, 3:51 pm
TRUE said:
To all Imad Mustafa’s string-puppets in America, how about you HUSH and SHUSH for good eh
According to a new poll, Syrians in the US find optimism for future, but LITTLE support for Athad.
71.1% – had positive views of the protesters
5.5% had negative views
88% think that the majority of the population shares the protestors’ concerns.
1.5% want the regime to remain power and make reforms — Those are the Menhebaks tsk tsk stk
81.7% want regime change
http://security.blogs.cnn.com/2011/09/27/syrian-poll-finds-optimism-for-future-but-little-support-for-assad/
September 28th, 2011, 3:54 pm
Syrian Nationalist Party said:
@MORON
Hey man thank you for the medical advice, my doctor said what you recommended will not work for me because it will simply get urinated within an hour and have serious side effect. He recommended for me and all SNP members a new drug on the market that was not approved by FDA yet, but CIA did approve it, it is called “FSA”. Not sure what it stands for but I called the Central Drug Agency that approved it and the Customer Service said he was not sure, he had an Opium day and could not recall for sure, but it could be Acronym for FART, SHIT and ACT.
My doctor said that this new “FSA” drug is made by highly advanced country in Asia called Afghanistan, it is managing director named DR. HOLY ARROUR. He warned me that it does have severe side effect as well. The only difference is that the side effect of “FSA” are highly effective for SNP members. That when “FSA” is not on virtual trial on weblogs, if it become real and active, Dr. B. Assad of U.K. will start recommend treatments recommended by SNP and he then may hire us to remove all the side effects of FSA from effected areas. We already have that treatment now, giant earth movers and mine sized Buldozers.
September 28th, 2011, 3:56 pm
Revlon said:
451. Dear Shabbi7:
You said:
“Revlon,
If you don’t consider Qassam a Syrian citizen (….), then remember the post-independence Syrians that died in 1948 for Palestine.
– I repeat, Al_Qassam was not one of the Baathists, he was their nemesis!
– Post-independence Syria witnessed long sporadic confrontations with the Israeli Army. One of my uncles died in one of them!
That was an example of fighting for the sake of Palestinians.
That was not Baathist, Asadist Syria that your nickname treasures!
“All wars that Syria has had were against the Zionist entity, or some element belonging to the Zionist entity. Does that not qualify as also fighting for Palestine?
OK Let’s see:
– 1967: Asad Army was caught with their pants down.
that war saved the lives of 0 palestenians.
It merely lead to the catastrophic loss of lives of thousands of stranded, poorly commanded and trained soldiers, and thousands of square kilometers of Syrian land.
– 1973: Asad Army attempted this time to clear his earlier booboo!
They were caught once again with their pants down, this time “swimming in Tabariya”, without Israeli permit.
Not a single palestinian life was saved.
Hundreds of soldiers lost their lives to poor planning and execution of the war, and cowardess of Asad Sr. and his top, corrupt, Baathist, “secular” commanders.
“I just cannot comprehend how stupid you are with this “quiz”. There are so many Syrians who secretly went to Palestine to fight for the freedom of Palestine”
– I challenge you again; Name one Baathist!
– Syrian citizens and many Palestinians who attempted military operations within Palestine, and managed to return to Syria disappeared in the vast darkness of the Baathist, Resistant, Asadist, prison systems.
September 28th, 2011, 4:03 pm
TRUE said:
@ 472. Revlon
Nicely put mate!
September 28th, 2011, 4:04 pm
Khalid Tlass said:
Just perused through the 2005 and 2006 SC archives. Landis was a menhebak !! His comments and views were (and are) disgusting.
Sa,e goes for Abu Ghassan a.k.a Ghufran. Hypocrite and double-agent, bloody baby killers, these ppl should never be allowed to have any say in Syria.
September 28th, 2011, 4:06 pm
Baran said:
SNP
The benefits outweight the risks in your case. It does have side effects in less than 10%. It is FDA approved but has black box warning so its use is restricted. Take your posts to the doctor with you. He will understand.
September 28th, 2011, 4:10 pm
amal said:
A reminder to al-qeda posters and their supports on this blog. There is no place in the world where you can hide when the FBI will come for you. They are probably knocking on your door right now.
If you think you are really anonymous? think again.
Think happy thoughts. Think GUANTANAMO BAY RESORT 😉
Here’s the brochure 😀
http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2008/12/scenes_from_guantanamo_bay.html
Cheers boys and girls
September 28th, 2011, 4:12 pm
TRUE said:
For all those idiots who were claiming Betho the criminal was elevating the Syrian education system!!
Betho, on Wednesday, issued a legislative decree to transfer students from one year to another. “In exception of the executive regulations of law regulating the university if a student fails SIX papers at most of the different years of study in the quarterly average for the year 2010-2011”.
http://www.syria-news.com/readnews.php?sy_seq=137838
Six instead of four and next month will be eight!!! And you we keep wondering why the heck the world does not recognise Syrian degrees?!
To the hell you bloody peasants
September 28th, 2011, 4:12 pm
Revlon said:
470. Dear TRUE,
Thank you very much for the link to the Poll of Syrians living in Syria.
The results indicate that the “Silent majority” is clearly for a regime change!
Only 11% belive that reforms in the presence of the regime would work.
This survey deserves to be posted in full.
September 28th, 2011, 4:14 pm
amal said:
“MENHEBKES MATE” ;D
hehehehehehehehehehehe
September 28th, 2011, 4:18 pm
Aboud said:
#471 “Extremists blah blah conspiracies yada yada Ar’or yap yap yap where did I put my tin foil hat the moon landings were all faked Area-51 is hiding an alien spaceship extremists conspiracies crazy pills bandar plan etc etc”
September 28th, 2011, 4:20 pm
sheila said:
Dear Mina,
I seriously give up. You either have a problem with language, with comprehension or with both. I write something and you end up telling me that I am wrong by repeating my argument.
September 28th, 2011, 4:22 pm
TRUE said:
@ 474. Khalid Tlass
Abu Ghassan a.k.a Ghufran 🙂 heheheh very true
“5. Abughassan said:
I need a break and I should focus on my upcoming trip to Syria. I might pop up from time to time. I hope you guys moderate your posts . I am particularly disgusted by the loss of lives and the calls for more blood shed by many Syrians,some of whom are expats and some are educated.
?? ??? ???? ??? ???? ?????
September 20th, 2011, 12:06 am “
Ya Abu Ghassan (Ghufran) what’s the point of changing masks?
You’re not cumffy with your skin? Fair enough no problem, but for freakin’ sake! Stop lecturing us!!
PS: you’re doing the same exact spelling mistakes buddy lol
September 28th, 2011, 4:24 pm
Aboud said:
“There is no place in the world where you can hide when the FBI will come for you”
Once more, the irony could sink an aircraft carrier. Besho the war criminal should be very worried indeed. Just this year a couple of wanted Bosnian Serb war criminals were caught after years on the run. I doesn’t matter where he runs, and for how long, he is going to end up in the Hague or dead in a spider hole.
September 28th, 2011, 4:25 pm
amal said:
al-qeda bitting the saudi hand that feeds it 😉
US embassy in Saudi warns of ‘terror kidnap plot’ (AFP)
29 September 2011RIYADH — The US embassy in Riyadh on Wednesday warned American citizens of a plot by a “terrorist group” to kidnap Westerners in the Saudi capital.
In a statement on its website, the embassy advised “US citizens in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that we have received information that a terrorist group in Saudi Arabia may be planning to abduct Westerners in Riyadh.”
“The US embassy in Riyadh reminds all US citizens to exercise prudence and enhanced security awareness at all times,” it added.
The warning advised people to keep their security and situational awareness levels high, and offered steps they could take to improve their security.
Saudi Arabia witnessed a wave of deadly attacks by Al-Qaeda between 2003 and 2006, which prompted a security force crackdown on the local branch of the jihadist network founded by the late Saudi-born Osama bin Laden.
Al-Qaeda remains very active in neighbouring Yemen, where the Saudi and Yemeni franchises of Al-Qaeda joined forces under the banner of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.
A suicide bomber from the group blew himself up in August 2009 in an abortive attempt on the life of the son of Interior Minister Saudi Interior Minister Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz, Prince Mohammed, who leads the campaign against Islamist militants in the kingdom.
In late August, Prince Nayef said terrorism remains a threat for the Sunni Gulf kingdom and accused Shiite Iran of targeting it.
“We will continue to be a target for terrorists, who will continue attempting to attack us, supported by other parties,” Al-Eqtissadiya newspaper quoted him as saying.
“Evil surrounds us from all sides,” he said, citing unrest in neighbouring Iraq and Yemen, as well as “Iran and its targeting of the kingdom.” He did not elaborate.
On September 17, suspected member of an Al-Qaeda cell charged with planning attacks against two US military bases in Qatar went on trial in Riyadh.
The cell, dismantled five years ago, was “the most important Al-Qaeda” operation in Saudi Arabia, the attorney general said.
It had “planned attacks in Qatari territory against the Al-Udeid and As-Sailiyah US bases,” he added.
The As-Sailiyah air base and the Al-Udeid camp served as launching pads for the US military for an attack on Afghanistan in 2001 and on Iraq in 2003.
“The cell also had projects aimed at Kuwait,” the attorney general said. He said there was “coordination” between the group and Al-Qaeda cells in Iraq and Syria to “ensure logistical support for their operations.”
In late June, 86 Al-Qaeda suspects went on trial in a special Saudi security court in connection with deadly attacks carried out in the kingdom.
In April, a judicial source said a total of 5,080 terrorist suspects either faced trial or had already been tried before the special court which has come in for criticism from lawyers.
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle08.asp?xfile=data/middleeast/2011/September/middleeast_September575.xml§ion=middleeast
September 28th, 2011, 4:26 pm
TRUE said:
“Run, Betho. Run!”
September 28th, 2011, 4:27 pm
TRUE said:
@ 478. Revlon
Ta, point taken 🙂
Syrian poll finds optimism for future, but little support for Assad
By CNN Sr. State Department Producer Elise Labott
http://security.blogs.cnn.com/2011/09/27/syrian-poll-finds-optimism-for-future-but-little-support-for-assad/
Syrians have little confidence that President Bashar al-Assad’s regime can solve the country’s current problems, although they are optimistic about the future, a poll conducted by Pepperdine University shows.
The survey, which was conducted in conjunction with the Democracy Council of California, also found that eight out of 10 Syrians questioned want al-Assad’s regime to leave power and more than seven out of 10 are more hopeful that reforms will come, in light of the uprisings in other Middle Eastern and North African countries now known as the Arab Spring.
The Democracy Council is a nonpartisan, non-profit group that promotes democracy in emerging countries. The group receives funding from the U.S. government agency USAID, although the Syria poll was not commissioned by the government. CNN obtained a copy of the survey, which will be released Wednesday.
The poll was conducted in secret due to a Syrian government ban on opinion-gathering, officials from both organizations told CNN.
“The most surprising thing about these results is that they could be collected in the first place,” Angela Hawken, associate professor of Economics and Policy Analysis at Pepperdine’s School of Public Policy, told CNN.
The results are the product of face-to-face interviews in Arabic by trained data collectors with 551 Syrians over the age of 18. The poll was carried out between August 24 and September 2, Hawken said.
She explained that the tense security situation in Syria, coupled with the fact that the poll was done without the permission of the government, presented many logistical challenges for the field team collecting the data. For example, she said, the team had particular difficulty interviewing women, who were less willing than men to participate. Those women who did answer the questions were less critical of the government.
Those factors also likely skewed the results somewhat.
“Those who agreed to answer a poll conducted without government approval may be more likely to express anti-government sentiments than their neighbors who refused,” Hawken said, adding that it was hard to tell how representative the numbers were of overall public opinion in Syria.
“Still, we know a lot more now than we did before the survey,” she said. “And, equally important, we have shown that it is possible to collect public opinion data even in very repressive countries.”
Democracy Council President James Prince said the poll reflects “the deep-seated angst felt by most Syrians” about the regime and their hopes that the Arab Spring will result in better leadership in Syria.
“The Syrian people do not have confidence in the Assad regime. They no longer want to live in the Baath security state,” Prince told CNN. “As in other regional countries, the Syrians are fed up with the corruption, nepotism and lack of opportunity in Syria. The people are searching for alternatives to Assad.”
Despite their discontent with their government, Syrians remain optimistic, the survey found, with nine in 10 expecting the future to be better than the present.
Prince noted that the findings of the survey are consistent with polling in other countries involved in the Arab Spring, such as Tunisia and Egypt, with corruption and the lack of freedom and opportunity in people’s lives driving them to look for alternatives to their government. He points to the fact that 78.3% of the Syrians surveyed feel more hopeful about the prospect for reforms in their country in light of popular movements elsewhere in the Arab world.
Prince, a leading expert on Arab civil society, has been working on democracy promotion in the Middle East for more than 20 years.
He said the poll showed that the Syrian public “has very little confidence in the Assad regime and the government in general.”
A little more than 86% of the respondents judge al-Assad’s performance negatively, and 88.2% do not think the current government is capable of solving the country’s problems, Prince explained.
The results of the survey come as world pressure intensifies against the Syrian regime, with the imposition of more international sanctions and a renewed call by a United Nations body to bring in the International Criminal Court.
Unrest has plagued Syria for more than six months, as protesters demanding more freedom, democratic elections and an end to al-Assad’s regime have been met by brute force. The government has maintained a consistent narrative: It is going after armed terrorists, who are the ones causing the problems. But opposition activists say the regime is behind a systematic, sustained slaughter of protesters and innocent civilians.
The poll found most of the Syrians questioned – 71.1% – had positive views of the protesters, and only 5.5% had negative views. A whopping 88% think that the majority of the population shares the protestors’ concerns.
Two-thirds of the respondents agree that “democracy is preferable to any other form of government.” But the survey found that mere reforms by the Assad regime will not placate the Syrian people. Only 11.5% want the regime to remain power and make reforms, while 87.9% think that reforms will not satisfy the protestors and 81.7% want regime change.
September 28th, 2011, 4:30 pm
Humanist said:
Amal,
I think most Syrian criminals (including “al-qeda”) would be very happy if sent to “GUANTANAMO BAY RESORT” , instead of Assadist-Baathist prisons…
http://www.shrc.org/data/aspxng/TorturephotoGallery.aspx
(Bashar surely would…)
September 28th, 2011, 4:31 pm
Tara said:
True and khaled
I respect Abu Ghassan and I think he is genuine. He always wanted a regime change and the Baath party to go away. He is a moderate voice. Although I may disagree with him, I find him very reasonable.
September 28th, 2011, 4:34 pm
amal said:
Russia blames terrorists, outsiders for Syria crisis
By ARAB NEWS
Published: Sep 28, 2011 22:58 Updated: Sep 28, 2011 23:02
RIYADH: Following the failure of the attempt by EU countries at the UN Security Council to impose sanctions against Syria over the repression there on Tuesday, the Russian government has blamed much of the violence on what it called “terrorist organizations” and “armed extremists.”
In a press statement on developments in Syria issued Wednesday, the Russian Embassy in Riyadh claimed that extremists were being “encouraged” by foreign powers.
Asked who the foreign powers might be, a Russian embassy spokesman would not be specific.
The Russian statement was strongly supportive of the Assad government. It spoke of “friendly” Syria and claimed that Damascus had “undertaken some very important steps” toward major political and economic reforms. The problem lay with the opposition for refusing to participate in dialogue. Moscow, it said, “strongly urges the international community to influence the opposition to respond to the invitation of the authorities in Damascus for a dialogue on the urgent reforms.”
The opposition had to be drawn into the political process, the statement said.
The statement also called on the international community to use its influence with the opposition to reject those it referred to as “armed extremists.”
Their aim, it said, was to “provoke tensions with a view to reduplicate (sic) the Libyan scenario.”
http://arabnews.com/middleeast/article508531.ece
September 28th, 2011, 4:37 pm
amal said:
Syrian delegation thanks Lebanese clergyman for supporting al-Assad
Sep 28, 2011, 19:37 GMT
Beirut – The head of the Lebanese Christian Maronite community was praised Wednesday for his support of Syrian President Bahar al-Assad by a Sunni Muslim delegation loyal to the leader.
Patriarch Bechara Boutros al-Rai met with the delegation, which thanked him for his stance in supporting Syria’s stability.
The delegation, which was headed by Damascus’ Mufti Sheikh Adnan Afyouni, called Rai’s stance toward the Syrian regime a ‘balanced stance.’
Rai said earlier this month that Assad is ‘open-minded’ and should be given more chances ‘to implement the reforms.’
Syria has been gripped by an uprising since mid-March calling for democracy and reforms by the al-Assad regime. The Syrian government has confronted such calls with a brutal crackdown, which so far has killed an estimated 2,700 people.
The regime has blamed the turmoil in Syria on armed gangs financed by the west and some Arab countries.
http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/middleeast/news/article_1665683.php/Syrian-delegation-thanks-Lebanese-clergyman-for-supporting-al-Assad
September 28th, 2011, 4:41 pm
sheila said:
Dear Annie,
Thank you for your concern, but I am not in Syria. I am in the US. I have been living here for many years, however, I usualy go to Syria every year and have a very big family there.
September 28th, 2011, 4:43 pm
amal said:
Russia submits new draft on Syria
Published: 28 September, 2011, 17:38
Edited: 28 September, 2011, 22:35
Russia has introduced a new draft resolution on Syria to the UN Security Council. It comes after Western states dropped their previous call for immediate sanctions against Syrian President Bashar Assad’s regime.
Stressing the resolution’s “firm wording”, the Russian ambassador to the UN, Vitaly Churkin, expressed the hope that it will “promote the political process in Syria and put an end to violence in the country.”
Churkin went on to condemn the resolution proposed earlier by a group of Western countries, including the UK, France, Portugal and Germany, and backed by the US, as another step aimed at changing the regime in the country:
“We believe that opinions expressed in certain capitals on whichever regime is legitimate and whichever isn’t, serves only to promote violence in Syria. It will bring dangerous and even tragic repercussions for the country.”
The resolution referred to by Churkin was already the second one proposed by Western states, with their amendment aimed at overcoming strong opposition from Russia and China and winning votes for a Security Council resolution.
Russia’s foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, had refused to support the previous draft resolution on Syria, which had been proposed by the Western countries. “This is related, in particular, to the Libyan experience,” he told Rossiya 24 television on Tuesday.
India, South Africa, and Brazil were among countries opposing sanctions.
Though the calls for immediate sanctions against Syrian President Bashar Assad’s regime were dropped in the second draft, it still included a threat to “adopt targeted measures, including sanctions” in the future should Assad’s government fail to halt its military crackdown on civilians.
At the moment the crackdown continues, with the Syrian army backed by tanks and helicopters, storming the key rebel city of Rastan.
Western diplomats say they are planning a vote by the end of the week.
http://rt.com/news/syria-west-russia-sanctions-571/
September 28th, 2011, 4:49 pm
Khalid Tlass said:
LOL Gitmo is much more humane than the most innocuous Syrian prison, at least they folow some rules and are given a trial in court.
September 28th, 2011, 4:51 pm
TRUE said:
@ 488. Tara
I’m not his Lord to judge him, it’s totally his bloody business.
However, I have to question changing the masks and the adoption of a new extreme point of view under the new alias.
Btw I’ll question yourself and ABOUD if you guys do the same.
September 28th, 2011, 4:58 pm
Humanist said:
I just have a question to certain “fans”. I really don’t mean to be offensive, just curious to know:
-What is so special about Bashar?
I mean:
Some dictators had carisma (Hitler), some had handsome mustasches (Stalin, Saddam etc.), some work/worked for Allah (Khomeini, Khameini, Mullah Omar etc. etc.), some were pretty shrewd (Assad I)
But what is Bashars talent (NO charisma, minimal mustasch, doesn’t work for Allah – as far as I know, not anything as shrewd as his father…) ?
So what did he do to be considered the only “legitimate” ruler of Syria?
BTW: I’m sorry to dissapoint you: He wasn’t even his father first choice…
September 28th, 2011, 4:58 pm
TRUE said:
Jamal,
You’re getting better and better in copy/paste job
An excellent performance for a peasant.
Do you wanna me to talk to Hafiz Makhlouf to give you a leave for 24 hours?
September 28th, 2011, 5:01 pm
amal said:
War-happy David Cameron is a worthy successor to Tony Blair
Posted: 2011/09/28
The left-wing ‘Stop the War’ coalition in England says white supremacists David Cameron and Tony Blair (photo) are Brothers-in-War
By Lindsey German
Nothing encourages warmongers more than a spot of regime change.
That’s the only conclusion to be drawn from David Cameron’s speech to the United Nations this week. Cameron showed himself a worthy successor to Tony Blair by branding himself a true and militant defender of human rights, and of using war to achieve them — unlike those mealy mouthed heads of government who are more reluctant to unleash their bombers on towns and cities night after night.
‘You can sign every human rights declaration in the world,’ he declaimed, ‘ but if you stand by and watch people being slaughtered in their own country, when you could act, then what are those signatures really worth?’.
It barely seems to enter Cameron’s comprehension that standing by and watching people being slaughtered in their own country is something that the British and other western governments have been rather good at.
After all they defended the dictators Ben Ali and Mubarak in Tunisia and Egypt against the uprisings of their people in the Arab spring which Cameron wants to claim as his own.
They continue to defend the royal families of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia as they shoot, imprison, torture and repress their populations. They bend over backwards to support Israel, despite its lengthy crimes against the Palestinians, many of them condemned by the UN resolutions which Cameron now claims are not enough to enforce human rights.
He talked about the UN having a responsibility ‘to stand up against regimes that persecute their people’. But here the selectivity kicked in again with only Yemen and Syria being singled out for intervention. The drive to impose strong sanctions against Syria is continuing among the major powers. Sanctions are all too often a prelude to full scale intervention.
While this may be some way off in Syria, it is under serious consideration, dressed up as support for those opposing president Assad whose soldiers are shooting down demonstrators. While many will rightly condemn Assad, those who want democracy and pace in the Middle East should steer clear of another western intervention.
It will be about one thing only as it was in Libya: regime change to suit the west. Cameron talks about the Arab Spring being ‘a massive opportunity to spread peace, prosperity, democracy and vitally security, but only if we really seize it.’
He means quite simply that western governments and companies must seize the chance to spread their political and economic power in the region. Human rights, democracy and national sovereignty will all be subordinated to that. Cameron and the French president Nicolas Sarkozy represent the European powers most identified with intervention in the region and they want to use the Arab Spring to further their influence and power.
It is instructive to contrast Cameron’s gung ho stance on Syria with his very different attitude to the eminently reasonable demand of the Palestinians for their own state recognised by the UN. He favours their right to have one…but not yet. They aren’t supposed to stand up against regimes that persecute their people.
Instead they are supposed to sit down and negotiate with an Israeli government which encourages illegal settlements on |Palestinian land, builds an apartheid wall to contain the Palestinians, and treats them as second class citizens. And instead of standing idly by, doing nothing to help those suffering oppression, they are actively arming and funding Israel.
Mind you, this is a government which will sell arms to practically anyone — until they have to intervene to stop them killing their own people.
Tony Blair has now been exposed for pocketing tens of millions by exploiting his position as Middle East “peace envoy” as a cover for making billion dollar deals on behalf of the bank JP Morgan and other commercial interests.
Lindsey German will be at the Antiwar Mass Assembly in Trafalgar Square, London, on 8 October 2011.
http://mathaba.net/news/?x=628825
September 28th, 2011, 5:16 pm
amal said:
Iraqi Refugees: Still There
Displacement in Iraq, Iraq, Human Rights, United Nations, Middle East
Elizabeth Ferris, Co-Director, Brookings-LSE Project on Internal Displacement
A Global Agenda: Issues Before the United Nations (United Nations Association of the USA, 2011-2012)
Editor’s Note: The following chapter was originally published in the 2011-2012 edition of A Global Agenda: Issues Before the United Nations (United Nations Association of the USA).
Millions of Iraqis have fled their communities as a result of violence and insecurity in the eight years since the United States invaded Iraq. Together with most of those displaced by the Saddam Hussein regime, these Iraqis live in uncertain conditions throughout the Middle East.
The governments of the region have generally allowed them to remain but haven’t recognized them as refugees nor given them formal residency rights. Not yet persuaded that it’s safe to return to their country, they live in limbo. Some hope for resettlement to another country, some seek asylum in Europe.
But most are just waiting. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees provides some assistance to them and host governments, but agrees with the refugees that the time is not right to promote their large-scale return.
Patterns of displacement from Iraq are longstanding and complex. For years, hundreds of thousands of Iraqis fled Saddam Hussein’s government as victims of persecution and violence. Most sought refuge in nearby countries, particularly Iran and Turkey, while others traveled to Europe.
http://www.brookings.edu/articles/2011/09_human_rights_ferris.aspx
September 28th, 2011, 5:22 pm
Tara said:
Ann is on vacation and Amal is filling in. No worries. SC is covered 24/7.
September 28th, 2011, 5:26 pm
TRUE said:
24/7 service that’s how Hafiz Makhlouf makes peasants work
September 28th, 2011, 5:29 pm
Tara said:
True
Don’t answer if you don’t want to. I won’t be offended. What is your age group and your background?
September 28th, 2011, 5:33 pm
sheila said:
Dear #395. DIGGING FOR GOLD IN BOSRA,
Thank you for saying what many of us feel and as always very eloquently. There are some people that simply do not have the depth in their thought process and just don’t get it.
September 28th, 2011, 5:40 pm
TRUE said:
@ 501. Tara
If I tell ya I have to kill ya 🙂
Old enough to be part of toppling the regime.
What’s ur catch gal if I may ask?
September 28th, 2011, 5:42 pm
amal said:
Old enough to spell MENHEBKES MATE
hehehehehehehehehe 😀
September 28th, 2011, 5:45 pm
amal said:
Printing Euros 🙂
Euro-Zone Prepares to Print Trillions in Advance of Greece Debt Default
Wednesday, September 28th, 2011 | Filed under The Market Oracle It’s not just the financial and economic world that’s being turned upside down with fast changing events in motion that will impact for many years. Last week saw that maybe energy does not equal mass X the speed of light squared. Eeeek ! There goes Einstein’s theory of general relativity and the past 100 years of physics (if true) over the event horizon and into a black hole, though the theory has always had something major missing which is why there existed the fundamental disparity between quantum mechanics and general relativity that maybe we will get much closer towards understanding if E=MC2 is busted.
Similarly the Euro-zone has reached the edge of its own event horizon of disappearing into a financial and economic black hole, the response to which is likely to be rampant Euro-zone money printing to monetize PIIGS debts that takes place following the orderly bankruptcy of Greece due to the impossibility of an economically contracting country being able to service an ever expanding debt mountain, a vicious cycle of ever higher debt to GDP triggering ever greater economic austerity, resulting in an even higher debt to GDP ratio as the economy contracts and the tax take falls.
http://howestreet.com/2011/09/eurozone-prepares-print-trillions-advance-greece-debt-default/
September 28th, 2011, 5:50 pm
TRUE said:
@ Jamal
Did you clean the shoes of your “m3alemtak” Hafiz Makhlouf’s wife?
Qurd ya Jamal Qom 7o6 breQ elmatte 3a elnar aa bedak tQerqe3 matte ma3na
September 28th, 2011, 5:54 pm
Humanist said:
Just watched to BBC-documentary someone recommended.
Seeing tortured and killed children I just have one word for this regime: EVIL!
But I think those who still support the regime after seeing this must be EVEN MORE INHUMAN (if possible)!
Sorry “Shabbi7” and other fake “resistance supporters”: I still can’t understand how torturing and killing Syrians (even children F.G.S!) helps the palestinian cause…
September 28th, 2011, 6:02 pm
sheila said:
Dear #408. Amir in Tel Aviv,
You are absolutely right about the bad treatment of Jews in the Arab world, but please keep in mind that this only happened after the creation of the state of Israel in 1948 and the pouring of Palestinian refugees into the adjacent Arab countries. This is not an excuse, it is simply and explanation. Before that, Jews lived in Syria peacefully.
I would like to point out that many other groups suffered under the Ottomans, including the Christians, the Alawiis and the Shias. May I also remind you that even the Sunni Arabs suffered under the rule of the Ottomans. I hope you do not blame the Arabs for that era.
I want you to know that I am truly sorry that the Syrian Jews left. They were an important part of the fabric of our society that we lost.
September 28th, 2011, 6:21 pm
Ya Mara Ghalba said:
Comment #395 from Digging for Gold in Bosra:
I confidently believe that the Assad party will beat the entire rest of the field in free and fair elections in Syria. Real free and fair elections are coming (with tribal and religious parties banned). The regime has said so. The regime and its supporters today judge the repeal of Article 8 to be a necessity. The repeal is going to happen “soon”. Sooner is better and soonest is best — I hope it’ll be announced formally at the beginning of the centralized National Dialog Conference that’s coming up in a few weeks. I confidently believe that the regime has nothing to fear from the test of the elections. But if the regime loses in the elections, then that’ll be that and that’ll be fair. The people of Syria shall be the deciders of the forward vision for their country. What Syria needs today is a lawful and civil process for discussing competing visions and handling political competition. Parliamentary elections will happen sometime in 2012. The Presidential election will happen a couple of years later. These elections will be for real — real political competition will be legal. The dissidents are going to have to compete against the Assad party in these elections. The dissidents are politically weak and inexperienced and largely unknown in Syria, and divided into a motley crowd that has no common programme of action. They would’ve liked to’ve overthrown the Assad regime unconstitutionally before any elections, so that they wouldn’t have to compete against the Assad party in the elections. But that didn’t work out for them. The people of Syria want a civilized process for modernizing their political institutions.
In short, there is a process. And we pro-regimers are going to emerge the winners from the process in all likelihood.
September 28th, 2011, 6:24 pm
sheila said:
Dear #419. Akbar Palace,
It was me Sheila, not Annie.
I think you need to talk to a few Palestinians to see the other side on how the state of Israel was created. I think this will help you understand where I am coming from.
The Jews did not immigrate to Palestine legally. It was under British rule at the time. It is true that some of the land was bought, but most of it was confiscated from the Palestinians who were literally expelled from their own land never to be allowed back again.
Israel is a reality that we have to deal with, but keep in mind that even if Israel managed to attract all the Jews of the world, it is still just a matter of time before the Israeli Arabs are more than the Jews. In a democratic state, the Jewishness of Israel is only a temporary status.
There are 5 million Palestinian refugees living all over the world who would like to go back to their mother land. Please try to talk to some of them to hear the other side.
In terms of morality, the Arabs and Muslims are still searching for the basics, but Israel is an advanced country. They are not equal. I have to expect more from Israel than its counterparts.
September 28th, 2011, 6:53 pm
zoo said:
‘Zero problems’ in Ankara is havoc for the neighbourhood
Michael Young
Sep 29, 2011
….In Syria, Turkey has broken with President Bashar Al Assad’s regime. That was to be expected. But Syria is tricky for the Turks. If the country collapses into civil war, this might not only push Syria’s Kurds, who have no affection for Ankara, to seek autonomy. It might also drive Arab Alawites in Turkey’s Hatay province to assist their Syrian brethren.
At the same time, Mr Erdogan cannot afford to do nothing. The prime minister heads a Sunni Islamist party, a substantial part of whose appeal is that it can build bridges to Arab Islamists. To allow Mr Al Assad to pursue his slaughter of peaceful protesters, many of whom happen to be Sunnis, represents a humanitarian and religious affront to the values Mr Erdogan claims to espouse. More cynically, as the uprising in Syria takes on an overtly sectarian colouring, thanks principally to the brutality of Alawite-dominated security services and military units, Ankara does not want to be on the losing side.
That Mr Erdogan has turned against Mr Al Assad is to his credit. Yet Turkey’s worsening ties with Syria have also heightened tension with Damascus’s ally Iran – which lately has also opposed Turkey’s decision to host a Nato early-warning radar system. Iran and Turkey are vying for regional influence, so they are destined to clash many more times. Not surprisingly, this rivalry has affected Lebanon, where Turkey has invested in predominantly poor Sunni areas. Earlier this year Mr Davutoglu helped Qatar mediate in the Lebanese political crisis. Their efforts were thwarted by Hizbollah and Syria.
As Turkey gets caught up in the Middle East’s contradictions, it can no longer seriously portray itself as being above the fray, on friendly terms with all. Words are cheap, and when Mr Erdogan hears praise he should be wary. No one will give Ankara a free ride in a region that cheerfully grinds down the self-assured.
http://www.thenational.ae/thenationalconversation/comment/zero-problems-in-ankara-is-havoc-for-the-neighbourhood?pageCount=0
September 28th, 2011, 7:25 pm
Tara said:
The clip showing the peasant thugs mocking Muslim’s prayer in a mosque in Rastan should be forwarded to Mr. Great Ayatollah in Iran to express an opinion. I logged on his web page. The “contact us” page is empty. I think Mr. Khamenei is shy and does not like to exchange emails with people.
http://english.khamenei.ir//index.php?option=com_contact&Itemid=22
September 28th, 2011, 7:35 pm
zoo said:
The zionist media war against Turkey has started.
American Jewish columnist Michael Rubin:
“Erdo?an is thuggish in personality and in policy. No diplomat or official should enable him. Apologizing to Erdo?an is like offering crack to an addict.”
Turkey Takes Thuggishness to a New Level
Michael Rubin | @mrubin1971 09.28.2011 – 9:18 AM
One of the most interesting but under-reported stories at the United Nations General Assembly this past week was the brawl which developed between Turkish security agents escorting Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdo?an and UN security officers. Colum Lynch at Foreign Policy has been all over the story, not only breaking it, but now he has supplied amateur video of the melee. Short synopsis: Erdo?an and his detail tried to force their way through a secured door and resorted to fisticuffs when they didn’t get their way. Two UN employees were injured, one of whom had to go to the hospital.
Interestingly, Turkey—a country where press freedom has tumbled under the leadership of Erdo?an—did not initially report the incident. A Turkish journalist, however, did say that United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon subsequently apologized to Erdo?an for the incident. This in turn infuriated UN security officials who appear to have done nothing wrong.
Erdo?an is thuggish in personality and in policy. No diplomat or official should enable him. Apologizing to Erdo?an is like offering crack to an addict. By Erdo?an’s own logic, rather than have UN officials genuflect, shouldn’t he apologize and pay compensation to the injured party? And shouldn’t the UN recognize that officers, when attacked, not only have the right to but should also defend themselves? Probably the only thing that hasn’t happened yet (but there’s still time) is for accompanying minister Egemen Ba??? or a member of his delegation to accuse the UN officers of having Jewish blood, as they did the Bulgarian foreign minister.
It’s time to stop tolerating this Turkish nonsense and, despite the steady stream of affirmation the Turkish press provides their leader, let Turks know Erdo?an’s antics are a permanent stain on their reputation.
http://www.commentarymagazine.com/2011/09/28/turkey-un-security-melee/
September 28th, 2011, 7:38 pm
Amir in Tel Aviv said:
Dear Sheila,
Jews, as a minority, like many other minorities, suffered. I didn’t bring the Ottoman thing, to smear the Arabs, or the Muslims in general. I wanted to explain why independent Jewish Israel is so important to Jews in Israel and abroad.
Jews in particular, suffered THE MOST from European Christians, and from secular Europeans (Nazis and Communists). Actually, the Muslims (before the period of the modern Zionism – and here I agree with you), were relatively quite hospitable towards the Jews. I don’t ignore it!
.
September 28th, 2011, 7:52 pm
Tara said:
Haytham Maleh today: no to the NATO, yes to UN international protection. No to arming the protestors, yes to defection and army defectors fighting and taking down the regime.
September 28th, 2011, 7:54 pm
TRUE said:
Hezbollah was involved in the killing of Syrians: testimonies & documents
http://www.beirutobserver.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=62640:hezbollah&catid=39:features
September 28th, 2011, 8:02 pm
Amir in Tel Aviv said:
Tara,
#512…How can you be sure that those thugs are Shi’i or Alawi ? Could be they’re secular from a Sunni background?
.
September 28th, 2011, 8:11 pm
mjabali said:
Tara:
I said before that you live in Kandahar. I certainly believe so.
The guys mocking prayer are wrong of course, although I truly believe in freedom of speech. Go mock their prayer, who is holding you back.
I believe they were VERY wrong in what they did because they did this to show the power they have over that mosque.
That is a vulgar display of power that should be condemned and not let go without pointing it out to the world to see. Not because they are mocking religion only, but, because they are aggressors and mocking other people beliefs at the same time, I do not like them or what they did. They are double wrong.
But, also there is no reason for you to call them peasants.
You have used this adjective before, which means that you still see the Syrians as land owners and peasants. They are all equal and any peasant in Syria and its country side is equal to any city dwellers, especially that most of the inhabitants of the big cities in Syria, are imported throughout the Mongol and Ottoman days. Many of them have no roots in Syria an of course they are going to consider anyone other than them as a peasant. Those were landowners because the occupier of Syria gave them powers here and there over the real Syrians who are reduced in this history to tax payers (Christians and Jews), or tax payers, serfs, laughing stock (city dwellers mock the way country people speak in Syria) and foot soldiers sometimes (like the Muslim minorities; Alawis, Druz, and Ismailis), who were raided, killed and displaced every year probably depending on the strength of the Ottomans. From those days, people still believe that some are peasants and others are landowners.
I think from the way you talk that you live well with a good job and education in a Western country, but did you leave Kandahar behind, I doubt that. There is a little Kandahar living well inside of you and you should get rid of it.
September 28th, 2011, 8:18 pm
ziadsoury said:
Is this what you call a salafi gang?
Is this what scares you Norman?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IahnTrXo8I&feature=player_embedded
I never thought the people of Homs are so powerful.
These are the people that will lead Syria forward. I am more impressed than ever. I can not wait for the end of master bashar and his thugs.
September 28th, 2011, 8:20 pm
Tara said:
Amir
They could be anything. Most likely they are Alawis based on statistics. Secular sunni and secular shiaa would show respect in a mosque. People who do this no matter who they are, have “no roots”. That what we say in Arabic. Don’t know if there is equivalent expression in English. They only deserve contempt .
September 28th, 2011, 8:21 pm
ziadsoury said:
Tara,
Scumbags,
Low life,
Thugs,
Better describe these people.
September 28th, 2011, 8:32 pm
TRUE said:
How come Betho the criminal has accepted to be a string-puppet for the king of Wahhabism Abdullah?
Aduallah dragged him in his plane like you drag a donkey
hehehehehe resistance you told me eh 🙂
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2007875,00.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-10813301
September 28th, 2011, 8:37 pm
TRUE said:
So please remind me who was sending terrorists to Iraq to bomb both Shi’a and Christians innocent people? And who was Al-Qaeda Enabler in Iraq?
Mmmmmm yes Betho the criminal!
“Many international Al-Qaeda plots have Syrian links. The head of the Al-Qaeda-affiliated Groupe Islamique Combattant Marocain, which claimed responsibility for the suicide bombings in Casablanca in May 2003, trained in Syria”
“Abu Faraj al-Libi, a high-level Al-Qaeda operative, met with several of his colleagues in Syria to plan terrorist attacks on the U.S., Europe, and Australia, according to testimony at his hearing”
“Perhaps in exchange for free passage if not a safe haven in Syria, Al-Qaeda has launched attacks against states whose governments Assad distrusts, including Jordan, Lebanon, and the United States.”
Iraqi Freedom described how “fighters swarmed into Iraq aboard buses that Syrian border guards waved through open gates.”
“Damascus rebuffed Riyadh’s demands to shut a terrorist training camp in Syria, then hosting approximately 1,000 Saudi jihadis”
http://www.meforum.org/2406/damascus-supporting-terrorists
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2004/apr/20/20040420-115628-7182r/
September 28th, 2011, 8:40 pm
Ghufran said:
?? ?????? ????? ????????? ?? ??? ? ?????? ?????? ???? ????? ????? ???? ????? ??? ???????? ?? ??? ????????? ?? ??? ??????.?????? ???????? ??? ???? ???? ????? ?? ????? ???? ? ??? ??? ?? ???? ??? ??? ????? ?? ???? ????? ???? ??? ????? ?? ????? ??? ???? ?? ???? ?????? ? ?? ???? ????????? ??????? ???? ????.
????? ????? ???? ? ???? ??? ???????? ? ?????? ?????? ???? ??????? ??? ???? ?????? ?????? ? ?????? ????? ?? ????? ????.?????? ??????? ?? ??????? ??? ???? ????? ?? ?????? ? ??? ???? ??? ????? ????? ????? ?? ??????.
?? ????? ?? ??? ???? ?????? ??? ?????? ???? ????? ???? ??????? ???? ? ?????? ????
September 28th, 2011, 8:50 pm
Tara said:
Dear Mjabali
Thank you for asking me the question. It was asked before and I kinda ignored it in the past. I will answer you now.
I am PAINFULLY conscious that I am using a very derogatory comment targeting Alawis. A comment that would have infuriated me before the beginning of the revolution had I heard it from a non- Alawis to describe Alawis. I have emphasized in the past that I am not sectarian and I truly was not. I hope I still am not. I have not mentally reached any absolute fact about god and religions in general. I do NOT value people based on their beliefs. There is no absolute fact in my mind other than the sanctity of the humans being, Not a Sunni being, any being.
I however could not embody the teaching of Jesus Christ’s forgiveness watching those inflammatory footage. I am no body other than your average gal. I get angry, very very angry. My blood boils and I feel helpless. The fact that most of the oppressors in Syria are Alawis make me say things to express my anger and of course I choose what I think to be the most derogatory. I have asked myself many times recently if this originates from an unconscious contempt to the others based on their sects, ancestors or socials class. All what I can tell you is I would still use the most derogatory comment i can think of had these thugs been rich Sunnis.
September 28th, 2011, 8:51 pm
TRUE said:
Betho and his horns are excellent in labelling themselves as idiots
The ‘Fake’ Cities of Syria’s Unrest
“The construction of a fake city—let alone multiple fake cities—would be a major undertaking. The sheer scale of it makes even the suggestion almost laughable. It calls to mind the climax of the 1974 Mel Brooks film Blazing Saddles, in which a fake version of a town is created to fool a band of thugs intent on terrorizing the locals into leaving. Or the fake war created for TV in Wag the Dog. Or even the theory that the moon landing was filmed on a soundstage”
http://www.theatlanticcities.com/politics/2011/09/fake-cities-syrias-unrest/202/
September 28th, 2011, 8:57 pm
TRUE said:
more on The ‘Fake’ Cities of Syria’s Unrest
A State Department official told Josh Rogin of Foreign Policy magazine that the video was
“a weak, banal, laughable attempt by the Syrian thugs to have the international community focus on anything but the real story, which is the government’s continuing campaign of terror on its own people through torture, murder and illegal imprisonment.”
hehehehehe low IQ for sure
September 28th, 2011, 9:04 pm
TRUE said:
Syria slips towards civil war as sanctions bid fails
Thanks to Betho the criminal
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/syria-slips-towards-civil-war-as-sanctions-bid-fails-2362632.html
Fears are mounting that Syria may be on the verge of civil war as reports emerged yesterday that hundreds of army deserters were battling Bashar al-Assad’s forces in the first major confrontation against the regime.
With an intensification of violence looking increasingly likely, Britain and its EU allies have been forced to drop calls for immediate UN sanctions against Syria after major powers failed to agree upon a suitable course of action.
The UK, along with France, Germany and Portugal, circulated a heavily-diluted draft Security Council resolution condemning the Baathist regime in Damascus.
But calls for immediate sanctions were scrapped in the face of Russian and Chinese opposition. Delegates hoped that the weaker document, which demanded an “immediate end to all violence”, would eventually be approved by the two veto-wielding members.
One Syrian lobbyist, who was in New York yesterday pushing for firmer action, criticised the proposed resolution as “basically useless”. “In reality, it is very weak,” said Wissam Tarif, executive director of the Insan human rights organisation. “It doesn’t mention the International Criminal Court and it doesn’t mention an arms embargo.”
A series of European and US-sponsored sanctions against the Syrian regime are already in place, but no measures have yet been approved at the UN.
The developments in New York came as heavy fighting continued in the central Syrian town of Al-Rastan, an opposition stronghold which has become a bolthole for army deserters. Activists said that at least 1,000 former soldiers and armed citizens were now waging a battle against security forces, who were laying siege to the town backed up by tanks and helicopter gunships.
According to New York-based human rights organisation Avaaz, the Syrian regime was even deploying jets to bomb the town of 40,000 people, a claim that was repeated by at least two activist organisations monitoring the violence.
A third group said the jets had dropped poison gas, though it was impossible to verify either of the claims. Speaking to Avaaz, one witness said: “In Rastan they’re using military jets to shell their own people.”
Elsewhere in the town, there were reports of tanks shelling homes, helicopters strafing neighbourhoods with heavy machine guns, and electricity and water supplies being severed.
Nadim Houry, senior researcher for Human Rights Watch in Beirut, said he had heard reports of jets over Al-Rastan but had received no information about bombs being dropped. If the claim is true, it would mark a serious escalation of the violence. It will also heighten concerns that Syria is slipping into a Lebanese-style conflict that could seriously destabilise the region.
Radwan Ziadeh, a Syrian exile and prominent opposition voice, said the fighting in Al-Rastan highlighted the need for firmer international action.
“This is why we need a no-fly zone,” he said, adding that such a measure would provide a much-needed safe haven for defecting troops.
Britain’s minister for the Middle East, Alistair Burt, said: “If ever there was a stark reminder that the UN must take further action, this is it.”
Although Syria’s protest movement has been largely peaceful since unrest erupted in March, recently there have been numerous reports of mutinous troops cobbling themselves together into rebel groups. The area around Homs, the central Syrian city about 10 miles south of Al-Rastan, has seen the greatest number of desertions. Some of the bloodiest crackdowns on protesters have happened in the region. The battle in Al-Rastan is the first major confrontation between deserters and the regime, though the majority of troops still remain loyal to the army.
Even so, activists have told The Independent that some protesters, in the face of brutal state-sponsored violence, are now looking to arm themselves. “People are looking for contacts and finance,” said one, who asked not to be named. Yesterday’s continuing violence came as Human Rights Watch called for a UN investigation into the decapitation of an 18-year-old Syrian woman.
Zainab al-Hosni, from Homs, was tortured and beheaded before her body was returned to her family. A nuclear engineer was also shot dead in Homs yesterday, according to Syria’s state news agency. Officials blamed “armed terrorists”, but activists said the regime was targeting academics.
September 28th, 2011, 9:08 pm
Ghufran said:
Dear moderator,
Please free my post,it does not need moderation.
???? ???? ?? ???? ??? ???? ????? ????? ?? ??? ??????? ??????
?????? ???? ????? ?????? ?? ??? ???? ???? ??????? ???? ????? ?????
???? ?????? ?? ????? ???? ????? ?? ? ????? ?????? ?????? ???? ????? ?????? ????? ?? ???????
???? ????? ??? ??? ???? ???? ??????? ??? ?????? ?? ?????
September 28th, 2011, 9:08 pm
Ghufran said:
Dear true
??? ?? ????? ???? ????? ???? ??????
???? ?????? ?????? ? ???? ?????? ?? ????
???? ??? ???? ?????? ???? ???? ????? ????? ??????
Just kidding,thanks for the article
September 28th, 2011, 9:14 pm
Ghufran said:
I asked the moderator to free my comment,so he erased it completely !!
Tara,the term you used reflects a wide belief among Syrians in big cities that alawis came from the mountains with little education and then they ruled Syria for more than 40 years by force. Many alawis are still uneducated and poor but many more are as sophisticated as you and me,assuming that we can be called ‘sophisticated’.
You are free to use that ugly term to label 3 million Syrians but it hurts you more than it hurts them. Your comments remind me of a dear friend of mine from college,emotional but kind-hearted.
September 28th, 2011, 9:27 pm
sheila said:
Dear #509. Ya Mara Ghalba,
Please do not take this as an insult because this is not my intention:
Your post is delusional at best. Do you really think that Bashar is interested in any type of reform? Or that he gives a hoot about Syria?. He had 11 years to do something and did nothing. Syria has been on a downward spiral for many years. We are now competing with Sub-/Saharan Africa for the bottom of the barrel.
Do you really think Syrians are this stupid to elect him again in a free election?.
September 28th, 2011, 9:27 pm
Norman said:
Ziadsoury,
Nothing in Syria scares me not you or any of your comrades,
you forgot that i am a US citizen with the protection of the almighty US army, so try with your pathetic criminals.
September 28th, 2011, 9:29 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
Amir
The video showing people mocking a prayer,shows that they do not know how to pray, Shiite know how to pray,and so the sunni, so you can easily exclude those two groups.
September 28th, 2011, 9:31 pm
TRUE said:
529. Ghufran
“???? ?????? ?????? ? ???? ?????? ?? ????”
sho badak?
“???? ??? ???? ?????? ???? ???? ????? ????? ??????”
meen sa7eb? sho wazeefeh?
sho badak ya 3ami ma fhmet 3aleek shii?
September 28th, 2011, 9:32 pm
tarek said:
This is the collective punishment that they are planning for the Christians,
http://www.tayyar.org/Tayyar/News/PoliticalNews/ar-LB/syria-pb-900167631.htm
September 28th, 2011, 9:36 pm
zoo said:
“Turkey may look like a secular state on paper, but in terms of international law it is actually a Sunni Islamic state,” Izzettin Dogan, a leader of the country’s Alevi minority, charged at a joint press conference with leaders of several other minority faiths last week in Istanbul.
“The state collects taxes from all of us and spends billions on Sunni Islam alone, while millions of Alevis as well as Christians, Jews and other faiths don’t receive a penny,” Mr. Dogan said, referring to the $1.5 billion budget of the Religious Affairs Department. “What kind of secularism is that?”
Turkey’s Elephant in the Room: Religious Freedom
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/29/world/europe/turkeys-elephant-in-the-room-religious-freedom.html
September 28th, 2011, 9:41 pm
DIGGING FOR GOLD IN BOSRA said:
@ 509 YA MARA GHALBA
“. Real free and fair elections are coming (with tribal and religious parties banned). The regime has said so.”
That doesn’t instil me with confidence. You are absolutely right to point out that “sooner is better and soonest is best”, but that he has failed to already undertake these elections is a measure of just how little the President understands the gravity of the situation Syria now faces. You talk about repealing laws and initiating reform, but we have only ever heard vague promises of parliamentary elections – the elephant in the room has been ignored. To be taken seriously the President needs to declare free and universal elections for the position of President, and they need to take place now not “a couple of years later”. This is what the opposition is demanding.
That you believe a delay of two years would be acceptable to the opposition suggests on your part a deep disconnect with the political reality. Protestors are aware that their movement has garnered momentum. Any attempt to push the election date into the future will be seen as a delaying tactic aimed at dissipating this energy. I don’t believe that you, Assad or his supporters are so obtuse as to not understand protestors’ grievances. Instead we’re inclined to believe that you are not genuine in your calls for reform, and the longer you delay the more we are certain in our suspicions.
September 28th, 2011, 9:41 pm
TRUE said:
@ 532. Norman
“you forgot that i am a US citizen with the protection of the almighty US army”
As a respected US citizen,
Do you condemn Betho’s action of sending terrorists to Iraq to kill the US army soldiers?
Do you condemn Hasan Naserallha’s for the Beirut Barracks Bombing (October 23, 1983) when two truck bombs for Hizboallah struck the US army Navy base?
Do you condemn the attack of Betho’s thugs on US Ambassador Robert Ford in Damascus?
September 28th, 2011, 9:45 pm
ann said:
NYC protest goes unreported by media – September 28, 2011 7:06 PM
http://www.greenriverstar.com/articles/2011/09/28/opinion/editorials/doc4e83a75e641c1986183205.txt
Last December, a wave of protests swept across the Middle East, grabbing headlines around the world. Every newspaper, television and radio station followed the stories as Egypt, Syria, Tunisia and others fought against the inequalities in their governments
A little more than a week ago, a quiet and peaceful protest started near Wall Street in New York City. Those involved are protesting what they call the greed of Wall Street big wigs and the perceived control of America by the financial institutions whose buildings line that icon of wealth.
September 28th, 2011, 9:50 pm
Ghufran said:
I am sorry,true,the moderator erased my oldest post,he acted like an eraser.
I was referring to your conclusion that abughasan and me are the same person. I have known dr abughasan for more than 20 years.you can call me doctor but I am not an MD,I have a PhD,you can also call me abughassan2 or even 007 since khaled thinks that both abughasan and me are double agents and baby killers.I laughed until the level of humidity increased in my pants. Sorry for being silly,I am just going with the flow.
September 28th, 2011, 9:51 pm
mjabali said:
?????? Tara:
You won’t call them peasants if they were rich Sunnis as you claim. You would chose another adjective, but not peasants. That honor you would bestow on those from different class and sect of course.
You said that you asked yourself ” many times recently if this originates from an unconscious contempt to the others based on their sects, ancestors or socials class.”
To that I say yes, it is the way people are raised in Syria. They judge people according to what they do, how much money do they have and other materials indicators that are augmented with a religious scale. In Syria religion comes also to divide people. The ruling sect always behaved badly as history is telling us. The one thousand year of landowners and serfs did not die with the death of the old system and the emergence of these chaotic dictatorships that did little to make the people of Syria feel they are equal.
September 28th, 2011, 9:51 pm
TRUE said:
Those days where Alawis used to snap their fingers and expect Syrians to click their heels are gone for good
September 28th, 2011, 9:52 pm
Mohamed Kanj said:
@ 519 – ziadsoury – are these millions upon millions of syrians “shabiha” as you and your terrorist wahhabi friends claim? Id like to remind you that my two of my uncles and 90% of the security forces in the Aleppo region are sunni.It has nothing to do with sectarianism. Are all these millions of syrians minorities and none of them sunni like myself?
Do these images put a knife in your heart and scare you? Are these millions of syrians out supporting Bashar al Assad because they were forced to go out and feared for their lives. Id just like to remind you that these rallies were during school holidays, so you can exclude any children and college students in case you want to use the lame excuse the extremists use that they were forced to take time off classes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDOjTTA2V4M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1HZlGy7qvc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0grSGto-jn8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSRRlhMqLKA
It must really infuriate you wahhabis and terrorists everytime you see these videos 🙂
September 28th, 2011, 9:54 pm
TRUE said:
Question of the day
Why Alawis don’t like to be called the peasants?
You know Sunnis are bourgeoisies while Alawis are peasants
September 28th, 2011, 10:02 pm
Tara said:
# 536
What was the difference between Alawi and Alevi. I missed that class.
September 28th, 2011, 10:04 pm
TRUE said:
According to the core theoretical foundations of the Ba’ath party
“peasants are the essence of the popular movement”
There you go Alwai “peasants” you should feel proud from now on lol
Hehehe say hi to Hafiz and his party 🙂
September 28th, 2011, 10:09 pm
Ghufran said:
????
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CDkQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FAlevi&rct=j&q=alevi&ei=bNODTr7SLMKXtweHjZ3iAQ&usg=AFQjCNGZFMjBd23PBnbLTEjUxy75kaa2OQ
September 28th, 2011, 10:11 pm
TRUE said:
Peasants are all over the place even in the Ecuadorian revolution
“The Indigenous people are the poorest of the poor, the most humiliated of the humiliated; they are mostly peasants.”
http://www.revolutionarydemocracy.org/rdv6n2/ecuador.htm
Alawi peasants why don’t you flee with Betho to Ecuador?
September 28th, 2011, 10:17 pm
Ghufran said:
?? ?????? ?????? ??????
???? ????? ????? ??? ?? ?????
By the way,the geniuses at the government reversed their dumb decision about banning imports and gave a waiver to ag products. More products will be issued waivers
????? ????? ??????????? ?? ???????
Where is that link showing those pricks making fun of Islamic prayers?
True seculars do not behave that way
September 28th, 2011, 10:23 pm
Norman said:
It is clear that the people of the Mideast have no national association but religous one, does anybody think that the states should be demarcated following religous boundaries?.
September 28th, 2011, 10:38 pm
Brian Jones said:
@548 – TRUE – Here is your famous SUNNI bourgeoisies
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czlyG1yD8uo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOO3XYmQSJg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ik5fj-fjx0&feature=related
very classy people dont you agree TRUE
September 28th, 2011, 10:39 pm
Tara said:
Ghufran
Thx for the link.
September 28th, 2011, 10:41 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
To call them peasants is a polite way
September 28th, 2011, 11:04 pm
Ghufran said:
??? ???????? ?? ????
?? ????????? ??? ???? ?????? ???????? ???? ?????
?????? ?? ?????? ?????? ????? ??? ???????? ????? ? ?????? ??? ?????? ????
September 28th, 2011, 11:25 pm
Haytham Khoury said:
Hey guys:
I had an article published in “???? ?????”
http://all4syria.info/web/archives/27775
September 28th, 2011, 11:35 pm
Ghufran said:
??????? ??????? ?? ????? ? ?? ??? ?????? ?????? ???????? ????? ? ???? ????? ?????? ?????? ? ??? ?????
????? ????? ????????? ? ????? ?????????? ?? ????? ?? ????? ????? ? ???? ???????
??? ?????? ?? ?? ?????? ??? ?? ???? ???? ????????? ?????? ?? ????? ??????
???? ?????? ?? ???? ????? ??? ?????? ? ?????? ??????? ????? ? ????? ????? ??? ????? ???????? ? ?? ?????? ???? ?? ?????? ??? ?????? ?? ????? ? ?????
September 28th, 2011, 11:47 pm
Ghufran said:
????? ????
http://www.elaph.com/Web/news/2011/9/685292.html
September 29th, 2011, 12:23 am
Syrian Nationalist Party said:
@555. Ghufransaid:
I had hard time reading it, but after many attempts it was understood and found a noble person like you who got the
right idea. I learned new Arabic term now:
??????? ???????
What would exactly this term equal in English. Something like Intelectually deprived?
September 29th, 2011, 12:32 am
annie said:
Wrapping up
War on Erdogan
438 uzair8 When you mentioned “Pipes” I switched off; but out of curiosity had a look and love this comment to the article : “Erdogan shares some of the same characteristics that Hitler did: they are both charismatic and they both engage in the occult.”
BTW thank you for “Annie good”; but that is very relative opinion of course.
513 ZOO: Looks like The zionist media war against Turkey has started.
Michael Rubin:
“Erdo?an is thuggish in personality and in policy. No diplomat or official should enable him. Apologizing to Erdo?an is like offering crack to an addict.”
495 Humanist : I used to like Bashar thinking that someone who had chosen to be a doctor could not be all that bad; but after all, Mengele was a doctor too. Bashar’s mask is off and we see Mr. Hyde.
514.Amir I have no time for discussions with zionists here. Read Ilan Pappe and a few others should you want to know what happened.
Aboud explaining how one copes with extreme situations makes a lot of sense. Plus, we don’t all react the same way.
In French we say : l’ironie est la politesse du désespoir. Could not find the equivalent in English.
You all have a good day.
September 29th, 2011, 12:59 am
louai said:
Darryl @ 354 said:
Your relatives in al wadi give you a very clear picture about alwadi ,i had the chance to visit some of the suni villages in Alwadi , like Al Husn and Almetras , those two towns went out demonstrating in the beginning but not any more, the reason they stopped as i was told is: the surrounding villages and towns boycotted them in almost everything, trading workforce and even transportations , i heard that their shaiks asked them to stop demonstrating and things went back to normal
I went also to Safita , safita a good example about what you said , its as calm as any other near by town with a great harmony between its inhabitants from all sects .
September 29th, 2011, 1:04 am
louai said:
????????? ?????? ??? ???????? ??? ????? “?????? ?????” ?????? ??????? ??? ???? ??????? ???????
????
?? ????????? ??????? ???? ????? ????????? ???????? ??? ??? ??? ??? ????? ?????? “???????” ????? ?????? ??????? ??? ??? ??? ???? ?? ????? ???? ??? ????? ?????? ????? ??? ??????? ??????? ??????? ??????.
???? ???? ??? ?????? ????? ?? ???? ?????????? “???? ????? ??????? ??? ??? ???? ??? ??? ?? ???? ?????? ???????? ??? ??? ???? ?? ?????? ?????? ???? ?????? ??????? ?????? ??? ?????? ??????? ??? ??????? ?? ???????”.
????? ??? ?????? ???? ?? ?????? ??? 1985 ????? ?? ?? ??? ?????? ???? ????? ?????? ??? ?? ?????? ???? ???? ???? ???? ??????? ???? ?????????.
????? ???? “???? ????? ?????? ?????? ??? ????? ???? ????? ????? ????? ?????? ???? ??? ???? ?????? ?? ???? ?????”? ????? “??? ??????? ?? ????? ??????? ????? ???? ?????? ???????? ??????? ?? ???? ?? ???? ??? ?????? ???????? ??? ???? ??????? ??? ?????? ?????? ????? ?????? ??????? ?????? ?? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??????? ???? ??????? ?????”.
????? ???? “??? ??? ???? ??? ?????? ??????? ?? ???? ????? ?????? ???? ????????? ???????? ??? ????? ?? ???????? ??? ???? ??????? ??? ?? ??? ???? ????? ?? ??????? ???? ??? ???????? ???? ?? ?????? ???? ?? ??? ??? ????? ??????? ????? ??? ???? ????? ?????? ?????? ??? ??????? ?????? ???? ?? ??? ?? ???? ?? ????? ???????? ?????? ?????? ????? ??????? ??? ??????? ??? ??????? ?? ??????? ???? ???? ????” .
????? ???? “?????? ??? ??????? ??? ?? ????? ????? ???? ?????? ??? ????? ?????? ????? ???? ????? ????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ????? ????? ??? ?????? ?? ??? ??? ?????”? ????? “????? ????? ???? ????? ????????? ?? ???? ???????? ?? ?????? ?????? ??? ??? ??????? ??? ?????? ????? ???? ?? ???? ????? ?????? ?????? ?? ???? ???? ??? ????? ??? ???? ?? ????? ???”.
???? ??????? ??? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ??? ????? ????? ?? ?????? ?????? ????? ?????? ??? ????? ?????? ???? ????? ??? ?????? ????? ??????.
????? ??? ?? ?????? ??????? ???? ??? ?? ??? ???????? ???????? ??? ??? ???? ????? ??????? ?????? ??? ??? ?????? ???? ?????? ?? ????? ????? ???? ????? ???? ??? ????? ???? ??? ??????? ?????? ????? ??????? ???? ?????? ???? ???? ???????? ?? ????? ???? ???????? ???? ??? ???? ??????? ?? ???? ??????? ????????? ?? ????? ????? ?? ???.
????? ???? ?? “?????? ????????” ????? ???? ??? ???????? ????? ????? ???????? ??? ?????? ????? ??”???????”.
?? ???? ???? ??? ???? “???? ????? ????? ??? ????? ?????????? ??? ??? ?????? ????? ????? ?????? ???? ???? ???? ??? ?????? ?????? ??? ?? ?? ?? ?? ????? ???? ???? ?? ????? ???????? ?? ?????? ???? ???????? ???? ????? ?????? ???????? ????? ???????”.
???? ???? “???? ???? ?? ??? ???? ? ????? ? ????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ????? ????? ????? ???? ????? ?????? ??? ???? ????? ??? ?????? ???? ???????? ?????? ?? ??? ??? ??? ?????? ????? ??? ??? ????? ???????? ?? ???? ?????”? ????? ??? “??? ?????? ??? ???? ???? ?? ????? ????? ????? ???? ???? ??? ?? ??? ??????? ?????? ???? ??? ??? ???? ???? ????? ??? ????? ????? ??? ??? ??? ???? ?????? ?????? ?? ?? ??? ??? ????? ?????? ????? ???? ??????? ????? ??? ????? ??????”.
????? “???? ???? ???? ??????? ?? ??? ?????? ??? ??? ?? ????? ????? ???? ?? ????????? ???? ????? ?????? ???? 500 ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ?????? ????? ????? ???? 7 ??? ??????? ?????? ????? ????? ?????? ???? ??? ????????? ?????? ???? ?????????? ?????? ????? ?????”? ????? “??? ???? ????? ?? ????? ????? ?? ?? ???? ????? ??? ?????????? ???? ?? ??? ?? ?? ??? ???? ????? ??? ?????????? ?? ????? ??????? ???? 1000 ???? ?????”.
????? ??? “??? ????? ???? ?? ?????? ????? ??? ?????????? ????? ????? ???? ??? ????? ????? ??? ????? ???????? ???? ???? ?? ????? ??? ?????? ?????? ??? ???? ?????? ???? ?? ?? ????? ????? ?????? ????? ??? ???????? ???? 1000 ???? ???? ?? ?? ???”.
????? ???? ?? “????? ??? ??? ??? ??? ???? ?? ???? ??? ??????? ?????? ???? ????????? ????????? ??? ????? ????????? ???? ????? ??? ???? ???????? ?????? ?? ????? ??????? ??? ??? ??? ????? ??????? ???? ?? ????? ??????? ??? ??????? ??? ?? ????? ??????? ????? ??? ????? ??????? ??? ???? ??????? ???????? ?? ?????? ?????” .
????? ???” ?? ????? ?????? ??????? ??? ????? ????????? ????? ??? ????? ??? ???? ???????? ?????? ???? ????? ??? ????? ????” .
??? ????????? ?????? ??????? ???? ?????? ??????? ???????? ???????? ?????? ?? ??????? ????? ???? ?????? ??? “??????? ??????? ?????” ???? ??”??????? ??????? ?????? ????????? ??? ????????? ???? ????? ??????? ???????? ?????????”? ???? ???? ??????? ???? ???? ??? ??????????.
????? ????? ??? ????? ???? ??????? ??????? ????? ???????? ?????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ?????? ????? ???? ??????? ?? ???????? ??????????? ????? ??????? ??????? ?????? ??”?????? ?????”, ???? ???? ??????? ??????? ???????? “????? ?????? ??? ??????????.
???? ????? ?????? ???? ????? ???????? ??? ???? 2700 ???? ??? ????? ??? ?????? ????????? ?? ????? ???? ??????? ???? ????? ??????? ??????? ???? ????? “???????? ????????? ???????” ????? ?? 1400 ???? ???? ????? ????? ?? ?????????.
?????????
http://www.syria-news.com/readnews.php?sy_seq=137875
September 29th, 2011, 1:15 am
Aboud said:
Persian #543, Sunni wannabe who can’t spell madrassa, when was the last time your Besho managed to pay people to come out and demonstrate for him? What’s the matter, he run out of money?
How come the funerals for the shabiha drug addicts are so poorly attended? Dude, when a freedom loving Syrian’s funeral takes place, thousands and tens of thousands come out. But your X-Box loser can’t tear himself away from his games to go attend one? LOL! Pathetic Persians.
Mhajali, kindly cease your whining about the word peasants. Yeah, these people are peasants. Their political thinking hasn’t advanced past the “tanks tanks tanks” stage. They ask the world to believe in the most idiotic conspiracy theories. They have proven themselves to be ignorant on and inept on all military, political, and economic matters. They couldn’t run a Qurdaha brothel, much less a country. When their idea of loyalty is letting out drug smugglers and car thieves to kill people, then even the word peasant flatters them. Qqqqquuuuuurd wallaqqqqq, hag et qqqaaaqqqiiiiiiif. “WHERE’S MY FRENCH TAAAAAAAAAAAANKS!”
You bear a striking similarity to the reality challenged Un-Real. You both share the same retarded obsession with the mundane. You both think your very honor and that of your forefathers depends on you answering every single post and proving you know more than you actually do. You both think that a person who would never allow free and fair elections and access for the free press, would still win %99.9999 of the vote. Yeah, peasant thinking in every meaning of the word.
September 29th, 2011, 1:15 am
Aboud said:
Just because Rami Kharouf has managed to loot billions, doesn’t make him any less of a peasant, especially considering his disastrous NY Times interview. You can take the Qurdahan out of the crap, but you can never take the crap out of the Qurdahan.
September 29th, 2011, 1:20 am
Aboud said:
Al Akhbar, Shiite clerics who are crooks
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/22171
Shocking. Dreadful. Dear me, where is the accountability. Tsk tsk, truly reprehensible.
September 29th, 2011, 1:29 am
Aboud said:
Only peasants would send in tanks into urban areas, *without infantry support*. That’s if they were really fighting armed gangs.
Only peasants would deploy troops at checkpoints, and then leave them so ill-supplied they have to beg people for food and water.
Only peasants would use schools as a mass prison camp.
September 29th, 2011, 2:01 am
John Khouri said:
@565 – ABOUDIJAN , only peasants do this to their women and females dont you agree? This is your version of the new syria under your revolution
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxjaelZNqf0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3Za1GcHwKI&feature=related
Would you enjoy your mother and sister getting the same kind of treatment under your version of a democratic syria
September 29th, 2011, 2:27 am
mjabali said:
Arboud:
You calling me a monkey and you making fun of the way the Alawis speak tells a lot about your troubled and unstable character.
Talk is cheap and cursing at people from behind your computer is nothing admirable.
You are nothing but a mountain of hatred, as we all could tell.
As I told you before you do NOT fit to live in the 21st C. This is obvious from everything you post.
Your disregard to other people’s opinion makes you from the stone age. Oh, wait, an Islamist Nazi lover like you should behave like that and disdain others. So this is expected from you, do you think you are able to produce respect to others, I doubt that.
You making fun and degrading the way the Alawis speak is a stark example of how unfit you are for this day and age.
Funny mr. History Buff how you keep talking about WWII after your lies, fabrications, and hallucinations (like that when you said that the American and the Brits learned from the German when they executed D Day) were exposed over and over. You are boring me mr. debate master. Your are running dry. No ideas, very boring and expected, but for sure oppressive and disrespectful.
When I point out how a woman like Tara who is working in the West pretending that she is civilized, watch Iranian films and claim that she has friends from all walks of life and religions calling someone a peasant is unacceptable, that does not mean I am standing for the honors of my forefathers and clan.
WE are calling for human rights in these times especially with what we are witnessing now in Syria and to stop practices of disregard and disrespect is a PRIORITY.
Syrians has to learn to respect each other.
September 29th, 2011, 3:38 am
Revlon said:
Dear mjabali,
“WE are calling for human rights in these times especially with what we are witnessing now in Syria and to stop practices of disregard and disrespect is a PRIORITY.
Syrians has to learn to respect each other”
I second your call.
In that spirit, may I also suggest that you use a non-polarising nickname.
It would would help the cause that you preach.
Peace.
September 29th, 2011, 4:20 am
R said:
Dearest Aboud and mjabali, this a timely bit of news from Revlon; the complete nickname failed to load properly.
A letter signed by 200 members of the Iranian medical Society to Jr protesting his complacency in the brutal killing of his own people
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2011/09/28
http://all4syria.info/web/archives/29821
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Adel Haba
http://www.adelhaba.web.officelive.com
September 29th, 2011, 4:31 am
Syria no kandahar said:
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September 29th, 2011, 4:57 am
uzair8 said:
2 Stories related to Syria on Al Arabiya English site.
Defected brigade says it has killed 80 members of Assad’s forces
Thursday, 29 September 2011
http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/09/29/169224.html
Syria: Too weak to expel the envoys
By Tariq Alhomayed
Thursday, 29 September 2011
http://english.alarabiya.net/views/2011/09/29/169231.html
September 29th, 2011, 5:52 am
Aboud said:
Only peasants would have such a disrespect for the arts and an artist like Ali Ferzat that they would break his fingers for his art.
Only peasants would arrest a professor of medicine in Aleppo, Ahmed Al-Zubi, for treating gunshot wounds. Frankly I’m disappointed other academics the world over are silent on such behavior. Morale cowardice.
Only peasants would hold a music festival to mark the head peasant’s illegal ascension to power, in a time when the country is supposedly overrun with armed gangs and soldiers are supposedly losing their lives.
So menhebaks, why don’t we see any pro-Besho demonstrations in Hama, Deir al Zour, Latakia, Dar’a? What’s the matter, you guys run out of money to hire supporters? LOL! 🙂
September 29th, 2011, 5:54 am
Mina said:
463 Tara
I suggest you go to Syria more often and meet people in Homs and ride buses. “The MB will have reps”, when? do you think the people leading the protests from their mosques and Saudi channels are able to organize anything leading to an election? Just read the Egyptian newspapers these days if you want to get a clear idea. If the youth leftish activists have been involved at the start, because they wanted to do the same as in Egypt and to live their full hour of glory on Facebook, don’t worry, they have been fooled.
Most Syrian expats don’t know anything about Syria except the address of the 4 seasons hotel in Damascus, won’t you agree?
September 29th, 2011, 5:55 am
majedkhaldoun said:
Mjabali
You talk about Human rights,yet you defend your idol Bashar,if you are honest in what you say,you should join us in condemning Bashar crimes and evil actions,condemn him and those of Alawite that support him like yourself,the truth that you have no respect for human life and you never respect people who are sunni,because of your deep hate,,and you ought to condemn the torturing of children and then killing them by your kind of people,you ought to denounce what your Alawite are doing , kidnaping women and torturing them and send them to their families with pieces of their bodies cut,and slitting their neck, you must be ashamed of yourself defending those people that you belong to, shame on you, you do not deserve respect defending such criminals,go back to your drinking,and dont teach us about human rights when you and your people do not practicing them, and violate them several times everyday.
September 29th, 2011, 5:56 am
Aboud said:
Revlon, thank you. Forgive me, but it is undeniable that the menhebaks here are mostly Iranians. Landis himself said on NPR that Iranians were helping the regime in its online propaganda efforts. Why would he say that, unless he had checked some of the IP addresses of the posters here.
September 29th, 2011, 5:58 am
Mohamed Kanj said:
ABOUDIJAN, REVLON, TARA, AND OTHER ISLAMIC EXTREMISTS. WHAT IS YOUR OPINION ON THIS IMAMS SPEECH? DOES THIS IMAM WHO REPRESENTS THE SYRIAN REVOLUTION ACCEPT OTHER RELIGIONS AND FREEDOMS?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vxm9TTEJO9w
This is what the salafi’s preach in their mosques. They want us to live in another Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan
September 29th, 2011, 5:59 am
Mina said:
To Revlon, celebrating every killing of a policeman:
http://www.lemonde.fr/asie-pacifique/article/2011/09/29/a-bahrein-le-regime-condamne-un-opposant-a-mort_1579676_3216.html
This is how things go with “law” applied by the best US allies.
September 29th, 2011, 6:00 am
Aboud said:
Majed
“You talk about Human rights,yet you defend your idol Bashar,”
Mjahali wants respect for opinions only insofar as his own opinions are concerned. He wants respect to be a one way street. When was the last time he condemned the disgraceful Sunni bashing and antisemitism coming from his cohorts? Disgraceful.
September 29th, 2011, 6:01 am
Mina said:
574
Aboud, you are so funny. Any Iranian who could speak such a good English as the people posting here would already be in exile somewhere. You guys all share something (except Sheila): you share a teenager vision of the world. Start to read history, there is a whole world out there…
September 29th, 2011, 6:02 am
Aboud said:
#575 USE MORE CAPS, WE CAN’T HEAR YOU OVER YOUR TIN FOIL HAT QUUUUUURRRUUUD WALLAQ LAISH MANAK BIL “MADRISSA” YA FARSI!
Extremists conspiracies Robert Ford extremists global agenda crazy pills OH MY GOD MY CAPLOCK IS BROKEN!
September 29th, 2011, 6:06 am
Aboud said:
“Any Iranian who could speak such a good English as the people posting here”
AHAHAHAHAHAH! Good English? You people have atrocious English. Hence all the repeated whines from Persians who’s feelings get hurt when I correct their horrendous spelling.
Generic farsi #575, I can only imagine your parents’ disappointment in how you’ve turned out. Your mother carried you in her womb for nine months, bought you up, raised you, and in the end the only job you could get is regime trumpet. And you have to deny your Persian heritage while you do so.
Poor Um Kanj, what did she do to deserve it. Her life wasted in a good for nothing son, who will end up in the courts over charges of incitement, to serve as an example to the other trumpets. Um Generic Farsi #575 will spend her last days, lamenting her jail-bird son, as he becomes a play thing for the perverted gratification of the shabihas
September 29th, 2011, 6:10 am
majedkhaldoun said:
Bashar told Mr. Hoss (lebanese ex Prime minister)that things are over and everything is quiet now, how could he say that?is he not in touch of reality? he is certainly not telling the truth,bashar is lying,as usual,no one should believe him .
September 29th, 2011, 6:11 am
ann said:
Sanctions on Syria useless – expert – Sep 29, 2011 14:22
Interview with Silvia Colombo, research fellow at the Italian Institute of Foreign Affairs in Rome.
http://english.ruvr.ru/2011/09/29/56927617.html
If really there has been some pressure on Lebanon to target Syria with the sanctions, this could be a very dangerous game. Lebanon is not in the position, does not have sufficient means to be put at the forefront of the confrontation with Syria. Due to historical reasons and also what we have seen in the recent Lebanese crisis, Lebanon is still very dependent, very fragile and very sensitive to what is going on in Syria, especially now, because we have a government in Lebanon which is partly controls and also has components from Hezbollah which is a strong ally of President al-Assad. Recently there have been many declarations, very bold and dangerous declarations, on the part of the Hezbollah; Hezbollah’s leader Hasan Nasrallah is saying that they will defend and they will support the Assad regime to the bitter end. So, I do not think that giving the situation in Lebanon now and the kind of turmoil that the country has been going through over the last years, not to say decades, after the civil war, I do not think that Lebanon is a proper country which could play the leading role in terms of countries surrounding Syria, in putting for Assad these sanctions and standing against the Syrian regime. I do not think it has the strength, it has the diplomatic capacity and that the situation could reverberate in a very negative way on the internal strife in Lebanon which we know is between Shiah and Sunnis which is very acute, which sometimes give rise to eruption of violence and, of course, the international community should try to protect Lebanon from Syria, not let it get more and more involved in the situation in Syria – for example, with the sanctions, and so on, and so forth.
I have been speaking with a Syrian researcher and reporter recently, he was outside the country and he added very interesting comments about the real effect of the sanctions. So, from what I heard from him and what I know, also knowing a bit the composition of the regime and the social fragmentation of the country, he also confirmed the fact that these sanctions which have been imposed by the UN and the United States are not really targeting the regime, are not really doing the right role in curbing the regime, reducing its power ? its power of control, economic power, and so on, and so forth.
There is just a little part of the sanctions which actually target businessmen and people related to the regime because we know that the political economy of the al-Assad regime has been fundamentally sustaining the kind of apparatus and the authoritarian state, but these businessmen have been targeted and they cannot travel, they have their bank accounts frozen, and so on, and so forth. This is a problem for them, but this does not reverberate on the regime, meaning the Alawis, the supporters of the al-Assad family and in particular the security forces which we know there are a lot who still support the regime, we have not heard about many people abandoning the regime, we have not heard about many defections. So, we could claim that there is still a huge support on the part of the military, the security apparatus and these people; some of them have been targeted but they do not care about the sanctions, because they do not travel, do not go abroad, these people sometimes do not even have assets on which these sanctions have been imposed.
So, basically, in terms of the situation on the ground in Syria, these sanctions have not changed the equilibrium and this is something al-Assad knows perfectly because there have been some sanctions imposed on Syria even before these latest rounds and I think that the regime is not so in danger as we may think it is. There are many reports saying that the al-Assad regime still can count on up to 500,000 security forces which it could mobilize as soon as possible, very quickly ? they are very highly trained, they have weapons, so they could continue this fighting for quite some time to go. So, the al-Assad regime according to us, according to some of these talks I had from people who are living in Syria is not in danger, is not really on the brink of collapse. We could see that also the opposition has started some kind of bargaining – it is very hidden, but there has been some kind of opening on the part of some segments of the opposition in favor of this stance, in the promises of the al-Assad regime and we could see this acknowledgment that the strategists so far have not really believed and actually expected the results.
So, about the sanctions, I mean, of course, I think that the EU and the US should not pull them down, but in a sense they should be aware of the fact that these are not means to put an end to the conflict in Syria. Also we should be reminded that we are completely separated, this is something completely different from the conflict in Libya. So, also the strategy should be different and the foreign involvement, engagement with the conflict in Syria should be completely different.
I think that putting pressure on some of Syria’s neighbors could be means, for example, in terms of the Gulf states, and particularly Saudi Arabia and Qatar which are the two more prominent actors in this sense because they have a very important regional role, but there have been some positions against the al-Assad regime from these Gulf states, from the Arab League. Only the cumulative effect of all these efforts could really give a strong message to the regime in Syria, because otherwise it will continue as nothing has happened. We do not see why it should change and keep talking about doing some reforms. There has been this opening also from some segments in the opposition. So, probably, this has even emboldened the regime to carry on in its fight against what is described as foreign led violence revolt.
Of course, the situation is that of the dramatic conflict; we know that approximately with more than 3,000 casualties so far it is something at which we should look very carefully because after Libya we may have to decide what to do with Syria if the situation continues like this. There is always a possibility that apart from an engagement between the opposition and the regime we could even envisage different scenarios in which demobilization grows stronger, also because there is more disaffection within the military apparatus, but this needs time to take place.
Now, al-Assad is still able to control the regime, he is still able to control various segments of the Syrian population – for example, the role of the Christians who are really frightened and most of them leaving the country, but nevertheless, they stand beside their president and this is a very important source of strength for the regime of al-Assad.
September 29th, 2011, 6:32 am
Aboud said:
Majed, remember when the Iraqi government said that there were no Americans in Baghdad? Remember Saif Ghadafi’s bombastic crap while Tripoli was being liberated? People like Besho the Peathant have found that it takes a lie as big as the problems they face to blanket them in a cocoon of reality-proof shelter. You can tell how much pressure Besho is under from the size of the lies he says.
Like the article Uzair linked, Besho is too weak to even expel the Western ambassadors, or recall his own.
September 29th, 2011, 6:35 am
ann said:
International Media Allegations at Syria – 29/09/2011
BEIRUT- Allegations of some media channels that the Syrian authorities have not allowed them access to the Syrian territories are untrue because there are many international media offices in the country and they could cover events objectively if they wanted, said former Lebanese Information Minister Michel Samaha.
Many Damascus-based international media offices do not want to cover events in Syria objectively and investigate reality; rather they prefer to rely on fabricated news and clips sent by armed groups or black chambers outside Syria’s borders, the Minister pointed out in an interview with the Lebanese OTV Channel.
“The Syrian people are aware of the U.S.-Israeli scheme and the New Middle East Project that aim at dividing the countries of the region into non-viable small states according to sectarian and ethnic bases to serve the Israeli enemy,” Samaha added.
The pretext of the so-called opposition that the demonstrations taking place are ‘peaceful’ is unmasked after the opposition has transformed them into armed groups who have become professional in killing, assassinating, kidnapping, terrorizing civilians and committing acts of banditry.
September 29th, 2011, 6:43 am
Mina said:
Aboud,
On “madrasa”, the word exists in Farsi and even in Urdu.
You are the living proof of the failure of the education system under your beloved regime. But don’t be too optimistic: Egypt has the same problem in the last 40 years (and one could say, the UK, France, Italy, etc.)
September 29th, 2011, 6:47 am
ann said:
Assad supporters throw stones at U.S. envoy in Damascus
Thu Sep 29, 2011 6:44am
Supporters of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad threw stones and tomatoes at U.S. ambassador Robert Ford and other U.S. diplomats who were visiting an opposition figure in Damascus on Thursday, a witness and diplomatic sources said.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/09/29/us-syria-usa-ambassador-idUSTRE78S1I120110929
“Two embassy cars were damaged. The U.S. delegation is still there and the crowd is surrounding the building,” said the witness.
“They are chanting ‘Abu Hafez (father of Hafez)’,” the witness said, a nickname for Assad.
The witness said the diplomats were visiting Hassan Abdelazim, a centrist politician who has been demanding an end to a crackdown on a six month pro-democracy uprising as a condition for any talks with Assad.
In Washington, State Department officials were not immediately available to comment.
It was the second attack on U.S. diplomats since the pro-democracy uprising erupted in Syria in March. In July, following a visit by Ford to the city of Hama, scene of large demonstrations for political freedoms, Assad supporters attacked the U.S. embassy compound in Damascus.
Ford has infuriated Syria’s rulers by cultivating links with the grassroots protest movement.
Ford was cheered by protesters when he went in July to the city of Hama, which was later stormed by tanks. He also visited a town that has witnessed regular protests in the southern province of Deraa, ignoring a new ban on Western diplomats traveling outside Damascus and its outskirts.
The United States, seeking to convince Assad to scale back an alliance with Iran and backing for militant groups, moved to improve relations with Assad when President Barack Obama took office, sending Ford to Damascus in January to fill a diplomatic vacuum since Washington pulled out its ambassador in 2005.
September 29th, 2011, 6:50 am
Syria no kandahar said:
So since Arboud is the only person here who is from Syria (in addition to kaled Tlass -the throat slasher and Alawi larynxes collector) and since Arboud has lost all his chances of being respected and being treated like a mature man by all of us the Persians,let us answer this question about ARBOUD THE WAHABI SYRIAN HERO:
where do you think Arboud is originally from:
-is he from ????? Syria
-is he ??? ?????? with very premature delivery and permanent brain damage
-is he from nawar ??? ??????
-was he a result of Saudi ???? ???? and got his citizenship ????????
If you know the answer please feel free to answer.
PS:only Persians can answer.Syrian ????? can’t answer.
September 29th, 2011, 6:53 am
majedkhaldoun said:
When I use the term Alawite,I do not refer to all Alawite,many of them are good citizen of Syria, I refer to The Alawite that support Assad, they are hard core Alawite,better refer to them as Assaisns,because that is what they are,they come from the assasins that used to live in that mountain,and were used to drinks alcohol and abused drugs and when the are somber they are sent to assasinate Sunni,one day they converted to Alawite, but they continue to hate Sunni, we should refer to them as Assasins,they are the people who support Assad and defend him ,they spew sectarian sedition and always attack sunni.
September 29th, 2011, 7:08 am
ann said:
Obama takes ‘U’ turn on Palestine – Manmohan offers Olive Branch
Thursday, September 29, 2011 2:14:17 PM
http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=117480
The Zionist lobby in the US has been dominating the political scenario in the Middle-East ever since they managed to plant the state of Israel’ in 1947 by partitioning Palestine, the land of the Prophets in utter violations of the fundamental principles on which the UN body was founded. The US President, Barack Hussein Obama, on the floor of the General Assembly of the United Nations on the opening day of the 2011 Session refused to accept the demand for statehood to Palestine declaring, “Ultimately, it is the Israelis and the Palestinians who must live side by side. Ultimately, it is the Israelis and the Palestinians–not us–who must reach agreement on the issues that divide them; on borders and on security, on refugees and Jerusalem.” The US President failed to mention the core issue of Israeli settlement in Jerusalem and Palestine. Naturally, he has been under a heavy pressure of Zionist pressure on the eve of Presidential election.
The Zionist lobby in US is the most powerful opinion making agency. 75% of the print and electronic media in the US is handled by the Jewish community and about the same percentage of the economy of the US is controlled by them. Nearly one-third members in the House of Commons in UK belong to the Jewish community. Their hatred towards Arab Muslims has been witnessed by history since centuries.
Obama’s comparison of the situation in Palestine with Northern Ireland, Sudan etc. showed his ‘internal compulsion’. He, perhaps, intended to please the Zionist hardliners in the US. His neo jurisprudence to the Chemistry of the Middle East suggesting the parties settle their issue between themselves has convinced none except the author of this proposition. His Foreign Secretary Mrs. Hillary Clinton had been advocating the cause of the ‘Statehood of Palestine’. President Mr. Bill Clinton was the foremost actor of the Oslo Accord which was signed in his presence on 13th September, 1993 in Washington. Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and the PLO Chief, Yasir Arafat shook hands for the first time in history on that day. It was agreed to establish the State of Palestine as a Sovereign Nation by 1998. Yasir Arafat must have annoyed many of the supporters and members of his team by signing the Oslo Accord accepting the existence of Israel as a State. He daringly renounced all kinds of violence. Israel on the other hand accepted PLO as the sole representative of the people of Palestine to the disappointment of a sizeable section of the Israelis led by the Zionist lobby operating in Washington and New York resulting into the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin by a fanatic Jew in November, 1995. He died the way Mahatma Gandhi was killed or Ibrahim Lincoln was stabbed.
September 29th, 2011, 7:22 am
Tara said:
The origin of the description of Alawis as peasant is the perception that they are uneducated under civilized savaged primitive people who managed to rule Syria by force and brutality for 40 years. It definitely is not applicable to all Alawis such as Samar Yazbek, Aref Dalila and all the honorable people of the revolution but is most surely applicable to the regime, security forces, shabeehas and all other thugs. It fits Bashar and Maher and papa the most. Money and power do not give you ” roots” when you have none.
September 29th, 2011, 7:28 am
Akbar Palace said:
Dear #419. Akbar Palace,
It was me Sheila, not Annie.
My sincerest apologies to you and Annie.
I think you need to talk to a few Palestinians to see the other side on how the state of Israel was created. I think this will help you understand where I am coming from. The Jews did not immigrate to Palestine legally. It was under British rule at the time. It is true that some of the land was bought, but most of it was confiscated from the Palestinians who were literally expelled from their own land never to be allowed back again.
http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/History/Modern+History/Centenary+of+Zionism/Jewish+Settlement+in+the+Land+of+Israel.htm
The British went against their own mandate and slowed immigration for about 18 years (1930 – 1948) all during a time where Jews were getting murdered and kicked out of their countries. Before and after this time, Jews immigrated LEGALLY and were, for example, the MAJORITY in cities like Jerusalem. Jews did not suddenly show up like Martians, nor did Arabs get anything “stolen” from them until war started in 47/48.
http://www.mfa.gov.il/NR/rdonlyres/9319A767-CF90-4E8E-9D4C-0BA3F211B2B1/0/ch1.pdf
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/History/Palestine_Mandate.html
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/History/brits.html
Israel is a reality that we have to deal with, but keep in mind that even if Israel managed to attract all the Jews of the world, it is still just a matter of time before the Israeli Arabs are more than the Jews.
So be it. When Arab-Israelis become a majority, they can change national laws as they see fit, and the 49% Jewish minority will also have to be taken into account. Perhaps at that time, Arabs will let Jews have equal rights just like Israeli-Arabs enjoy today. Personally, I think Jews will be a majority for a long time to come.
In a democratic state, the Jewishness of Israel is only a temporary status.
Nothing is for ever. Until then, Arabs in Israel will have to put up with it, just like Jews in Iran have to put up with Nejad.:o)
There are 5 million Palestinian refugees living all over the world who would like to go back to their mother land. Please try to talk to some of them to hear the other side.
I have spoken with a few Palestinian-Americans and he came over to visit once. He is a very nice person, and he is VERY moderate. If Palestinians want to return to Palestine that’s fine; that’s what the PA was created for.
In terms of morality, the Arabs and Muslims are still searching for the basics, but Israel is an advanced country. They are not equal. I have to expect more from Israel than its counterparts.
All men are created equal. To expect “more from Israel” is nothing short of racism. We have laws that EVERYONE has to abide by, not just Jews. When the PA signs an agreement stating that no unilateral action is allowed on their national status, and that only negotiations can determine such outcomes, then they have reneged on their “piece of paper”. In the future, “Land for Peace” will have to be more than just Land for a ignored piece of paper. The Egyptian and Palestinian models are there to learn from.
All this being said, I am hoping the world has turned a corner and anti-semitic, rejectionist Islam and their enabling despot leaders are on the decline. The Arab Spring is just a spark, but there is a LONG way to go. We need more moderate Arabs to pave the way.
September 29th, 2011, 7:29 am
John Khouri said:
@ 588 – MAJEDKHALDOUN – that comment you made shows the deep hatred and evilness in your very soul. Do you have something against people who drink alcohol and live in the mountains? So therefore everyone who drinks alcohol and lives in the mountains is an assassin. It comes to show how uneducated you people really are. Brainwashed at birth and have yet to come to terms with reality. Can you explain to me who is spewing sectarian sedition in these videos?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRL3w6KBtVk
September 29th, 2011, 7:30 am
Aboud said:
#587 Har har har, Letterman and Leno can sleep well at night knowing there is no danger you’ll be taking their jobs soon 🙂
For Persians only;
1) Is Aboud in Washington?
2) Is Aboud in Tel Aviv?
3) Is Aboud in Tripoli?
4) How many hours a day do you obsess over Aboud?
5) What percentage of posts on SC are whines about Aboud 🙂
6) The present events in Syria are;
a) A conspiracy
b) Extremists
c) Zionists
d) Salafis
e) All of the above.
7) How many crazy pills has Al-Jazeera smuggled into Syria lately?
8) How many fake cities has Al-Jazeera built in the Qatari desert har har har har 🙂
9) And why has your pathetic peasant ibn shloki president imprisoned Najati Tayara? Is Besho the Cunt afraid of a 60 year old human rights activist?
Pathetic Persians. They have been the bitch of every super power since Alexander the Great.
September 29th, 2011, 7:32 am
Akbar Palace said:
Why Organizations like “Peace-Now” can’t win
Op-ed: This year we discovered how lucky we were not to make peace with Syria
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4128836,00.html
September 29th, 2011, 7:38 am
ann said:
Syria will have to wait.
Pentagon aims at target Pakistan
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/MI30Df01.html
Syria will have to wait. The next stop in the Pentagon-coined “long war” is bound to be Pakistan. True, a war is already on in what the Barack Obama administration named AfPak. But crunch time in Pak itself looms closer and closer. Call it the “no bomb left behind” campaign.
Al-Qaeda is a thing of the past; after all, al-Qaeda assets such as Abdelhakim Belhaj are now running Tripoli. The new Washington-manufactured mega-bogeyman is now the Haqqani network.
A relentless, Haqqani-targeted manufacture of consensus industry is already on overdrive, via a constellation of the usual neo-conservative suspects, assorted Republican warmongers,
“Pentagon officials” and industrial-military complex shills in corporate media.
The Haqqani network, a force of 15,000 to 20,000 Pashtun fighters led by former anti-Soviet mujahideen figure Jalalludin Haqqani, is a key component of the Afghan insurgency from its bases in Pakistan’s North Waziristan tribal area.
For Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Haqqani network “acts as a veritable arm of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence [ISI] agency”. It took Mullen no less than 10 years since Washington’s bombing of Afghanistan to figure this out. Somebody ought to give him a Nobel Peace Prize.
According to the US government narrative, it was the ISI that gave the go-ahead for the Haqqani network to attack the US Embassy in Kabul on September 13.
September 29th, 2011, 7:40 am
Mina said:
Palace 591
Usually I don’t even read. Today, 2 lines got bigger: you have laws for everybody, jews and non-jews? are you kidding? you have ROADS for jewish settlers only, don’t you? and you steal water from anyone from the Palestinians to the Syrians and your own Negev Beduins, aren’t you?
September 29th, 2011, 8:15 am
Akbar Palace said:
Another Arab suffering Israel-on-the-Brain
you have ROADS for jewish settlers only, don’t you? and you steal water from anyone from the Palestinians to the Syrians and your own Negev Beduins, aren’t you?
Mina,
There are roads for Israelis and non-Israelis (the PA). Please don’t mix that up with Jews and non-Jews. This issue gets brought up frequently, so please inform your friends.
There is plenty of water for everyone and if the Palestinians built up their infrustructure instead lining the pockets of their thugocracy,
The water quota for the West Bank were mutually agreed upon in the Oslo Accords. As a result, 33% of the water in the aquifers under the West Bank is allocated to the Palestinians.
In 1993 the Palestinians could pump up 117 million cubic meters and Israel would provide an additional 31 million. In 2007 200 million cubic meters were allocated to the PA, of which Israel provided 51.8 million.
However, of those 200 million cubic meters, only 180 million were actually used.
The main reason for this is that the PWA did not implement projects in the Eastern aquifer that would have solved much of the Palestinian water crisis. More than half of the wells approved for exploitation of the Eastern aquifer have still not been drilled. The permits were issued in 2000.
Another reason for the loss of water is the poor maintenance of the Palestinian water infrastructure. A staggering 33% of the fresh water supply gets lost because of leaks, theft and poor maintenance.
http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Article.aspx?id=235772
Mina,
Take care of your water and road issues at home, we don’t need misinformed, 2 cents.
September 29th, 2011, 8:32 am
Akbar Palace said:
Inaccuracies about Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians who are still at war with Israel? Naw, not possible…
http://www.camera.org/index.asp?x_context=7&x_issue=12&x_article=1756
September 29th, 2011, 8:37 am
norman said:
AP,
Do you know how in the US we decide on districts, i am just wondering if something like this can work in Syria
September 29th, 2011, 8:54 am
Shami said:
ila mazbalet el tarikh ya qaradeeh ,tahya el nahda el arabiyeh wal hadara al islamiyeh.
September 29th, 2011, 9:00 am
Akbar Palace said:
Do you know how in the US we decide on districts, i am just wondering if something like this can work in Syria
Norman,
State governments vote on legislative and congressional districts. They are different, and the districts change their size all the time, depending on the bills raised at the state level.
How is it done in Syria today?
http://www.elections.state.md.us/elections/districts.html
September 29th, 2011, 9:18 am
Syrian Nationalist Party said:
DAY 194
DO NOT FORGET THE GUPPY SYRIANS THAT TRUSTED YOUR LIES AND ENDED UP IN ASSAD PRISONS 16,532 ARE BEING TORTURED RIGHT NOW. THIER LOVED ONE ARE IN AGONY. YOU SAY ISLAM IS COMPASSION, I SAY IT IS AN OCCULT SATANIC REPTILIAN PROGRAMMING. OUT OF COMPASSION TO THOSE YOU DECIEVED, DO SOMETHING TO RELEASE THEM FROM BONDAGE. YOUR FATHERS WHERE FOR THOUSAND YEAR IN BONDAGE IN SUBTERANEAN BOTTOMLESS PIT, ASK THEM HOW BAD IT WAS , GAIN SOME COMPASSION TO THOSE THAT FOLLOWED YOUR LIES AND DO SOMETHING TO RELEASE THEM. I KNOW YOU ARE PLAYING A VIRTUAL ONLINE REVOLUTION GAME, BUT THOSE THAT LACK EDUCATION IN SYRIA ARE TRUSTING YOU FOR REAL AND ARE IN AGONY NOW.
September 29th, 2011, 9:19 am
sheila said:
Dear Haytham,
Thanks for linking to your article. It is quite informative.
September 29th, 2011, 9:20 am
mjabali said:
Majedkhaldoun:
You claim to be a doctor, but reading your words one wonders about your education, how you became a doctor, how you treat your patients do you check their religions before you help them, and if you are sober or not? You seem drunk to me. Your words say you are drunk.
I think you drink something really hard to say what you said about the Alawis in your few comments here today alone.
Your moral attitude should be checked.
It is not your business if I drink a beer here and there. If you were smart, and I doubt that, you should have sensed that when I say “I am going to drink a beer;” means: to piss off people like you. It worked. I am no alcoholic. I drink a beer here and there and for sure this is not your problem. A glass of red wine is good to your heart. It is not going to make you drunk, try it.
As for your accusation about me defending al-Assad, I am glad to tell you that I never did and never will and never stood to any method al-Assad used to stop the demonstrators and the level of brutality his security forces and army had done over the last period.
You are accusing me of this sensing I may be Alawi, and then I read one your crew bringing up the names of some anti-Assad Alawis like Samar Yazbeck and Aref Dalila, how do you know what I do and if I go to anti Assad demonstrations, for example, and work like and with many Syrians to bring democracy to Syria?
You are accusing me of things I am not, like a deep hatred to Sunnis. Watch your mouth cheif. Talking is cheap and throwing huge accusations like this is not accepted. I hate no one, I name things like what they are and this upset people right and left. I care less, and should not since my language and attitude reflects adherence to the human rights issues and principles I always support.
I am for secular Syria that where people are free to say whatever they want and critique anything, and where a real modern law rules all equaling them. This is how you achieve progress and be accepted among the nations. You could be fit to live in this day and age when you do not call people peasants or show and decree contempt towards them.
You need lots of work and I recommend professional help. Remember a glass of wine is good for your heart and nerves, try it, it won’t kill you or make you drunk.
By the way, the Assassins are Ismailis and never became Alawis. They are two different things, where they warred here and there. Read some books Dr. Doom it will help you before you put your half cent into the battle.
September 29th, 2011, 9:24 am
Revlon said:
575. Dear Mohamed Kanj,
You said: “This is what the salafi’s preach in their mosques. They want us to live in another Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan”
Thank you for the link to the preacher Sermon from Dar3a.
I have listened and watched the clip.
The man spoke of the following:
– Atrocities were committed against civilians in Hama 20 years ago.
– The Great Syrian revolution was led in Horan by Sheikh Mustapha AlKahlili whose name was obscured by popularisong AlAtrash contribution only.
– We like all Sahaba and Al Al Beit.
– Our religious institutes were moved to the outskirts of the city to make it diffcult to access.
– Indecemtly dressed women from Swaida were made to work in dar3a center instead of local ladies.
– He rsented the pressure of government agent to unvail women of the city.
– We hate Atef Najeeb.
– We want freedom.
The man was expressing his grievences with passion.
Given the context of the ongoing, savage crackdown, I find the preacher and his sermon to be composed and reasonable.
The man was not preaching that All Syrian women be veiled. he was merely resenting the arguments forced upon him and his constituency that belittle the veil!
in The US and India, men and women of many religious groups have their own unusual dress codes.
Both are well established democracies.
If you want people to respect your choices, never mind how much you value them, you need to start respecting their’s.
September 29th, 2011, 9:26 am
norman said:
Thanks AP,
Each district has to have the same number of people, and the legislature will vote on division, but who does the marking, who puts my house in this district or the next one,
I do not know how they do it in Syria, but small districts and representation will make it easier for people to vote for the person that they know,
September 29th, 2011, 9:34 am
mjabali said:
Shami:
You are contradicting yourself: the Arabic Civilization is not accepted within the ideology of the Muslim Ummah.
Do you want an Arabic state, like what al-Baath always preached, or you want an Islamic Khilafa? please make up your mind. This contradiction is going to hurt your cause. You seem to me like a half-Baathi.
September 29th, 2011, 9:46 am
Akbar Palace said:
Norman,
I’m embarrassed to say, that I don’t have the district boundaries memorized or fully understood in my mind. I’m willing to bet most americans are not fully familiar with their district boundaries and who their representatives are. The system has become confusing. I understand the 23 counties that make up my state, but these districts cut through the counties like a snake.
I generally vote along party lines (republican), which, in my state, is bascially a wasted vote.
Now, changing the subject, can you PLEASE tell you Arab brethren to stop antagonizing each other based on secular/religious/sunni/shia/alawi/christian??? Keep your eye on the ball: FREEDOM. Tolerance has to be practiced at home before it can be practiced between nations!
September 29th, 2011, 9:48 am
norman said:
AP,Said,
((Now, changing the subject, can you PLEASE tell you Arab brethren to stop antagonizing each other based on secular/religious/sunni/shia/alawi/christian??? Keep your eye on the ball: FREEDOM. Tolerance has to be practiced at home before it can be practiced between nations!))
Amen to that, I left the Mideast because of the fanatics there,
I think that we live in the same state, you like the governor, don’t you ,
I think a committee assign the district, but i do not know how they use the senses to do it.
I am just trying to see if Syria can hire an American university to do that for them .
September 29th, 2011, 10:03 am
Mike said:
On a lighter note, this is a fairly funny video of a recent protest in NYC. Assad makes an appearance.
September 29th, 2011, 10:04 am
majedkhaldoun said:
Mjabali
You are distorting history,I recommend that you go back and study history again, the assasins lived in what is now Alawi mountain,and yes you belong to the assasin alawite,
you keep refering to drinking beer and wine,you are addict ,and yes those who are addicted to wine have extremely disturbed personality,frequently they hate community and speak ill of religion and religious people,you need to enter reform clinic to cure yourself from such addiction.
you talk that you are defending human rights, why dont you condemn Assad and his assasin alawite for torturing and killing of Zainab Hosni, you never did that, why dont you condemn your community who tortured the kids in Deraa, and what you did to Hamza Al Khateeb,and Tamer Alsharaa, please condemn what you guys did to Ghiath Matter, or you assasinated Dr.Hasan Eid, or Aws Abdulkarim, or is it because they are moslems you support such assasinations,it is not what you say it is what you do.if you are for human rights them let me hear you condemning Assad and condemning the assasin Alawite,shamee on you.
September 29th, 2011, 10:24 am
Mark said:
Their economic future relies on alligning with the East or the West. Why is Russia blocking sanctions against Basher al-Assad? Money, pure and simple, investments; Russia, China, and Iran have invested heavily in Assad and they have a vested interest in the West not getting on the ground and seeing what has been, and continues to be, done.
http://msmignoresit.blogspot.com/2011/09/syria-iran-and-russia.html
September 29th, 2011, 10:48 am
Akbar Palace said:
I think that we live in the same state, you like the governor, don’t you
Norman,
No! Too liberal. He’s a good guitar player though. He plays in public sometimes, especially on St. Patrick’s Day. Women like him.
Amen to that, I left the Mideast because of the fanatics there
Fanatics? What fanatics?;)
What a shame! Which is why the Arab Spring is so important for possible positive change.
September 29th, 2011, 10:54 am
norman said:
AP,
I thought that you are in NJ,
Hungry people tend to over eat, that is the problem now,lack of democracy and freedom for a long time seems to make people think that intolerance is the freedom to have
September 29th, 2011, 10:59 am
Revlon said:
574. Dear Aboud, I share with you the outrage at the unfolding carnage perpetrated in cold blood by Thug One, the professional pathological liar and his supporters.
The regime pays for services of mercenaries from all walks of life; Journalists,lawyers, bloggers, politicians, and thugs.
Some are non-Syrians, including Arabs, Iranians, as well as from the West.
Their choice to support the regime usually have little to do with their nationality or belief.
Keep doing what You do best and admired for on this blog; winning arguments, your way.
???? ???? ??? ???? ???? ???? ??? ??? ?????? ??????? ???? ?????? ???? ???? ???? ??? ?????
September 29th, 2011, 11:02 am
bronco said:
More eggs, no bacon for Ambassador Ford!
When will Heckle (this time without Jeckle) finally understand that whatever provocative croaks he emits to bring attention on his zeal to “serve US interests”, the Congress will not confirm him and he will go back to Washington by the end of the year?
Syrian regime supporters pelt US envoy with eggs
http://news.yahoo.com/syrian-regime-supporters-pelt-us-envoy-eggs-122114558.html
September 29th, 2011, 11:02 am
mjabali said:
Majedkhaldun:
You are drunk for real. Your rant is a proof of that.
Dr. Aws Khalil and Dr. Hassan Eid were Alawis and according to you they are not Muslims. In your rant you claimed they are Muslims.
You said before that Alawis are not Muslims but infidels.
They were killed by anti Assad people, on the other hand Ghayth Matar and Hamza al-Khatib were killed by pro Assad troops. These are two different cases, although at the end all are Syrian died in Syria because of the Syrian government and those opposing it.
You always seem to blame one party here, I blame ALL of those using violence. The government is wrong with its usage of brutal force and those assassinating people like Dr. Eid and Dr. Khalil are wrong also.
Also, you said that people addicted to wine have “disturbed personality”: if your medical knowledge is equal to this analysis of yours I say to take your medical license today before tomorrow. where do you find those addicted to wine? Again, I recommend a glass of red wine at night: it is a good digestive and good for the heart. You should try it. Do not judge it before trying it.
They should send you to practice medicine back in Kandahar. What are you doing in America if you think and believe as what you say in your posts. Really, Kandahar is a better fit for you.
September 29th, 2011, 11:11 am
agatha said:
Syrien – wie weiter? Unterschiede zu Libyen.
Interview mit André Bank vom GIGA-Institut für Nahost-Studien in Hamburg
http://bazonline.ch/ausland/naher-osten-und-afrika/Syrien-droht-ein-Szenario-wie-im-Irak-nach-2003/story/16335635
La Syrie … vers la liberté
Soirée d’information et de solidarité le 10/10/2011
http://souriahouria.com/2011/09/29/paris-soiree-dinformation-et-de-solidarite-a-lodeon-10102011/
September 29th, 2011, 11:22 am
majedkhaldoun said:
Mjabali,
let me see you condemning bashar and his supporters who killed all those people.
to you drinking wine is the way to evade reality, to say things that make no sense, where is human rights you say you believe in, all evaporate as you drink your wine.
Secularism can exist with religion, religion is personal thing,but when it comes to the state secularism is better,but I believe in freedom , you do not.also you live in the past ,long past, I live in 2011, go drink some more wine and go back to your dreams and imaginations, sorry for a waste.
September 29th, 2011, 11:25 am
Tara said:
Dear Bronco
What do you expect as a reaction from savages being taught a lesson in humanity? Mr. Ford is serving morality and we are naming a street in Damascus in New Syria after him.
and just FYI, read this:
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/envoy/reversal-conservative-groups-calls-senate-confirm-u-envoy-151515375.html
“Human rights groups have also praised Ford’s critical role and urged his confirmation.
“Syria is a country where U.S. policy leverage is limited,” Human Rights First’s Quinn O’Keefe said in a press statement Thursday. “For that reason alone, Ambassador Ford’s performance has been valuable. His leadership and strong demonstration of solidarity with the protestors and local human rights movement in Syria is how U.S. Ambassadors everywhere should stand for human rights, democracy, and freedom.”
September 29th, 2011, 11:28 am
majedkhaldoun said:
Mjabali
You said many things that are not true, could you please verify them.those who were assassinated they were critical of the regime,they were killed by the security forces and the shabbiha, again by the assissins
September 29th, 2011, 11:40 am
Some guy no longer in damascus said:
Today I was talking to the only qurdahi alawi I know. He used to support besho but when I mentioned his name today he started cussing . Looks like besho lost his home boys.
September 29th, 2011, 11:50 am
ziadsoury said:
Norman,
Your ambassador to Syria got pelted with tomatoes today by some low life scumbags. Any thoughts? What are you going to do about it?
You say you are an American citizen and have the might US behind you. However you are still full of fear and hatred.
Bahrain today handed out sentences to doctors and nurses for helping out the injured. Do you have the guts to condemn that? Do you have the guts to condemn what the Syrian thugs did to the doctors and all medical workers? Sorry, I forgot you need a proof of that. Grow up and grow some stones. Even doctors in Iran have condemned the Syrian mafia
September 29th, 2011, 11:51 am
uzair8 said:
A must read for Arabs.
Is the world too big to fail?
Noam Chomsky
29 September 2011
‘The US and its Western allies are sure to do whatever they can to prevent authentic democracy in the Arab world. To understand why, it is only necessary to look at the studies of Arab opinion conducted by US polling agencies. Though barely reported, they are certainly known to planners. They reveal that by overwhelming majorities, Arabs regard the US and Israel as the major threats they face: the US is so regarded by 90 per cent of Egyptians, in the region generally by over 75 per cent. Some Arabs regard Iran as a threat: 10 per cent. Opposition to US policy is so strong that a majority believes that security would be improved if Iran had nuclear weapons – in Egypt, 80 per cent. Other figures are similar. If public opinion were to influence policy, the US not only would not control the region, but would be expelled from it, along with its allies, undermining fundamental principles of global dominance.’
http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2011/09/201192514364490977.html
September 29th, 2011, 12:03 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
Today the airforce was used by the Assad regime to bomb Rastan destroying several houses,
How could Bashar say the crisis has ended?
September 29th, 2011, 12:04 pm
bronco said:
Tara
Sorry, I don’t share your point of view. No ambassador has the right to interfere in the internal politics of a country for whatever reasons. In international diplomacy, countries should withdraw their ambassador rather than actively interfere. The US ambassadors are famous to ignore this and they usually meddle in countries where they feel they have the upper hand and who are opposed to their policies: South America, Middle East. Most of the time they fuel even more internal tensions. Don’t you wonder why the US ambassador in Bahrain is not visiting opposition leaders?
I don’t think Ford will remain for long in Syria.
September 29th, 2011, 12:06 pm
norman said:
Ziadsoury,
I do not hate you, I just feel sorry for you and Syria.
September 29th, 2011, 12:08 pm
Ghufran said:
Louai Hussain
http://www.baladnaonline.net/ar/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=56310&Itemid=55
?? ????? ??? ???? ?? ?????? ?? ?????? ??????? ?? ???? ??? ?? ????? ???????
????? ???? ???? ???? ???? ????? ? ????? ???? ??????? ????????? ????? ????? ? ??? ????
???? ????? ????? ???? ??? ????
???? ???? ???????? ??????????? ? ????????? ??? ??????
September 29th, 2011, 12:17 pm
Revlon said:
Those who still call for maintaining peaceful revolt risk becomming accomplices in murdering our people.
The willings are invited to join the ranks of the FSA.
???? ????? ???? ?? ??? ?????? Youth Syria For Freedom
?? ???? ????? ???????? ,,, ???? ????? ?? ??? ????? .. ???? ?? ???? ?????? ???????? ??? ????? ?????? ???? .. ??? ??? ???? ????? ???????? ???? ??? ????
24 minutes ago
September 29th, 2011, 12:19 pm
Aboud said:
Thanks Revlon, that’s a good hadith.
Only a Qurdaha peasant has to get people’s attention by using caps. People who do so make themselves look more than a bit psychotic.
Only a Qurdahan peasant thinks that throwing food at ambassadors is something to be proud of. It’s public relations disasters like that that do more for our cause in one day, than I could possibly achieve in a week. Keep it up menhebaks, if Syria had slipped from Western mainstream coverage, this will definitely put it back in the limelight 🙂
“I am no alcoholic. ”
Contrary to all the evidence we’ve seen form you on this forum. I don’t drink, not because I think its “haroum” in the words of the Persians, but because I don’t like the stuff.
Do I throw a fit if someone drinks alcohol in my presence? Of course not.
Do I consider the over consumption of alcohol to somehow be a sign of a civilized and modern mentality, like Mjahali seems to think? Of course not. People’s preference for drink says as much about their cosmopolitan nature and intellect as their choice for McDonalds or Burger King.
“Oh look at me while I finish a six pack during an episode of Desperate Housewives of Qurdaha! See, I’m a Renaissance man!” Puhlease. Get drunk all you want, but don’t try to convince us that doing so is somehow a badge of honor.
September 29th, 2011, 12:31 pm
Tara said:
Bronco
I hope you remember that Ambassador Ford has a recess appointment by President Obama out of Obama’s attempt to engage Syria in a better relation with the US. Congress hesitated to approve the appointment because they did not believe there is a hope engaging the Syrian regime. The bottom line is Amb Ford was sent to Damascus to promote US-Syria relations. It is when he watched the extreme killings, brutality and torture he changed course and became vocal against the savages. No?
September 29th, 2011, 12:37 pm
uzair8 said:
Some select quotes and teasers from the article in @622
….
As the US failure to impose its will in Iraq was becoming unmistakable, the actual goals of the invasion could no longer be concealed behind pretty rhetoric.
….
What exactly is the Iranian threat? An authoritative answer is provided by the Pentagon and US intelligence. Reporting on global security last year, they make it clear that the threat is not military.
….
One element is Iran’s potential deterrent capacity, an illegitimate exercise of sovereignty that might interfere with US freedom of action in the region.
….
Turkey had been bitterly condemned in 2003 when the government followed the will of 95 per cent of the population and refused to participate in the invasion of Iraq, thus demonstrating its weak grasp of democracy, western-style.
….
After its Security Council misdeed last year, Turkey was warned by Obama’s top diplomat on European affairs, Philip Gordon, that it must “demonstrate its commitment to partnership with the West.” A scholar with the Council on Foreign Relations asked, “How do we keep the Turks in their lane?” – following orders like good democrats.
….
While the US can tolerate Turkish disobedience, though with dismay, China is harder to ignore. The press warns that “China’s investors and traders are now filling a vacuum in Iran as businesses from many other nations, especially in Europe, pull out,” and in particular, is expanding its dominant role in Iran’s energy industries. Washington is reacting with a touch of desperation.
….
http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2011/09/201192514364490977.html
September 29th, 2011, 12:39 pm
Ghufran said:
Revlon
Calling for an armed revolt is like
????????? ?? ??????? ??????
September 29th, 2011, 1:10 pm
Akbar Palace said:
The ME is Badly “F”ed NewZ
Turkey ‘offered Syria support’ if Islamists given posts
“In June, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan offered, if Syrian President Bashar al-Assad ensured between a quarter and a third of ministers in his government were members of the Muslim Brotherhood, to make a commitment to use all his influence to end the rebellion,” a Western diplomat told AFP.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jKPR82jpwbj0nG7_ir2V5irLpDow?docId=CNG.21683a828449f21039c34f41afe003f8.41
September 29th, 2011, 1:19 pm
Ya Mara Ghalba said:
#537 Digging for Gold in Bosra says
The Presidential election was already scheduled for year 2014 because the last Presidential election was in 2007 and the term is seven years. The 2014 election will be open to competition, unlike the 2007 one. Between now and 2014 we have (a) the genuine legalization of opposition parties and opposition information media, (b) the competitive parlimentary elections of 2012, (c) two years of parliamentary debate and other public exposure to — and education about — the alternatives to the Assad regime. This gives the opposition politicians the time and space to get to be known and understood in the eyes of the Syrian people. The opposition is foolish to demand a presidential election today because they’d lose it today. They have no viable candidate, no unity, no alternative vision, no mass media platforms with good market penetration — no nothing except negativity about Assad. Meanwhile Assad has many millions of positive supporters, especially in the educated classes, and many millions more who won’t be talked into voting for just an empty void of negativity, plus Assad has excellent pro-regime media support in Syria, plus a large nationwide organization on the ground. In the parliamentary elections in 2012, we’ll be seeing what levels of support the regime and the anti-regime parties are able to attract from the real people of Syria. If the anti-regime parties win big in 2012, then Assad is beatable and will be beaten in 2014. I have a video of Bashar saying: “Allah, Souria, As-shaab, wa bas.” He means it. If he’s beaten he’ll be civilized and honourable enough to take his beating with due respect for the good people of Syria. The people of Syria are good people. Most of them are. As I’ve said before, all the evidence I can see points me to the expectation that the anti-regime parties will get trounced in the 2012 elections. Notably, in the talk coming out of most of the anti-regime quarters today, they’re still talking about an unconstitutional overthrow. They aren’t gearing up for the elections. That’s a losing strategy.
September 29th, 2011, 1:25 pm
Afram said:
Flash Flash!!!!
syrian mothers,hide your babies…muslim- B- hoods on their way to play house with them,,,,
Muslim Scholars Confirm Muhammad Thighied Aisha at 6
Proof that Mohammed did thigh Aisha as a 6 year old girl:
How http://www.defendstudents.org got CAIR on the run !!!!!
The permanent committee for scientific research and religious sanctions:
Bakr ben Abdullah Abu Zeid, Member
Saleh ben Fozan Al Fozan, Member
Abdel Aziz ben Abdullah ben Mohammed Aal Sheikh, Chairman
Fatwa (religious sanction)saudi barbaria
Number 41409 dated 7/5/1421
August 8, 2000
Praise is to God and blessings on the prophet that is the last of all prophets.
The permanent committee for scientific research and religious sanctions has looked onto the request of Abu Abdallah Mohammed Al Shamry which was sent to the committee from the general secretariat of the Committee of Higher Scholars number 1809 date 3/5/1421. The requester asked the following:
Lately, It has spread on a large scale, especially in weddings, the habit of thighing little boys; what is the ruling of the Quran on this? Especially, that God’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) has thighed Ayesha (may God be pleased with her)
The committee, after studying the request, has ruled the following:
It is not the true guidance of Muslims throughout centuries to resort to the use of these unlawful practices, which were imported to our countries through the immoral videos that are being sent by the infidels and enemies of Islam hahaha.As for the thighing of the messenger of God to his fiancée Ayesha, she was six years old and he could not engage in sexual intercourse with her because of her young age, therefore he used to place his penis between her thighs and rub it lightly. In addition, the messenger of God had full control of his penis in contrary to the believers. Therefore, it is not permitted to practice thighing, whether in weddings, or at homes, or schools, due to its grave harm. And may God curse the infidels who brought these practices to our countries.hahaha,muslims always curse&blame others for their backwardness…..
September 29th, 2011, 1:27 pm
bronco said:
Tara
First, Ford is not engaging any balanced dialog in Syria, he has not visited a Syrian official for months. He has his own agenda: Humiliate the Syrian government enough to get his confirmation from the Congress who hates Syria for its alliance with Iran and the Palestinian resistance.
Second, in international diplomacy, ambassadors do not meddle in a country’s internal problems. Countries normally withdraw their ambassadors rather than let them meddle.
US ambassadors are known to ignore that and they usually feel free to actively intervene in countries where they think they have the upper hand and who are not their ‘allies’: South America and Middle East. They are known to have fueled more internal tensions and unrest.
Don’t you wonder why the US ambassador in Bahrain has not made any visit to the opposition leaders? It just shows you what politically selective the ‘human rights’ notion is for the US.
I don’t think Ford will stay in Syria.
September 29th, 2011, 1:29 pm
Tara said:
Afram
May I remind you that you celebrated the bombing of innocent civilians in Turkey and the death of children a week or two ago just because Erdogan is now posing himself against the Syrian regime. Did you forget your rejoice in their death? How many times I need to remind you with your post?
September 29th, 2011, 1:50 pm
mjabali said:
Arboud:
Again you hallucinate.
When did I try to “convince” any of you that drinking is a “badge of honor?”
Drinking a glass of wine at night or drinking a beer here and there socially does not make you alcoholic. Only for zealot Islamists this means alcoholic. Moderate Muslims do not care about this and many of them drink.
These days the number of Muslims considering you alcoholic if you have a drink here and there is on a rise. This tells about the depth in their perceptions about life and the increasing popularity of the more stern interpretation of Islam.
How would you know what is an alcoholic, unless you were one at some moment, and I do not doubt that since many current Muslim Zealots that I know were real drinkers and party people at some moment in their lives? Most Muslims that I know where I live drank at some moment in their lives. Some of the heavy drinkers among them became strict Muslims (more like Wahhabis), while the ones who drank moderately never became attached that much to religion.
Arboud, I recommend to you some wine it may relax you. You need it.
September 29th, 2011, 2:02 pm
Tara said:
Bronco
Got it. The US is the devil even when it stands for human rights. It was also the devil when interfered in Bosnia. However, let me explore your consistency a bit:
Do you then condemn in the same breath the Syrian regime’s persistent meddling in Lebanon’s affairs. Or even better, did you condemn the past exportation of terrorists from Syria into Iraq to meddle into the Iraqi affairs and to promote their civil war?
September 29th, 2011, 2:05 pm
Mina said:
Comparing Branco 635 and Tara 629, you wonder who else than a civil servant, someone paid to write on such a forum, would use the phrase “Ambassador Ford”.
Are they so good in the US in making everybody work for either the army (more than 1 percent of the US population already works directly or not for the army) or the state dep’?
This for the few left who still believe Tara is a woman (the guy showed right when the so-called Damascus Lesbian closed his blog), and still believe he is genuinely asking his self about the intricacies of Shiism…
September 29th, 2011, 2:06 pm
Ya Mara Ghalba said:
USA Ambassador to Syria Robert Ford in an interview with Time Magazine published on 28 Sep 2011:
I don’t read Time Magazine myself. I got the above from http://friday-lunch-club.blogspot.com/
I expect you know that the BRICS group of countries are coordinating with each other to oppose to any foreign interference in Syria, where BRICS = “Brazil, Russia, India, China, SouthAfrica” (all members of the BRICS group are currently voting members at the UN Security Council). Here are some other countries whose governments have gone on record during the past week to oppose foreign interference in Syria.
28 Sep 2011: The Arab League Secretary General Nabil al-Arabi voiced the Arab League’s rejection of any foreign interference in Syria’s internal affairs. http://www.sana.sy/eng/337/2011/09/28/372027.htm
28 Sep 2011: Foreign Minister of Pakistan Hina Rabbani Khar affirmed rejection of foreign interference in other countries’ affairs and the need to respect the countries’ right to solve their own internal problems. She also reiterated Pakistan’s support to Syria’s sovereignty. http://www.sana.sy/eng/337/2011/09/28/372194.htm
28 Sep 2011: Foreign Minister of Malaysia Dato Sri Anifa Aman condemned the campaigns launched against Syria, stressing his country’s keenness on the security and stability of Syria and continuing to build firm relations with it in the various fields. http://www.sana.sy/eng/337/2011/09/28/372194.htm
28 Sep 2011: Foreign Minister of Belarus Sergey Martinov asserted his country’s full support to Syria, expressing his confidence in President al-Assad’s wisdom and the Syrian leadership’s ability to carry out reforms and preserve Syria’s security and stability. http://www.sana.sy/eng/337/2011/09/28/372194.htm
26 Sep 2011: On the sidelines of the 66th UN General Assembly session, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem, met with the Foreign Ministers of Algeria, Iraq, Egypt, and Azerbijan. Talks during the meeting dealt with the current situation in Syria. These Foreign Ministers expressed support for the reform process announced by President al-Assad on 20/6/2011 and rejection of all forms of foreign interference in Syrian internal affairs. http://www.sana.sy/eng/22/2011/09/27/371540.htm
25 Sep 2011: Foreign Minister of Oman Yusuf Bin Alawai stressed his country’s keenness on Syria’s stability. He called on foreign countries to not interfere in Syria’s internal affairs. He expressed confidence in the Syrian people’s ability to solve their own problems. http://www.sana.sy/eng/22/2011/09/27/371540.htm
25 Sep 2011: Foreign Minister of Sudan voiced his country’s full support to Syria in the face of this unfair outside campaign, the likes of which the Sudan has already suffered. He called upon the Arab League to take a stance in support of Syria. http://www.sana.sy/eng/22/2011/09/27/371540.htm
25 Sep 2011: Foreign Minister of Ukraine Kostyantyn Gryshchenko lauded the reform steps made by Syria, and wished success to the Syrian leadership to overcome the current situation as soon as possible. He hoped the two countries would be able to fulfill what has been agreed upon during President al-Assad’s visit to Kiev in December 2010 with the aim of enhancing bilateral cooperation in all fields.
http://www.sana.sy/eng/22/2011/09/27/371540.htm
24 Sep 2011: Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan, Yerzhan Kazykhanov , whose country currently presides over the Council of Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), stressed that Kazakhstan and the OIC are against any foreign political or economic interference in the Syrian internal affairs. http://www.sana.sy/eng/337/2011/09/25/371360.htm
24 Sep 2011: Foreign Minister of Argentina Hector Marcos Timerman on 24 Sep 2011 said his country supports the reform program announced by President al-Assad, and the Syrian national dialogue. He said that Argentina is against using the UN Security Council as a pretext for foreign interventions. http://www.sana.sy/eng/337/2011/09/25/371360.htm
September 29th, 2011, 2:10 pm
Ya Mara Ghalba said:
USA Ambassador to Syria Robert Ford in an interview with Time Magazine published on 28 Sep 2011:
The above is at the TIME.com website. I don’t read Time Magazine myself. I got the above from http://friday-lunch-club.blogspot.com/
September 29th, 2011, 2:17 pm
zoo said:
What are the facts about freedom of expression?
Political activists and journalists in jail as of September 2011:
How many in Syria?
How many in Turkey?
How many in Egypt?
How many in other Arab countries?
How many in Iran?
September 29th, 2011, 2:19 pm
Ya Mara Ghalba said:
I expect you know that the BRICS group of countries are coordinating with each other to oppose to any foreign interference in Syria, where BRICS = “Brazil, Russia, India, China, SouthAfrica” (all members of the BRICS group are currently voting members at the UN Security Council). Here are some other countries whose governments have gone on record during the past week to oppose foreign interference in Syria.
28 Sep 2011: The Arab League Secretary General Nabil al-Arabi voiced the Arab League’s rejection of any foreign interference in Syria’s internal affairs. ref
28 Sep 2011: Foreign Minister of Pakistan Hina Rabbani Khar affirmed rejection of foreign interference in other countries’ affairs and the need to respect the countries’ right to solve their own internal problems. She also reiterated Pakistan’s support to Syria’s sovereignty. ref
28 Sep 2011: Foreign Minister of Malaysia Dato Sri Anifa Aman condemned the campaigns launched against Syria, stressing his country’s keenness on the security and stability of Syria and continuing to build firm relations with it in the various fields. ref
28 Sep 2011: Foreign Minister of Belarus Sergey Martinov asserted his country’s full support to Syria, expressing his confidence in President al-Assad’s wisdom and the Syrian leadership’s ability to carry out reforms and preserve Syria’s security and stability. ref
26 Sep 2011: On the sidelines of the 66th UN General Assembly session, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem, met with the Foreign Ministers of Algeria, Iraq, Egypt, and Azerbijan. Talks during the meeting dealt with the current situation in Syria. These Foreign Ministers expressed support for the reform process announced by President al-Assad on 20/6/2011 and rejection of all forms of foreign interference in Syrian internal affairs. ref
25 Sep 2011: Foreign Minister of Oman Yusuf Bin Alawai stressed his country’s keenness on Syria’s stability. He called on foreign countries to not interfere in Syria’s internal affairs. He expressed confidence in the Syrian people’s ability to solve their own problems. ref
25 Sep 2011: Foreign Minister of Sudan voiced his country’s full support to Syria in the face of this unfair outside campaign, the likes of which the Sudan has already suffered. He called upon the Arab League to take a stance in support of Syria. ref
25 Sep 2011: Foreign Minister of Ukraine Kostyantyn Gryshchenko lauded the reform steps made by Syria, and wished success to the Syrian leadership to overcome the current situation as soon as possible. He hoped the two countries would be able to fulfill what has been agreed upon during President al-Assad’s visit to Kiev in December 2010 with the aim of enhancing bilateral cooperation in all fields.
ref
24 Sep 2011: Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan, Yerzhan Kazykhanov, whose country currently presides over the Council of Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), stressed that Kazakhstan and the OIC are against any foreign political or economic interference in the Syrian internal affairs. ref
24 Sep 2011: Foreign Minister of Argentina Hector Marcos Timerman on 24 Sep 2011 said his country supports the reform program announced by President al-Assad, and the Syrian national dialogue. He said that Argentina is against using the UN Security Council as a pretext for foreign interventions. ref
September 29th, 2011, 2:21 pm
Badr said:
From http://www.omantribune.com/index.php?page=news&id=101914&heading=Middle%20East
Protests fail to weaken unity within Syria ruling family, military
DUBAI Syria’s ruling Assad family shows no signs of relenting to six months of anti-regime protests as its members, who control the army, security services and the economy, hold on tight together in a battle for survival.
“The family has remained united, at least so far, although it is undoubtedly under great strain,” says Patrick Seale who has written several books on Syria, “Assad: The Struggle for the Middle East,” a biography on former president Hafez Al Assad.
And “so long as the family and the army/security services remain united, it will be difficult for the opposition to topple the regime,” Seale said.
Bassam Jaara, a London-based opposition journalist who was an adviser to former prime minister Mahmud Al Zubi, agrees that “the regime now is still very solid. No big rifts have yet taken place inside its ranks (as) it maintains its structure.”
The army itself is commanded by members of the Assad family, belonging to the minority Alawite sect.
Asef Shawqat, brother-in-law of President Bashar Al Assad, is the deputy chief of staff in the army. Bashar’s brother Maher heads the army’s elite Fourth Division, the troops most feared by Syrians.
During the first months of the uprising, observers said the crackdown was spearheaded by Maher.
But former Syrian vice president Abdel Halim Khaddam, who has served in the Assads’ regime for 21 years until he resigned in 2005, questions this, insisting that “Maher is committed to his brother” and only “a tool that implements his brother’s decisions.”
“The decision-maker in the family and the regime is Bashar. Family members might offer ideas and advice but he is the one who makes decisions and the role of the rest of the family is to implement them,” Khaddam said.
“He (Bashar) receives a report or a suggestion and many times he makes his decisions based on a suggestion and retracts it based on a different suggestion.”
Jaara agrees, saying that “Bashar holds full power.”
“If he is unable to control decisions then he should have resigned and made peace with his people. But I don’t think this is the situation, I don’t think there are any differences inside the family,” he added.
Bashar’s billionaire cousin “Rami Makhluf said it from the first day. He put it in an equation when he told the New York Times either we stay together or we fall together,” says Jaara.
“The future is one and the track is one for all,” he said.
Bashar has recalled the old guard who had served under his father Hafez.
“Former leaders of the military and security forces have returned. Those have become advisers based on their previous experiences,” said Jaara.
But “nothing can save the regime because it is now accused by all Syrians,” says Khaddam. “Syrians realise that this regime’s victory now will mean that they will have to face over 100 more years of rule by this family.”
Agence France-Presse
September 29th, 2011, 2:33 pm
OFF THE WALL said:
One could be a civil servant working for the social security administration. Grow up and stop searching for conspiracy behind everyone opposing this criminal regime.
Assad proved, beyond reasonable doubt that he can not be trusted with the fate of Syria not for a single hour. Any second he spends in power is a borrowed time. He and his gang, including those boasting that he will win the next election have forgotten that felons and murders lose their political rights and can not and should not be eligible to run, or even vote.
Needless to say, the whole crappy fraudulent reforms have avoided terms in office or have tried to exempts terms served. Good luck getting that. He has screwed up the country for nearly two terms. No more for him or for his mafia.
Lastly, being as screwed up as his father, his reign is an extension of the murderous reign of his daddy and by that has reigned for far more than two terms. Got that… If not, Get it.
The only rightful place for Mr. Assad and his mafia is jail. No more, no less.
September 29th, 2011, 2:37 pm
Tara said:
Mina
It is Bronco not Branco. For god sake Mina, It is so rude not to say people’s name right. Sorry Bronco. I appologize for Mina.
Bronco,
You owe me an answer. Do you condemn the Syrian regime’s meddling in Iraq’s and Lebanon’s affair?
September 29th, 2011, 2:52 pm
Ya Mara Ghalba said:
I just read the following rumour at http://www.facebook.com/News.About.Syria#!/News.About.Syria?sk=wall
This, if true, sounds to me like time-wasting and needless delaying. The regime should put out a draft revised Constitution immediately and let the population of Syria discuss it now. It’d be a draft, and subject to revision in light of public discussion. At this stage “a Committee to study a revised Constitution” — with or without opposition members — is entirely unwarranted and would achieve nothing. The regime’s lawyers can write a revised Constitution in just one day, and the regime’s lawyers have now had more than three months to do it since Bashar’s announcement in his speech on 20 June 2011.
September 29th, 2011, 3:07 pm
TRUE said:
@ 532. Norman
Don’t try to dodge the questions mate, don’t forget too many FBI and CIA agents have got their eyes on this forum.
540. TRUE said:
“you forgot that i am a US citizen with the protection of the almighty US army”
As a respected US citizen,
Do you condemn Betho’s action of sending terrorists to Iraq to kill the US army soldiers?
Do you condemn Hasan Naserallha for the Beirut Barracks Bombing (October 23, 1983) when two truck bombs for Hizboallah struck the US army Navy base?
Do you condemn the two attacks of Betho’s thugs on the US Ambassador “Robert Ford” in Damascus?
September 29th, 2011, 3:13 pm
tarek said:
Tara,
Do you condemn the American regime invasion of Iraq and the meddling in Lebanon’s affair .
September 29th, 2011, 3:15 pm
TRUE said:
So the little Joni ended up to be a peasant of no use!! Oh dear what a waste of doughnut space
September 29th, 2011, 3:26 pm
SYR.EXPAT said:
http://www.watan.com/flash/???-????-????-??-???-?????-????-??-??????-???????-?????????-????-??????.html
?????? ???
??????, 29 ?????? 2011 17:50
??? ??? ???? ???????? ?? ???? ?????? ?????? ??????? ????????? ??????? ?????? ???? ?? ?????? ???? ?????? ???????? ?? ???????? ?????? ?? “??? ????????? ???????? ????? ?????? ??????? ???????? ?? ??????????”.
???? ?????? ?? “????????? ??????? ???? ?????? ??????? ????????? ?? ?????????? ?????? ????? ???
?? ?????? ????? ?????? “…” ???????? ???????? ???????? ?????? ??? ????? ?????? ????? ?????? ???”.
???? ?? ??? “?????? ??? ????? ????? ?????? ??????? ????????”.
????? ????? ?????? ???? ???? ?????? ?????? ??????? ?? ??????? ???? ??????? ?? ???? ????? ????????? ?????? ??? ?????? ?? ??????? ???? ?? 40 ????? ?????? ???????? ??????? ????????? ??? ?????????? ????????? ??????? ???? ???? ?? ????? ??????? ?????.
??? ??? ???? ??? ???? ???????? ???????? “??? ??????? ????? ??????? ?? ????? ???? ????? ???????? ????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ????????? ????”? ?????? ?? ??????? ??????? ????????? “????? ??????? ??????? ????????? ?? ?????????? ???? ????”.
???? ????? ????? ??? ???? ????? ???????? ?”?????? ???????? ???? ???? ?? ????? ?????? ??????? ???? ????? ?? ??? ??????”.
?????? ??? ???? ??????? ?? ????? ????? ??? ?????? ?????????? ?? ???????? ?? ???? ?????? ??????? ???? ?????? ??????? ?? ??????.
?????? ??? ???? ?? ??????? ?????????? ???? ?????? ?????? ??????? ?? ??? ?? ????? ???? ????? ???????? ?????? ?????. “? ? ?”
September 29th, 2011, 3:38 pm
TRUE said:
So now you’re saying ABOUD is Qurbati lol
Noble Sunni families of Hama used to call those homeless Alawi peasants who were placed by Rifa’t al-ASSAD around Hama (Qurbaties) 🙂
Qurd ta3a lak peasant ya Jamal, Qurd ro7 ya Qurbati
September 29th, 2011, 3:38 pm
Ya Mara Ghalba said:
This month’s Regional National Dialog Confererences have concluded or are concluding. The Central National Dialogue Conference I hear is coming up in October though I’m foggy about exactly when. This Central Conference can be far more productive and meaningful if it has a draft revised Constitution around which people can have a dialog. Similarly, the Conference can achieve very little for Syria if it’s left in the dark about the regime’s intentions about what’s going to change in the Constitution.
As the Minister Wallid Al-Moallem said in his speech at the United Nations a few days ago, the revised Constitution is the backbone of the reforms.
September 29th, 2011, 3:53 pm
Tara said:
Tarek
I was against the American invasion of Iraq and I did not like GWB or his crew. I do hate Saddam and I believe he desrved his fate.
I do believe that Ambassador Ford is on the right side of morality. I do believe that the US is supporting human rights in Syria. I do not believe that the revolution in Syria is a western conspiracy.
September 29th, 2011, 4:07 pm
TRUE said:
So it seems the online peasants are quite wilful to demonstrate their idiocy
They created this Facebook page called “I’m your little toe worshiper, my Lord Betho”
??? ??? ???? ???? ?????? ?? ??? ???? ?????
http://ar-ar.facebook.com/bashar.killed.god
they wrote comments such as
??? ?? ???? ??? …???? ????? ???? ….???? ???? ???? ………. ???? ????? ??????
No further comment!! Peasants.
September 29th, 2011, 4:09 pm
Mango said:
http://www.aliqtisadi.com/index.php?mode=article&id=14881
??? ????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ??????? ?????????? ???? ?????? ?????
?????? ??? ?????? ?? ??????? ?????????? ???????? ???????? ???? ?? ???? ?????? ???? ???? ??? ?????? ????? ??????? ?? ?????? ?????? 2011 ?????? «?? ??? ?????? ???? ???????».
??? ??? ????? ????? ???? ?????? ?? ???????? ?????? ???? ??????? ?? 3 ?????? ?.? ??? ????? ????? ????? ???? ??????? ??? ???? ????? ??????? ??? ?????? ?? ???????? ?? ????? ?????? ????? ????? ??????? ?????? ??? ???? ????? ??????? ????????? ???? ??????? ??? ??? ????? ??? ????? ???????? ??????? ?????? ??????? ??? ???????? ?? ???? ????? ???? ?????? ?? ?????? ?????? ??????? ??? ????? ????????.
?? ??? ??? ????? ?????? ????? ?? ????? ?? ???? ??????? ??????????? ??? ?????? ?? ????? ?????? ???? ????? ?????? ??????? ????? ???? ??????? ?? ??????? ???? ??????? ???? ?? ???? ??????? ???? ??????? ???? ?????? ???? ???? ?????? ?? ?????? ???????? ?? ????? ????? ???? ????? ??????? ???? ??????? ?? ????? ?? ??? ?? ??? ???? ?????? ?????? ???? ?????? ?? ???????? ?????? ???? ??????? ????? ???? ???? ????? 355? ?? ????? ??? ?????.
????? ??? ????? ???? ??????? ?????? ?????? ????? ???? 568? ?? ????? ??? ????? ??????? ???? ????? ??????? ???? ??????? ??????? ???? ??????? ????? ?????? 336 ???? ????? ????????? ??????? ??????? ????? ?????? ??? ????? 8 ??????? ????? ????????? ????? ?????? 1625 ????? ??? ?????.
??? ??????? ??????? ????????? ??????? ?? ??????? ??????? ???? ????? ?????? ??????? ?????? ???????? ???? ??? 2009 – 2010 ??? ????? ????? ??????? ??????? ?????? ??????? ??? ???????? ?? ????????? ????? ???????? ??????? ???????? ?? ????? ??????? ???????? ??????
September 29th, 2011, 4:16 pm
sheila said:
DEAR JOHN KHOURI @568,
It is rather low to show these disturbing images of women getting lashes in Afghanistan and then claim that Syria after Assad will treat women the same way. What is it that you think will make Syria look this way, the fact that the majority in Syria are Sunnis, or the fact that the majority of Syrians are as backwards as the Afghanis?.
I demand nothing less than an apologie from you for insinuating that Sunnis in general treat their women like animals and that Syrians in general are nothing but animals.
Unfortunately, mistreating women is an “honor” that can be bestowed on people from all religions and ethnicities.
September 29th, 2011, 4:24 pm
Tara said:
ZOO
you said “Political activists and journalists in jail as of September 2011:
How many in Syria?
How many in Turkey?
How many in Egypt?
How many in other Arab countries?
How many in Iran?”
All good questions. I also want to add the following questions:
How many children killed, snipered and tortured in these countries?
How many pregnant women killed randomly by the regime in these countries?
How many peaceful protestors shot dead?
How many tortured cases?
Only then, Zoo, we can make a meaningful comparison. Do you agree?
September 29th, 2011, 4:42 pm
Mina said:
Sheila
We’re lucky he didn’t post videos of ‘circumcized’ women (French: Excision, English: Female Genital Mutilation). You may know that about 90 percent of Egyptian women are ‘circumcized’, and that the “fashion” is now contaminating Saudi Arabia and the Gulf, thanks to the expats and their wonderful shaykhs whose tv-s have no borders. I agree with what you said about the dumbness and dangerosity of most of the shaykhs. What do you suggest to refrain their powers?
September 29th, 2011, 4:51 pm
ziadsoury said:
Norman,
I do not need your sorrow or pity. It is the opposite. The only people who need your sorrow are the people you are cheering and making excuses for. Keep praying for them because they need it.
You never answer any hard questions. do you?
I am sure you have watched the BBC documentary by now. You saw the proof that Bashar’s thugs are going after healthcare workers. Didn’t you? Are you going to condemn these inhuman acts by these thugs? I will bet my house that deep down inside you know they are doing that but you are so afraid to speak your mind.
Free yourself from these shackles and you will feel a lot better. These thugs are protecting no one but their interest.
Here is what I see in this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IahnTrXo8I&feature=player_embedded
1 People are having fun
2 Ultimate risk takers
3 No fear
4 Challenging the most corrupt and brutal authority Syria has ever seen
5 Sense of humor
6 Teamwork
7 Hunger and thirst for a better opportunity
8 Willing to die for their cause
See Norman, these are the traits of leaders who make things happen. Give them a better education and real opportunities and they will make Syria the envy of the world.
Bashar and his thugs are yesterday news and have expired. Time for a change and based on that video, the brave Syrians will do that.
September 29th, 2011, 4:53 pm
Mina said:
Surya bi khayr: the BBC says so!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-15060292
September 29th, 2011, 4:55 pm
TRUE said:
@ 662. Sheila
“Unfortunately, mistreating women is an “honor” that can be bestowed on people from all religions and ethnicities.”
I second your voice and you have my support. Sadly speaking, this was always the case since the creation. Check out these two examples
1- Alawis consider women in general as some sorts of devil reincarnation, they don’t even share the conviction with them
“Religious knowledge is the exclusive privilege of the men, so only males are initiated. Alawis believe that women were created from devils. Women therefore have a low status in ‘Alawi religion and society. They are not taught any prayers nor are they initiated into the secrets of their religion”
http://www.angelfire.com/az/rescon/mgcalawi.html
2- Here’s another quote from the writings of Tertullian (160 A.D. – 225 A.D.) where he considers “women are the devil’s gateway” . Theologically, he is considered one of the great Christian fathers, positioning him as founder of Latin Christian doctrine and proponent of much in orthodox Western Church dogmas as a whole.
This is his own writing (referring to women):
“And do you not know that you are (each) an Eve? The sentence of God on this sex of yours lives in this age: the guilt must of necessity live too. You are the devil’s gateway: you are the unsealer of that (forbidden) tree: you are the first deserter of the divine law: you are she who persuaded him whom the devil was not valiant enough to attack. You destroyed so easily God’s image, man. On account of your desert—that is, death—even the Son of God had to die.”
Finally I urge the horns to read “Women in Dark Age and Early Medieval Europe c.500-1200” by Helen M. Jewell
September 29th, 2011, 4:57 pm
OFF THE WALL said:
90%. That means it is prevalent among the two major religious groups. This is why it wasn’t brought up.
September 29th, 2011, 5:12 pm
Mango said:
http://www.rosbalt.ru/exussr/2011/09/12/888978.html
The political scientist: After Syria and Iran the USA undertake the CIS
Baku, on September, 21st. “To the countries of Southern Caucasus scenarios of the events which have occurred in the Middle East are quite applicable. As well as in the Arabian states, the authoritative board, corruption, the inefficient government, discontent of the people” here reigns, — the Azerbaijan political scientist Zardusht Alizade has declared news agency REGNUM.
According to the political scientist, after cleaning the Middle East and liquidation of modes in Syria and Iran, the USA will start a reorganization of territory of the former USSR, trying to replace modes existing there on completely under control: “in this plan — under the threat there are modes on Southern Caucasus, in Belarus and in some countries of the Central Asia, is not excluded even Russia”.
“The time stock at the authorities of these countries is, while the USA are occupied by the Middle East. Therefore managements of the South Caucasian countries to exclude repetition of similar events, should begin now already radical reforms, bridle corruption and stop to steal. If Saakashvili thinks that the wind of changes will not mention it he deeply is mistaken. If Americans have handed over Mubaraka, Saleha and Bin Ali which throughout decades served as belief and truth to the American interests in region it costs nothing to them to hand over and the Georgian president.
The Azerbaijan president, declaring opening of new oil and gas deposits, thinks that can buy the West arrangement. But he too is mistaken, because events in the Middle East have shown that the USA and Europe for the sake of the geopolitical plans can remove on a background even the power interests.
As to the president of Armenia who thinks that Russia will protect it, also he also is mistaken. As practice shows, Russia in the fullness of time freely hands over the allies. Where Saddam Hussein, Kaddafi, Saleh, Asad, Shevardnadze whom Moscow protected to the last? “, — the political scientist asks a question.
September 29th, 2011, 5:21 pm
Tara said:
Mina@664
Show us your proof of the 90 percent figure in Egypt.
September 29th, 2011, 5:22 pm
zoo said:
The uncomfortable reality in Syria
The Obama administration is slowly coming to grips with the uncomfortable reality that its preferred scenario of a peaceful transition in Syria is looking less likely. As much as it had hoped to avoid it, the administration finds itself having to develop contingency plans as signs of armed resistance to Bashar al-Assad’s regime are becoming increasingly visible.
Commenting on this development in the Syrian uprising, State Department spokesman Mark Toner remarked on Monday that “the longer the regime continues to repress, kill and jail these peaceful activists, the more likely that this peaceful movement’s going to become violent.” It’s a matter of self-defense, Toner explained; “It’s not surprising.”
This belated recognition comes as more reports are emerging of pushback from army defectors, especially in the provinces of Homs and Idlib, but also in Daraa and Deir al-Zour. In the town of Rastan, hometown of former Defense Minister Mustafa Tlass, the regime has had to bring in artillery, armored units, attack helicopters and reportedly even fighter jets in a bid to quash the resistance put up by soldiers who decided to protect the protesters. Assad’s forces have been shelling it relentlessly for days, but one Western diplomat told Reuters it was “highly possible” that the defectors were holding their ground.
To read more: http://www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=316485#ixzz1ZNZpv9BP
Only 25% of a given NOW Lebanon article can be republished. For information on republishing rights from NOW Lebanon: http://www.nowlebanon.com/Sub.aspx?ID=125478
September 29th, 2011, 5:24 pm
Tara said:
664 Mina
Show us proof of the 90 percent figure.
September 29th, 2011, 5:24 pm
Tara said:
True
And these islamophobes dare to bring up issue on the rights of women in Islam. So to Alawis, women are devil reincarnation and to the founder of Latin Christian doctrines, women are the devil’s gateway. At least, women are not considered devil equivalent in Islam.
September 29th, 2011, 5:33 pm
amal said:
CARBON UNIT TARA YOU ARE NOT MUSLIM AND YOU ARE NOT CHRISTIAN
SO WHY DON’T YOU FOCUS TO YOUR JOB ON THIS BLOG ASKING POSTERS TO GIVEUP THEIR PERSONAL VITAL INFORMATION FOR YOUR SPY MASTERS
September 29th, 2011, 5:50 pm
TRUE said:
@ 672. Tara
Oh yeah I was waiting for this topic to be brought up, thanks to Sheila 🙂
Those who don’t respect and value women are deemed to be losers
“So to Alawis, women are devil reincarnation”
Oh yeah too many Alwai good hearted girls are looking for a faith to fill their souls but their Lord (sheiks Al- Jabal) can’t pass the secret of their Trinity (Ma’na, Ism, Bab) to those evil creatures called women. How sad we’re in 2011 and those retard peasants still have this mentality.
“founder of Latin Christian doctrines, women are the devil’s gateway”
Yeah just ask those horns how many alive “invisible creatures” (women) were burned to death to purify the town or village?
September 29th, 2011, 5:57 pm
TRUE said:
Oh dear!! They have to use the CAPS they just can’t help it
With or without CAPS you’re not heard peasants.
Go back to your shift and clean Hafiz Makhlouf’s car.
September 29th, 2011, 6:03 pm
TRUE said:
How come you say carbon unit? It should be carbon (unith)
Aren’t ya a worshiper of Betho’s little toe?
September 29th, 2011, 6:06 pm
TRUE said:
What a civilised peasants!
Syria regime supporters pelt US ambassador with eggs, US condemns intimidation campaign
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/syrian-regime-supporters-pelt-us-ambassador-with-tomatoes-try-to-attack-him-in-an-office/2011/09/29/gIQAjt6n6K_story.html
September 29th, 2011, 6:29 pm
TRUE said:
Those peasants have totally lost it!
Honestly, attacking an ambassador?
Clinton Blasts Inexcusable Assault on US Syria Envoy
http://www.voanews.com/english/news/US-Condemns-Attack-on-Envoy-in-Syria-130796303.html
September 29th, 2011, 6:31 pm
ann said:
Security raid office of Al Jazeera Egypt – 1 hr 40 mins ago
http://news.yahoo.com/security-raid-office-al-jazeera-egypt-141120907.html
CAIRO (AP) — For the second time this month, Egyptian security officials in civilian clothes raided the Cairo office of Al Jazeera Live Egypt, part of the Qatar-based broadcaster’s network, roughing up its staff, detaining an editor and confiscating equipment, the news chief said Thursday.
The raid on the channel’s office comes after Egyptian authorities said the station and its staff were operating without permits. Set up in March, the channel carries live broadcasts of Egypt’s ongoing protests and indepth coverage of the country’s political transition following the ouster of Hosni Mubarak in Febuary.
Activists and rights groups viewed the raids on the station as part of a larger crackdown by authorities on independent media. “Someone, an authority or an official, is clearly getting fed up with the newly acquired freedoms in Egypt,” human rights lawyer Ahmed Seif el-Islam said in response to Thursday’s raid.
Authorites also shut down Al Jazeera Egypt Live’s office earlier this month because it did not have government-authorized permits to operate.
The station’s news chief, Ahmed Zein, said the channel has applied for permits, and was promised it would receive them next week. He said the Cairo office is under construction, and that the station is broadcasting from Qatar.
Egyptian Information Minister Osama Heikal told the MENA state news agency the channel’s insistence on broadcasting without permits was “an intentional insult to Egyptian law and a violation of national sovereignty.” He said the station won’t force its will on the authorities, who won’t tolerate the offense.
A government official acknowledged the station had applied for permits but wouldn’t say when the permits would be issued. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to brief reporters.
Al Jazeera was repeatedly targeted by the Mubarak government during the uprising for what the regime viewed as coverage sympathetic to the protesters. Al Jazeera’s staff was arrested, the station was knocked off the air and its website was hacked.
Zein said plainclothes security agents forced their way into the office in the Agouza neighborhood in central Cairo, refusing to identify themselves, and shoving the office staff into one room.
When a reporter asked them for ID’s and a search warrant, the security men pushed her, Zein said.
Zein said he believes there are officials who are not pleased with the station’s focus on Egypt.
The authorities later released the editor, Mohammed Suleiman, who was briefly detained. Suleiman said the raid followed a complaint from the state’s Radio and TV Union that the station was broadcasting from the Cairo office.
Al-Jazeera officials say the station applied for a permit six months ago but were told by Egyptian officials to continue to operating until permits are issued.
The raid is seen as an extension of a wider clampdown that include a freeze on new licenses for private satellite TV stations. The country’s military rulers, in charge since Mubarak was ousted, have threatened to take measures against broadcasters considered to be inciting violence. They also recently expanded the widely-hated emergency laws, which give authorities free reign to arrest people, to include penalties for publishing false information.
On Thursday, the military council released a statement warning protesters against “seeking to destabilize (Egypt’s) stability to curtail the democratic transition.” The statement, issued on the council’s official Facebook page, said any attacks on military targets would amount to an attack on Egypt’s security and would not be tolerated.
Earlier this week, according to lawyer Seif al-Islam, copies of weekly independent newspaper el-Fagr were taken from vendors and its editors told to change a headline in the paper critical of the country’s military chief.
At least two other newspapers, including a state-owned one, were forced this month to remove articles before going to print. Both articles dealt with Egypt’s powerful intelligence agency, according to the Arab Network for Human Rights Information.
September 29th, 2011, 6:33 pm
Pirouz said:
670. ZOO
There has been evidence of armed insurrection for quite a while, so this is more like a tardy admission. I suspect the reason being the administration is conceding Assad’s hoped for fall is not anywhere imminent.
On the other side of the coin, I’ve yet to see evidence of artillery fire (non AFV direct fire) or the use of fixed wing ground attack aircraft (mistakenly referred to in the article as “fighters”).
The opposition claims, in my opinion, appear hyped. I’m not saying there isn’t a fair amount of dissatisfaction in the country. But lately the protest numbers have been exaggerated, as have–I suspect–the fatality figures.
Tomorrow is another Friday. For some time now I’ve been looking for protests in the tens of thousands but have only been seeing a trickle of such in the hundreds, at most.
We’re on the ever of October. Are parliamentary elections forthcoming within the next 90 days? That’s the big question.
September 29th, 2011, 6:36 pm
zoo said:
Pirouz
Another article with a flashy title but with a less flashy content about the defections
Thousands of troops desert from Syrian army
http://www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide/middle-east/thousands-of-troops-desert-from-syrian-army
On another positive note.
Selim al Hoss and Omar Karame, two ex-prime ministers and prominent Lebanese Sunni personalities meet Bashar Al Assad in Damascus and express their support.
http://www.dp-news.com/en/detail.aspx?articleid=98269
September 29th, 2011, 6:42 pm
Tara said:
Aljazeera reporting that the Russian Ambassador in Quatar paid al Quardawi a visit today. Why?
Al quardawi asked Russia to stop supporting Bashar.
September 29th, 2011, 6:46 pm
baran said:
Zoo@681
What is positive about 2 Sunni Lebanese ex- prime ministers supporting the Syrian president?
False hope that reflects extreme desperation?
September 29th, 2011, 7:10 pm
N.Z. said:
What we are witnessing in Syria, is a full fledge war by the Syrian mafia on a restless, armed-less inhabitants.
This regime and its supporters, from within and from without, are first class criminals.
Playing games, while Syrians are getting killed by the hundreds, houses demolished and lives shattered under our watchful eyes, and the unworthy threats and blackmailing by the international community, day in and day out, to Assad & co. is obvious to all.
The scenes of eggs, tomatoes and yells thrown on both the American and French thugs, in Damascus is obviously a show. A busted script, that does not fit the brutality posed by their man, Assad.
Israel is a neighbour, and a selfish one. A very bad agent in our midst.
This regime will fall, the longer it lingers, the stronger the animosity towards this entity. Seems that this what Israel strive for.
Throughout its decades of existence, it was an alien entity, that never showed once a sign of good will towards the people.
We are fed up from aggressive policies towards Arabs and Muslims.
The West and its implanted agent must change course.
No doubt our pimps are to blame, from Assad,Bin Ali, Mubarak, Qaddafi, Saleh, and their sons………22 pimps in 22 Arab countries.
This is a revolution against pimps and blood suckers. Enough!
We will obtain our dignity at all cost.
September 29th, 2011, 7:15 pm
Amir in Tel Aviv said:
Assad: It’s all over.
No. We will tell YOU when it’s over.
.
September 29th, 2011, 7:35 pm
TRUE said:
This is the full PDF report of
Survey Findings:
Syria 2011 Public Opinion Survey
“The poll, which was conducted by a team at Pepperdine University, found that 86.1 percent of Syrians disapproved of Assad’s job performance, and 81.7 percent were calling for regime change. Those surveyed also expressed favorable views toward the anti-government protesters in the country, with 71.1 percent of Syrians saying that they held positive views of the demonstrators while only 5.5 percent viewing them negatively.”
http://www.pepperdine.edu/pr/releases/2011/september/Syria_2011_09%2023%20Final_with%20cover.pdf
Read it carefully you tyke peasants hhehe
September 29th, 2011, 7:40 pm
TRUE said:
For all those who’re calling themselves “Christians” on SC including the Alawi little Joni
This is the 2nd survey conducted by a team at Pepperdine University which basically contradicts the conventional wisdom about “the support of Syria’s Christians for Assad”. (got the heart attack yet tsk tsk tsk 🙂 )
The FP-Foreign Policy goes like
“In a yet to be released second report, the survey will also publish data that contradicts the conventional wisdom about the support of Syria’s Christians for Assad. “There’s some chatter about how Christians were supporting Assad, and that was just not true,” said Angela Hawken, a Pepperdine professor who helped produce the study and an FP contributor.”
http://blog.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/09/28/syrias_guerilla_pollsters
How do you feel you bucolic boors eh?!
September 29th, 2011, 7:45 pm
Tara said:
True
Excellent! You are an amazing resource.
Zoo, sorry. Your happiness about the 2 Lebanese Sunni ex prime-ministers supporting the regime did not last long. I hope you are able to sleep well today.
Mnhebaks, how are you going to discredit the report? Was the university bought by MB, the Jews, or the Neocon?
September 29th, 2011, 8:05 pm
sheila said:
Dear Akbar Palace,
You are very misinformed about what is truly happening to the Palestinians. I have a dear Jewish friend who lived for three years in Israel. This is her opinion on how the Israeli government treats the American Jews. She said: “ they put blinders on our heads and treat us like mules. Only allowing us to see what they want us to see. If you remove the blinders and you look around you, you will see and what you will see does not put Israel in a very good light”.
Even though every man is created equal, you still expect more from the educated, the civilized and the rich. Those in power are expected to act differently. The occupier is expected to act differently from the occupied. It is exactly what we complain about today in Syria: we expect more from the government than we expect from the demonstrators. The government has the power.
I am not going to discuss this any more. It is time to discuss Syria, but I urge you to veer from your cemented dogmas about the situation in Israel and seek to understand the other side. What you will learn will shock you.
September 29th, 2011, 8:08 pm
TRUE said:
No worries!
Peasants can’t discredit anything the best they could do is to travel back to the day3a, feed donkeys and milks cows
September 29th, 2011, 8:11 pm
Norman said:
AP said this this morning,
(( Now, changing the subject, can you PLEASE tell you Arab brethren to stop antagonizing each other based on secular/religious/sunni/shia/alawi/christian??? Keep your eye on the ball: FREEDOM. Tolerance has to be practiced at home before it can be practiced between nations!))
Any mature Syrians here, listen to the voice of wisdom comming from unlikely source.
September 29th, 2011, 8:24 pm
John Khouri said:
@687 – TRUE said
the 2nd survey conducted by a team at Pepperdine University which basically contradicts the conventional wisdom about “the support of Syria’s Christians for Assad”. (got the heart attack yet tsk tsk tsk )
The FP-Foreign Policy goes like
“In a yet to be released second report, the survey will also publish data that contradicts the conventional wisdom about the support of Syria’s Christians for Assad. “There’s some chatter about how Christians were supporting Assad, and that was just not true,” said Angela Hawken, a Pepperdine professor who helped produce the study and an FP contributor.”
Hmmmmmmmmmmm nice one Angela Hawkins. Can you explain these videos for me please? Are these robots or ghosts or even shabiha? America’s foreign policy has been a great success since Obama came to power isnt that so.hmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Do i always have to keep replaying these videos for you extremists. I know how badly it hurts you to see these videos. But here they are again. Once again watch them and weep 🙂
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=id8cygeQ5ow
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbUDV3ULirc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1HZlGy7qvc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSRRlhMqLKA
Send these videos off to Angela Hawkens. Maybe she will masturbate.
September 29th, 2011, 8:35 pm
Akbar Palace said:
You are very misinformed about what is truly happening to the Palestinians.
Sheila,
You asked me several questions, mostly dealing with the history of the Arab-Israeli conflict.
What is happening to the Palestinians today is another question. I know what is happening to the Palestinians. Much of it isn’t good, some of it is better, and their leadership has a lot of the responsibility for making it so.
I have a dear Jewish friend who lived for three years in Israel. This is her opinion on how the Israeli government treats the American Jews. She said: “ they put blinders on our heads and treat us like mules. Only allowing us to see what they want us to see. If you remove the blinders and you look around you, you will see and what you will see does not put Israel in a very good light”.
I’m glad you have a close Jewish friend. I won’t discount her version of things. I lived in Israel for over 2 years back in the 80’s. I worked there. My ex-wife is an Israeli-American: mother from Yemen, father’s parents from Syria. I remarried and my second wife has family in Efrat on the West Bank south of Jerusalem near Bethlehem.
I saw lots of things too, and Israel is certainly no Utopia. But there are a lot of good things that Israel has to offer.
Even though every man is created equal, you still expect more from the educated, the civilized and the rich.
Maybe. Not all Israelis are “rich”, not all are “civilized”, not all are “educated”. I prefer addressing issues person-to-person, and hold individuals accountable.
Those in power are expected to act differently.
I’ll buy that.
The occupier is expected to act differently from the occupied.
Yes, occupation entails a number of responsibilities. However, the GOI does not consider themselves as occupiers. The GOI considers the conflict to be one of autonomy, a border dispute, and a required negotiated settlement where both sides will have to come down from the mountain, make hard decisions, and sign a final negotiated settlement that addresses all the issues.
http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Peace+Process/Guide+to+the+Peace+Process/Israeli+Settlements+and+International+Law.htm
It is exactly what we complain about today in Syria: we expect more from the government than we expect from the demonstrators.
Looking at the Israeli government and her citizenry, 7.5 million people of whom 25% are non-Jews, I think Israel is doing OK and could be doing better. Compared to the broken ME, Israel is doing well. Very well.
The government has the power.
In Israel, the people have the power. Netanyahu is fairly popular considering most Israeli governments fail before election time comes around.
I am not going to discuss this any more. It is time to discuss Syria, but I urge you to veer from your cemented dogmas about the situation in Israel and seek to understand the other side. What you will learn will shock you.
OK. Sheila, I appreciate your tone and your open-mindedness. I look forward to discussing more about the ME with you. I don’t say I’m prefect, I’m far from it. You raise good points.
If you’ve noticed, discussing Syria on this website is difficult. Too many good people here can’t seem to stop putting people down, all of whom are not happy with President Assad. I feel as though this whole Arab Spring is frozen.
Any mature Syrians here, listen to the voice of wisdom comming from unlikely source.
Norman,
I’m not sure what you are referring to. IMHO, everyone needs to chill, play Sheshbesh, and watch old Egyptian movies.
September 29th, 2011, 8:41 pm
sheila said:
To all,
It pains me to read all these accusations going back and forth between people who all claim to a love Syria. It saddens me to see how we are judging everyone according to what religion, sect or ethnic group they belong to. It kills me when I read people accusing Christians or Alawiis of being traitors or peasants.
Please listen everybody:
1- The regime is not just Alawii. It is Alawii, Sunni, Christian, Druz, Ismaeli, Kurdish and from all other sects, ethnicities and religions that exist in Syria.
2- People benefiting from the regime come from all of the aforementioned groups in 1.
3- The revolutionaries are not just Sunnis. They are Alawiis, Christians, Druz, Ismaeli, Kurdish and from all other sects, ethnicities and religions that exist in Syria.
4- People supporting the revolution come from all the aforementioned groups in 3.
5- Last time I checked, peasants and people from the slums were still considered humans.
6- Most Persians hate their regime and would much rather live under secular rule.
So based on all these undeniable facts:
1- please stop accusing each other of being peasants, slum dwellers, Persians, drunks and all other adjectives used in vain.
2- please stop accusing Alawiis of killing people, because you really do not know who these people doing the killing are. And do not start with: I can tell from the accent. Many villages in Syria sound very similar to Alawii dialect.
3- Please stop accusing all Sunnis of being salafis and MB s, because this is baloney.
4- Please stop accusing the Christians of being “silent”, because they are not. Many are very vocal against or for the regime.
5- Please stop painting this revolution with a sectarian brush, because obviously, it is not.
Let us all think as Syrians first, discuss the issues at hand and stop personal attacks.
September 29th, 2011, 8:45 pm
John Khouri said:
@690 – TARA AND TRUE AND ABOUD and fellow extremists
is this how your fathers and brothers and grandfathers treat their sisters and wives and daughters? A recent study and survey by students and professors at Saudi Arabia shows that 23% of children were raped by their family members. Very interesting report.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwVnjNJYs3Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bO12X1nhzzk
September 29th, 2011, 8:48 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
It is about time that syrians get help from outside for their protection, The regime used security forces,and shabbiha, and the turn to the army ,who is supposed to protect the Syrian,the army is shooting and killing peaceful citizen, we must get help from outside,The Arab League has been slow,to a disgusting level, we can not let the innocent young people in Syria who are expressing their desire for freedom and dignity,we can not let them down.
Mr. Hoss and the Karami talked to Bashar, their visit is to put pressure on Miqati more than give support for Assad,they both worthless X premiers.
Bashar,his family, and his supporters will pay for all the crimes that are committed by his security forces and the army.
September 29th, 2011, 9:03 pm
zoo said:
Ref: Pepperdine poll
“Pepperdine University is (an US) independent, private, medium-sized university affiliated with the Churches of Christ.”
“The religious body known today as the Churches of Christ emerged from the American “Restoration Movement” that sought to re-establish Biblical practices among Protestant churches”. It was created in 1832 by Thomas Campbell.
The Churches of Christ is an autonomous congregation of 5 Millions worldwide to compare with the 2 billion Christians worldwide. Famous members: Pat Boone, Janis Joplin, Roy Orbison.
I don’t know how many Protestants members they have in Syria.
September 29th, 2011, 9:06 pm
sheila said:
Dear #664. Mina,
We are also all so lucky that he did not post videos of women beaten by their husbands to no recognition or little girls forced into sex by perverts in the US or Europe.
As I said, the “honor” of mistreating women is shared equally by all.
September 29th, 2011, 9:10 pm
N.Z. said:
659. Tara said:
“I do believe that Ambassador Ford is on the right side of morality. I do believe that the US is supporting human rights in Syria. I do not believe that the revolution in Syria is a western conspiracy.”
Ford, if he really means business and not putting a show to absorb anger/blame, must put pressure on his government to issue a statement and put the blame squarely on THE son that got the blessing of the Clinton’s administration.
All knowingly, the US policies will NOT change, but the region WILL change. They have no choice but to act neutrally, or with decency.
All those around Ford’s car, are Shabihas, babbling like Ford, around him, killing innocent protesters at other times.
September 29th, 2011, 9:13 pm
TRUE said:
@ little Joni
Do you need a lollipop to keep ya busy?
September 29th, 2011, 9:17 pm
Norman said:
This is interesting,Things are more complicated than it seems,
——————————————————————————–
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???? ??????? ?????? ??? ????? ???? ?????? “???? ???? ????? ???? ???????? ??:???? ??????? ??????? ?? ???? ??????? “? ??????? “??? ?????? ??? ??????? ????? ??????? ??????? ????? ???? ???? ?????? ?? ???? ??????? “? ???? ??? ?? ???????? ???? ????? “???? ????? ??????? ??? ????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ???????? ??? ??????? ( ?? ????? ??? ??? ??????????)”.
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??????? ?? ????? ?? ????? ???? ?? ???? ?? ?? ????? ???? ?? ????? ???? ???????? ??? ??????? ???? ????? ???? ?????? ??????? ?????? .
???????? ??? ??? ??????? ???????? ?? ????? ???????? ???? ??????” ?? ??????? ???? ???? ?? ???? ????????? ??????? ???????? ?? ????? ???????? ??? ??? ??? ?? ?? ?????? ???? ??? ?? ???? ????????? ??? ?????? ?? ??? ???????? ? ???? ???? ???? ??????? ?? ??? ???????? ???????? ?? ????? ???? ??????? ???????? ?? ?????? ??????? ????? ????????? ???????? ??? ??? ????? ?? ???? ???? ???? ?? ??? ??????? ??????? ?? ??? ?????? ?? ??????? ??? ?????? ????? ?????? ?? ?????? ???????? ?? ?????? ? ?? ??? ?????? ?? ????? ??????? ???? ????? ??? ???? ??????? ??????? ??????? ??? ??????? ???????? ?????? ???? ?????? ???? ???? ?? ?????”.
???? ??????? ?? ???? ??????? ?? ??? ?????? ??? ???????? ??????? ????? ??????? ?????????? ???? ???????? ?????? ???????? ??? ??? ??? ???????? ?????? ????? ?? ?????? ????? ????? ??????? ?? ??????? ???????? .
???? ??? ?????? “?? ????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ???? ????? ???? ???? ?????? ?????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ????? ?????? ???????? ???????? ????????? ???????? ? ?? ????? ????? ??????? ???????? ?????? ??????? ??????? ?? ???? ??????? ??? ????? ?????? ??????? ?????? ?????? “.
????: ????? ??? ???? ???????? ???????
?? ????? ????? ????? ???? ?????? ???????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ?? ????? ??? ??”?????” ?? ??? ??????? ???????? ???????? ?????? ?? ?????? ????????? ?? ????? ??????? ????????? ???? ?? ?????? ?????? ?????? ?? ????? ????? ??????? ??? ?????? ???? ?????? ??????? ????? ??????? ???????? ???? ??????? ?????????? ?? ??? ????? ???? ????. ????:” ??? ???? ??????. ?? ????? ?? ???? ???? ?? ??? ?????? ?? ??? ???????? ????????? ?? ?????? ??????? ??????? ???? ??????? ????????? ???? ????? ????? ????? ?? ?????? ?????? ???? ??? 15 ?????? ?????? ????? ??????? ???????? ??? ??????? ?? ????????? ????????? ?????????? ???????? ????????? ?????????? ??????? ????????”.
?????:” ???? ??? ??????? ??????? ????? ??? ????? ???????? ?????? ?? ???? ???????? ???????”. ????” ?? ???? ???? ??????????? ?? ???? ???????? ???????? ???? ???????? ??? ??? ????? ??????? ????? ???? ??????? ????????? ?????? ??????? ???????? ???????? ???? ????????? ?????? ??????? ???????????? _ ????????. ???? ?????? ?? ???? ???? ?????? ???????? ??? ?????? ????? ?????? ????? ????? ?????????? ?? ????? ???????? ???????? ???? ?????? ???????? ??? ??????? ???”.
????? ” ??? ?? ??? ?????? ????????? ?? ???? ?????? ????????? ???????? ??? ???? ????? ???? ?? ??????? ????? ??? ??????? ???????? ???????? ?? ??? ?????!!. ?? ?? ??????? ??? ????? ?????? ???? ??????? ???????? ????????? ?? ????? ??? ????????? ??????? ?????????? ?? ????? ?? ?????? ??? ???? ????? ??? ??? ??????…!? ?? ??????? ???? ????? ????? ?? ??? ?????. ??? ?? ????? ??????? ????????? ?????? ??????? ??? ????? ??????? ?????? ???????? ??? ???????? ???????!. ????????? ?????? ?????? ???? ???????? ??? ????? ?????? ?????? ???? ???? ????? ??????? ???????? ??????? ????? ???? ??? ??????? ??? ?????? ?????? ????…? ??? ??? ???!. ????? ?? ??? ???? ???? ?????? ??????? ???????? ????????? ???? ???? ?????? ??????? ???? ?? ????? ????? ??????? ???????? ????? ?? ??? ???? ?????? ?????? ?? ?????? ??????? ?? ??????? ??????”.
????? ??? ??? “???? ?? ??? ????????? ??????????? ???? ?? ??????? ????????? ???? ??????? ?????? ?? ????? ??????? ???????? ????????? ???? ???? ?????? ????????? ???? ???????? ???? ?????? ???? ????? ?? ?????? ???? 1998? ????? ????????? ???????? ??? ??? ??? ????? ?????. ???? ???????? ????? ????? ????? ?????? ?????? ????? ?? ???? ????????? ?? ???? ???????? ???? ???? ????? ??????? ?? ?????? ??????. ????? ?? ??????? ?????? ?? ?????? ???????? ???????? ??? ??? ?????? ??????????”.
????? ??????? ?????? ???? ?????” ????? ?????? ????? ??????? ???????? ??????? “??????????” ???? ??? 15 ??? ????? ?? ????? ?????? ?????? ??? ???????!. ??? ????? ???????? ?? ????? ???? “???? ????? ???? _ ????” ??? ???? ???????? ???? ????? ??? ??? ????????? ???? ??? ????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ???????? ????????. ????? ????? ??????? ????????? ??? ?? ???? ?? ?????? ????? ??? ?????? ??????? ???? ?????? ?????? ?? ????? ???????? ???? ??????? ???????? ?????? ???????? ????????. ????? ???? ?? ?????? ???? ?? ???? ????? ????? ?? ????? ??? ??????? ????????? ????? ????? ????? ?????. ?????? ?? ???? ???? ???? ????? ?????? ????????? ????????? ?? ??? ???? ????? ???? ?? ?? ????? ?? ?????!?”.
???? ??? “????? ?? ?? ??? ?? ??????? ???????? ????????? ???????? ??????? ???? ?????? ?????? ?? ??? ???? ????? ?? ??????? ????????? ???? ???????? ????? ?????? ?? ?????? ???????? ???????? ??????????? ????????????? ?? ???? ?? ??? ?????. ????????? ????? ?????? ?? ?? ???? ???? ????? ?????? ???????? ?????????? ??????? ?????. ????????? ???? ??? ????? ?????? ????????? ???? ?????? ?? ??????? ?? 29 ????? ??????? ???? ????? ???????? ??????? 1 ???????? ???????? 2 ???????? 3…? ?????? ???? ??? ?????????? ????? ???????? ???? ???????? ?? ????? ??????? ?? ?? ?????? ????? ???? ????? ?????? ??? ????? ??????? ??? ?????? ?????? ????? ??????? ????????”.
???? ????”?? ??????? ?? ????? ?? ????? ?? ????? ??????? ??? ?????? ??????? ???????? ??? ??? ????? ?????????? ??? ???????. ??????? ???????? ?? ???????? ??????? ?????? ???????? ??????? ??????. ???????? ??????? ???????? ????? ???”.
???? “?? ???? ???????? ??? ?? ????? ??????? ???????? ?? ?????? ????? ????? ?????? ???? ?????? ??? ???????? ????? ???????? ?????????? ???????. ?????? ???? ?????? ????????? ???????? ??? ????????? ???????? ???????? ?? ????? ????? ???? ?????. ??????? ?????? ???? ?????? ?????? ?????? “??????????”. ?????? ?????? ??? ??????. ???????? ??? ??? ????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ?? ???? ??????? (??????? ????????) ????? ???? ?????????/?????? ????????. ???? ???? ????? ??????? ??? ??????? ?????? ?? ???????? ??? ?????? ??? ??? ??????? ???????”. ???? ??? ??? “????? ????? ?????? ????????? ??????? ?? 29 ?????/??????? ??? ????? ?? “????? ?????? ??????” ???? ????? ?????? ??????? ???? ??????? ??? ?? ?????? ?????? ??????. ??? ????? ????? ??????? ?????? “?????” ??? ?????? ??????? ??????? ??? ??????? ????????? ?”??? ???? ???????? ??? ??????”. ???? ?? ?? ???? ?? ???? ?? ????? ???? ??? ??????? ???????? ??? ?????? ???? ???? ???? ????? ??????? ????”.
http://www.elaph.com/Web/news/2011/9/685974.html
????? ???????
September 29th, 2011, 9:19 pm
TRUE said:
@ 691. Norman
I thought you’re quite loyal to your American dream?
It sounds more, sadly, you do support the killing of our kids in Iraq, Lebanon and everywhere. Don’t forget those kids are there paying their blood to save us.
Shame on ya supporting terrorism, shame with a spit on your face!!
Again
“you forgot that i am a US citizen with the protection of the almighty US army”
As a respected US citizen,
Do you condemn Betho’s action of sending terrorists to Iraq to kill the US army soldiers?
Do you condemn Hasan Naserallha for the Beirut Barracks Bombing (October 23, 1983) when two truck bombs for Hizboallah struck the US army Navy base?
Do you condemn the two attacks of Betho’s thugs on the US Ambassador “Robert Ford” in Damascus?
September 29th, 2011, 9:22 pm
Tara said:
NZ
I do not believe he is putting a show. Read his FB page. I think he is very genuine in supporting the revolution. The US has little leverage on Syria. They were the first to impose sanctions against the regime which were mostly symbolic as there is no real trading between Syria and the US. Obama and Clinton were first to declare that he is illegitimate to rule. The UN SC resolution to condemn Besho is blocked by Russia and China.
September 29th, 2011, 9:23 pm
N.Z. said:
702, True,
What were the American doing, in first place, both, in Lebanon and Iraq?
You are in the US and not in Syria! You can criticize, question, you can open your mouth. Bush is gone, so will his likes.
September 29th, 2011, 9:29 pm
N.Z. said:
We all know he is an illegitimate leader. They added nothing, babbling when it comes to the interest of my people. Things will not change, until they see change.
Soon.
September 29th, 2011, 9:33 pm
sheila said:
To #695. John Khouri,
Contrary to popular belief (I mean yours), incest is a problem throughout the world and not endemic to Saudi Arabia only. Have you ever read a study about incest in Syria? I can assure you that it would be consistent with that of Saudi Arabia’s. Another shocker for you: it would also be consistent with that in the US and the biggest shocker for you, it would be pretty much the same in the Muslim and Christian communities in Syria. Very interesting.
September 29th, 2011, 9:37 pm
TRUE said:
@ little Joni
Now tell us, honestly, why are ashamed of being Alawi?
You know what we do have a big farm in Ya3foor and I could easily hook you up with a job there eh, you know it’s in your blood peasant 🙂
And yeah what happened with those top secrets videos (not vidios) you’re holding back for the “right” time? tsk tsk tsk
September 29th, 2011, 9:39 pm
TRUE said:
@ little Joni
“end these videos off to Angela Hawkens. Maybe she will masturbate”
Masturbate: is it the excitation of one’s own or another’s genital organs by manual contact or means other than sexual intercourse?
Is that what you peasants do @ the Day3a?
September 29th, 2011, 9:48 pm
TRUE said:
@ little Joni
“is this how your fathers and brothers and grandfathers treat their sisters and wives and daughters?”
Nop
I reckon that’s how we treated, treat and will treat all of you (keep that in mind mate tsk tsk tsk)
Not to worry all will be treated and no one would fall short 🙂
So what do you see when you look at these invisible creatures called the women? Ohhhh they might bite ya little Joni
September 29th, 2011, 9:57 pm
Syria no kandahar said:
???? ????????
Reason of Karadawi’s visit to Russian ambassador :
He run out of vodka
September 29th, 2011, 9:58 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
Syria no kandahar
Did Mjabali drank them all?
September 29th, 2011, 10:04 pm
TRUE said:
@ 704. N.Z
I’m more interested to see whether these FOBs are loyal to the US oath or not?
Anyone who does not respect the sacrifice of our American boys should back his bags and piss off on the spot no arguing about it.
I’m expecting a clear unconditional condemnation.
September 29th, 2011, 10:11 pm
TRUE said:
bloody rats and mice
September 29th, 2011, 10:30 pm
TRUE said:
I gotta go early tonight, you guys have 2 good hours before ABOUD wakes up
Arrivederci!
September 29th, 2011, 10:43 pm
ann said:
Ref: Pepperdine secret polls exposed
Angela Hawken:
http://publicpolicy.pepperdine.edu/academics/faculty/default.htm?faculty=angela_hawken
Hawken consults regularly for the UN and the State Department. She advised a State Department-supported think tank in Georgia. She is developing measurement instruments to study corruption and gender issues in the Asia-Pacific region, for the UN regional office, and her work is featured regularly in the UN Human Development Reports. She has visited Afghanistan twice, and is co-author of the Afghanistan corruption-monitoring system used by the UN and State Department to track public-sector corruption. She is also working on counter narcotics policy for Afghanistan, for the State Department. Hawken actively includes students in fieldwork for her research and in writing projects. She involved a dozen School of Public Policy students in the HOPE evaluation, and has placed over two dozen students in international internships.
The Democracy Council of California – Also Known As: DC
http://www.democracycouncil.org/
http://www.democracycouncil.org/bio/james_prince.html
Chief Executive
Mr. James Prince
Chief Executive Profile:
President and founder of the Democracy Council. Prior to joining Democracy Council, Jim was a director with Price Waterhouse Coopers Financial Advisory Services (PwC). While there, he was appointed by the mayor of Los Angeles to the LAPD’s Independent Review Panel. Jim’s governmental experience includes working as a Senior Professional Staff member for the House International Relations Committee, as a legislative assistant for a senior California Member of Congress and as a foreign policy advisor for the 1992 Clinton presidential campaign. From 1991-1993, Jim served as the assistant to former Assistant Secretary of State in the Council on Foreign Relations’ Middle East Studies department and received a National Endowment for Democracy grant. Jim participated in a variety of international missions, including serving as a United Nations Peace Monitor, an International Monitor, and leading a congressional staff fact-finding mission. Jim has received a letter of appreciation from the US Department of State. Jim’s community activity includes serving on the Board of UCLA Government Relations Advisory Committee and SER-Jobs for Progress. In 1996, Jim was endorsed by the Democratic Party in a campaign for Congress. Articles by Jim have appeared in such publications as: Washington Post, Washington Times, Newsday, Jerusalem Post, Journal of Conflict Studies, Journal of Terrorism Violence and Insurgency, the Journal of Current Affairs, and others. Jim Prince received a BA from the University of California, Los Angeles and a MA in National Security Policy Studies from George Washington University. He also studied at the American University in Cairo and John Hopkins Arabic language Institute.
Syria WikiLeaks Special: How the US Government “Supported Opposition Groups” (and for How Long?)
http://www.enduringamerica.com/home/2011/4/20/syria-wikileaks-special-how-the-us-government-supported-oppo.html
Whitlock’s account focuses on one initiative: the funding of the satellite channel Barada TV, affiliated with the London-based Syrian exile organisation Movement for Justice and Development.
That is understandable, given the $6 million provided to the MJD from 2006, funneled through the Democracy Council of California in a “Civil Society Strengthening Initiative”.
NUFF SAID
September 29th, 2011, 10:47 pm
Syria no kandahar said:
True=Arboud
By the way Arboud is fighting in Alrastan today,he was able to kill 7 soldiers today.He just have to kill 499293 more soldiers and 22997222 more civilians befor Syria becomes free.Revlon will read Alfatiha on the non-infidel of them.???? ???????? is going to try to kill Asma using his high heels,after she is dead he is going to steel her Coach bags.
September 29th, 2011, 10:55 pm
ann said:
2012 GOP hopeful Bachmann casts Arab Spring in negative light, blames Obama for uprisings
Thursday, September 29, 6:20 PM
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/2012-gop-hopeful-bachmann-casts-arab-spring-in-negative-light-blames-obama-for-uprisings/2011/09/29/gIQAuzq87K_story.html
CONCORD, N.C. — Republican Michele Bachmann is blaming President Barack Obama’s stand on Israeli-Palestinian peace talks for the uprisings against autocratic governments across the Arab world.
At a fundraiser Thursday in North Carolina, Bachmann traces the mass protests that sometimes turned deadly to Obama’s call for Israel to return to negotiations and pull back to the territory it held prior to the 1967 war with Egypt.
In video posted by MSNBC, Bachmann says the president “has laid the table for the Arab Spring by demonstrating weakness from the United States of America.”
The Arab spring protests stretched from Algeria in North Africa to Syria in the Middle East. Some led to political instability in nations with longstanding rulers.
September 29th, 2011, 11:26 pm
Samara said:
http://youtu.be/c-Dl4blk7N4
September 29th, 2011, 11:26 pm
Samara said:
I forgot to mention that he is Iraqi…ya habibi, how interesting.
September 29th, 2011, 11:28 pm
Aboud said:
“after she is dead he is going to steel her Coach bags.”
Hey man, I hear you loud and clear. Don’t worry, we will save her dresses and panties for you. That is after we have done unto her what her husband has been doing unto the country; cut off her arms and head after torturing her for a month.
[admin: You are banned for a week for this comment]
September 30th, 2011, 12:29 am
?????? said:
Ba’ath Party Germs ?????? ?????
????? ?? ?????? ??? ????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ????? ??? ????? ?????? ???????
September 30th, 2011, 1:34 am
Revlon said:
613. Dear Mike,
Thank you for the link to that Hilarious video.
If I were that presenter I would write a hefty policy on my throat!
September 30th, 2011, 1:53 am
Revlon said:
636. Dear Ghufran:
“Revlon, Calling for an armed revolt is like
“????????? ?? ??????? ??????“
I assume that you either reside outside Syria or otherwise you and your family are not party to the protests.
From that vantage point, armed revolt” could be in foresight regarded as futile at best, for it could increase casualties and destruction of property.
Now! Let us assume you are an activist and/or a demonstrator in Homs, Dar3a, Damascus, or any other restive city in Syria.
– You have seen your comrades disappear, your brother abducted and returned minus throat and your sister abducted and returned in pieces.
– And just today, your friend Revlon called to tell you that your name is in a long list of activists wanted to be kindly tortured, their organs generously harvested, and body guaranteed free home delivery in pieces to your obliging parents!
Would you make the same assessment?
Here is a circulated list of wanted activists provided yesterday to all checkpoints in Homs city!
These brethren have only one of two options.
Wait peacefully to be tortured and annihilated and then for their families to live for the rest of their life in agony over their loss!
Or do what is their right; Defend themselves and stand a chance to live free or die in honour!
I tip my hat to these brave men and women.
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September 30th, 2011, 2:11 am
Revlon said:
Dear Afram,
“Flash Flash!!!!
syrian mothers,hide your babies…Muslim- B- hoods on their way to play house with them,,,,
Muslim Scholars Confirm Muhammad Thighied Aisha at 6”
Any witnesses of the Prophet-Aisha encounter Afram?
Any Youtube video clip of the Prophet-Aisha encounter Afram?
For the last six months, we have been witnessing thousands of events in Syria on Youtube with our own eyes .
Every single one had some one who cast doubts on its originality or significance!
You have confided in the conclusions of those scholars only to the extent that satisfied your wish to smear the prophet, yet you concluded by describing them as “Muslims always curse&blame others for their backwardness…..”
Would you trust a backward Muslim’s story or Judgement?
I do not trust yours!
September 30th, 2011, 2:17 am
Syria no kandahar said:
[admin: comment removed]
September 30th, 2011, 2:26 am
Revlon said:
Congratulations to free Syrians!
Freed Libya is the first to recognize the Syrian national Council as the only legitimate representative of the Syrian people.
???? ????? ???? ?? ??? ?????? Youth Syria For Freedom
???? ????? #syria •? ???? : ???? ????? ????? : ????? ????? ??????? ?????? ????????? ?????? ????? ????? ????? ????? ?????? .. ?????? ????? ??? ???? ?????? ??????? ????????? ?????? ???? ???? ???? ???? .. ?????.
7 hours ago
September 30th, 2011, 2:32 am
Samara said:
congratulations to Souria Al Assad
September 30th, 2011, 2:34 am
Alex said:
Maybe this explains their zeal,
http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/rebel-spokesman-to-haaretz-libya-needs-world-s-help-including-israel-s-1.380320
September 30th, 2011, 2:37 am
Ghufran said:
A late serving of coffee wired my brain and here I am reading comments degrading alawis,Sunnis,prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and two major religions not to mention dirty exchanges of words among people here.
I have to confess that I am jealous of how much money doctors make in the US but I was not impressed by some posts coming from few doctors on this page including one that starts with
“did mjabali drank” !!
Here is a wild guess,Syria will call imad Mustapha and ask Ford to leave. Did I drink too much coffee? Too bad I am not used to Beer.
Please tell me that my English is better than the rich doctors on SC,this will help my ego.
September 30th, 2011, 2:43 am
Revlon said:
Body of Ahmad Abdo as returned by security forces to his family; Recent abdominal incision for all to see.
It was made for anything but saving his life!
Ahmad had to pay the cost of his killing to Thug One by availing his organs to be sold in order to sustain operation Wa2dulFitnah!
??? ?????? ????? ?????? ???? ???? ??? ???? ?????? 28 9 2011
September 30th, 2011, 2:53 am
Ghufran said:
????? ?????
??? ??? ??? ???? ??????? ? ?????? ??? ??????? ??? ?? ???? ??????? ? ????? ????? ?? ???????
???????? ?? ????? ????? ????? ? ??? ????? ????? ??? ?? ???? ?????? ??????? ?? ????? ? ?????
??? ???? ??? ????? ? ??????? ???? ???? ???????? ?? ???????
???? ???? ??? ? ?????? ???? ?? ? ???
September 30th, 2011, 2:58 am
Revlon said:
AlRastan is emerging as Syrian BenGhazi.
The fourth Asad Battalion has failed to neutralize the resitence put up by KIW phalange of the FSA.
Excerpt from Yesterdays News Roundup
http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=556aeef60722f6e5811ea2519&id=fa3d1c434a&e=446560968a
…………..
In the meantime, Maher Assad’s Fourth Battalion remains impotent in the face of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) in Rastan, despite the use of Iranian and Hezbollah’s militiamen, snipers, warplanes, and heavy artillery. Syrian forces also used Iranian nerve gas, which left many civilians with partial paralysis, migraines, and partial blindness. At least seventeen deaths have been confirmed today as gunmen on board helicopters opened fire using heavy machineguns targeting any moving object in Rastan. The Khaled Bin Walid regiment of the FSA is still holding ground in Rastan, and has actually been able to drive the latest wave of Assad loyalists back, capturing many armored units, ammunition, and troops. An Iranian sniper was amongst those captured.
September 30th, 2011, 3:02 am
John Khouri said:
Why it it that the rallies for Dr Bashar Al Assad are filled with so much joy and happiness. But on the other hand the extremist rallies are filled with so much evil and hatred for the other sects and others who dont agree with their evil ideas.Here are some examples of the joy and happiness president Bashar Al Assad brings about to Americans,Canadians and Australians. Check out the largest Syrian flag in America.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvjXNgOejgk
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheCrazyBunchTV#p/u/2/aGuLkhmUl5g
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheCrazyBunchTV#p/u/3/aHieVnafwOc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyILdJM1oA8&feature=related
September 30th, 2011, 3:06 am
Revlon said:
Another quiet day for Thug one; The body of 16 year old girl was recovered from an orchard outside Duma. She was kdnapped, violently raped and murdered by Thug One’s Shabbeha.
Excerpt from Yesterdays News Roundup
http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=556aeef60722f6e5811ea2519&id=fa3d1c434a&e=446560968a
In the Damascus suburb of Douma, a 16-year-old schoolgirl was dumped in an orchard after she had been kidnapped, raped, and beaten by Shabbiha militiamen. The girl was transported to a hospital where doctors confirmed she was raped with extreme violence. The story fueled the city with massive demonstrations, and caused many defections in the army. Many schoolgirls have been kidnapped all over Syria this past week, some of them even by female security agents.
September 30th, 2011, 3:07 am
Revlon said:
Excerpt from Yesterdays News Roundup
http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=556aeef60722f6e5811ea2519&id=fa3d1c434a&e=446560968a
The humanitarian conditions in most Syrian cities continue to deteriorate, as medical supplies are scarce, doctors and medics are targeted, water, fuel, and many basic primary supplies are cut off at many besieged areas in the country.
The Homs districts of Deir Baalba, Bayada, Khaldiyeh, and Baba Amr are still under siege. The regime is letting police dogs loose on demonstrators in these areas.
In Idlib, Assad militiamen kidnapped two girls, and news of the arrival of an Iranian civilian airplane packed with soldiers in a nearby military airbase had been circulating since the early morning.
September 30th, 2011, 3:09 am
John Khouri said:
ABOUD , TARA, REVLON , TRUE , i have just posted a copy of the sermon your father the jihadist gave live on tv. He calls for death to all infidels. And he mentions them by name, alawites,christians and jews. Just another reason why you make up only 10% of the syrian population in your so called “revolution”.
September 30th, 2011, 3:18 am
jad said:
Ghufran,
Your English and your Arabic are both perfect 🙂
btw, I like your name, it’s meaningful in these dark days.
Dear Louai,
Thank you very much for the reply and for your usual honesty.
I’ll try to write you a longer reply in the coming days, take care my friend!
Dear Sheila,
Thank you for your excellent comment regarding the ugly language and feeling that some are writing against their own fellow citizens, that was very much needed.
September 30th, 2011, 3:22 am
Ghufran said:
???? ????? ????? ? ?? ???? ?? ?????? ??????
???? ??????? ?? ????? ??? ???????? ????? ???? ?? ??????
??? ????? ?? ?? ???? ?? ????? ????? ?????? ? ??? ????? ?? ??? ???? ??? ?????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ??????
?????? ?? ?????? ????? ??????? ???? ?? ?????????? ? ????????? ??????? ?? ?????? ??? ?? ???? ?? ?????
?????? ?????? ???????? ?? ??????? ? ?????? ?? ??????? ??? ????? ??? ????? ???? ?? ????? ? ???????? ?? ?? ??????
September 30th, 2011, 3:24 am
uzair8 said:
Iran and Syria: Different but the same
By Amir Taheri
Friday, 30 September 2011
[Selected quotes]
In Syria, on the other hand, the wedge between the military and the Assad clique is getting wider by the day.
This is why the clique has decided to revive the sectarian Ali al-Murtadha movement, once led by Rifaat al-Assad the president’s estranged uncle, as the backbone of Alawite unity.
….
… in Syria where the parliament, the judiciary, the council of ministers and even the Ba’ath Party have been turned into empty shells. The idea was to squeeze all those institutions of their power and prestige in the hope that what they lost would be added to the prestige and power of the presidency.
….
All this means that in Syria, as in Iran, the only institution left is that of the armed forces.
However, a regime based on thinly disguised military force is inherently unstable. This is why, even if tactically attractive, the policy of dismantling all institutions and depending solely on the armed forces is strategically doomed to failure.
(Read more:)
http://english.alarabiya.net/views/2011/09/30/169403.html
September 30th, 2011, 3:31 am
uzair8 said:
Abducting girls, rapes, murder, organ theft…
God Almighty will punish these crimes. When this punishment comes where is the regime going to run to or hide?
They are in for the mother of all punishments.
September 30th, 2011, 3:53 am
Revlon said:
738. Dear John Khouri,
Thank you for drawing my attention to the linked video.
I watched and listened.
Unfortunately, nowhere did I hear the preacher calls for:
“death to all infidels. And he mentions them by name, alawites,christians and jews” as you stated.
Apparently, you were in a hurry!
You were probably referring to his quotation of Ibn Taymiyeh that considered Nusairiyeh more infedel than nasara dn Jews!
He was strictly calling Jr and his followers and supporters as criminals and as well as infidels, and was calling for giving them all kinds of punishments, echoing every tortured soul in Syria!
Notice that all supporters would include include Sunnis, Shristians and Alawis!
I would like to reciprocate by drawing your attention to Jr’s first speech.
He then considered demonstrating against regime’s wishes to be conspiracy and invoked a verse from Quran relating to Wa2dulfitnah!
He considered Wa2dulfitnah to be a moral, national and religious duty and that Fitnah was worse than killing, justifying and legalising the killing of civilians; All of that was on the basis of an out of context quoted verse from Quran!!!!!!
Now tell me!
Whose was more reckless?
The preacher’s who described the murderes irrespective of their religion as infedels and sought their punishment?
Or
The tyrant ideol who conveniently donned the Imam turbin for a moment to issue a Fatwa justifying the unleashing of his rabid dogs to terrorise and murder unarmed civilians?
September 30th, 2011, 3:54 am
John Khouri said:
@741 – UZAIR8 – you said
“However, a regime based on thinly disguised military force is inherently unstable. This is why, even if tactically attractive, the policy of dismantling all institutions and depending solely on the armed forces is strategically doomed to failure”.
So what are the Bahraini, Saudi Arabia, Dubai,Qatar and Yemeni regimes based on? How stupid of you to quote something from Alairabia, which is owned and funded by Saudi Arabia
( undemocratic, islamist, unconstitutional , 0% freedoms, no rights for women, no inclusion of other religions in government or constitution, based on wahhabism )? Shouldnt they be doomed for failure also? Didnt Bahrain rely on Saudi armed forces and pakistani militia to help them repress protestors?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/feb/17/bahrain-security-forces-sunni-foreign
September 30th, 2011, 4:14 am
John Khouri said:
@743 – REVLON – so you still think of any other religion but your sunni, of being infidels??
Wouldnt you class security forces in Bahrain beating and firing live ammunition at women, as being reckless? Did Sheik Arour issue a fatwa permitting this because they are shiite?
http://www.youtube.com/user/lebnenra2i3
I think your sheik arour and sheik qardawi were the reckless extremist in issuing fatwas every week to ignite sectarianism in syria. The uneducated 10% goat herders of syria would listen to any sheik who issues fatwas.
September 30th, 2011, 4:26 am
Revlon said:
740. Dear Ghufran:
You said:
?????? ?????? ???????? ?? ??????? ? ?????? ?? ??????? ??? ????? ??? ????? ???? ?? ????? ? ???????? ?? ?? ??????
A claim can only be dismissed as unconfirmed or unsubstantiated, not a lie.
How many murder convicts were dubbed liars only to be proven truthful long after their excution?
Could you please state your method for verifying the news of events in Syria?
September 30th, 2011, 4:27 am
Shami said:
The islamophob neo crusaders have become advocates of shia theocrats,mollahs and alawite shabihas.
You will never change ,the same attitute of treachery was known from your alikes when the french mandate was preparing to leave Syria in the 40’s.
You have been always a fifth column but you will be forgiven again…if you dont die for Bashar,Rami,MAher,Shabihas and Khamainei and Nasrallah.
Alex ,i want to see you on golan front…enough hypocrisy man !
September 30th, 2011, 5:06 am
uzair8 said:
@774 John Khouri.
Its an opinion piece.
You’re comparing Syria to the monarchies. In Saudi the religious Wahaabi’s have a lot of influence.
Yemen is very stable isn’t it?
Im aware of Al Arabiya background. Im against all these regimes. Their time will come. At the moment Syria is occupying our attention.
September 30th, 2011, 5:09 am
uzair8 said:
Is it true that the criminal regime arrested people and used them as human shields when storming Rastan?
September 30th, 2011, 6:23 am
Mina said:
Sheila
Again, it was about starting to think CONCRETLY about writing sharia in the constitution, and who decide what is sharia and which sharia is correct. But it seems that the realists of this forum have moved away. There is a difference between Hammurabi sounds nice and actually thinking to rule a country with it. By the way most judges in Syria have studied mainly islamic law in their universiteìies. It doesnt look as it has been too efficient. Again the issue is patriarchy, but you didnt wat to follow me on that except the usual “i like” “i dont dislike”. Welcome to the FB world. It is checking your private life and recording your information far better that the Syrian and Iranian mukhabaraat could use technology for.
September 30th, 2011, 6:40 am
Syria no kandahar said:
Adminstration removed a simple question I posted :why are 99% of the terrorists
In the world Sunni?what is wrong with that question?it is a fact.9/11 Hijackers were 100% Sunnis ,Madrid bombers were Sunnis,99% of terrorists in Iraq were Sunnis ,Taliban Terrorists were Sunnis….Don’t get me wrong 99%of Sunnis are not terrorists,but 99%o f terrorists are Sunni,why?
Go ahead MB terrorists cry out to administration ,go ahead SC third world style freedom of speech delete the comment again,,do it ,you are not changing the fact.the only way you have any hope of changing the fact is by thinking why?
September 30th, 2011, 7:35 am
Afram said:
taras sunni friend is gone
Top Terror&sunni leader Awlaki Killed in Yemen
I think the american god is a better Deceiver than sunni allah.
ALFATIHA 3ala khyr almakreen
American-sunni born al-Qaeda cleric Anwar al-Awlaki has been killed by an airstrike in eastern Yemen, according to Yemeni and US officials. The radical preacher, a high-ranking member of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, has been a most-wanted terror suspect for years. Tribal elders in the area say an airstrike, apparently from a US drone, hit an al-Qaeda convoy, the AP reports. Previous reports of Awlaki’s death have turned out to be mistaken, but the New York Times quotes a “senior Obama administration official” as confirming.
September 30th, 2011, 7:41 am
majedkhaldoun said:
Ghufran
You want to hear that Qaradawi is drinking Vodka,as mentioned by your friend and supporter SNK?, I did not hear you commenting on that,
Ghufran
You say you are tired of lies, Do you believe Dunia Channel, or syrian News?You do not believe there is uprising in Syria, You do not believe that Zainab Hosni was kidnapped,tortured and murdered by the regime, is it a lie that Your beloved regime killed many children including Hamza KhateebTamer Sharaa?
you are tired of this revolution ,you call what we say provocation,you want it to stop,your wishes will not become true,your beloved Bashar will fall and he ,his family,and his supporters like you will face trial, Bashar is sending his Shabbiha and troops to kill syrian people, and people like you spreading lies,you are accomplice,we will not forget.
September 30th, 2011, 7:46 am
Akbar Palace said:
Good Morning
Good news today about the demise of another terrorist leader. I leave it to Spann to cut & paste the articles you’ve already read.
Obama may not want to admit it, but the War on Terrorism continues.
698. majedkhaldoun said:
It is about time that syrians get help from outside for their protection, The regime used security forces,and shabbiha, and the turn to the army ,who is supposed to protect the Syrian,the army is shooting and killing peaceful citizen, we must get help from outside,The Arab League has been slow,to a disgusting level, we can not let the innocent young people in Syria who are expressing their desire for freedom and dignity,we can not let them down.
Mr. Hoss and the Karami talked to Bashar, their visit is to put pressure on Miqati more than give support for Assad,they both worthless X premiers.
Bashar,his family, and his supporters will pay for all the crimes that are committed by his security forces and the army.
majedkhaldoun,
I know you say this with reservations, but I have to agree with you. And, of course, I would support it. The only stipulation I would add is that the Syrian opposition parties have to clearly request this in no unceertain terms. The US doesn’t want another Iraq, and need the FULL support of the Syrian opposition. Libya would be a good example.
Today’s good news, as well as the Iranians feeling the heat is a good sign:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/irans-crisis-tips-for-syria-save-the-regime-and-the-tehran-damascus-alliance/2011/09/30/gIQAqbx88K_story.html
Alex,
Thank you for moderating the site. Time for a new thread, no?
September 30th, 2011, 7:49 am
ann said:
Assassinations in Syria only benefit Israel
The style of the killings is very similar to what happened in Iraq after 2003
September 30, 2011
http://gulfnews.com/opinions/editorials/assassinations-in-syria-only-benefit-israel-1.882014
A suspicious string of assassinations in Syria this week has targeted the intelligentsia, with leaders of the protests blaming the Syrian government for terror tactics designed to frighten people away from joining the protesters. Others point at Israeli undercover operations, since it would suit Israel to see a much weakened Syria.
Aws Khalil, a nuclear engineer, who was killed in a hail of bullets on Wednesday in Homs, was the fourth in a string of murders of academics and scientists this week. Mohammad Saleh, an opposition figure in Homs, blamed government forces, quoting the deaths of Hassan Eid, chief of chest surgery at the Homs hospital who had treated wounded Syrian protesters in the past months, as well as Professors Nael Dakhil and Mohammad Ageel.
But the style of the killings and the targeting of the intelligentsia is very similar to what happened in Iraq after 2003, when the country was hit by a wave of assassinations of scores of physicians, professors and nuclear experts and led to a brain drain as many bright people fled to survive outside Iraq. This has led many to blame Israel for the deaths in Syria, as they also remember the murders of Egyptian scientists which have continued from the 1950s right up to recent times.
Israel has been very anxious to stop any Arab state acquiring nuclear capability. In 1981 it mounted a air raid and destroyed an Iraqi nuclear power station at Osirak. In 2007 it mounted Operation Orchard and bombed and destroyed a nuclear reactor in Deir Al Zor, putting Syria’s undeclared nuclear programme back by years.
We may never know who is taking advantage of the confusion in Syria to murder leading professionals and strategic thinkers. But Syria does not benefit from this, and Israel certainly does.
September 30th, 2011, 7:49 am
Mina said:
A common feature of some of the protesters on the ground and some of the expats on this forum is that they seem to think that to take down the system is enough. According to this Disneyland/Bush’s freedom narrative, once a dictature attains to democracy=elections (as in Afghanistan or Iraq, we’re supposed to believe), that’s it. It will never ever take the path backwards. Just as according to our media, great democracies will never ever be hijaked by fascists. Mussolini never happened, Petain never, etc.
It seems people are supposed to take down a regime without getting organized, without expressing clearly what are the principles on which they’ll base their state, what they consider are the citizens or the borders of their country, what are the rights and duties of the citizens…
We’ve seen recently arrests in Turkey of people supposed to have been preparing a ‘coup’, and we’ve also seen the group resignation of four of the most important generals of the Turkish army. So does it mean that once Turkey has elections and equality, that’s it? Nothing can turn wrong? Haven’t we seen Israel turning fascist 100 percent since the assassination of Rabin and its building of illegal colonies (plus the brainwashing organized by the settlers and even abroad through Aipac and the different Likud lobbies)?
September 30th, 2011, 8:10 am
Revlon said:
745. Dear John Khouri, welcome back.
You said: “@743 – REVLON – so you still think of any other religion but your sunni, of being infidels??”
– Jews and Christians believe each othetr’s holy books to be tainted; I am not familiar with the relevent technical term used by either.
– Both believe Muslim religion to be a hoax.
– Who am I to judge anyone’s belief?
I can not gurantee whether my own judgement will turn to be right or wrong!
So which story do you believe in, John? Jews, Christians, or Muslims?
You sid: “Wouldnt you class security forces in Bahrain beating and firing live ammunition at women, as being reckless?
– Sure thing John! And I find it as much Abhorrent as Thug one’s crackdown!
You said: “Did Sheik Arour issue a fatwa permitting this because they are shiite?”
– Sorry Johan, I follow neither Sheikh 3ar3our nor any other Sheikh or ideologue.
I only oblige to sound reasoning, be it mine or other’s.
Kindly adress that question to Sheikh 3ar3our himself.
September 30th, 2011, 8:17 am
ann said:
French TTA Bulletin: Gunmen Executing Armed Operations and Ambushes against Army, Security Forces in Syria
Sep 30, 2011
http://www.sana.sy/eng/337/2011/09/30/372564.htm
DAMASCUS, (SANA)- The French weekly TTA news bulletin confirmed the presence of gunmen in Syria who have been targeting the law enforcement, army and security forces.
In a report published on Thursday, the French news bulletin said there are armed members in Syria who have been carrying out armed operations and setting up ambushes.
The report came few days after al-Jazeera special correspondent Nir Rosen, who had recently spent seven weeks in Syria during which he visited Daraa, Hama, Lattakia, Aleppo, Homs and Damascus, published an article that acknowledged that there are various different armed factors in Syria who have killed around 700 members of the Syrian security forces in various clashes and ambushes.
The TTA news bulletin quoted Lebanese sources as saying that Lebanese groups have been supplying weapons to the gunmen in Syria through the Lebanese borders.
The report said that there is a strategy agreed on by the Western countries, particularly the United States and France, to destabilize Syria and undermine its unity, in confirmation that the armed terrorist groups in Syria are operating according to a foreign agenda.
This was also made evident in a Le Figaro article written by the French journalist and researcher in the Middle East Affairs, Georges Malbrunot, who indicated the presence of extremists inside Syria who are close to the US and awaiting a foreign intervention like that in Libya, referring also to a group that is opposed to any dialogue with the Syrian authorities.
Malbrunot said there are protesters in Syria who call to be armed via media and social networking websites.
He warned of the gravity of violence and the armed operations executed by the armed protesters spread largely in Homs province, which complies with what al-Jazeera correspondent reported of armed civilians throughout various villages in Syria.
While Rosin made it clear in his article that the armed members are operating all across Syria particularly in Jabal al-Zawiyeh and al-Rastan, which is their center in Homs, Malbrunot reported an opposition source from outside Syria as saying that armed fighters have arrived in Homs over the past months coming from Tripoli in Lebanon with the help of the Lebanese al-Tahrir Pary which includes extremist groups.
It is worth mentioning that Mohammad Rahhal, who claims himself to be a member of the “Syrian opposition”, indicated earlier this week in a statement to the London-based Arabic Asharq Alawsat newspaper that weapons are amply available in the hands of the opposition which is not in need of more right now and in the process of organizing armed brigades.
September 30th, 2011, 8:18 am
Mina said:
Here is what H Clinton was telling the Lebanese PM not to mingle with!! “Please Mr Mikati, let the weapons flow…”
http://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/report-syrian-authorities-seize-arms-smuggled-from-lebanon-1.387357
September 30th, 2011, 8:27 am
ann said:
With Libya still smoldering, Russia rejects UN resolution on Syria
30 September, 2011, 15:02
http://rt.com/politics/russia-un-security-council-libya-resolutions-769/
Russia, wary of more military intervention, has rejected the latest version of a UN Security Council draft resolution on Syria, where the government of President Bashar al-Assad is cracking down on violent anti-government protests.
The four European member states of the UN Security Council, Britain, France, Germany and Portugal was hoping to put the draft resolution to a vote on Friday, but Russia rejected the document.
During consultations held in the UN on Thursday, Russia’s UN ambassador Vitaly Churkin said he was “disappointed” with the provisions of the draft resolution, in which he says the proposals made by Russia were not taken into account.
“I’m not optimistic,” Churkin said before the meeting. “And we are not the only ones in this position.”
China has also threatened to use its veto power, as permanent members of the council, against any UN resolution against Syria that leaves room for “punitive measures.”
There is also disagreement over whether violence by protesters should be given the same importance as that by the government.
India’s UN envoy Hardeep Singh Puri said there must include a reference to violence by “extremist elements” in any resolution.
Initially, the European member states of the Security Council, with implicit support from the United States, were hoping to “fast-track” this latest resolution, which calls for the immediate imposition of a weapons embargo and other sanctions against the government of President Bashar al-Assad.
Russia, Brazil, China, India and South Africa, however, which together make up the so-called BRICS economic bloc, spoke out against the document, expressing concerns that the Western countries may use this resolution to carry out another military operation.
Indeed, with Libya still smoldering from its ongoing civil war, which saw forces loyal to ousted Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi battling anti-government forces, who received heavy aerial support courtesy of NATO fighter jets and cruise missiles, Russia and others states are taking extra precautions in handling the Syrian crisis.
Churkin said members of the UN Security Council had “a good discussion” and Russia is expecting a new edition of the resolution to be presented soon.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton demanded that Syria “take every possible step” to protect US diplomats after supporters of President Bashar al-Assad tried to attack US ambassador Robert Ford in Damascus.
Amid rising US-Syrian tensions, Damascus earlier accused the United States of inciting “armed militias” into violence against its army, which is trying to contain a six-month anti-government movement.
September 30th, 2011, 8:33 am
Haytham Khoury said:
My Christian Syrians friends on SC:
Most of you are bigot, sectarian, and full of hate.
You are participating active in a potential civil war in Syria. You responsibility is no less than the responsibility of anybody bears arms. Even your responsibility is higher, because you pretend to be educated and civilized. I will let the other judge you on that.
Good luck my friends, you are hopeless and helpless and you do not know anything about love and respect that are the main essence of Christianity.
September 30th, 2011, 8:39 am
Revlon said:
Generalm Hmaish, claimed by regime to have been killed in shooting in Rastan, was actually assassinated by Shbbeha in front of His reidence in Homs.
?? ?????? : ??? ???? ????? ???? ????? ???????? ?? ?????? ??? ??????? ??? ????? ??? ?????? ?? ???????? ??? ?????? ?????? ? ??? ??????? ???? ??????
2011/09/30
http://www.sooryoon.net/?p=34256
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???? ?????? ?????? ????? ??????? ?? ?????? ????? ???? ????? ?????? ??? 32 ?????? ????? ???? ???????? ????? ?? ????? ????? ?? ?????? ???.
???? ?????? ??????? ????? ???????? ?? ?????? ????? ?????? ?? ?????? ????? ???? ????? ???? ????? ?? ?? ????? ?????? ???.
???? ?? ???? ?? ???????? ?? ???? ?? ?????? ???? ??? ?????? ??? ????? ?????? ??? ????? ????? ?? ????? ????? ????? (??? ???) ????? ?????? ???? ????? ??????? ?????? ????? ???? ??? ??? ?????.
??????? ???? ???? ????? ?? ???? ????? ?? ??????? ??? ??????????? ?? ??? ???? ?????? ?????? ???? ????? ??? ?????? ??? ?? ?????? ??? ?????? ???? ???? ?? ????? ??? ?? ????????? ????????? ???????.
???? ???? ????? ???? ??? ?? ???? ??? ?? ??????? ?? ???????? ?? ?????? ????? ?? ??????? ???? ????? ????? ?????? ???? 32 ????? ????? 7 ???? ?? ????? ????? ????? ??? ?????? ???? ????? ?????? ????? ??? ????????? ????????? ?????? ????? ?????????? ??? ?????? ?????????.
September 30th, 2011, 8:42 am
Tara said:
Mina
Where is your proof that 90 percent of females in Egypt get circumcised? Mina, I hope you should realize that if you do not provide proof, you should be labeled as a propagandist and sectarian and all your future posts should be discredited. Not only that, you also should be ashamed of yourself spreading hatred in a country that is not yours.
September 30th, 2011, 8:47 am
majedkhaldoun said:
Mina said
“It seems people are supposed to take down a regime without getting organized, without expressing clearly what are the principles on which they’ll base their state, what they consider are the citizens or the borders of their country, what are the rights and duties of the citizens…”
I am surprised to read such comment,did it ever occur to you that the people are looking for freedom and democracy ?, in it,the people will go for election and choose their leaders, and not imposed on them by inheritance an incompetent dictator called Assad.
did you not understand so far what the people are asking for?is democracy not in your head,you mean that you do not know or heared of the word DEMOCRACY? you never learn what democracy is?you only understand one system of goverment called dictatorship,
have you ever heared of the word FREEDOM?.
Please save us from reading your type of comments.
September 30th, 2011, 8:50 am
ann said:
Raising 2300-Meter Long Syrian Flag in Tartous to Stress Independence of Syria’s Decision
30-09-2011
http://www.syriaonline.sy/details.php?t=syria&id=2047
Dozens of thousands of Tartous citizens on Thursday participated in raising a 2300-meter long Syrian flag along the main corniche of Tartous City.
The participants came to stress the independence of the Syrian decision and Syria’s ability to face the challenges, rejecting all forms of foreign interference and attempts of distorting and restricting the national media.
In Lattakia governorate, civil and popular activities proved great ability to read the local scene objectively away from all misleading media campaigns led by certain powers to undermine Syria.
People from different spectrums stressed the importance of Syria’s security and steadfastness as a great value and called for adhering to the national unity and preserving the independent Syrian decision.
Different national initiatives were launched in the city to introduce citizens and families to the current situation and the conspiracy targeting their country through holding dialogues and listening to their demands.
The citizens stressed that the reality of what is taking place in the country was revealed, indicating to the important role in refuting the claims and false news broadcast by the instigating and misleading satellite channels.
They agreed that what happens in Syria aims at undermining its stances in the face of American and Zionist schemes to fragment the Middle East into small entities serving the interest of Israel.
They hailed the package of reforms launched by President Bashar al-Assad with the aim of upgrading the Syrian society and improving social and economic life.
The citizens also condemned crimes committed by the armed terrorist groups as brutal and inhumane.
The citizens greeted clergymen for their role in foiling all attempts of sowing sedition among people and spreading awareness to strengthen the national unity.
September 30th, 2011, 8:52 am
Tara said:
Qunfuz
Hi. I would like for you to post more on SC at least for this week as Aboud was banned.
Administrator,
I would never argue your judgement in regarding to banning people when you perceive their posts to be offensive. However, I would like you to be even handed. Aboud was banned for a violent post towards Asma Assad. SNk said the same thing but was not banned. Care to explain why?
September 30th, 2011, 8:54 am
Revlon said:
????? ?????? ???? ??????? ??? ??? ????? ?????? ?????? ??????
?????? ??????? ?????? ????? ???? ?? ????? ??????? ???? ???????? ???????
2011/09/30
http://www.sooryoon.net/?p=34204
????? ?????? ????? ?????? ???? ??? ?? ?? ?????? ??? ????? ??? ????? ??? ?? ?????? ????? ?? ?????? ???? ?? ??? ???? ??? ?? ???? ?????? ???? ??????? ?????? ?????? ????? ????? ?? ????????????
??? ??? ????? ????? ?????? ????? ?????? ?? ???? ???? ????? ???? ????? ??? ?? ???? ??? ?????? ?????? ?????? ?? ????? ???? ?????????? ???? ?? ????? ?????????? ??? ??????
???? ???? ?????? ?? ?? ????? ????? ???? ?? ????? ?? ????? ???????? ?????? ????? ????? ??? ?? ????? ???? ?? ??????? ??????? ??? ?????? ?????????? ???? ???? ??? ????? ?????? ???? ?? ????? ??? ???? ??????? ????????? ????? ??? ????? ???? ?????? ??????? ?????? ??????? ??? ??????? ??????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ????? ?????? ?? ??? ?????? ?????? ??? ??????.
???? ????? ?????? ???? ??? ????? ??? ????? ??? ??? ???????? ???? ??? ????? ????? ?????? ???? ?????? ????? ?? ?? ????????? ????? ???? ? ???????? ? ??????? ? ???? ????
??? ???? ?????? ?? ?????(( ?? ?????)) ??????? ????? ?????? ???? ???????? ??????? ??? ((???? ????)) ?? ????? ?????? ??? ????? ?????? ??? ?????? ???? ?? ????
???? ???? ???????? ??????? ??? ???????? ?????
????? ???? ????? ?????? ???? ??? ????? ???:” ???? ????? ??????? ?? ????? ??????? ???????? ???? ???? ??? ???? ????? ?????? ?? ????? ?? ??? ????? ?? ????? ?????? ????? ??? ?????? ?????? ?????? ????????? ??????? ????????? ? ??????? ????????????? ????? ??”????? ??? ??? ????? ??????? ?? ??????? ??????? ?????? ????? ????? ??????? ??????? ??? ?????? ?? ?????? ?? ??? ????? ????? ?? ????? ?????? ????? ??????..
September 30th, 2011, 8:56 am
ann said:
Report: Israel scrambles IAF warplanes toward Turkish ship
Turkish media reports claim Israeli F-15s approached Turkish research vessel near contested Cyprus drilling area.
13:12 30.09.11
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/report-israel-scrambles-iaf-warplanes-toward-turkish-ship-1.387407
Israel Defense Forces jet fighters were scrambled toward a Turkish seismic research ship in the Eastern Mediterranean, Turkish media reported on Friday, in what seemed to be a further escalation in the already fraying ties between the once longtime allies.
According to the report, cited by the Turkish daily Today’s Zaman and based on a report by the Turkish Vatan daily, two Israel Air Force F-15s took off to face the Turkish vessel on Thursday night, flying through the airspace of both Cyprus and Turkish Cyprus.
The report added that the warplanes approached the Turkish ship despite incessant warnings by forces in Turkish Cyprus, according to which the planes had breached the territory’s airspace.
Ultimately, the report indicated, Turkey launched two F-16 fighters to track the Israeli planes, at which point the IAF fighter jets returned to Israeli airspace.
In addition, the report claimed that an IAF helicopter hovered over the ship, Piri Reis, while the ship was in the Aphrodite gas field off Cyprus’ southern coast and near to the larger Leviathan natural gas field.
The reported incident took place as Israel-Turkey ties continued to deteriorate over Israel’s refusal to apologize for its 2010 raid of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla which resulted in the deaths of nine Turkish nationals.
A recent inflammation in tensions came amid controversy over drilling rights in what could be natural gas-rich areas in the Eastern Mediterranean.
On Tuesday, Turkey said it was exploring for gas in an offshore zone where Cyprus started drilling last week, a provocative step in a dispute over Mediterranean resources.
Last week, Turkey and Turkish Cyprus signed a pact outlining maritime boundaries in the eastern Mediterranean, paving the way for gas exploration. Turkey said it would protect any research vessel with warships, raising the prospect of an armed stand-off.
On September 23, Turkey dispatched its only research vessel, the Piri Reis, to the eastern Mediterranean.
“Piri Reis, escorted by warships, has started research in the same area where Greek Cypriots are exploring,” Omer Celik, Vice Chairman of the ruling AK Party who oversees foreign affairs, said on Twitter.
“We have shown clearly to everyone that we will not allow the eastern Mediterranean to become a Greek Cyprus-Israel goal,” he said in another message.
September 30th, 2011, 9:03 am
Akbar Palace said:
Keep the Athad Rabbit in Power or you’re just another Zionist NewZ
did you not understand so far what the people are asking for?is democracy not in your head,you mean that you do not know or heared of the word DEMOCRACY? you never learn what democracy is?
majedkhaldoun,
I couldn’t have said it any better…
Of course SANA wants you to believe your freedom helps Zionism, not you. Of course, if you want war with Israel, fine. Vote for someone who is ACTUALLY COMMITTED to ending Zionism.
September 30th, 2011, 9:07 am
Tara said:
Josh
I hope you are still browsing SC from time to time. What do you think abort True’s posts# 688 & 689 in regard to Pepperdine Poll that was conducted on the ground in Syria and revealed that 81.7 percent calling for regime change and that is contrary to the popular belief ( by islamophobes) most Christians in Syria do support regime change too…. Are you aware of any reason that should make us discredit the report?
September 30th, 2011, 9:19 am
Syrian Nationalist Party said:
????? ?????? ???? ??????? ??? ??? ????? ?????? ?????? ??????
?????? ??????? ??????
You mean those 5 Salafi cells needs millions from the Gulf and America, Turkey. Sound like a scam, it smells like one.One can wonder who in fact will be the recepient in this cash scam.
September 30th, 2011, 9:27 am
Revlon said:
The Syrian National Council may finally see the light in a couple of says.
Six coalition blocks will begin a two day meeting tomorrow, in Istanbul.
The Blocks are:
– The Coalition of National Conference, which was formed earlier in Istanbul.
– The Muslem Brothers.
– The Declaration of Damascus.
– The Block of independants lead by Ghalioun.
– The Block of National Coordination Assembly, lead by Hazem Nahar
– And Teh block of local coordination Committees.
They have agreed on the following platform:
– Yes to taking down the system.
– No to dialogue with the regime.
– and Yes to a civil, democratic state.
The SNC is expected to open an office in Istanbul, which would be followed by Turkish recognition.
Two notable developments are worth mentioning in this platform:
– The fate of the regime has been sealed; Jr and the mob must go.
– The issue of peaceful vs armed revolution has been wisely left out.
30 Sept 2011
http://www.sooryoon.net/?p=34226
?? ??? ????? ?????? ?? ???????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ??? ???? ????? ?????? ??? ????????????? ??????? ????? ??????? ?????? ????? ????????
2011/09/30
???????? ? ?????? ??
????? ??? ?? ???????? ???? ??? ????? ?????? ?? ???? ??????? ?? ???? ?????? ???????? ??????? ??????? ????? ????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ?? ??? ????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ???? ????? ???? ???????? ??????? ?? ??? ????? ?????? ??????? ???? ?????? ?? ?? ?????? ????? ??? ???? ????? ???????? ??????? ????? ?? ?? ??? ???
???? ??????? ?????? ?????? ???? ???? ?? ???????? ?????
????? ??????? ????????
??? ????? ?? ???????? ??????? ????? ???? ???? ?????? ?????? ???? ????? ?????
????? ????? ????
????? ????????? ?????? ??????? ????? ?????
????? ???? ??????? ?????? ????? ????? ????
????? ???????? ?????? ??????? ??? ?????
?????? ????? ?????? ?? ??????? ?? ?????? ?? ??? ??????? ????? ??? ?????? ????
??? ?????? ?????? ???????
??? ???? ?? ??????
???? ????? ????? ????????? ??????
?????? ??????? ??? ????? ????? ??? ??? ?? ????? ????? ???????? ??????? ?? ??? ??? ???? ??? ?? ???????? ????????? ??? ?????? ?????? ??? ?????? ???? ????? ??????? ?????? .
???? ?????? ?? ?? ????????? ?????? ??? ????? ???? ?????? ???? ?? ??? ??????? ??? ????? ?????? ???? ???? ?????? ???????? ??? ????? ??????? ??? ?? ?? ????? ?????? ?? ?? ?? ???? ??????? ????????? ?????????.
September 30th, 2011, 9:29 am
norman said:
Tara,
The number should be 100% as everybody wants a new system but they wants it done by peaceful means without death and destruction, they want everybody to sit together and reach a deal and time table
September 30th, 2011, 9:32 am
Tara said:
Norman
People who voted in favor of regime change are fully aware that the regime is not going away because the masses want it to go away. Bashar will not step down because people would like him to do so. He perceives Syria as his family’ s farm and is willing to slaughter the last man to keep that farm. You know that Norman. Deep down you know just like everyone else.
September 30th, 2011, 9:41 am
Tara said:
Mina
Do not run away now. Provide your proof otherwise kindly stop your lies.
September 30th, 2011, 9:44 am
Mina said:
Tara 763
Just google it and you’ll find plenty of reports written by US specialists like you. My estimation comes from Egyptian women who I talked to. There are two type of circumcision practiced in Egypt: the big one (check wiki article in french Excision for drawings) and the small one, that practice by the Beduins. People are quite surprised when you tell them that other Muslims don’t do that out of Egypt.
Propagandist? Why? Because I say both the imams and the priests have too much power in Syria and that unless you restrict the power of the religious authorities in civil affairs you will keep corruption?
As someone has mentioned, “female circumcision” is shared by Muslims and Christians in Egypt. It is a custom that came through Nubia to Egypt a long time ago and is more widespread in African countries than in the Middle East, where until recently it was only in Egypt. But now that your beloved Qardawi gets global, the FASHION has reached the Gulf, through Egyptian expats who probably started to explain their friends that it was so cool.
September 30th, 2011, 9:46 am
majedkhaldoun said:
Norman said
It has to be 100%
My God!!!!
September 30th, 2011, 9:47 am
Haytham Khoury said:
?????? ???????? ??????- ??????- ???? ??? ????????? ??????????????- ????? ????? ??? ????????? ??????? ???? ?? ????? ????? ?????? ?? ???? ??????? ???? ??????? ?????????? ?? ?????? ??????????? ????? ?????? ???? ?????? ??? ???? ???????? ??????? ?? ??????.
????? ?? “????? ?????? ???????? ????? ???? ????? ?????? ????? ?????? ??????? ??? ??? ?????? ????? ?????? ?????? ??? ????? ?????? ???????? ?? ???? ????? ????? ???? ??? ????? ?????? ???????? ??? ???? ????????” ?? ?????? ?????? ?? ?????? ???? ?????? ???? ??????? ???????? ??? ?????? ?????? ?????? ??? ????” ?????”.
?????? ??? ?? ??? ???????? ?? ??? ?? ???? ???? ???????? ?? ?????? ???? ???????? ??????? ???????? ???? ??????? ???? ??????? ??? ?????? ?????? ???? ????? ????? ?? ??????? ???? ????? ????? ??? ???????? ?????? ??????? ??? ????? ???? ?? ?????? ???????? ??”??? ?????? ?? ?????? ?? ?????? ????? ???? ?????? ????? ??? ????? ??????”? ????? ???? ???? ???? ???? “???? ????” ?? ????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ???????? ???? ????????? ??? ???????? ???????”
September 30th, 2011, 9:52 am
Haytham Khoury said:
Dear Christian Syrians on SC:
I do not care whether you agree with me in the ideas or not. What I care about is the level of discussion and the decency of spirit.
I invite you to transcend in your spirit. I invite you to make difference in society not to make worse.
While you are spending your time in sectarian bickering, I am spending my time in engaging in real discussion and writing. I am sending papers to journals for publishing. I invite you to publish with me (even if you differ with me in opinion). However, if you remain in your sectarian bickering, will never able to publish.
http://all4syria.info/web/archives/25404
http://all4syria.info/web/archives/25241
http://all4syria.info/web/archives/27775
September 30th, 2011, 9:55 am
Syrian Nationalist Party said:
DAY 195
Any companionate Moslem around that can get his head from the gutter of Mosques, Casinos and strip clubs, one that is not bragging about murders and mayhem, one that is not begging colonials for cash and rather willing to do something about the 16,854 imprisoned Syrians? DO you need help with that anyone? No Syrian here apparently, or they are not Moslem Compassionate, just greedy, lusty after cash.
Thank you for the clarification Norman. In fact the percentage of those that want a new system is 125%. The percentage of those that wanted change that protects Syrian National Interests is about 98.7%. The percentage of those that want change that serve colonial and Bedouin interest is 1.3% and those all are mentioned in the above post #772. As you read in #767 they are seeking help from America, Turkey and Bedouin, they need millions in cash and few rifles to make gory looking video to back up the cover that the cash where spent on Vermont high end property and relocating offices from dumpy neighborhood in Anaheim to Newport Beach, as the hijabbed Peroxide blond wives of these wanted them to. It is an obvious scam that many lost life for.
September 30th, 2011, 9:57 am
Tara said:
Mina
You said: ” My estimation comes from Egyptian women who I talked to”
With all due respect, this statement is idiotic and does not fit on a respected forum. The 90 percent figure then represents your personal feeling about the subject and should be stated as such without me questioning you for proof. I am personally not interested in X, Y, Z’s personal estimate unless their scientific qualifications are known. Care to share info about your PhD degree with us so we can give you some credibility.
The bottom line Mina, you presented the fact as if you know what you are talking about and it turned out that this was your personal estimation. Honestly, I have no time for this. it is a waste of my time. Please state that it is your personal estimation next time. Sorry to be blunt.
September 30th, 2011, 10:00 am
majedkhaldoun said:
Mina said
The rate of circumcission in Egypt is 90%
this remind me of Bashar estimated his approval rate as 99.9%
or someone estimated the square in Hama saying 200x500meter equal 10,000
Their math is not correct, they need to go back to school and learn math
September 30th, 2011, 10:14 am
uzair8 said:
Has the change in management on Al Jazeera made any difference to the television coverage (AJE) of the Syrian situation? In terms of prominence given to the story etc.
I havent watched enough of it in recent weeks to judge but the few times I have its making me wander. Just checked the headlines on TV on the hour and nothing on Syria. Awlaki, Greece etc. They may mention Syria later on in the hour for couple minutes I dont know.
Also I noticed the AJE Live Syria blog doesnt have as many updates as it used to. Perhaps that is because there isnt as much happening regarding Syria as before. (?)
Its worth keeping an eye on this.
September 30th, 2011, 10:23 am
norman said:
Haytham,
I have a different take than yours,
I think the western Ambassadors visit to the opposition makes it clear to me that the Western powers have no intention of interfering in Syria by military means and it is coming to the conclusion that the best way to support the reform and push the local opposition to take the lead, his visit to Hama, and not to opposition leaders in Syria will give them ( Local opposition) the green light and the credibility to deal with the government and reach a peaceful solution ,
September 30th, 2011, 10:25 am
Khalid Tlass said:
They executed an Iranian sniper in Rastan today.
September 30th, 2011, 10:31 am
Alescander said:
The protests have failed to gather momentum, backboned by the young, poor, and suburban population, with nothing to lose, comes after this Atif Najib, humilating very proud Daraa tribal leaders , comes after this the expats who became very vocal, they failed though to form a cohesive plan. Comes after this the religious groups, with great influence on the poor, comes after this the sectarian hate groups with notable early slogans against Iran and Hizballah, adding to the mix a foreign policy element, further alienating a hesitant Shia , Alawi and other minority population, comes after this the criminal acts and reacts in Hama, Homs and Jisr Alshoghoor, which can be a retaliation to government troops inflicting civilian fatalities, comes after this true armed “elements” which inflicted fatalities among uniformed and non uniformed security forces ( early on in lattakia, I was told of killing of policemen with knives etc . Comes after this the usual ” reform ” steps , which is typically followed by a crescendo of protests and escalating sanctions form US and Europe.
Saddest is the loss of life of civilians, their only purpose was to demand dignity , freedom, and better lives for them and their children.
The creation of a very sectarian charged atmosphere that did exist in the past but now is raging:
Roughly speaking about 70% of Alawis, who are just like other Syrians , poor and isolated, were not very fond of the regime, this percentage largely made up it’s mind now to stand 100% behind Bashar. They did this out of lack of enough assurance that if successful, the new regime will be able to guaranntee their safety and not being punished for being labeled as supporters of a murderous regime.
September 30th, 2011, 10:31 am
Revlon said:
Mutran Khidr of the Roman Catholic Church and previously Professor of Islamic Studies of lebanese University: Christians of the middle east do not need the protection of the West.
2011/09/28
http://www.sooryoon.net/?p=34226
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– ??? ??? ????? ???? ?? ???????? ?? ?????? ??? ?????? ????????? ???? ??????? ???? ?????? ??????? ??? ???? ????? ???? ???? ?????? ?????? ??? ??? ????.
• ???? ???????? ?????? ?? ????? ?? ?????? ??????? ?? ????? ??? ?????? ??????? ????? ????? ??? ?? ??? ????? ????????? ??? ??????? ??????. ?? ???? ?? ????
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– ???? ??? ???? ?? ??????? ???????? ????? ?? ?????????? ???? ?? ??? ??????? ???????? ??????. ???????? ?????? ???? ?? ????????? ????? ?????? ?? ??????? ???? ????? ?? ???
September 30th, 2011, 10:32 am
uzair8 said:
Btw everyone. Lets try to get to a 1000 posts before Ehsani compiles and posts his next News update post.
Ann. You and your spams can be useful for once (joke). Call your friends too.
lol
PS This is a joke.
September 30th, 2011, 10:34 am
Akbar Palace said:
782. majedkhaldoun said:
FYI, this website has some references. The numbers look rather high…
Also the World Health Organization (WHO) shows the worldwide estimate.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Female_genital_mutilation
September 30th, 2011, 10:37 am
jna said:
One professional opinion of the Pepperdine poll.
http://angryarab.net/2011/09/29/pepperdine-universitys-poll-of-syria/
September 30th, 2011, 10:42 am
Revlon said:
Neo-shabbeeha too!
Their Boss is Neoshab, Mujahed Ismail!
?????? ????? (1) – ????? ????? ????? ?????
2011/09/
https://joshualandis.com/blog/?p=12233&cp=16#comment-275807
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???????? ??? ?? ???????? …????? ?????? ??? ?? ???? ?? ???????? …
???????? ??? ?? ????? ??????… ???? ?? ????? ???? ????? .. ??? ????? ?? ?????? ??? ..
??? ??? ?? ??????? ??????? ??? ?? ????.. ???? ????? ?? ?????? ??????? ???.. ?????? ???? ???? ???? ????? ??? ????? ????.. ??????? ??? ????? ???? ??? ?????? ??????… ??? ?????? ????? ???????? ????? ..
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?? 2005 ??? ???? ??????? ??? ????? ????? ??? ?????? ?????? ?? ????? ????????? .. ??? ??? ?? ??????? ??????? ?????? ???? ????? ??????? ???????? ..??? ??? 2006 ??? ???? ??? ??? ?????? ??? ?? ??? ???????? .. ??? ???? ?????? ??? ??? ??? ???????? ?????? .. ??? ????? ??? ?????? ??????? ??????? ??? ?? ?????? ???? ?? ?????? ..????? ?? ???? ????? ..
??? ??? ????? ??? ??????? ??? ??????? ??????? ???? ????? ???? ?? ???? ??? ????? ???? ????? ??? ??? ???? ????? ???? ???? ?????? ??????? ??? ???? ????? ??????? ??? ????? ?????? ????? ????? ????? ..
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???? ??????? ???? ????? ??? ???? ?? ????? ..?????? ?????? ?? ????? ..??? ????? ???? ???? ????? ??? ???? ????? ???? ????? ?????? ?? ????? ??????? ????? ????? ..??? ???????? ??? ?? ??????? ??? ????? ???? ????? ..
???? ??????? ???? ???? ????? ??????? ?? ??????? … ??? ???? ??? ?? ???? ??????? ????? ?? ???? ???? ???? ???? ?????? ?????? ???? ???? ????? ???? ??? .. ??? ???? ??? ??? : ?? ??? ??? ???? ??? ??????? ??? ?? ???? ?? ??? : ???? ???????? ??????? ?? ????? ????? ????? ????? .. ???? ?? : (…..) ????? ???? ????? ..??!!.- ????? ???? –
??? ??????? ???? ??? ????? ???? ????? ???? ???? ??????? ..??? ??? ???? ?? ????? .. ???? ???? ???? ????? ??? ?? ???? ?? ????? ..???? ???? ???? ?????? ???? ???? ????? ???? ???? ??? ????? ??????? ..???? ?? ?? ?????? ???????? ????? ???????? ????? ??? ???? ?????? .. ??? ?????? ????? ?? ????? ??? ???? ?? ??? ??????? ????? ..???? ????? ????? ???? ??? ?????? ?? ??????? ????? .. ???? ?????? ?????? ??? ??????? ????? .. ???? ??? ?? ????? ???? ..?? ?????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ????? ..??? ????? ?? ???? ..??? ?? ???? ??? ????? ???? ?? ???? ??????? ?? ???? ?? ???? ????? ?????? .. ?????? ?? ??????? ?????? ..??? ????? ??? ?? ?????? ??? ???? ??? ?? ??? ??? ???????? ..
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???? ?????? ????? ??? ??????? ???????? ?? ??????? ???? ?? ????? ????? ?????? ?????? ?? ???????
??? ?????? ???? ????? ??? ???? ??? ?? ??? ????? ??????? ??? ????? ??? ????? :
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.149127638444019.24068.100000403514471
• (????? ?? ????? ??????? …..?? ??? ……………….????? ?? ???? ????? ??? ???? ??? ????? ….??? ???? ???? ??? ?????? ??? ?????
• ????? ??????????????? ?????? ?? ?????? ???? ?? ??? ?? ????????? ????? ???????
• ???? ??? ????? ??? ???? ?? ????? ?? ???? ???????? ??????? ????? ??? ???? ????? ????? ???? ??? ?????? ?????? ?? ???? ????? ????? ???? ??????? ??? ????? ??? ???? ???? ??? ???? ????? ????? ??????? ?? ???
)
???? ?? ?????? ???? ??? ??? ???? ????? ????? ??????? .. ???? ??? ?? ???? :
(??????? ? ??? ??? ?? ??? ???? ??????? ????? ??? ??? ???? ……???? ………. ?? ?? ???? ??? ??????? ??? ??? ??? ????? ????? ??????? ??????? ??????? !!!!!!!!!!?????)
??? ???? ?? ????? ????? ??????? ????? ??????? ?? ????? ????? ???? ????? ???????? ????? ??????? ..
??? ?? ??????? ??? ?? ?????? ??? ?? ?????? ???
????????? ??????? ????? ??? ??? ??? ???? ???. ????? ????? ???? ?????? ????? ????? ?????? ??? ???? ???? ???? ??? ???? ..????? ????? ???? ??? ????? ???? ??????? ????? ?????? ?? ??? ???? ..
??? ?????? ?? ??????? ??? ??????? ????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ???????? ??????? ??? ..
????? ????? ??????? ???? ??????? ?????? ????? ???????? ..
??? ??? ?? ???? ??????? ???? ????? ???????? ??????? ???? ??? ?????? ?????? : ???? ?????? ?????? ???? ????? ..??? ?? ??? ??? ????? ???? ??????? ???? ??? ????? ????? ????? ?????? ????? ????? ?? ??? ????? ..?????? ???? ???? ???? ???? ??? ????? ????? ????? ..
????? ?? ????? ????? ????? .. ????? ????? ????? ??? ????? .. ?? ?????? ????? ??????? …
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??????? ?????? ??? ?? ??? ????? ?? ??? ???? ???? ????? ???? ????????
???? ????? ?? ??? ????? ???? ??? ???? ???? ????? ??????? ????? ??????? ? ?????? ?????? ?? ???? ????? ??? ????? ?????? ???? ? ??? ?????? ??????? ???? ???? ??? ???? ???? ????? ?? ????? ????? ???? ????????( ??? ????????? ????? ??? ) ???? ???? ???? ?????? ??? ?????? ?????????? ? ????? ??????? ????? ?????? ??? ????,
???? ????? ?? ????? ?????? ????? ????? ????? ???? ????? ?? ???? ????? ???? ??? ????? ?? ???????? ??? ?? ?????? 35 ????? ?????? ??? ???? ????? 15 ????? ???? ???? ?????? (porsche panamera) ..
????? ??????? ?? ????? ???? ????? ???? ?????? ?? ??? ??????? ???? ? ????? ??? ?????? ???? ???? ????? ???? ?????? ???? ??????? ???? ??? ?? ??????? ??????? ???? ???? ?? ??? ??? .
????? ??????? ??????? : ??? ????? ????? ??????? ???? ????? ?????? ????? 86 ?????? ??? ???? ??????? ????…… ?????? ??????? ?????? ???? ???????? ???????? ? ???? ????? ??????? ?????? ??????? ? ???? ??? ???? ????? ????? ????? (????? _ ????? ??? _ 86 – ??????? ??????? ) ?????? ?????? ??? ????? ??? ???? ???? ????? ???? ??????? ???? ??? ???? ??????? ???? ???? ???? ???? ?????? ?? ???? ???? ???? ?????? ?? ????86 ??????? ??????? ? ????? ????????? ? ??????? ??? ?????? ?????? ??????? ??? ?? ???? ?????? ????? 1000 ???? ????? ?????? ?????? ????????? ? ??????? ??????? ? ?? ?? ?????? ??? ???? ???? ???? ?????? ?? ????? ???????? ???????? ?? ??????? ?? ???? ????? ??????? ( ??? ??? ???? ) ????? ..
September 30th, 2011, 11:04 am
majedkhaldoun said:
A.P.
this was refered to as uncertain estimate
Also it has been banned since 2007
There is nothing in Islam,wether Quraan or Hadith that support such practice
I do not know of anyone in Syria that support such act,so we in Syria are surprised to hear that.
I think it is indicated medically,but extremely rare indication
September 30th, 2011, 11:11 am
DIGGING FOR GOLD IN BOSRA said:
@ MINA
“So does it mean that once Turkey has elections and equality, that’s it? Nothing can turn wrong? ”
Elections are no guarantee that a government won’t make policy mistakes. However, what elections do gurantee is that the people can vote a government out of power when it does screw up. Otherwise known as accountability. Simple really.
By the way, what is all this talk about circumcision etc? Is there a point in there somewhere?
September 30th, 2011, 11:12 am
Haytham Khoury said:
Dear Norman @784.
I am not against the peaceful solution. The problem is the regime does not consider the opposition as a negotiator partner, the regime wants to use the opposition as a means to bypass the revolution.
Further, after all this big number of dead and tortured people the public won’t accept the persistence of the Assad regime. Does Bashar accept to step down?
September 30th, 2011, 11:23 am
Tara said:
Bronco
No answer? Morale cowardice or a paid job?
Disappointing! The first answer tells there is a smart guy/gal behind it. Very disappointing.
Let me ask you again. You objected Ford meddling in Syria. Do you object Syria’s meddling in Lebanon? Do you object Syrian regime’s exportation of terrorist to Iraq?
September 30th, 2011, 11:25 am
Haytham Khoury said:
@Revlon 787
?? ??????? ?????? ??????? ???? ???? ???? ????? ??????? ?????? ???? ???? ??????? ? ?????? “?? ???? ???? ???????”? ?? ??? ?????? ???? ??? ????? ?? ?????? ?? ???? ???????? ???? ?? ??? ????? ?? ??????? ?????????? ???? ??? ???? ???? ??????? ? ???? ???? ? ?? ???? ??? ?????? ?????? ??????? ????????? ?????? ?? ?? ??? ????? ??? ?? ??????? ?????? ? ?????? ?????? ?? ??????? ??? ?????? ??? ??? ? ?? ??? ??? ??????? ????? ??? ????? ??????? ????? ???????? ?? ????. ???? ???? ???????? ?? ???? ??? ???? ?????? ???????? ???????? ?????? ????? ?? ????? ??????? ??? ??????? ?????? ???? ??????? ???? ??? ???? ????? ?? ??????? ???? ??? ??? ????? ???? ?? ?????? ? ???? ????? ???????? ???? ????????? ??????? ? ????? ??? ???????? ??????? ?? ???? ???? ????? ???????? ???? ???????? ????? ??? ???? ????. ?? ?? ????? ????? ??? ??????? ???????? ?? ???? ?? ??? ????? ?? ??????? ?? ?????? ?? ?? ???? ????? ??????? ??? ?????? ??????? ?? ?????? ?? ???? ?????????? ???? ???? ????? ??????? ??????? ??? ????? ???? ??????? ???? ???? ????? ?????? ????????? ???? ???????? ??????? ???????? ??? ???????
September 30th, 2011, 11:31 am
sheila said:
To #751. Syria no Kandahar,
Terrorism is killing innocent civilians at random. That includes illegal wars. With that in mind, it seems you math is way off. Remember the guy who killed 76 people in Norway? He was a Christian. Incidents of this type happen all over the world every day. Sorry to burst your bubble, but the majority of perpetrators aka terrorists are not Sunni Muslims, however, you are right that the majority of victims of terrorism are Muslims.
September 30th, 2011, 11:40 am
Ghufran said:
??????? ???? ??????
???? ????? ?? ????? ?? ?????? ?????? ? ??? ??? ?????? ?????? ????? ???? ????? ???? ?????? ?? ???????? ?????? ?? ?????? ??? ????? ???? ?? ???? ????? ?? ???????
????? ???? ???? ?? ?????? ???? ????? ???? ?? ???? ???????? ? ????? ?? ???? ?????? ?? ???? ???????? ?? ??????? ?????? ??????
?????? ?? ?? ?? ?????? ??? ?? ??????? ??? ?????? ??????? ??? ??????? ????? ? ?????? ???? ? ?? ?????? ????? ? ?????? ????????
?? ??????? ??? ????? ?? ????????? ? ????? ????? ?? ?? ?? ????
??? ??? ????? ?? ?????? ?? ????
???????? ? ???????? ? ??????? ??? ????? ? ???????
??? ????? ?? ???? ???????? ???? ??????
September 30th, 2011, 11:46 am
Revlon said:
796. Dear Haytham Khoury,
Thank you for your input and the highlighting of the difference between the Syrian and Lebaneses examples.
Cheers!
September 30th, 2011, 11:48 am
Ghufran said:
???? ????? ?????? ??????
?? ?????? ?? ?????? ??????
?? ???? ????? ????? ????? ???? ???? ???? ???????
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=6&ved=0CEcQFjAF&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.unicef.org%2Fprotection%2Ffiles%2FFGM.pdf&rct=j&q=is%20female%20circumcision%20indicated&ei=fOWFTpHKN8_Atges-P0-&usg=AFQjCNHT-Lrd41zMvcD3p8-_g-Z-NiCl9Q
September 30th, 2011, 11:59 am
Mina said:
Hi Ghufran
In 2005, the estimation was 97 percent for Egypt before the official ban was passed (and more recently, al-Ahram would say 80 percent of girls in poor families and 30 in rich families… well we know the rich families are not exactly too many in Egypt http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2010/1013/eg5.htm )
The problem is that of course a number of clerics still find some obscure hadiths to justify it. That’s why even if it’s fine to have sharia, bible, roman law as sources of law, one has to separate religion and the state because no one is able to decide WHICH sharia should prevail… there is 4 main madhhabs disagreeing on most issues.
Doing a quick research, I found out that female genital mutilation has reached Kurdistan
http://www.stopfgmkurdistan.org/
September 30th, 2011, 12:07 pm
Solitarius said:
Is Haytham Khoury the alias for Ayman Nour of All4syria.info ?
September 30th, 2011, 12:08 pm
DIGGING FOR GOLD IN BOSRA said:
@ MINA
What’s this got to do with Syria?
September 30th, 2011, 12:15 pm
Syria no kandahar said:
He is an MB poster acting as Christian .
September 30th, 2011, 12:20 pm
bronco said:
Tara
Paid job, like you.
September 30th, 2011, 12:26 pm
annie said:
Lyse Doucet BBC News, Damascus [b] I am sure she speaks Arabic[/b]
The mood outside the mosque in Barzeh after Friday prayers was tense as people milled around us. The first man to speak up, spoke loudly, insisting ‘Syrians should be given a chance to talk together, not fight!”
Others whispered to us that he wasn’t from this neighbourhood. “He’s from intelligence,” some said. Several men brushed past, speaking in hushed tones: “Sorry, we can’t talk.”
Another passed us a crumpled bit of paper with the words “thank you but no one can meet you because the army is in the street, and all people are afraid of them.”
Soldiers stood guard nearby. Men wearing shirts of their favourite football teams then moved in, telling people to leave.
With a smile towards us, they shouted in Arabic “Bashar Ou Bas” (Bashar Only) referring to their president.
The government gave us permission today to visit a few mosques in Damascus including the grand Umayyad where the mood was peaceful.
Residents in Rastan told Reuters news agency at least 1,000 army deserters and other armed
source : http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-15121876
September 30th, 2011, 12:32 pm
jad said:
Dear SNK,
Dr. Haytham is a respectful and honest Syrian, he is doing and writing his opinion and he needs to be be listen to and took seriously.
He is doing the Syrian Christians his best to reflect their stands instead of the 100% propaganda we read.
You are free to disagree with his stand but you have to respect his ideas and see that he has a real vision and plans for the future.
September 30th, 2011, 12:38 pm
jna said:
The Reality of Events>>Matir and al-Jasem: Terrorist Abdel Hadi al-Dalla Opened Fire at Protesters in Homs to Accuse Security Forces
http://www.sana.sy/eng/337/2011/09/30/372527.htm
September 30th, 2011, 1:07 pm
Mina said:
803
If you could watch an Arabic satellite TV and see the shows of Aroor and Qardawi since 6 months (check the twitter account of aroor if you want the schedule of the shows) you would know what it has to do with Syria. But some teenagers around are unable to make such links.
September 30th, 2011, 1:11 pm
uzair8 said:
Today was the friday for Syria and Yemen.
Ibn Umar said: ‘The Prophet (s.w.s.) mentioned: “O Allah, give us baraka in our Syria, O Allah, give us baraka in our Yemen.” They said: “And in our Najd?” and he said: “O Allah, give us baraka in our Syria, O Allah, give us baraka in our Yemen.” They said: “And in our Najd?” and I believe that he said the third time: “In that place are earthquakes, and seditions, and in that place shall rise the devil’s horn [qarn al-shaytan].
September 30th, 2011, 1:21 pm
norman said:
Haytham
Why do you think that you have the right to tell us that we do not want president Assad, he should not resign but not run for reelection, the idea that you can force your demands on the rest of the Syrian people is what is making Syria the way it is ,
Follow the rules and change them but do not expect the rest of the people to be sacked into doing something only your people want.,
September 30th, 2011, 1:23 pm
zoo said:
Erdogan Should Mind His Own Glass House
By Hillel Fradkin & Lewis Libby
…
But it is in Syria that Erdogan has suffered his most serious setbacks. He had once loudly advertised a regional foreign policy of “zero problems with neighbors”; helped create an EU-like free trade and travel zone with Syria, Iraq and Iran; and backed Syria’s President Assad and Iran’s rulers in their quarrels with the West, even seeking to shield Iran’s nuclear program. But today, Turkey staggers under problems with Syria, Iraq and Iran. Worse yet, Erdogan has appeared ineffective. The Syrian crisis is the proximate cause, but Erdogan’s problems run deeper still.
Erdogan raised the stakes in Syria by declaring it to be not merely a regional issue, but a crucial “domestic” one for Turkey. After all, violence in Syria risks flooding Turkey with Syrian Kurds; and Turkey’s long-running problems with its Kurdish population includes terror attacks by the Kurdish group, PKK. So Erdogan demanded that Assad halt assaults on Syrians and reform, even as Erdogan was bombing PKK camps in Northern Iraq, killing Iraqi civilians, violating Iraqi sovereignty and causing Iraq to complain about Turkey.
Nonplussed, Assad has repeatedly rejected Turkish demands, despite Turkish sputtering that its “patience” was running out. Once, Turkey’s foreign minister proudly announced he had persuaded Syria to withdraw tanks from a siege, only to see the tanks return hours later. Turkey looked the fool.
Turkey failed because Assad knows both the dreadful price of looking weak and that Iran will support him. Herein lies the deeper cause of Erdogan’s failures in Syria: Iran also seeks to lead the region. For that, it needs its proxy Syria. Erdogan is in Syria’s and Iran’s way. So Iran charges that Turkey’s suppression of its Kurdish opposition is no different than Assad’s suppression of his opposition. Iran – which is itself shelling Iraqi territory – refers sometimes to the PKK not as “terrorists” but as “insurgents,” who are an authentic voice of legitimate Kurdish aspirations. As Erdogan squirms, Iran chortles.{…}
http://www.realclearworld.com/articles/2011/09/30/erdogans_glass_house_99702.html
September 30th, 2011, 1:29 pm
Revlon said:
Ms Marwa AlGhamyan, who was arrested prtesting while wrapped with Syrian flag on March 15th was re-arrested on her way out of Syria, at Damascus airport today.
The Syrian Revolution 2011 ?????? ??????? ?? ???? ?????
?????????? : ????????? ?????????????? : ??? ??? ?? ????????????? ??
?????? ??????????? ???? ????????????? ??????? ???????? ?????? ?? ??? ??????
????????????????? ?? ??? ???? ?????? .. ???? .. ?????????????? .. ???? ??? ,,
????? ?? ???????? ????? ??????? ??? ????? ?????? ????? ?? ???? ???? .
?? ???? ????????? ???????????? .. ????? ?? ?????? ?? ???????? … ???? ??? ???????? .
?????? ??????? ???? ??????? – ?? ???????? ????? ???????
???? ??????? ?????? 1985 .. ???? ?? ????? ????? … ?? ??? ?? ??? ????? ?????? ??? ??????? ?? ??? ???????? ????? (( ???? )) ?????? 15\3\2011 ?? ???????? ???? ??? ?? ??? ????? ?? ??????? ? ???? 12 ????? ????? ???? ??? ?????? ?? ??? ?????? ??????? ???????… ??? ??? ???? ?????? ?? ??????? ???? ?? ?????? ?????? ???? ? ?? ??? ?? ?? ???? ????? ??? ?? ?????? ?????? ?????????? ?? ??????? ((? ???? ??? ???? ?????????? ? ??????? ?????? ??? ?? ???? ??????? ??????? .. ???? ?? ??? ???? ???? ????? ??? ??? 15 – 3 …. ??? ???? ??? ????? ??? ??? ???? ??? ?? ??? ???? ??? ?? … ??? ??? ?? ????? )) ????? 30/9/2011 ?????? 11 ????? ?? ???????? ?? ???? ?? ???? ???? ??? ??????? ???? ???? ?? ????? ???? ?? ??? ????? ??? ?????? ????? ?????? ?????????
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September 30th, 2011, 1:38 pm
zoo said:
The Church of Christ Pepperdine U poll fallacies
Just two questions of the Pepperdine poll show exactly what were the 552 people they chose to interview.
Note that according the the Worldbank website, in 2009 Syria 18.7% of the Syrian population use Internet.
Now appreciate the replies to the questions in Table 11 and Table 12:
Do you have Internet at home or at work?
83.5 % YES
16.5 % NO
Do you use Internet for news?
83.4 % YES
16.6 % NO
Read the full report and report more lack of honesty.
http://www.pepperdine.edu/pr/releases/2011/september/Syria_2011_09%2023%20Final_with%20cover.pdf
September 30th, 2011, 1:48 pm
DIGGING FOR GOLD IN BOSRA said:
@ NORMAN
“Follow the rules and change them but do not expect the rest of the people to be sacked into doing something only your people want.,”
We aren’t going to “follow the rules” when all they are designed to do is keep the incumbent in power. You seem to think that there is something inherently good in rules. Laws are created by men and thus are only as good as the men who enacted them are wise.
Syria is the ‘way that it is’ precisely because a small group of people did force themselves on the majority.
September 30th, 2011, 1:58 pm
DIGGING FOR GOLD IN BOSRA said:
MINA
Firstly, I’m not a teenager. Secondly, ever heard of “play the ball not the man”?
September 30th, 2011, 2:00 pm
Akbar Palace said:
Norman,
To make a long story short, if you gave up on Syria and decided to come to the US, why do you begrudge Syrians for demonstrating against the government you fled from?
September 30th, 2011, 2:11 pm
Atheist Syrian Salafist Against Dictatorships (ASSAD) said:
Interview with Haytham al-Male7 in Arabic
http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/09/30/169477.html
September 30th, 2011, 2:33 pm
Syrian Nationalist Party said:
@AKBAR PALACE
You could not be that ignorant to not know the true end goals of those organizing and funding these puppets you are calling Syrian Opposition. They are demonstrating because they are paid to go out and do it. I know Syrians, unless they see green, they could care less. They lived for more than 50 years under the Baath oppressive rule and on March 8 every year, they were out chanting for it “FIFTY MORE YEARS.” Why they are so few in numbers and of such minor class of people. Why are not the peasant and workers, middle and upper class are joining them? Why not millions of Syrian immigrants backing them, why they do not have any support among those that gave up on Syria decades ago and are living out of the country. Would not you think they can swell the numbers of active Syrian oppositions to make a difference? Why the opposition is is asking support from Turkey, USA, UK and Gulf Bedouins, are not there hundreds of thousands of millionaire Syrians living abroad that can support them.
It is either you are buying the scam or are trying to deceive us. Which one?
The fact is 98.7% of Syrians wants Baath Party rule out, but they are smart and educated enough to know that these puppets cannot deliver, they are after MANASEB and own interests, they are backed by Colonials and those that have nasty plan for the nation and Syria ???? ? ??????? . That most of them are foreigners and the list of negative strikes is just too long. These are not Liberators, nor are Democracy advocates. They are stooges and the people of Syria know that. The poor, the very poor are demonstrating because Saudi Bedouins sent few billions to Turkey and few millions to purse handlers living in Vermont to spend some cash on the poor to go out and die or get imprisoned for $10 bux, that is all.
September 30th, 2011, 2:45 pm
norman said:
AP,
The long story , short,
I left Syria because after Medical school that anywhere else i would not have been able to attend because of cost, it was free in Syria, i needed to specialize so i came to the US , i married my wife in the US she is American , so we stayed in the US, as you know well if you are in NJ and vote Republican, you might as well be in Syria as we have not voted for a Republican president since Regan in 1984, so the economy and the equal opportunity that the US provided for me kept me here, If Syria has the same tolerance that the US has , i will probably be there ,
So my wish is for Syria to adopt the US laws especially anti discrimination ones , and Syria will be the best state in the Mideast.
September 30th, 2011, 3:15 pm
Shami said:
http://www.youtube.com/user/jonsimoniyan#p/u/5/MKnWPyzd8SI
From Qamishli.
September 30th, 2011, 3:25 pm
Tara said:
Bronco
Yes. I do work every day and 15 weekend a year which I hate
It is a package deal. People don’t come smart and blindfolded at the same time unless brainwashed or have a financial interest. What then would explain moral inconcistency or “selective disapproval” of meddling otherwise?
September 30th, 2011, 3:29 pm
Akbar Palace said:
Selective Amnesia
Dr. Norman,
Thank you for sharing your personal story, however, you left out the answer to my question: “…why do you begrudge Syrians for demonstrating against the government you fled from?”.
Did you forget our last 2-term president George W. Bush? He was and is a Republican!
And I’m willing to bet another Republican will win the presidential election in 2012.
So my wish is for Syria to adopt the US laws especially anti discrimination ones , and Syria will be the best state in the Mideast.
That is my wish also, but it will NEVER come without the Syrian people demanding it.
September 30th, 2011, 3:40 pm
Tara said:
US reads ‘riot act’ to Syria over attack on envoy
September 30, 2011 3:12 PM
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/09/30/ap/cabstatepent/main20114024.shtml
(AP) WASHINGTON — The Obama administration says it has read the “riot act” to Syria’s ambassador to the United States over an attack on the top American envoy to Syria.
State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland says the Syrian ambassador was summoned to the department after Thursday’s assault on American Robert Ford.
Nuland says the Syrian official was reminded in unusually blunt terms that Ford is President Barack Obama’s personal representative in Syria and that the assault on Ford was an attack on the United States.
Ford was not injured in the incident outside the office of a Syrian opposition figure he was meeting, but several armored embassy vehicles were damaged.
Nuland said the U.S. is demanding compensation.
September 30th, 2011, 3:40 pm
Tara said:
The results are the product of face to face interview in Arabic by gained individuals
Syrian poll finds optimism for future, but little support for Assad
By CNN Sr. State Department Producer Elise
http://security.blogs.cnn.com/2011/09/27/syrian-poll-finds-optimism-for-future-but-little-support-for-assad/
Syrians have little confidence that President Bashar al-Assad’s regime can solve the country’s current problems, although they are optimistic about the future, a poll conducted by Pepperdine University shows.
The survey, which was conducted in conjunction with the Democracy Council of California, also found that eight out of 10 Syrians questioned want al-Assad’s regime to leave power and more than seven out of 10 are more hopeful that reforms will come, in light of the uprisings in other Middle Eastern and North African countries now known as the Arab Spring.
The Democracy Council is a nonpartisan, non-profit group that promotes democracy in emerging countries. The group receives funding from the U.S. government agency USAID, although the Syria poll was not commissioned by the government. CNN obtained a copy of the survey, which will be released Wednesday.
The poll was conducted in secret due to a Syrian government ban on opinion-gathering, officials from both organizations told CNN.
“The most surprising thing about these results is that they could be collected in the first place,” Angela Hawken, associate professor of Economics and Policy Analysis at Pepperdine’s School of Public Policy, told CNN.
The results are the product of face-to-face interviews in Arabic by trained data collectors with 551 Syrians over the age of 18. The poll was carried out between August 24 and September 2, Hawken said.
She explained that the tense security situation in Syria, coupled with the fact that the poll was done without the permission of the government, presented many logistical challenges for the field team collecting the data. For example, she said, the team had particular difficulty interviewing women, who were less willing than men to participate. Those women who did answer the questions were less critical of the government.
Those factors also likely skewed the results somewhat.
“Those who agreed to answer a poll conducted without government approval may be more likely to express anti-government sentiments than their neighbors who refused,” Hawken said, adding that it was hard to tell how representative the numbers were of overall public opinion in Syria.
“Still, we know a lot more now than we did before the survey,” she said. “And, equally important, we have shown that it is possible to collect public opinion data even in very repressive countries.”
Democracy Council President James Prince said the poll reflects “the deep-seated angst felt by most Syrians” about the regime and their hopes that the Arab Spring will result in better leadership in Syria.
“The Syrian people do not have confidence in the Assad regime. They no longer want to live in the Baath security state,” Prince told CNN. “As in other regional countries, the Syrians are fed up with the corruption, nepotism and lack of opportunity in Syria. The people are searching for alternatives to Assad.”
Despite their discontent with their government, Syrians remain optimistic, the survey found, with nine in 10 expecting the future to be better than the present.
Prince noted that the findings of the survey are consistent with polling in other countries involved in the Arab Spring, such as Tunisia and Egypt, with corruption and the lack of freedom and opportunity in people’s lives driving them to look for alternatives to their government. He points to the fact that 78.3% of the Syrians surveyed feel more hopeful about the prospect for reforms in their country in light of popular movements elsewhere in the Arab world.
Prince, a leading expert on Arab civil society, has been working on democracy promotion in the Middle East for more than 20 years.
He said the poll showed that the Syrian public “has very little confidence in the Assad regime and the government in general.”
A little more than 86% of the respondents judge al-Assad’s performance negatively, and 88.2% do not think the current government is capable of solving the country’s problems, Prince explained.
The results of the survey come as world pressure intensifies against the Syrian regime, with the imposition of more international sanctions and a renewed call by a United Nations body to bring in the International Criminal Court.
Unrest has plagued Syria for more than six months, as protesters demanding more freedom, democratic elections and an end to al-Assad’s regime have been met by brute force. The government has maintained a consistent narrative: It is going after armed terrorists, who are the ones causing the problems. But opposition activists say the regime is behind a systematic, sustained slaughter of protesters and innocent civilians.
The poll found most of the Syrians questioned – 71.1% – had positive views of the protesters, and only 5.5% had negative views. A whopping 88% think that the majority of the population shares the protestors’ concerns.
Two-thirds of the respondents agree that “democracy is preferable to any other form of government.” But the survey found that mere reforms by the Assad regime will not placate the Syrian people. Only 11.5% want the regime to remain power and make reforms, while 87.9% think that reforms will not satisfy the protestors and 81.7% want regime change.
September 30th, 2011, 3:56 pm
Solitarius said:
The video of the 3 mechincal engineers who die while trying to disassemble a side bomb is disturbing. May they rest in peace. On the other hand, I can’t help but be mad at the government that sent them without the necessary minimal protective gear. Not even a military jacket. Not to mention the use of robotics.
Re Haytham Khoury
I have a big problem with his rhetoric
1) he assumes that Christians are not part of the revolution because of some sectarian fears. Well tell that to the 22 million Syrian muslims who are also not part of the revolution. In order to assess Christian involvment you need to look at their representative numbers in the streets. I personally know quite a big bunch who are pro this revolution which I personally don’t agree with
2) by continuing to write such articles he lumps all of them together and gives them the reason that he percieves.. this way endangering them and making them targets for hatred and discrimination.. while simply they are behaving like the rest of the vast majority of the population that is not supportive of this revolution (In action at least). Let’s keep people’s opinions to themselves because it doesnt matter.. if it comes to opinions Christians again just like the majority of the population are not overly supportive of this government and its many shortcomings.. but this doesnt equal wanting to topple it any time soon or support this tainted revolution
Please Haytham Khoury (or Dr. Khoury), speak for yourself
September 30th, 2011, 3:58 pm
Haytham Khoury said:
Dear Norman@ 811:
I am not asking anybody to change his or her opinion by force. I am asking islamlophobic Christians to respect other people’s beliefs. As I told you before I respect people who differs with me in their opinions, but I have no great respect for the ones who derogatory to others.
September 30th, 2011, 4:03 pm
Abu Umar said:
The hypocritical cyber-shabiha would be calling for war and Nato intervention if thousands of their people were killed, imprisoned, and tortured and they have the audacity to demand that the Syrian people go to their graves smiling at their killer just like their Zionist cousins. Sorry to rain on your shabiha parade, but you will lose, even if it takes several years, and the despicable Asad regime is surrounded by Sunnis on four sides, and eventually, they will intervene. Geostrategically, the regime is finished, and millions of Syrians now have tha’r against the regime, and they will not be satisfied unless the regime collapses. Let Saddam be a lesson for you, he put down many revolts, but he lost the battle in the long run, and Bashar’s mafia position is even more precarious, because of their demographic situation. The “Sunnis are barbarians, etc” talk doesn’t change the situation on the ground and even the secular, Ba’thi and non-religious Iraqi Shi’ites sided with their “Islamist” brothers in the war against Saddam or turned against him at the end.
September 30th, 2011, 4:06 pm
Tara said:
Solitarius
You are asking Haytham to speak for himself but you give yourself the right to speak for 22million Syrian Muslims. Can you guys put some thought into what you write?
September 30th, 2011, 4:07 pm
norman said:
AP,
I did not leave Syria because of the government, i left Syria because of the culture of nepotism, bribery, where people are considered stupid not honest if they do not steel, where people are majored with whom they know instead of what they know , where people are classified not of what they achieve but of what their family achieved and how much money they have knowing well that the money is transferred to the children and not their own,
These are the reasons that i can not live in Syria,not because i can not vote, i could care less about that, , yes we had Republican presidents but NJ did not vote for any since R Regan,1984
September 30th, 2011, 4:07 pm
Solitarius said:
Ok Tara you kinda got me in that one. It didn’t sound right
But in my defense let me clarify my idea
numbers speak for themselves. out of 23 million syrians how many went to the street? not more than 100,000 on the best day. Maybe more at some point.. whatever.. point it.. how can he blame christians when participation by the whole country is so low? I mean on what basis is he judging christian involvment or lack off? and why is he assuming that its purely because of sectarian fear? this is unacceptable. Christians are not participating probably for the same reason why the vast majority of people aren’t
i specifically then said lets not look at what people “think” because we cant judge it as we cant possible know.. we look at actions.. which is numbers on the street.
September 30th, 2011, 4:14 pm
DIGGING FOR GOLD IN BOSRA said:
@ NORMAN
so the economy and the equal opportunity that the US provided for me kept me here, If Syria has the same tolerance that the US has , i will probably be there ,
Ah, so the economy kept you in the US. Funny that Norman. Funny that you didn’t think you could achieve in Syria what you have managed to in the US. You seem quite happy to sit back in your house in new jersey doing your best to prop up a dictatorship that you don’t have to live under. What a decent chap you are.
September 30th, 2011, 4:15 pm
Shami said:
Dear Haytham ,i dont understand from where they get all this hatred.
Anyway they have chosen to be phobic towards their neighbors and to be hypocrites in their relation with them,they should assume their choice in the long term.History is always in move and their shabiha lords are temporal fact.
September 30th, 2011, 4:16 pm
Haytham Khoury said:
@ Solitarius #826.
I am not inviting the Christians to join or support the revolution. This is a very secondary issue. It is normal for people to have different political opinions. The revolution is mere political issue.
I am inviting the Christians, as I am inviting all people, to be respectful and decent to others. Remember this was the message of Christ himself.
September 30th, 2011, 4:16 pm
Tara said:
Solitarius
Neither you or me can estimate the number of the demonstrators. It appears massive. Moreover, lots of people are silenced because of fear. So even the number of demonstrators do not actually reflect the people who want a regime change.
Did you check the latest poll: 81.7 percent want regime change. I think this is about right.
Thank you for you polite answer however. It is a rare commodity nowadays.
September 30th, 2011, 4:25 pm
Haytham Khoury said:
Dear Solitarius:
I knew Ayman Abdel Al-Nour only recently. He contacted me to publish my articles that he found on Facebook. However, I am proud to be a friend of his. At least, he is a decent open-minded man and respects people for who they are. Being of different religion did not prevent him to contact me and respect me. Syria will be very rich by having people like Aymen Abdel Al-Nour.
September 30th, 2011, 4:27 pm
DIGGING FOR GOLD IN BOSRA said:
@ Haytham Khoury
Frankly, who cares what Christ, Muhammad or anyone else said? Why you think you need some biblical reference to shore up your argument is beyond me. I don’t need any celestial guide to know that I should do my best to respect others where possible.
September 30th, 2011, 4:28 pm
amal said:
Carbon unit haytham khoury
Is the Canadian government aware of your support for al-qeda terrorists on this blog?!
September 30th, 2011, 4:29 pm
Abu Umar said:
‘831. Solitarius said:
Ok Tara you kinda got me in that one. It didn’t sound right
But in my defense let me clarify my idea
numbers speak for themselves. out of 23 million syrians how many went to the street? not more than 100,000 on the best day.”
Keep drinking your Ad-Dunya kool-aid, which always mentions “tens of protestors”, and there was certainly more than 100,000 protesters on many days and you don’t mention the brutal tactics used by the regime to squelch the protests and the menhebek fairytale of anti-regime mundasseen killing people in all the cities and towns which witnessed protests. Send the army back to the barracks and the shabiha to the pig sties. they crawled out of, and you will see millions of Syrians on the street. There is no doubt that the majority of Syrian Sunnis are against the regime, and even the rest will turn against the regime. It’s over menhebek lunatics
September 30th, 2011, 4:34 pm
Areal said:
688. TRUE said:
This is the full PDF report of
Survey Findings:
Syria 2011 Public Opinion Survey
“The poll, which was conducted by a team at Pepperdine University, found that 86.1 percent of Syrians disapproved of Assad’s job performance, and 81.7 percent were calling for regime change. Those surveyed also expressed favorable views toward the anti-government protesters in the country, with 71.1 percent of Syrians saying that they held positive views of the demonstrators while only 5.5 percent viewing them negatively.”
http://www.pepperdine.edu/pr/releases/2011/september/Syria_2011_09%2023%20Final_with%20cover.pdf
Read it carefully you tyke peasants hhehe
REALITY
Data collectors were trained in how to select respondents with the aim of collecting data representative of the Syrian population (with respect to region, rural/urban, sex, age, religion, and education)…
The deteriorating security situation in Syria created a number of significant logistical problems.
The sample size (n = 551) was smaller than originally intended (n = 1000).
Finally, we recognize that those agreeing to participate in such an exercise, without host government approval, would be inherently more likely to express anti-government sentiments.
MY NOTE
Before using a public opinion survey for your propaganda , read it .
September 30th, 2011, 4:34 pm
DIGGING FOR GOLD IN BOSRA said:
and while we are at it…
To those who believe that the opposition are somehow stubborn or unreasonable for refusing to enter into negotiations with Assad I say this:
Yes, you can be a dictator with a secret police; run the economy like a racket, and imprison dissenters. You can do all that. But don’t for one moment think you can behave this way and then make a dignified and peaceful exit.
September 30th, 2011, 4:36 pm
Mina said:
Tara,
Zoo, in comment 814 above, gave all the necessary information on the so-called poll conducted by this wannabe ultra-right university emerged from the middle of nowhere. But you want a democracy where you can simply ignore whatever does not fit your own interests and claims. The Like/Unlike way of life.
As for the late Aboud who claims to be a smart tech who has been able to stay online from Homs since April and write comments here all day, I just realized he has never been able to switch his keyboard to Arabic (when he writes Arabic, only Syrian dialect by the way, he types in Latin letters).
I spoke to a friend in Syria today. She lives one hour from Damascus and live is going on peacefully. Surya bi khayr.
September 30th, 2011, 4:38 pm
Tara said:
Real # 840
The poll is statistically sound. The sample size is smaller than intended because of the brutality of the regime but that does not decrease the validity as the P value remained extremely significant. Show it to any expert, he’ll tell you the same.
September 30th, 2011, 4:43 pm
Atheist Syrian Salafist Against Dictatorships (ASSAD) said:
To all supporters of the struggle for freedom, democracy and dignity for all Syrians:
Be careful, your name may end up on this site! You will become part of the “CONSPIRACY BY EVIL PERSONS”…
http://plot.vsyria.com/
The biggest insult actually is not so much being labeled a plotter against Syria as getting lumped with AIPAC in the same list.
Razan Zaitouneh with Condi Rice and Elliot Abrams.
September 30th, 2011, 4:44 pm
Tara said:
Mina
A tired conspiracy theory, ultra right…neocon. Not fit again. Very similar to the old line SC pro regime supporters use. Nothing new. You guys have no credibility.
September 30th, 2011, 4:48 pm
ziadsoury said:
ASSAD,
Just reported Bashar and Maher Assad as members. Let’s see if their names get listed 🙂
September 30th, 2011, 5:13 pm
ziadsoury said:
How come Aboud is banned? What did say about Asma? I have the right to know and judge for myself.
For over six months, bashroubies have written extremely vulgar and very offensive posts. Some even asked for the killing of 10,000,000 Syrians and still no one condemned them. Is Asma untouchable? No.
Aboud can you please email me what got you banned?
Karameh Blue
September 30th, 2011, 5:25 pm
areal said:
806. annie said:
Lyse Doucet BBC News, Damascus [b] I am sure she speaks Arabic[/b]
REALITY
She is a fluent speaker of English, French and Persian.
From 1995 to 1999 she was based in Jerusalem,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyse_Doucet
September 30th, 2011, 5:28 pm
Ya Mara Ghalba said:
As other commenters have mentioned, a longtime anchor on BBC English-language World News, Lyse Doucet (I like her Maritime Canada accent), has recently started reporting from inside Syria. On the streets of Damascus every person who was willing to talk to her and her cameras was positively pro-regime. One man on the street angrily said to her in English: “You’re from the BBC?! Why do you keep lying about Syria?!…. Everybody here in Syria loves Bashar Al-Assad…. Maybe there are ten thousand dissenters…. And everybody can hear on BBC Arabic the lies. You are telling lies about Bashar Al-Assad. Everybody in Syria, the whole population of Syria, they know that you are lying. This is the most important thing.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvMP842c0BE
I think he’s approximately right. To err on the side of caution, I’d multiply his estimate of the number of dissenters by a factor of fifty.
Repeating from #806, Lyse Doucet says “the mood was peaceful” at the Grand Umayyad Mosque in Damascus today Friday 30 Sep 2011. One of the world’s great mosques.
SANA, 30 Sep 2011: “Al-Jazeera since the begining of the events has persisted in broastcasting untruths and still does today. But the Syrian people are aware of their lies.” The first sentence of that is old news. But I feel the second sentence brims with a bit more confidence than in earlier months. The confidence is well placed, imho, and I think that SANA itself has done a terrific, top-notch job during these Events.
September 30th, 2011, 5:29 pm
SANDRO LOEWE said:
Regarding the position of NATO towards Syria, I find once again that NATO is a pretty symbol of what Occident is nowadays. They supported Moubarak but at last minute switched positions to support the masses when they saw there was no choice. Same thing in Tunisia. In Libia they found that oil could pay for their sofisticated weapons and decided to go on. After all in times of crisis it is good to reactivate weapons industry and getting paid in cheap oil.
In Syria, since the masses have almost no choice to destroy the regime and there is no oil to pay for a total Nato attack, they have decided to let it be. I hope that the syrian people, if they ever succeded, do not forget who supported them in an effective way and who made just goodwilling declarations that led to more killings.
I think the idea designed by the jewish foreign affairs lobby beyond words and declarations is that Syria under Assad is a good enemy for Israel. Israel needs a soft power like Assads that means no challenge to the jewish state while it serves the double objective of letting the Golan in jewish hands and repressing and impoverishing syrian civil society. By letting syrian people alone there is a high probability that Assad will remain and Israel will consequently beneffit. But in case Assads fall, the syrian people could create an anti-western regime which would serve Israel too. So,by letting syrians alone the goal could be interesting for israelis in both cases.
This is how I think must be read the NATO declarations that THERE WILL BE NO FOREIGN INTERVENTION in Syria. This is the best way to say to Assads “KILL AS MUCH AS YOU CAN, AND DO NOT BE AFRAID OF US”. Even if the know they have no intention to attack, declaring it is the best way to empower Assadism.
September 30th, 2011, 5:32 pm
SANDRO LOEWE said:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvMP842c0BE
So sad and ridiculous to see how this ignorant shabbiha sellers are defending the regime. Frankly sad but I can confirm that there are many many people in Damascus who keep the same position. Basically all people selling in the streets and all those who dare to appear in TV are simply shabiha paid by the state.
Does anyone can deny that the sellers in front of the south entrance to the Omayyad Mosque (where the interview takes place) are not shabbiha? If even in times of peace all illegal sellers used to be moukhabaraat, now it is obvious that all of them are spying for the regime.
September 30th, 2011, 5:40 pm
Areal said:
843. Tara said:
Real # 840
The poll is statistically sound. The sample size is smaller than intended because of the brutality of the regime but that does not decrease the validity as the P value remained extremely significant. Show it to any expert, he’ll tell you the same.
REALITY
No need , the poll is skewed . ( 1000 is a minimum )
Furthermore, the pollster said it plainly :
“”””
Finally, we recognize that those agreeing to participate in such an exercise, without host government approval, would be inherently more likely to express anti-government sentiments.
“”””
MY VIEW
Your propaganda is hopeless with intelligent people.
September 30th, 2011, 5:47 pm
SANDRO LOEWE said:
Assad young reformist and stylish oftalmologist have reached what nobody could imagine. A country where people has reached the no return point, and is ready to die for dignity and freedom. The charming reformist will have to kill thousands and thousands of syrians to made them disappear from earth, until he can receive foreign presidents again and his wife can appear in Vogue and Elle as she, and only she, deserves. My congratulations to all assadists. They are making of Syria a beautiful pleace on earth where love (for the president) and peace (only underneath) prevails.
September 30th, 2011, 5:47 pm
Tara said:
Areal @ 852
Most people with IQ of 90-100 think they are intelligent. They are not. They just have no insight into their average status. The examples are ample on SC.
September 30th, 2011, 5:53 pm
Haytham Khoury said:
Dear DIGGING FOR GOLD IN BOSRA @837
I mentioned Christ just to argue with the people who pretend to be Christians, but they are not real ones.
September 30th, 2011, 6:08 pm
ghufran said:
I will bring pieces from foreign press from time to time to show that the west is starting to realize that the violence in Syria is not committed by security forces alone. This can not be good for the cause of changing the regime.if people start to believe that this is a civil war or an armed rebellion they will hesitate to take any decisive action, and some may even reverse positions,a dream come true for the Assad ruling family.
http://arabic.cnn.com/2011/hiaw/9/29/syria.militia/index.html
September 30th, 2011, 6:16 pm
DIGGING FOR GOLD IN BOSRA said:
855. Haytham Khoury
“I mentioned Christ just to argue with the people who pretend to be Christians, but they are not real ones.”
That’s my point. Who cares whether or not they are “real” Christians? Being a “person of the book” does not give you a monopoly over morality.
You can probably guess that I do not think religion should play any role in the public sphere. This might annoy some people, but I believe it goes hand in hand with democracy and the protection of minority rights.
September 30th, 2011, 6:28 pm
SANDRO LOEWE said:
856
Of course, they are realizing of what is really taking place. After hundred thousands of crimes have taken place some people is taking arms and asking for vengeance. Since justice will not come from outside, what else is the syrian people expected to do? Returning to their homes and living again peacefully in fear as they have always lived before? We may ask this to someone who has not been tortured or brutalized or who has lost a brother, a son or a father, but for those who have been humiliated and tortured I do not think there is a return to previous Syria. So, when demonstrators no longer want to risk their lives in the face of the whole planet, with no country daring to intervene, the only exit is civil war. And this is what exactly has been planned by the regime. ME OR CHAOS doctrine is an Assad´s doctrine that worked while fear was huge enough. It is a one way doctrine, if fears fails there is no turning back. And I am afraid that Assad could fulfill their worst nightmares for them and their families if before that they do not manage to reduce syrian population in 1 or 2 millions.
September 30th, 2011, 6:30 pm
Tara said:
Sandro
I agree with you completely. Civil war is already taking place and it was the tyrant’s choice. It is a low level now but it will snow ball in no time. Bashar will sacrifice any and all of his men to stay in power. Erdogan stated that when the Syrian decides, the world would cater. I understood this as that when the Syrian decides to fight back, the world will support them. The international press already arguing that a change in course to armed resistance is very much expected and legitimate. We agonized over the death of 2700 heroic Syrian and unfortunately more death is coming our way. But at the end, we will prevail.
September 30th, 2011, 6:47 pm
bronco said:
Tara
Brainwashed like you.
September 30th, 2011, 6:50 pm
annie said:
ABOUD : Hey man, I hear you loud and clear. Don’t worry, we will save her dresses and panties for you. That is after we have done unto her what her husband has been doing unto the country; cut off her arms and head after torturing her for a month.
[admin: You are banned for a week for this comment]
OK, admin; Aboud did cross a red line but you could have suppressed his comment as you did in other cases.
Banning him, was excessive.
I won’t post until Aboud is back. Not that my comments will be missed by many people.
September 30th, 2011, 6:53 pm
Tara said:
Bronco
I invite you to prove that I am morally inconsistent and then I will accept anything you say about me. Can you accept the challenge?
September 30th, 2011, 6:55 pm
SANDRO LOEWE said:
TARA,
I think that the premises for a much stronger international pressure have been present from the first days of the revolution, but the absence of international press and the lack of a unified position from the international community is leading Syria to a civil war. Only if 10 % of the crimes commited could have been reported to the outside world things could be very different now.
I think, like you say, that Turkey, and also some actors in Lebanon and Irak and saudis will help liberation armies or militias but then we will have entered in a very undesirable scenario. Anyway, this is what the President of Syria wills, so the revolutionaries are fulfilling the president plan.
September 30th, 2011, 7:05 pm
zoo said:
Opposition proposing and disagreeing about a no fly-zone
…
A Prominent dissident Michel Kilo said anti-regime forces inside Syria oppose the Syrian National Council, an opposition body formed in Turkey last month, because it favours foreign intervention.
“The opposition within the national council are in favour of foreign intervention to resolve the crisis in Syria, while those at home are not,” Kilo claimed in remarks to AFP at his home in Damascus.
“If the idea of foreign intervention is accepted, we will head towards a pro-American Syria and not towards a free and sovereign state,” he said.
“A request for foreign intervention would aggravate the problem because Syria would descend into armed violence and confessionalism, while we at home are opposed to that.”
..
Syrian opposition groups are calling for the first time for an international intervention to protect civilians from President al-Assad regime’s ongoing military onslaught, including the establishment of a United Nations-backed no-fly zone.
…
Radwan Ziadeh, another council member, said one proposed scenario for a no fly-zone would cover a 10-kilometer (six-mile) area inside Syria’s northern border with Turkey that would serve as a safe haven. It would be modeled on the U.N.-mandated safe haven in northern Iraq in 1991.
Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the U.K.-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, opposes the idea of a no fly-zone because it would encourage the rise of an armed rebellion rather than peaceful resistance.
Arab officials at UN said that just the possibility of establishing a no-fly zone over a stretch of Syrian territory could it turn into a “safe haven” that may spur more defections from the Syrian military amid growing indications that lower-ranking officers are deserting.
“There are more and more discussions of this scenario to encourage more and more soldiers’ defections, yet it sounds still difficult” without U.N. backing, said an Arab diplomat.
http://www.dp-news.com/en/detail.aspx?articleid=98286
September 30th, 2011, 7:05 pm
bronco said:
Tara
No, waste of time.
September 30th, 2011, 7:06 pm
Tara said:
Annie
I am also annoyed with the “administrator” uneven handed. I thought of not posting until Aboud comes back. Knowing that the absence of Aboud and Tara will make many people on SC happy and knowing that Aboud would want us to keep posting in his absence, I am still considering. You should too.
September 30th, 2011, 7:16 pm
SYRIAN HAMSTER said:
Decisive Action
GHUFRAN, you spoke of decisive actions.
Those who have not yet taken the simplest decisive action that you had no difficulty making, which is to come out in condemnation of the Assad Mafia regime are either morally flawed or afflicted with inhuman and irrational fear. In both cases they are of no value as they themselves are as responsible for the regime feeling that it can do what it wants with impunity. They can dwell in their sorrow and blame the victim because the revolution is not cool enough, modern enough, or uppity enough for their taste. Syria does not need them for they will only offer conditional help and for a country going through the initial phases of civil war, such help is simply blackmailing the needy. However, all what can and should be asked of this group is to stop adding to confusion and to remain behind their closed windows if a civil war breaks out (hopefully not) and to refrain from enabling the regime’s propaganda. Doing so, they can contributed to shortenning the civil war and by that lend the Syrian people a hand in their struggle against this thuggish mafia gang that has been robbing and terrorizing Syria for far too long under the respectable cover of legitimate “central” government authority. There may be a role for some of them after victory in making sure that venegance does not rule.
On the other hand, those who took the decisive action of siding with the Assad mafia, and have become willing participants in its machine of lies, deception, confusion, and cyber terrorism, and Syria Comment is rife with them, are beyond moral failure, and no one is counting on them to switch side, nor would anyone trust them if they did so. Their redemption is the redemption of Shabeha, no one would take seriously and will only be to escape just punishment, and they deserve no more of my time to write about them.
And then, there are the tragi-comic sophomoric delusional characters, who have grandiosity complex, along with few irrational nightmarish fears, and Syria comment has a couple of those on the regime’s side. Their entertainment value is worn out by now s they have been shown for what they really are, pathetic psychotics. Giving them likes and dislikes is the ultimate cruelty as such is exactly what feeds their psychotic episodes. Equally cruel is to engage them whether kindly or in hostile manner. To which I confess having done.
To all three groups
????? ???? ?????
September 30th, 2011, 7:23 pm
SANDR LOEWE said:
Regarding the Abboud affair, this is how democratics work in Syria. Someone can be punished for his opinions while real criminals enjoy freedom of speech and public aknowledgment. People defendig massive killings are giving arguments while those who desire the worse for the criminals must be banned, for the mistaken use of words.
I thought SC was a real free place where syrian regime influence would not reach.
September 30th, 2011, 7:29 pm
Tara said:
Bronco
No honey. You are smart enough not to play a losing game. You did not want to answer a simple question in the first place because you are unable to do so. You could not have possibly said that you condemn ambassador Ford meddling in Syria but you approve Syria meddling in Iraq, exporting terrorists. You wanted to perhaps preserve a self-image. If you bluntly put it like that, you may actually hear it and it may register. Would it feel too painful especially that your beloved Besho killed 2700 so far?
September 30th, 2011, 7:29 pm
zoo said:
Syrian Hamster
Are you freudian or lacanian?
September 30th, 2011, 7:32 pm
Bronco said:
Tara
My only beloved is myself.
September 30th, 2011, 7:34 pm
Haytham Khoury said:
@ JAD # 807
Thank you.
September 30th, 2011, 7:40 pm
zoo said:
A new Constitution for Syria in the making
http://www.champress.net/index.php?q=ar%2FArticle%2Fview%2F102282
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?????? ??????? ?? ?? ???? ???????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ?????? ??????? ???? ??????? ???? ??????? ?????? ?? ??? ?????? .
??? ??? ?????? ????? ????? ????? ????? ?????? (???) ????????? ??????? ?? ??????? ??????? ????? ?????? ???? ????? ??? ??????? ????? ??? ???? ???????? ????? ???? ??????? ???? ??????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ?? ??? ??????.
????? ??????? “??? ??? ??????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ????? ??? ?? ???? ?? ????? ??? ???????? ?? ?????? ?????? ????? ???????? ???? ???????? ???? ?????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ????? ?????? ??? ???? ????? ?? ????? ?? ??? ?????? ??????”.
????? ??????? “??? ?? ????? ?? ??????? ??? ??????? ??????? ???? ?????? ??????? ???? ??????”? ?????? “?? ??? ????? ?????? ???? ???? ???????”.
?????? ???????? ?????? ??????? ??????? ???????? ???? ?? ??? ?????? ???? ???? ??? ????? ?????? ?????? ????????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ?????? ??????? ??? ???? ??????? ??? ???????? ??????? ????? ??? ????? ?? ????? ??????? ???? ????????? ?? ???????.
????? ??????? ?????? ????? ????? ???? ??? ????? ?? ?????? ???? ????? ???? ?? ????? ?????? ??? ????? ???? ?????? ?? ????? ????? ???????? ??? ?? ???? ?????? ?? ????????? ??? ??? ??????.
????? ??????? ?? ????? ???? ????? ??? ??? ????? ???? ?????? ??????? ????? ???????? ????? ??????? ????? ?? ?????????? ??? ??????? ?? ???? ???? ????????.
September 30th, 2011, 7:45 pm
Ghufran said:
?????? ????? ?????
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September 30th, 2011, 7:55 pm
sheila said:
Dear #830. Norman,
The reasons you give for why you left Syria have nothing to do with culture and everything to do with governance. You can bring the Assad regime to run the US and you will get the same results:” nepotism, bribery, people who are considered stupid if they do not steal..etc”. Had you watch the “six killer apps” that Ihsani posted, you would have understood this to be true. The lecturer says that culture has nothing to do with what becomes of countries, it is all about good governance. He gives the example of North and South Korea, and East and West Germany. Exact same cultures. Look what governance did.
Bottom line Norman, you left Syria because of the Assad regime. You just listed the symptoms.
September 30th, 2011, 7:57 pm
SYRIAN HAMSTER said:
ZOO
My formal psychological training is rather limitted. But I find Lacan’s basics useful in conflict resolution.
September 30th, 2011, 8:04 pm
Syrian Nationalist Party said:
“…..A new Constitution for Syria in the making…”
If it is something like the Party Law he decreed, Assad would be better off not doing it so he does not piss more people off.
September 30th, 2011, 8:06 pm
sheila said:
Dear #842. Mina,
I hope you understand the gravity of your phrase: “Surya bi khayr”. Syria is not bi khayr and never will be bi khayr, when people are dying on the streets and cities are besieged by our own army. What khayr are you talking about?. Where is the basic human decency?. Whether you are with or against the regime, there are people getting killed from both sides. Where is the khayr?
September 30th, 2011, 8:11 pm
John Khouri said:
TARA – its so sad to be all alone now isnt it 🙂 awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww its k, u can come and join 90% of the syrian population now who lives a life of happiness and joy. As Dr Bashar Al Assad said, their are 60,000 wanted criminals in Syria. We will give you amnesty and forgive
September 30th, 2011, 8:11 pm
Ghufran said:
????? ??????
????? ??? ?? ??????? ?????? ? ??? ????????
???? ???????? ??? ???? ???? ????? ?? ??????
????? ????? ???? ??? ?????? ???????
By the way,the Syrian Hamster has been an important part of our research lab for years.
I like your name.
September 30th, 2011, 8:14 pm
Amir in Tel Aviv said:
Alex the mnhebak miss the days of Syria Tishreen Comment. Banning censoring and moderating, is Baathist methods and mentality. Keep this forum free. Let Aboud back!
.
September 30th, 2011, 8:22 pm
Ghufran said:
Many people have advised abboud to moderate his language but he refused
?? ??? ????? ?? ????? ??????? ?? ????
I support banning anybody who uses dirty language or makes threats on this site.
I am particularly offended when the target for insult is a woman even if she was the wife of a dictator.
???????? ???? ??????
September 30th, 2011, 8:23 pm
sheila said:
Dear Annie,
I will miss your comments and I would like to think that many others will too.
September 30th, 2011, 8:31 pm
Mohamed Kanj said:
I support the ban on ABOUD. He should never be allowed back on this blog on. Spreading hatred and sectarianism shouldnt be permitted on this blog.
Donald Rumsfeld ( the war criminal responsible for the murder of millions of Iraqis and Afghanis ) is praising Al Jazeera network now. Any person with common sense should now know that along with the wikileaks release of Aljazeera news being driven by the C.I.A and now a war criminal praising the news channel, that its a puppet for the zionist run american congress.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/21/world/middleeast/after-disclosures-by-wikileaks-al-jazeera-replaces-its-top-news-director.html?_r=1
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2011/09/29/donald-rumsfeld-tells-al-_n_986856.html
September 30th, 2011, 8:33 pm
ann said:
Franjieh: Assad’s Assessment of Situation Helped Save our Arab Identity
30 September 2011, 20:44
http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/16278-franjieh-assads-assessment-of-situation-helped-save-our-arab-identity
Marada Movement leader MP Suleiman Franjieh praised on Friday Syrian President Bashar Assad’s perseverance in the face of adversity, crediting him for maintaining the region’s Arab identity.
He said: “Assad successfully assessed the situation in the region and we can credit the Syrian regime’s perseverance for protecting our Arab identity.”
“We are banking on the Syrian regime’s secularism,” he stressed.
“Assad was right to have faith in his people and army,” the MP continued.
Furthermore, he noted that a regional and international conspiracy is seeking to topple the Syrian regime “through all possible means.”
Addressing Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi’s concerns over the fate of Christians in the region, Franjieh commented: “He is speaking of the Christians’ fears in his role as patriarch.”
“His positions stem from his conscience and convictions and he has not been ordered to issue them,” the Marada Movement leader noted.
On the selection of an electoral law, he said: “We will support what the patriarch deems as appropriate seeing as he is the unifier of Christians and Lebanese.”
A few weeks ago, al-Rahi had voiced fears during his trip to France of the ascension of extremists to power in Syria should the regime be toppled.
Such a change could threaten the presence of Christians in the region, he added.
He also said that Assad should be given more time to implement reform.
September 30th, 2011, 8:36 pm
SYRIAN HAMSTER said:
?????? ?? ?? ????? ????? ?
???? ?? ??????? ?????? ???? ??????? ??????????????????? ?? ??????? ??????? ???? ??? ???? ?????? ?????? ?????? ????? ???? ???? ?? ???? ?? ???? ??? ???? ?? ??????
?????? ???? ?????? ?? ???? ????? ???? ???? ???????? ???? ??????????????? ???? ?? ???? ?????? ???? ??? ???? ??????? ?? ???? ??? ???? ?????????? ???? ??? ?????? ???? ????? ???
September 30th, 2011, 8:41 pm
Tara said:
Few people will sleep good today. 2 Lebanese Sunnis yesterday and one Lebanese Christian (Franjieg) supporting Bashar. What an accomplishment!
As a side note, I always wonder what is the ratio of leaders to people in Lebanon? 10 to 1?
September 30th, 2011, 8:53 pm
ann said:
the so called ABOUD posts under multiple ids. TRUE is his next favorite id.
Too good to be TRUE lol
September 30th, 2011, 8:53 pm
Ghufran said:
????? ??????
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September 30th, 2011, 9:07 pm
SYRIAN HAMSTER said:
Breakthrough
Everybody,
Please meet Syria Comment’s own cyber detective (or is it cyber psychic) ANN (@866).
Speaking of Psychics
??????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ????? ????? ?? ????? ??? ???????? ???????.. ????????? ?????? ???????
?????? ???
??????, 30 ?????? 2011 18:03
???? ??? ??? ??? ??????? ?????? ??? ????? ????? ??? ?? ?????? ?? ????? ????? ???????? ???? ?? ???? ?? ?????? ?????? ??? ??????? ??????? ?????? ????? ???????.. ?????? ?? ???? ??????:
???? ?????? ???????? ??????? ???? ????? ?? ???? ????? ?? ????? ??? ?????? ? ????? ?? ?????? ???? ????? ??? ?????? ???? ???????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ?? ?????? ?????? ???? ??? ?????.
???? ????? ?? ????? ????? ??? ?? ??? ??? ?? ?? ???? ???? ????? ?? ????? ???? ???? ?? ????? ? ??????? ?? ??????? ??????? ???? ?? ???? ?????? ????? ????? ???? ???????? ????? ? ?????? ??? ??????? ??????? ? ?????? ?? ????? ?????? ????????? ?????? ??? ???? ???? ????.
????? ????? ?? ????? ??????? ???? ???? ?? ????? ??? ??????? ????? ??? ???????? ? ??? ????? ??????? ??????? ???????? ????? ????? ???? ??? ?????? ???? ??? ???? ????? ?? ?????.
????? ??? ??? ???? ????? ????? ????? ????????? ??? ???? ??? ????? ??????? ?? ???? ??????? ????????? ? ???? ?? ??? ????? ??????? ????? ??????? ??????? ???? ??????? ????? ????? ???? ????? ??? ?????????? ? ??????? ?? ????? ???? ?????? ?????????? ? ??? ???? ????? ????? ??? ??????.
??? ???? ????? ?????? ?????? ?? ??????? ??? ??? ????? ?? ??????? ? ?????? ?? ?????? ???????? ? ??????? ?? ???? ????? ????? ????? ?????? ?? ??????.
??? ????? ?????? ???? ????? ??? ????? ??? ????? ??????? ?????? ?? ???? ??? ????? ????? ?? ?????? ????? ?????? ?? ?????.
??????? ???? ????? ???? ?????? ??????? ??????? ?????? ? ?????? ???? ?? ??????? ????? ????? ???? ?? ????? ? ????? ????? ????????? ?? ???.
?????? ???? ????? ????? ??????? ??? ????? ????? ???????? ??? ??????? ????? ??? ?????? ?????? ??? ????? ?????? .
????? ????? ??????? ????? ??? ?? ????? ???? ??? ?????? ?? ????????? ???? ?????? ???? ??????? ?????? ???? ???????? ??????? ?????? ??????? ???? ???? ???? ????? ??????? ????? ????? ????? ??????? ????????? ??? ????? ?????.
???? ?? ???? ????? ?? ?????? ?????? ?????? ?? ??? ?????? ??? ?????? ????????
??????: ??? ???? ???? ?????
So much for the righteous indignation Rational Supporters of the Assad Mafia
September 30th, 2011, 9:11 pm
Norman said:
Shiela,
Syria is governed by the people who grew up in the culture i talked about, They are not evil, but their right and wrong is missed up, they do not know how to do things better and because of their self indulgence that they know, they failed time and time again,
The US with all it’s know how tried to take Iraq into the future but failed from what i see, it is the culture of everybody in the Mideast,
They need a cultural revolution.
September 30th, 2011, 9:15 pm
SYRIAN HAMSTER said:
????? ?????
? ???? ?? ???? ????? ????? ????? ????
?? ??? ???? ??? ?? ???? ????? ???? ??????????? ?????? ??? ??? ?????? .
September 30th, 2011, 9:16 pm
ann said:
Breakthrough
Everybody,
Please meet Syria Comment’s own resident NeoCON and die hard defender of apartheid `israel ( SYRIAN HAMSTER ) (@888).
September 30th, 2011, 9:27 pm
Dale Andersen said:
Memo To: ANN
RE: “…the so called ABOUD posts under multiple ids. TRUE is his next favorite id…”
You forgot me, Ann Babycakes. L’Aboud, c’est moi! Dale Andersen is one of Aboud’s many pseudonyms. So are Amir, Syria Commando and the late-lamented Abu Raoul…
September 30th, 2011, 9:27 pm
sheila said:
Dear Ghufran,
You said your late mother was Palestinian. I am assuming your father is Syrian. Is that correct? I am also assuming you live in the US. Is this the case?.
September 30th, 2011, 9:35 pm
sheila said:
Dear Norman,
You completely missed my point.
September 30th, 2011, 9:36 pm
SYRIAN HAMSTER said:
Dear Ghufran
Sorry to revert to english. I have not yet mastered the virtual Arabic keybord and still have problem with the Tashkeel.
Your late mother, bless her, gave you a wonderful gift.And I fully agree with you that his passing without having been awarded the Nobel Prize is a travesty.
How I love this segment from ???? ???? ?????? .
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September 30th, 2011, 9:38 pm
ann said:
*** L’Chayim ***
European UNSC members agree not to mention sanctions in Syria draft resolution
9/30/2011 9:23:00 PM
http://www.kuna.net.kw/NewsAgenciesPublicSite/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2193626&Language=en
UNITED NATIONS, Sept 30 (KUNA) — The European members in the UN Security Council on Friday deleted the word “sanctions” from the draft resolution which would strongly condemn the Syrian authorities for the bloody crackdown on pro-democracy protesters and call for an inclusive Syrian-led political process.
Now the new and third version of the draft says the Council “expresses its determination to review Syria’s implementation of this resolution within 30 days, and, in the event that Syria has not complied with this resolution, to consider the adoption of targeted measures,” deleting “including sanctions” from the previous version.
The Secretary-General would be requested to report 30 days after the adoption of the resolution on whether Syria implemented its provisions or not.
The deletion of the word “sanctions” was meant to please Russia whose Ambassador here told reporters yesterday he was still “not optimistic”, even though the EU members – UK, France, Germany and Portugal – agreed to add “to consider the adoption” of punitive measures, rather than “to adopt” them in the previous draft.
Asked if Russia is now satisfied with the deletion, Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin told reporters “the capitals are looking at it (draft). We don’t have instructions yet.” He walked away when he was specifically asked about the deletion of the word “sanctions”.
A European diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, told KUNA “it is true the word “sanctions” is no longer there, but the concept is still in,” adding that what is important is “to set the process in motion”.
The Council, which already said in the previous that it would express “deep concern by the continuing deterioration of the situation in Syria and the potential further escalation of the violence,” would add in the new version “and reaffirm the need to resolve the current crisis in Syria peacefully”.
According to UN estimates, some 2,700 civilians have been killed since the protests erupted seven months ago, with thousands detained or simply unaccounted for.
The US delegation took the opportunity to add in the draft “strongly condemns attacks on diplomatic personnel and recalls the fundamental principles of the inviolability of diplomatic agents and the obligations on host states, including under the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations,” in reference to the US Ambassador in Syria Robert Ford who was attacked yesterday by a government-backed mob in Syria.
By the new draft, the Council would still demand an “immediate end to all violence,” but instead of “urging all sides to act with utmost restraint,” as states in the previous version, it would now urge all sides “to reject violence and extremism”.
The European diplomat added that the Council members will continue to examine the latest draft and speculated that the vote would probably take place next Tuesday under the Nigerian presidency. (end) sj.gb KUNA
September 30th, 2011, 9:40 pm
SYRIAN HAMSTER said:
Original
ANN @ 891
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery
merci
September 30th, 2011, 9:44 pm
Ghufran said:
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???? ???? ? ???? ???? ?? ?????? ?????
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September 30th, 2011, 9:44 pm
Norman said:
Shiela,
and you mine,
September 30th, 2011, 9:45 pm
sheila said:
Dear DIGGING FOR GOLD IN BOSRA,
I always admire and enjoy your postings. I have two questions for you: do you live in the US?. And, what is the significance of your name?
September 30th, 2011, 9:47 pm
Ghufran said:
???? ????? ?? ????
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CDUQtwIwAQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D_t7b9Rnfxws&rct=j&q=%D8%B5%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%AD%20%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AE%D9%8A%D8%B1%20%D9%8A%D8%A7%20%D8%AD%D9%84%D9%88%D9%87&ei=vXGGToDTFYa2twfDxLgz&usg=AFQjCNHgjdRSutKhp_YdCwcA5pSyUsA6HQ
September 30th, 2011, 9:53 pm
Tara said:
Dear Syrian Hamster
“Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery”. Never thought of it this way. Cool!
I am dying from sincere flattery today.
September 30th, 2011, 9:55 pm
sheila said:
Dear Norman,
No, I did not miss your point at all. Please if you get a chance, watch Ihsani’s “six killer apps”. You are contending that the members of this regime grew up with our screwed up culture and this is why they are horrible. I am saying no. They screwed up the culture for their personal gain. Look at the generation before us. All I am trying to say is that this is not who we are as a people. What we have today is the result of years under this regime. What Iraq has is the result of years under Saddam. They destroyed the country, the people and the culture. Having the US in Iraq is not going to change the Iraqi’s in a year or two. It will take a generation. It took these thugs a few generations to destroy our culture.
Again, you left Syria as a direct result of what this horrible regime did to the people and the culture. We are North Korea and East Germany. We could have been South Korea and West Germany, but not with these thugs. Good governance can result in a cultural revolution.
September 30th, 2011, 10:02 pm
bronco said:
#896
“Baby Ford” was attacked yesterday by a government-backed mob in Syria. Poor kid! Who washed his stained clothes?
Why don’t they say ‘attacked with tomatoes and eggs by angry demonstrators”?
The US considers it ‘freedom of expression’ when the protesters threatens the Syrian president with death, but if someone dares throw food at the sacro-saint US representative that becomes a “attack by a government-backed mob”.
One of thee ‘mob’ was hit by the car of Baby Ford and wounded on his forehead. Is the US going to pay compensation for bullying peaceful demonstrators?
Ford is a good agent of his country: Arrogant, double-standard and hypocritical.
I just hope he got a good lesson and he would stick to his stupid Facebook pages where he writes his very brilliant thoughts.
What happened to the great country that was the USA?
September 30th, 2011, 10:04 pm
ann said:
Kurds in Syria seek autonomy or federation – September 30, 2011
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=kurds-in-syria-seek-autonomy-or-federation-2011-09-30
Kendal Efrin, a Syrian Kurd opposition member and representative of the Alliance of Syrian Liberals in Europe, said having an independent Kurdish state is a natural right of the Syrian Kurds, and Syrian Kurd dissidents living abroad have already started to organize meetings to discuss the issue.
“Some Kurds want autonomy and some want federalism. Right now they are trying to draw a clearer line on their final aim,” Efrin told the Hürriyet Daily News in a Friday interview. Syrian Kurds should create their own “peshmerga army,” Efrin said, adding that he made a call to Syrian Kurds to create their own army otherwise they would be wiped out by the official Syrian army or the dissident Sunni Arabs’ “Free Syrian Army.” Two days of clashes between Syrian troops and forces opposed to President Bashar al-Assad in a rebellious central town have killed seven soldiers and policemen, a Syrian military official said Friday. The official said 32 Syrian troops were wounded in the fighting as government forces conducted a “qualitative” operation on Thursday and Friday in the town of Al-Rastan in the central Homs province, the Associated Press reported.
September 30th, 2011, 10:06 pm
sheila said:
Dear Ghufran,
Thank you. That was beautiful. You made me cry.
September 30th, 2011, 10:14 pm
ann said:
*** CRY BABY CRY ***
U.S. demands damages from Syria for attack on envoy
9/30/2011 11:34:00 PM
http://www.kuna.net.kw/NewsAgenciesPublicSite/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2193649&Language=en
WASHINGTON, Sept 30 (KUNA) — U.S. officials have demanded full compensation from the Syrian government for damage inflicted on U.S. government vehicles during the violent attack on Thursday against U.S. Ambassador Robert Ford and U.S. Embassy personnel in Damascus, the U.S. State Department announced on Friday.
“We expressed our disgust with this attack, and the Syrian government’s failure to prevent it or adequately respond to it, with the highest levels of the Syrian government, including Ambassador Robert Ford with Vice Foreign Minister (Faisal) Miqdad in Damascus, and Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman with Ambassador (Imad) Mustafa in Washington,” the statement said.
In July, U.S. officials requested “prompt and full compensation” for damage inflicted on the U.S. Embassy and other U.S. diplomatic property as a result of a July 11 pro-regime mob attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Damascus, the statement said.
“We continue to demand full compensation from the Syrian government for the damage caused during both attacks,” it added.
During a briefing earlier in the day, State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said that Mustafa was called into the State Department by Feltman on Thursday night and “read the riot act” about the incident involving Ford.
Mustafa “was reminded that Ambassador Ford is the personal representative of the President, and that an attack on Ford is an attack on the United States, ” she said.
“We find it incomprehensible that Syrian security authorities are somehow able to arrive on the scene of peaceful opposition demonstrations in Damascus in a matter of minutes, and yet it took them almost two hours to come to the aid of Ambassador Ford,” Nuland said.
September 30th, 2011, 10:18 pm
Zoo said:
Norman
I’ve been reading your comments and I appreciate your honesty and moderation. Yet, recently I have seen you cornered by some zealous commenters.
Aren’t you tired of being bullied by them as they decide what you thought, you think, and should think as if you are a child who does not know much. “They” know what is best for “you”.
They sound like Jewish mothers and they may well be.
And they have an insatiable curiosity to know about people’s background, origin, religion so they can belittle any of your comment. This is disturbing and very suspicious nowadays.
Be careful and resist the inquisition !
September 30th, 2011, 10:18 pm
ann said:
*** POOR POOR BABY ***
U.S. Ambassador To Syria Responds To Attack By Regime Supporters
September 30, 2011 – 04:31 pm
After his convoy was attacked by pro-regime protesters in Damascus, U.S. Ambassador to Syria Robert Ford used the embassy’s page on Facebook to comment on the incident.
Ford said he respects the right of all Syrian to protest peacefully, including those who are pro-regime, but he added that the incident outside opposition leader Hassan Abdul Azim’s office “was not peaceful.” He wrote:
Look at the photos of the U.S. Embassy vehicles – eggs and tomatoes do not do such damage. Protesters threw concrete blocks at the windows and hit the cars with iron bars. One person jumped on the hood of the car, tried to kick in the windshield and then jumped on the roof. Another person held the roof railing and tried to break the car’s side window. When the embassy car moved through the crowd, the man fell off the car. At no time did any embassy vehicle hit any protester in the street. The mob also tried to break through Abdul Azim’s office door. Is that peaceful? I’d call it intolerant if not worse.
September 30th, 2011, 10:28 pm
Ghufran said:
???? ?? ??????
?? ??? ?? ????? ????? ???? ?? ????????? ? ??? ?? ??? ?? ?????? ??? ????? ????? ???? ??????
(Sheila,you are not the only one who was deeply touched by Nizar’s poem)
September 30th, 2011, 10:29 pm
bronco said:
ref: Ford
“We find it incomprehensible that Syrian security authorities are somehow able to arrive on the scene of peaceful opposition demonstrations in Damascus in a matter of minutes, and yet it took them almost two hours to come to the aid of Ambassador Ford,” Nuland said.
Well, Vicky, if Ford had announced where he would go then he would have been escorted by the Syrian police. But he preferred to sneak out incognito. Then she should bear the consequences. You are saying it, the country is in a civil war, no? Do you expect that the police has time for a guy who likes thrilling adventures? Supposed he went to Marjah for some fun, do you expect the police to rescue him quickly if he got into trouble?
September 30th, 2011, 10:32 pm
SYRIAN HAMSTER said:
Dear Ghufran
Same here, thank you. It is timely reminder of what really matters.
September 30th, 2011, 10:33 pm
syau said:
Engineers Mileh Asaad Jimaa and Walid Al Ezz and technician Ahmad Al Mouati were martyred while trying to defuse a bomb set by terrorist monsters of this Syrian revolution of terror. Syria tv was on site taping when the bomb detonated.
Engineer Mileh Assad Jimaa left behind 4 children, Walid Al Ezz 7 children, and technicial Ahmad Al Mouati 2 children.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=es0oDdTrEcg
God rest their souls in peace.
Their deaths save the lives of many protesters of this revolution of terror, as had it not detonated during attempts to defuse the bomb, it would have when the protesters reached the area. I hope they think about that next time they are out protesting and realize that this deplorable revolution is willing to sacrifice their own to further their disgraceful cause.
September 30th, 2011, 10:39 pm
Ghufran said:
???? ?????? ??????? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???? ???? ????? ???? ???? ????? ?????? ?????? ?? ??? ?????? ?? ??????? ??? ??? ?????? ???? ???????? ?????? ????? ??? ??????? ? ???? ??????
??? ?????? ??? ?? ?????? ???? ?????? ?????
???? ???? ? ???? ????? ? ?? ?? ?? ???? ? ??? ????
???? ?? ???? ? ???? ?? ????
? ????? ????? ? ????? ??????
September 30th, 2011, 10:47 pm
Jad said:
Not intended to make SC even more depressing or that we are not having many innocent people killed everyday but this is another lost:
Yaser Alazmeh passed away in a car accedent, he was 69 years old.
???? ?????? ???? ?????? ??
??? ????? ????? ????? ?????? ?????? ??????????? ??? ???? ??? ???? ??? ?????? ?? ??????? ?? ????? ?????? ????????????? ?????? ????? “?????????” ??? ?????? “??????” ?????? ?? ????? ??????.
??? ???? ????? ????? ?? ??? ??????? ??????? ?? ???? ?? ????? ???? ??? ???? ?????? ???????????????????? ??????????” – ??? ???? ?????? ?????? ???? ?????? ??????? ???????? ???????????? ?? ????? 69 ???.
???? ??????, ???? ???? ????? ???? ????? ?? ?????? ???? (16 ????1942-) ???? ????? ???? ???? ??????? ???? ???? ?? ????????? ???? “????” ?? ?????? ???? ???? ???? ?? ??????? ??????????? ??????? ??? ?????? ?????? ????? ??????? (???? ???) ?? ???????? .
?????? : ???? ????? ????? ?????? ?? ????? ???? ????? .
September 30th, 2011, 10:48 pm
OFF THE WALL said:
Dear GHUFRAN
Please add me to the list of grateful readers. And you don’t need to apologize for introducing beauty and humanity. So what if we cried? I bet and hope that a few Syrian mothers will owe you the phone call they will get tomorrow morning from their children, who will start by saying
???? ????? ?? ????
Thanks again.
September 30th, 2011, 10:49 pm
Norman said:
Zoo,
I am proud of what i did with my life and how long i came, I know nobody in government in Syria or the US i am not involved of politics at all, i support political parties and individual but try to stay away from personal contact, I have no intention to be in government and i do not think that i have to be in government to do good, being in government only will offer the chance to use public money for good, to lead the people of Syria is not easy and i feel sorry for anybody who wants to take that job, actually, i think he or she should be examined for mental instability ,
When the Syrian team went to Egypt to sign the Unity agreement with Nasser, they told him, ((we are giving four million Syrians who do not sleep and do not let anybody else sleep.))
It is very hard to take care of the Syrian people with all thier groups,
September 30th, 2011, 10:52 pm
Tara said:
Ref: Ford
That is what I am sending Mr. Ford upon his return to the US
Simple but elegant. Don’t you think?
http://www.hdwallpapers.in/walls/awesome_roses-wide.jpg
September 30th, 2011, 10:52 pm
Hans said:
ummm what did I see today! USA is hunting Al Qaida all over the world killing another radical in Yemen by a drone attack!
So why USA is aiding Al Qaida ( MB ) in Syria through implanting another radical MB regime in Syria!!!
hummmmm
I am foreseeing Drones all over Syria in the coming few years to hunt all these radicals who are returning to rule Syria…..
September 30th, 2011, 10:53 pm
Ghufran said:
???? ???? ???? ?????? ? ???? ?????? ?? ???
?? ????? ????? ????? ????? ? ????????
Otw,thanks
?????? ?? ???
???? ????? ??? ???????
September 30th, 2011, 10:59 pm
Jad said:
Ghufran,
???? ????? ???? ????? ????????
??? ???
Dearest OTW,
Missing you my friend!
September 30th, 2011, 11:12 pm
Ghufran said:
A man does not age until he loses his mother
????? ? ??????
?? ??? ?? ??? ????? ??? ???? ???????
?? ?????
September 30th, 2011, 11:19 pm
OFF THE WALL said:
Same here dearest Jad. Same here.
September 30th, 2011, 11:20 pm
Tara said:
Zoo @908
Interesting post. You need a crash course in regard to the Syrian girls that you stated “sound like Jewish mother”. I am not in the mood now for Syrian girls 101. Been cranky all day. I may write something tomorrow. Be prepared to learn…you know..just in case.
September 30th, 2011, 11:24 pm
Mohamed Kanj said:
“Thousands of Syrians took to the streets on Friday in demonstrations that seemed to be dwindling in size, while clashes continued between security forces and army defectors in central Syria, residents and witnesses said. ”
“The demonstrations, held after Friday’s noon prayers and called Victory for Syria and Yemen, were noticeably smaller than in previous months. Some activists have warned that the uprising, which started peacefully in mid-March, could turn more violent if the government does not stop its brutal crackdown. ”
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/01/world/middleeast/syrias-day-of-protest-and-violence.html?_r=1
Hmmm smaller in size. Just wait till winter kicks in. We might see a few hundred protest every friday. But knowing Al Jazeera, they might show protests in their thousands in 50degree heat during winter
September 30th, 2011, 11:28 pm
Mohamed Kanj said:
Rumsfeld says he’s “delighted” by Al Jazeera English
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/09/30/us-aljazeera-idUSTRE78T47420110930
September 30th, 2011, 11:31 pm
bronco said:
Ref: Ford
Very corny!
Why don’t you send him instead some seeds of Syrian tomatoes he can plant in his mid-west ranch to remind him of the good old time.
Also instead of a dozen of roses, what about a dozen of imported Syrian eggs, so he can bring up some Syrian chickens and rule over them having failed to rule over the Syrian people.
Unfortunately they won’t be able to read the Facebook stories of his traumatic experiences with tomatoes and eggs.
September 30th, 2011, 11:32 pm
Ghufran said:
???? ?? ??????
http://www.alquds.co.uk/index.asp?fname=today%5C30qpt478.htm%20&%20arc=data%5C2011%5C09%5C09-30%5C30qpt478.htm
September 30th, 2011, 11:34 pm
Jad said:
Ghufran,
Fathers are the ones we rarely show our love toward until it’s too late 🙁
Nizar again,
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???? ??????? ???? , ???
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September 30th, 2011, 11:38 pm
Jad said:
Dear SyAu,
How have you been? I hope everything in good from your side.
September 30th, 2011, 11:43 pm
Ghufran said:
????? ???
????? ?????? ?? ???????? ?? ???? ??????? ???? ? ?????? ????? ???? ????
?? ???? ?? ?????? ? ?? ???? ?? ?????
This series of emotional stuff is making Syria comment like a cry-on pillow
I hope the moderators do not think of us as manoid wimps
I can not imagine the pain our Syrian mothers experienced after losing their children
Since March. Call me a wimp or a double agent but I can not tolerate this level of violence and brutality in Syria. One Egyptian writer warned that without national reconciliation ,Arab springs will be remembered as the period when thousand of Arab youth died for nothing.
September 30th, 2011, 11:50 pm
Jad said:
I apologize for being too social in the last couple hours but it’s one of those very rare moments where SC is not filled with sectarian, hate, profanity, personal attacks and pure evil messages flying back and forth, it reminded me of the old days SC where real ideas and smart respected comments where exchanged, what happened to us all? Where is the goodness of Syrians in us? Why did we turned against each others instead of working together.
Syria doesn’t deserve this! We all let her down and alone in the hands of all kind of criminals from all sides, pretty shameful.
September 30th, 2011, 11:59 pm
ann said:
UN rights office criticizes Bahrain sentences – 6 hrs ago
http://news.yahoo.com/un-rights-office-criticizes-bahrain-sentences-113303574.html
GENEVA (AP) — The U.N. human rights office on Friday questioned the fairness of a Bahrain court that sentenced an anti-government protester to death and gave lengthy prison sentences to medical staff who treated the injured during the country’s uprising.
Bahrain’s military-run National Safety Court reportedly gave defendants and their lawyers little time to prepare, failed to investigate allegations of torture and conducted some trials in just 10 minutes, a spokesman for the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights said.
The court sentenced one protester to death for killing a policeman, and gave 20 doctors and nurses prison sentences ranging from five to 15 years. At least 33 protesters — among them union leaders and professional athletes — also received sentences of three years or more.
“For such harsh sentences to be handed down to civilians in a military court with serious due process irregularities raises severe concerns,” Rupert Colville, told reporters in Geneva.
October 1st, 2011, 12:11 am
Alex said:
Jad, I’ll join you in your mood today.
May I suggest this wonderful piece about Syria written two years ago by one of our favorite commentators on Syria comment:
http://www.creativesyria.com/syrianbloggers/?p=80
In my other persona, I deal with numbers, hard facts and computer codes. Yet, once in a while an untested, naïve and highly romantic child-poet finds its way out. These are becoming further apart, and your question of “Syria is” was so powerful and emotional that it awakened that irrational part of me.
Long ago, when I was in 7th grade, our Arabic teacher assigned to us the eternal composition about cooperation and solidarity. My classmates wrote classical solid definitions of the two words and their compositions were filled with historical anecdotes, quotes from Hadith, Quran, poetry, and other sources. That was the first time when my unrefined dreamer woke up. My composition spoke of wolves and villagers, of chickens, sheeps, dogs, and of battles in which both villains and heroes were victorious because they, each with their own, worked together. It suffices to say that I got my first ever F. This essay is written with the same naïve spirit. And an F may be warranted, but I had to get it out.
Syria is my grandmother’s narrow balcony overseeing the Mediterranean, a distant ship waiting to be loaded with Iraqi oil, and a colorless, but colorfully decorated taxi navigating the town’s only roundabout and heading towards the coastal road where it will soon pass the majestic crusader’s fortress as it continues a 5000 years journey that started an hour ago not far from the birthplace of the first alphabet.
She is my own home town, overseen by yet another magnificent fortress, which over the same 5000 years witnessed generals, kings and princes, whose armies gathered in all corners of the known world, and were joined across history with a common goal of acquiring power over this hard to keep jewel. She is where roads, some well cared for, and some in need of repairs, carry caravans that are moving people and goods from all imaginable places to countless destinations. In no other place it is so easy to imagine the modern metal beasts transformed into caravans of living beasts of burden that traveled the same paths for several millennia.
She is the bustling marketplaces, old and new, where languages intermix and tempers flare and subside as bargainers make agreements surrounded by modern and ancient vehicles which co-exist, miraculously, with daring, cautious, and outright risk taking pedestrians.
She is where fields, vineyards, groves, orchards, and hectares upon hectares of wheat, some of which witnessed the earliest successful attempts to cultivate wild grains, continue to do the same, uncaring if they were to be burnt by a foreign general, by lightning, or by their loving peasants to enrich their soil after harvest. It is as if these fields know that many a general and his soldiers have either left in defeat or were eventually absorbed into the ever expanding Syrian fabric as they joined the peasants, merchants, and artisans whom they subjugated, and built cities now cocooned under the hills which intersperse the semi-arid landscape. All is a day’s worth of making a living in a place where the calls to prayers emanating from nearby and distant minarets are as natural and as in place as the angelic harmonies of church bells, the sounds of ancient songs, and the shy taps of dancers.
Syria is a bridge between east and west, north and south, old and new. This is what many of us Syrians think of whatever each of us may chose to confine Syria to. Well, I no longer do, for I no longer confuse a living river with a passive inanimate structure. As a river does, Syria, forced by the gravity of human progress, flows within the confines of its historical landscape, but like the river waters, Syrians, ever since the dawn of civilization, have reshaped history into more fertile, lush, and diverse plains.
Some argue that Syria has never been a single country, and as such, any definition of Syria and Syrians is null and void. But we Syrians know who we are to the core of our being. And over the ages, we have coalesced under a set of overarching unifying traits, chief amongst them are: a deep awareness of the interconnectedness of our complex history, recognition of our ties to all races and creeds, a painfully earned sense of the transience of empires, and a hard earned right; to some a duty, to oppose hegemony, be it cultural, religious, racial, military or economical.
Long before parts of the new world were destined to become a melting pot, we in fact were, and continue to be, the products of the first true melting pot and of the longest cross cultural exchange in history. This is why we are at ease no matter where we settle and this is also why we may appear ambivalent to episodes of upheaval or stagnation. It is not carelessness but understanding that continues to shape us.
The nomad’s house is nowhere, ours is everywhere. We have been subjects as well as citizens of countless empires and by now nothing is new under the light of our collective consciousness. Our essence and role is to incubate, and like any fertile soil, we have, and we will continue to do so for a long time to come.
Roads will be built, forts will be erected, and armies will maneuver over the landscape and in the skies, but we, the peasants, artisans, merchants, and artists, we, the students and teachers of history will continue to hold the amber for the next campfire, around which the new will be molded out of the old, and we will do what we have always done, nurture infant civilizations until they reach adulthood and are ready to go on their own.
October 1st, 2011, 12:22 am
Ghufran said:
????? ????? ?? ?????? ???????
????? ?? ???? ?????? ???????? ??????? ???????? ?? ????? ? ????? ???????? ???????
http://www.alquds.co.uk/index.asp?fname=today%5C30qpt698.htm%20&%20arc=data%5C2011%5C09%5C09-30%5C30qpt698.htm
October 1st, 2011, 12:31 am
Alex said:
Those of you who expressed your disappointment with banning Aboud for one week, please don’t turn it into a dramatic cause. I banned him for one week Tara, the previous moderator banned many more commentators … forever. I did not hear you complaining about her/him why?
And for your information, Aboud is trying hard to post more filth by changing his IP address. There are six disgusting comments by him today in the moderation folder.
There is more I can tell you about him, but as a moderator I can not share that information. He will be allowed back her in 6 days but if he does not respect the rules he will be banned again.
First we remove offensive comments, if it is not clear what that means, anyone who repeats profanity and/or violence will be banned for one week, then it will be a month …
Your political opinion is irrelevant to decision of banning or deleting comments. If anyone pro or anti regime does not respect the rules, email me please. Do not complain later.
Alex
October 1st, 2011, 12:31 am
ann said:
Alex,
It’s pro or anti government not regime.
Regime and loyalist is NeoCON language lol
Thanks
October 1st, 2011, 12:44 am
jad said:
Dear Alex,
Thank you for bringing that beautiful piece in, I can’t imagine that was two years ago.
I agree with the writer/poet, Syria is here to stay, she is a history maker and she will win over us, her shameful sons, and hopefully she will forgive us for all the sins we committed to her heart. May God protect and bless Syria and Syrians.
Thank you for the effort of bringing back SC to it’s usual respected level, it needed that 🙂
October 1st, 2011, 12:46 am
Alex said:
Thanks Jad.
I read that piece many times. Beautiful writing.
Ann … by now they are using the word regime for many other countries! It is not for Syria anymore, so I find it fair enough.
October 1st, 2011, 12:56 am
Syrian Nationalist Party said:
@Norman Said:
“…..The US with all it’s know how tried to take Iraq into the future but failed from what i see, it is the culture of everybody in the Mideast,…….:
If they did it the way they changed Eastern Europe and China from communism to Capitalism it would have worked. Has nothing to do with culture, but then the Middle East will be a nice place. Instead, they used shock and awe carpet bombing campaign that brought Iraq back to 500BC, genocidal killing more than 2 millions Iraqis. They are doing this now to Libya and Syria. Few decades ago, when Lebanon was sure to become the Swiss Alps and Banking Center of The Middle East, The y sent agents provocateurs’ to start up a civil war, insuring all the Bedouin cash made its way to London and New York.
October 1st, 2011, 12:58 am
Atheist Syrian Salafist Against Dictatorships (ASSAD) said:
????? ?????
??? ???? ??????? ?? ??? ????? ???? ???? ???????? ????.
I do not want to take you all away from the lovely sentiments aroused by that lovely poem by our Shami literary giant, but here is something else by him
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZ9wkhVUMgQ&NR=1
And need I mention his other poems ???????? and ??????????
October 1st, 2011, 1:38 am
Syrian Nationalist Party said:
What happend in Libya:
October 1st, 2011, 1:46 am
Mohamed Kanj said:
ALEX said
“And for your information, Aboud is trying hard to post more filth by changing his IP address. There are six disgusting comments by him today in the moderation folder.”
“There is more I can tell you about him, but as a moderator I can not share that information. He will be allowed back her in 6 days but if he does not respect the rules he will be banned again.”
Most of us on this blog knew all along who Aboud really was and what he was and is. I think he should be banned for life. He is a hateful person filled with filth
October 1st, 2011, 1:48 am
syau said:
Dear Jad,
I hope all is well. I’m well thank you. I too have gotten tired of the ugly sectarianism that has surfaced and certain commentators defending terrorists and calling for international interference really disgusted me.
Quite a few of my family members travelled to Syria recently, although Homs is quite ugly at the moment, I hear that most of the provinces are fine. They’ve travelled all around Syria, including on Fridays where they’ve told me it’s just as beautiful and bustling as always.
It’s sad though to see bombs planted by terrorists with the intention to cause as much damage as possible and people are worried about Ambassador Ford being hit with eggs and tomatoes (a waste of produce I think) and wanting to send him flowers, weeds are better suited I think.
I agree with you, reading SC now, without the horrid comments are definitely for the better. I also agree with Alex’s banning terms. Maybe that will have people tone down and remember how beautiful United Secular Syria is.
October 1st, 2011, 1:49 am
Mohamed Kanj said:
“Turkey ‘offered Syria support’ if Islamists given posts”
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jKPR82jpwbj0nG7_ir2V5irLpDow?docId=CNG.21683a828449f21039c34f41afe003f8.41
October 1st, 2011, 1:52 am
NK said:
This mafia is hopeless …
http://www.dp-news.com/pages/detail.aspx?articleid=98271
????? ???? “?????” ???????? ???????? ?????????? ??????
(?? ???)
???? ???? ???? ?? ????? ???????? ???????? ??????? ????? ??? ?????? ??????? ?????? ???? ????? ???? ???? ????? ???????? ???????? ?????????? ???????? ????????? ?? ????.
????? ?????? ?????? ???? ?? ??? ???? ????????? 500 ????? ???? ????? ????? ??? 50 ??? ??? ???? ?? ??? 10 ???? ???? ?????.
?????? ???????? ??? ??????? ???? ?????? ????? 99.98% ?? ??? ????? ??? ???? ???? ????? ?????? ?????????? ???????? ??????? ????? ???? ????? ??????? ?? ??? ????? ?????? 0.002%.
???? ?????? ?? ?????? ??????? ????? ???????? ???????? ????????? ????????? ????????? ???????? ???????? ?????????? ????????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ????????? ?????????? ???? ?? ???? ???????? ???????? ?????? ???? ?????? ???????? ????????? ??? ??? ???? ??????? ??????? ??????? ???????? ??????? ???????? ??? ?? ????? ??.
??????? ?????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ???????? ??? ??? ????? ?????? ??????? ???????? ??????? ????? ?????? ???????? ????????? ??? ???? ????? ??????? ???????? ???????? ???????? ??? ?????? ??????? ?????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ???????? ???????? ??????? ?????????? ??????? ???? ?????? ?????? ?????? ???????? ???????? ????????? ???????? ??? ?????? ?????? ??????? ?? ?????? ???????? ???????? ??? ?? ????? ??? ?????? ???? ?????? ???????.
October 1st, 2011, 2:03 am
NK said:
Mohamed Kanj #946
That’s just mukhabarat propaganda
http://bit.ly/pgf9GN
October 1st, 2011, 2:08 am
Mohamed Kanj said:
brilliant interview with Wiam Wahab
http://www.youtube.com/user/syriaoursoul3#p/u/1/v-vXQWlDiR0
http://www.youtube.com/user/syriaoursoul3#p/u/3/-kyvIMohpbk
http://www.youtube.com/user/syriaoursoul3#p/u/2/wMgH8Y1BqOE
October 1st, 2011, 2:11 am
uzair8 said:
The 1000th poster will become an honorary Menhabek.
If already a Menhabek then will become the first entry into the Menhabek ‘Hall of Fame’.
October 1st, 2011, 2:19 am
uzair8 said:
The Syrian intifada, a grim update
September 29, 2011
By Michael Young The Daily Star
Six months into its uprising, Syria is facing ruinous stalemate. President Bashar Assad can thank his late father, Hafez, for having first installed the magnificent engine of repression that guarantees his political survival. And yet Syria’s system is incapable of gradual amelioration, which is at the heart of the Assads’ dilemma.
Syria today is like the picture of Dorian Gray. For many years the Assad regime was sought after by numerous Arab and Western governments, even by prominent nongovernmental organizations, for being regarded as an essential key to resolving regional problems. The evidence suggested otherwise, but few apparently seemed to care. Today the picture is out in full view. What the world sees is the sordidness and depravity behind the ersatz façade.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is correct in saying that Assad will not triumph over the Syrian intifada. But the mad band ruling Syria can hold out for a while, and will do its utmost to transform the crisis in a way that ensures it has a fighting chance of staying in power. If that doesn’t happen, a plausible alternative would be for it to fall back on the Alawite heartland, whose access points the regime put a lock on months ago – from Jisr al-Shoughour in the north to the area of Tell Kalakh along Lebanon’s border.
Read more: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/Opinion/Columnist/2011/Sep-29/149961-the-syrian-intifada-a-grim-update.ashx#ixzz1ZVbl1Ej3
(The Daily Star :: Lebanon News :: http://www.dailystar.com.lb)
October 1st, 2011, 2:25 am
Revlon said:
937. Dear Alexs:
You said: “And for your information, Aboud is trying hard to post more filth by changing his IP address. There are six disgusting comments by him today in the moderation folder”
That was a subjective, judgemental and revealing statement unworthy of a cool headed objective moderator!
“There is more I can tell you about him, but as a moderator I can not share that information.
But you would have before assuming, or would after relinquishing that responsibility?!
So you either know Aboud personally and you are willing to divulge personal information that he may have chose to keep to himself!
Or, you just know about Aboud from being an insider on SC comment, and you volunteer divulging such information if you find fit!
Or, it is something else that I completely missed; Kindly elaborate Alex>>>>>.
Your statement and your awaited clarifications will have bearing on how I view the risk to confidentiality of myself and of other posters on the one hand, and the ethical integrity of SC staff!
In any case, I, and probably many posters on SC are under the assumption that moderators have no undeclared overt or covert ties to the regime; social, political, or economical!
Your SC rules do not include a privacy statement!
October 1st, 2011, 2:33 am
Atheist Syrian Salafist Against Dictatorships (ASSAD) said:
Thanks to Sandro in 853/6/8 very well put. Even more eloquent and perceptive is Hamster in 867
The truth is being presented over and over for those with eyes and ears to see and hear, but a conscience is needed to go with good sight and hearing and I fear that is what’s missing in those who wish another 40 years of the Assadist Mafia upon Syria.
???????? ????? ? ?? ???? ??? ?????? ????????
And Alex @935 that is precisely why Syria will not have a sectarian war and why people like Norman, Darryl & Co. are sadly misguided and why Christians will always be in Syria, forever safe.
October 1st, 2011, 2:51 am
Revlon said:
Syrian defectors target security police: colonel Riad al-Asaad
By Khaled Yacoub Oweis
AMMAN | Fri Sep 30, 2011 1:43pm EDT
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/09/30/us-syria-officer-idUSTRE78T3XE20110930
AMMAN (Reuters) – More than 10,000 soldiers have deserted the Syrian army and defectors are attacking security police who enforce loyalty to President Bashar al-Assad, a high-ranking defector said on Friday.
Colonel Riad al-Asaad told Reuters that guerrilla-style attacks were concentrating on Military and Air Force Intelligence, secret police personnel entrusted with preventing mutiny in the military, who have been behind some of the biggest attacks on pro-democracy protesters.
“They have a major role behind the military units and on roadblocks to shoot soldiers who disobey orders,” Asaad said by telephone from an undisclosed location on the Syrian-Turkish border. Insurgent operations had “improved markedly in quality” in the last week, he said.
Asaad said fighting had also taken place with army forces but that defectors had been trying not to engage the military to help rally support for their cause.
The military and security apparatus has remained mostly under Assad’s control but army deserters, many of whom have reportedly defected because they refused to shoot at demonstrators, have formed a rebel unit called the Syrian Free Army under the command of Asaad, a 50-year-old Air Force officer from Idlib near the border with Turkey.
“Morale in the army is low and defections are mounting all over Syria, although many soldiers are waiting because the regime will kill them or kill their families if they leave,” Asaad said.
“Our goal is to protect the peaceful demonstrations and bring down the regime,” he said, adding there were more than 10,000 defectors out of the 200,000-member army.
Asaad declined to estimate how long Assad could hold on to power but said international support for the rebels, off the table for now, would help “bring down the regime very quickly.”
DEFECTORS SURROUNDED
Assad’s troops and security personnel, backed by helicopters and tanks, have attacked the central town of Rastan where hundreds of insurgents had taken refuge. [nL5E7KU2QI]
Command of the mostly Sunni Muslim military is in the hands of officers from Assad’s Alawite sect, an offshoot of Shi’ite Islam that also dominates the security apparatus and the ruling elite in the majority Sunni country.
The Rastan area is a recruiting ground for Sunni conscripts who provide most of the manpower in the military. Local activists said the rebel operations there were being led by Lieutenant Abdelrahman Sheikh of the Free Officers movement, which allied with the Syrian Free Army last week.
“The situation in Rastan is difficult. It is surrounded from all corners but the rebels have road bombs and the attacking forces have not yet managed to mount a full-scale assault on the town,” Asaad said.
“If they overtake Rastan it will become their graveyard. The rebels have resorted to guerrilla warfare,” he added.
Without mentioning Alawite or Sunnis by name, Asaad said morale had plummeted in the military because of sectarian bias brought to the surface during the uprising and that assaults on rural areas to put down pro-democracy protests were leading to ever wider cracks appearing among the rank and file.
“The whole structure of the state is sectarian. The soldiers are repressed and disquiet has been building up from the way army commanders are chosen,” he said.
Asked about the military command, Asaad said Bashar al-Assad was directly issuing detailed orders on how to crush the uprising, with his younger brother Maher, who commands the Fourth Division, playing a major role, especially in Damascus and its suburbs.
He said the attacking forces on Rastan were composed of Military Intelligence and Air Force Intelligence personnel, as well as selected troops from the 11th, 14th, 15th and 18th divisions.
Around 70 insurgents and civilians have been killed in the attack on Rastan since Tuesday, Asaad said, estimating casualties among the attacking forces in the hundreds.
The state news agency said seven soldiers and police were killed in the operation against “terrorists” in Rastan and another 32 were wounded, adding that the army had “inflicted big losses on the armed terrorist groups.”
October 1st, 2011, 2:55 am
Mina said:
864 Zoo
Radwan Ziadeh has no problem trying to sell another piece of Syrian land. It would fit an extension of Iraqi Kurdistan (is it supposed to go from Mawsil to Diyarbakir?). Then you’ll get some Jordan-Iraq acres to host a few Palestinian refugees and a Shiite Iraqi South. These guys never woke up from Yalta or what?
October 1st, 2011, 3:08 am
Revlon said:
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2011/10/01
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http://arabic-media.com/newspapers/jordan/alrai.htm
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October 1st, 2011, 3:45 am
Revlon said:
A humourous comment on the escalating unrest in Aleppo, from Face book Revolution website!
Bon apetit Shiela!
Mundas Al Salafe
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?? ??????? ?????? ??????? ?????? ???? ???? ???????
?????? ??? …. ???? ??? ?????
?????? ???? ?? ???? …. ??? ????? ?? ?????
?? ?? ???? … ??? ????? .. ??? ?????
2 minutes ago
October 1st, 2011, 4:01 am
Alex said:
Dear Revlon
1) The only information moderators of this or other blogs have access to are IP addresses and the email addresses commentators provide us. The IP address does not tell us anything about who you are, but it helps us moderate you. I use it to ban someone from commenting from his standard computer. He or she can still comment from a friend’s computer which has another IP address.
Most here provide emails that do not reveal anything about their identity.
2) I have been an admin for Syria Comment since 2005 I think. I am not the only admin. There are three or four others (joshua, Ehsani, a programmer, another admin that Joshua knows). They all have access to IP addresses. If you still have an issue with that level of access, then don’t write on any blog. All blog admins can see your IP address. Again, that does not tell them anything more that which city you live in, and even that information is not certain.
3) The information I was referring to about Aboud has nothing to do with his identity (I can’t have access to that). It is about his behavior on this site.
4) The previous admin here is strongly anti regime. He or she had access to my and everyone else’s IP address. I did not complain and no one else did.
Now I’ll go to sleep. Email me (from your anonymous Revlon email) if you have any questions.
October 1st, 2011, 4:20 am
Revlon said:
957 Dear Alex,
Thank you for stating the extent of moderator’s access to personal information on this blog!
Good night!
October 1st, 2011, 4:36 am
qunfuz said:
957 – there is no mukhabarat organisation tracking down and murdering menhebaks, so your ‘i did not complain’ comment is irrelevant.
October 1st, 2011, 4:42 am
Alex said:
1) I am using my real name and my address can easily be found.
2) I am clearly critical of the revolutionaries
3) I already received many indirect threats
4) there are many shame lists for anyone who does not obey your revolution’s wishes
5) Many regime supporters were killed (even if you don’t believe it)
Let me tell you a bit more about my “I did not care”. I disagreed with the opinion of the previous moderator but I did not try to publicly hint to the pro regime group here that he or she might be connected to the 3ara3eer and they should all therefore complain to Joshua to remove him or her because they are worried about their safety. I could have done that like many of you are trying to do to me. but unlike you, I can tolerate opinions of those I disagree with and would not use cheap tricks to try to silence them.
Every time I wrote anything you disagreed with you came back trying to discredit me and to attack my character. I hope you are proud of your compatibility level with freedom of speech environment.
October 1st, 2011, 4:51 am
Pirouz said:
Anyone have video or pics of this 2000 man strong army of defectors currently battling the Syria Army, according to “activists”? I’m curious. Where are their vehicles? Where are they deployed?
In the Western MSM, I keep seeing the line “difficult to confirm.”
Anyone here have evidence to point to?
October 1st, 2011, 4:53 am
Panurge said:
As a foreigner who`ll be leaving the country soon (my work is finished), I just want to say to everybody here that Syrians are probably the most friendly people I`ve met around the world.
Please keep your love in these tough times.
(I spoil this nice message with a complaint about christianity being decent. Jesus was killed exactly because he was judged as indecent. He stormed the temple, he violated the sabbath, he lived in close association with the indecent people. Being decent is the last of the christian worries. Indecency is almost a Christian right. Forgive me, Lord, if I`m wrong.)
October 1st, 2011, 6:51 am
TRUE said:
Dear Joshua,
I’m here requesting to lift the unjust ban on ABOUD. Legally speaking and according to your disclaimer, ABOUD in his comment (722 on September 30th, 2011 at 12:29 am) did not conduct any of the following actions.
Messages containing any of the following elements will not be tolerated:
* Personal attacks against other contributors;
* Racist, sexist, obscene, or otherwise discriminatory or hateful language;
* Provocations designed to derail discussions away from substantive debate into dead-end arguments;
* Links to commercial sites or posting of commercial messages;
* Threats of death or violence;
ABOUD did threat, attack, provoke, or displayed any commercial materials of any use. ABOUD has refereed to a person with the name of Assma (who’s not one of the contributors), he surely did not identify the gender, identity or even the location of this person nor explicitly linked this name to an actual character in this life.
Your moderator’s personal judgment is quite circumstantial and open to many different interpretations hence lacking the objectivity. For example “doing what Bashar was doing” does that mean looking after the people? doing the gardening? ….etc everyone can easily look at things differently.
On the other hand, there are many comments on this forum in which hatred and threat were clearly expressed, however no actions were taken from your new admins. Most importantly, not taking an action against those who refuse to condemn the killing of our American soldiers who were killed by terrorist groups while performing the duty of protecting the USA interests in foreign lands. Quite honestly sharing such distributing thoughts and comments with media would do no good to SC nor to your image. I really hope you would put and end to such irrational decision.
Finally and from a legal point of view, I’m holding you responsible and accountable for any harm which might occur to any of SC anti-regime commentators including their friends and families in Syria as a result of passing unauthorized info to third parties. Frankly speaking, your new moderator Alex is a source of concern especially with his access to personal info including emails and IPs which could be easily used to locate and identify individuals.
Thanks in advance with my full appreciation.
True
October 1st, 2011, 7:01 am
Mina said:
True (bore)
Amazing to spend so much time writing this nonsense. Aboud has several time not been moderated in his insults of Persians and Shias.
I support the ban from my ten fingers.
October 1st, 2011, 7:10 am
DIGGING FOR GOLD IN BOSRA said:
@ Ann 938
“Alex,
It’s pro or anti government not regime.
Regime and loyalist is NeoCON language lol
Thanks”
No. The protestors aren’t ‘anti-government’, they are simply anti-Assad’s government, there is a difference.
@ Alex
“There is more I can tell you about him, but as a moderator I can not share that information.”
You did yourself a great disservice by making that comment about Aboud. Your role is to moderate the column, not to attempt to impress us with all the secret information you are privy to – that’s my job.
As moderator it’s your call as to whether or not someone should be banned, and I respect that. However, if you are going to justify your actions please base your rebuttal on the point in question. Your petty remark was a more moderate form of “I could tell you, but then I’d have to kill you”; immature at best, mildly threatening at worst.
October 1st, 2011, 7:41 am
DIGGING FOR GOLD IN BOSRA said:
Alex
Ok then, what do you think should happen in Syria? What do you think Assad should do? You seem a fairly reasonable sort of guy, so I’m interested to hear how it is you have come to be caught up in the unseemly business of defending this regime. Thanks.
October 1st, 2011, 7:47 am
Tara said:
Alex
I am most surprised that you took too much offense with me questioning your relationship to the security forces of the regime. It was not intended as an implicit complaint to Joshua to remove you. I personally has not been ” implicit” at all. If I want to complaint, I would’ve publicly. I told you then I asked the question with an intent to believe the answer and I did. I was actually very happy that you and Ehsani agreed to carry on the task and I thanked you for it.
Secondly, since I was first to criticize you banning Aboud, I would like you to read my post again. It appears you were angry and did not read it word for word. ( I have done the same when getting angry reading something. I stop reading and automatically fill the blanks.) I said that I would never argue with your judgement banning someone when you perceive their comment go be offensive. My issue was that I was not happy that SNK was not moderated the same way when he wrote something like ” Tarek, the terrorist will kill Asma with his high heels and steel her Coach bag”. This comment is equally offensive and you did not feel the need to treat it the same.
Thirdly, you are making too many assumptions and attacks about the previous moderator who was anonymous. My mother taught me to never attack anyone in their absence. It is kind of tacky. I am sure your mother taught you the same thing. Were you absent from that class?
Finally, Please do not perceive expressing different opinion as a personal attacks. Only tyrants and dictators do not allow the opinion of others.
I again am very happy that YOU and Ihsani took this tremendous task. Have a nice weekend!
October 1st, 2011, 8:05 am
Amir in Tel Aviv said:
Alex is the Baath and the Baath is Alex. Same mentality same methods.
Don’t expect them (Alex and Baath) to have a policy. Don’t expect them to follow rules. Rules for them is a nuisance. What drive them is whim and arbitrariness. Alex and the Baath is one. Both, Alex and Baath, will collect personal information about you, to be used against you when this suits them. Both, Alex and Baath, will use the personal information they collected, to threaten you and to humiliate you, at wish.
.
October 1st, 2011, 8:15 am
majedkhaldoun said:
Alex
The difference between you and Aboud
You are critical of the revolution, ofcourse this is very mild way of putting it, it happen that many here on SC believe that you are part of the regime and enemy of the revolution.
Aboud is on the otherside he is strong for the revolution and anti regime.
you said if you are afraid, do not make comment on SC, I find this non acceptable, it may mean that you want SC to be only pro-regime one and exclude those who support the revolution.
Aboud is from Homs,I found him to be funny,amusing, and highly energetic,and yes he said filthy statements,there was an old man (who died few years ago) who used to say very funny things and yes to many he said filthy statements,many people liked him and had many people laugh a lot about his show, I am sure you liked his show too, ,ofcourse you are from Aleppo,you are more stern, you like Arts phylosephe,but mostly away from humour and fun.
You said that moderator know only Ip, you have been searching once you knew the IP about the person private life.
Alex you know that we like you and admire many things about you,I hope you do not take my statemente as critical of you, I still appreciate your contributions to SC,I still trust you, and I want to add my great appreciation to Ehsani, who is the pearl of SC.
And thanks a lot to Joshua.
October 1st, 2011, 8:41 am
Anton said:
Dear Alex
I am one of your admire for your contribution to this site since 2006 when I start reading your post and others in this blog, I rarely comment .. but a regular reader .. during this period you were very respectful. consistence in your view and very honest .. your comments were the ones I never by passed and always learn something new from reading them.
The most I admire, is your other web sites, all have very historical value , some pictures I saw there have show me the history I was looking for, more over your site syrianthinktank has very good info especially the last contribution about Syria past president Mr. Shukri al-Quwatli role in modern Syria … I have a lot of question about his role since he become politician and his relationship with Al-Saud ….
Please keep your good job which we need here and there.
Thanks to permit me to comment here.
October 1st, 2011, 8:58 am
Ghat Al Bird said:
# 967 states the same beliefs of the following:
“We Jewish people control America and the Americans know it. “~Ariel Sharon, former Israeli Prime Minister, October 3, 2001
“The role of the President of the United States is to support the decisions that are made by the people of Israel. ” ~Anne Lewis, Senior Advisor to Hillary Clinton and sister of Rep. Barney Frank
“Politics in America has become a Jewish profession, just like law and the arts. ” ~Ira Forman, The Jewish Daily Forward, March 20, 2008
“My opinion of Christian Zionists? They are scum. But don’t tell them that. We need all the useful idiots we can get right now.” -~Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister
“The U.S. has no longer a government of goyim, but an administration in which the Jews are full partners in the decision making at all levels.”-~Maariv [Israeli newspaper], The Jews Who Run Clinton’s Court, September 2, 1994
“The Roosevelt Administration has selected more Jews to fill influential positions than any previous administration.” ~Brooklyn Jewish Examiner, October 20, 1933
“All property of other nations belongs to the jews which nation consequently is entitled to seize upon it without any scruples.”= Schulchan Aruch Choszen Hamiszpat 348?
“We shall embark upon an era of ten thousand years of peace and plenty, the Pax Judiaca, and OUR RACE will rule
undisputed over the world. Our superior intelligence will enable us to retain mastery over a world of dark peoples.” – Rabbi Rabbinovich
It should be easy for all concerned to realise what the pervaling view[s] is of all
Arabs…Syrians, Palestenians, Lebanese at al.
October 1st, 2011, 9:17 am
Atheist Syrian Salafist Against Dictatorships (ASSAD) said:
I really don’t want to make it seem we are ganging up on Alex in regars to banning Aboud and I want here to thank him and Ehsani for maintaining this blog), but I do have to question the consistency of application of the rules. The comments made by one hardcore ASMAA (That’s Assadist Mafiosi and Associates) supporter and defender were terribly offensive toward Aboud and myself (#140,145 and then referred to again in 151), yet all he got was part deletion of his comment by Ehsani. Not even a warning, the least deserved in that case, I thought.
I did not complain and I never pay any notice to language like that as it is only indicative of the sort of person the writer is. Foul- mouthed people whoever you are: knock yourself out, go for it, show us what you’re made of and expose your true values.
October 1st, 2011, 9:21 am
majedkhaldoun said:
In the next few days we will hear about the formation of the syrian national council,SNC, It will include all those who participated in this honorable great revolution,revolution for freedom and dignity,It will mark the begining of new period in the life of this revolution, it will be hard for Russia and China to continue their same stand and it will embarras the Arab League,the regime will be extremely worried about his future.
Also with the SNC, the free syrian army,FSA, will get more moral power, this army will get larger as more soldiers will join, they are the soldiers who sweared to defend the syrian people, not the current army who put himself as defender of the Assad regime and against the Syrian people.
It is amusing to me seeing Rifaat Assad and Abdulhalim Khaddam are fighting each other in Court in Paris,both of them symbolize the corrupted regime members who stole a lot from the syrian people,Bashar and his other supporters will fight each other in the future.
October 1st, 2011, 9:30 am
ann said:
*** HERE’S WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR 2,000 STRONG ISLAMIST TERRORIST ARMY ***
Syrian troops retake most of central rebel town – 39 mins ago
http://news.yahoo.com/syrian-troops-retake-most-central-rebel-town-124907913.html
BEIRUT (AP) — A Syrian rights group says government troops have retaken most of a rebellious central town after five days of intense fighting with army defectors who sided with protesters.
Rami Abdul-Raham, head of the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, says the troops spread out across Rastan after defectors pulled out from the town.
Land and cellular telephones were cut in Rastan, making it impossible to get information from residents.
Residents in nearby areas said Saturday that the main highway linking the central city of Homs with the northern city of Aleppo has been closed for days for days.
The fighting in Rastan began with a government assault on Tuesday and was some of the most intense since the protests against President Bashar Assad’s regime began in mid-March.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.
BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian troops fought intense battles Friday with hundreds of fellow soldiers who have turned their weapons against the regime of President Bashar Assad, revealing the increasingly militarized nature of an uprising started months ago by peaceful protesters.
Across the country, tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets as they do each Friday, braving gunfire by government forces who have waged a relentless crackdown. At least 11 protesters were killed and scores were wounded, human rights groups said.
Opposition activists and the government confirmed a fourth straight day of battles in Rastan, just north of the central city of Homs. The fighting, which began with a government assault on Tuesday, is some of the most intense since the outpouring against Assad’s regime began in mid-March.
The army defections as well as reports that once-peaceful protesters are increasingly taking up arms to fight the 6-month-old government crackdown have raised concerns of the risk of civil war in a country with a deep sectarian divide.
Around 250 tanks and other army vehicles began entering the town early in the day, according to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
“The army has been trying to push forward in Rastan for the past four days but they have not been able to,” said an activist who spoke on condition of anonymity because the sensitivity of the topic.
The Syrian government has banned foreign journalists and placed heavy restrictions on local media coverage, making it difficult to independently verify events on the ground. The U.N. says some 2,700 people have already died in the government crackdown since mid-March.
The army defectors involved in battles in the Rastan area and in the Jabal al-Zawiyah region in the northern Idlib province number around 2,000, according to another prominent rights activist who also spoke anonymously because of the sensitivity of the matter.
Syria has a volatile sectarian divide, making this kind of civil unrest one of the most dire scenarios. The Assad regime is dominated by the Alawite minority, an offshoot of Shiite Islam, but the country is overwhelmingly Sunni Muslim.
The town of Rastan, from which the Syrian army draws many of its Sunni Muslim recruits, has seen some of the largest numbers of defections to date.
Syria-based rights activist Mustafa Osso said Rastan had witnessed more defections in recent days and the deserters were fighting to prevent troops loyal to Assad from entering the town.
Hundreds of Rastan residents came out in demonstrations in support of the defectors, he added.
A military official said the days of clashes in Rastan have killed seven soldiers and policemen as government forces conducted a “qualitative” operation on Thursday and Friday in an effort to crush “gunmen” holed up inside the town. Thirty-two other troops were wounded, the official said.
The comments by the unidentified official were carried by state-run news agency SANA on Friday and were a government acknowledgment of the stiff resistance in Rastan. Many gunmen were also killed or arrested, the official said.
The government describes its armed opponents as “terrorist armed groups,” not army defectors.
The official said the gunmen had terrorized citizens, blocked roads and set up barriers and explosives.
Friday’s protests spread from the capital, Damascus, and its suburbs to the southern province of Daraa, the coastal city of Latakia, the northwestern province of Idlib as well as Hama and Homs.
Eleven people were killed, according to the London-based Observatory and Osso, the activist. Most of the dead were from the province of Hama. Others were killed in Homs and Idlib, they said.
They had no immediate word on Friday’s death toll in Rastan because of the intensity of the fighting.
October 1st, 2011, 9:36 am
Norman said:
Amir,
I think that you are wrong, Alex does not hold from what i understand the ideology of the Baath party, so you accusations are wrong, on the other hand i do like the Baath ideology without being associated or being a member of the Baath party.
October 1st, 2011, 9:36 am
Haytham Khoury said:
??? ???????? ???? ????? ????? ???? ??? ????? ???? ?????? ??????? ???????? ? ?????? ???????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ???? ?? ????? ? ??????? ??????? ? ??????? ???????? ? ?????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ? ???? ??????? ??????? ? ?????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ? ??????? ????? ?????. ?? ??????? ??? ????? ?????? ?????? ??? ???? ???????? ????????? .. ?????? ?? ??????? ??????? ?? ???? ???? ???? ???? ??????? ????????.
October 1st, 2011, 9:38 am
Atheist Syrian Salafist Against Dictatorships (ASSAD) said:
Oh, by the way, what’s happened to our man in japan? I really liked his (infrequent) contributions, especially his courage to speak out honestly against the regime in spite of his background.
????????????????????…
October 1st, 2011, 9:41 am
majedkhaldoun said:
Mr. Bakkour is safe and still working on his project.
Ann
You say the free syrian army is a terrorist, obviously you have no idea about the definition of terrorsit, the Bashar army and his supporters are the terrorist they are killing peaceful protesters while this army,FSA, it is fighting armed bashar army ,terrorist are those who terrorize civilian.
October 1st, 2011, 9:49 am
Syria no kandahar said:
Aboud crying band
You have been smiling and tapping each other shoulders as your leader have turned this site into a filthy place under his complete control.Every one who he disagree with he attacks them and uses filthy language and threats against them.you have been so happy to his services acting like your body guard,his only weapons were always his bad language and his 24 hours complete oncall status.you turned him into your AboAzizi.
Tara cries about my comment,she takes a line out of the post.if you read the whole post it was very respectful,it is very clear that all what I wrote was just
Not serious(killing all Syrian soldiers and civilians to have a free Syria).She has to pay attention to what her Heroic Friend has been saying day and night here:
Scum,Turd,F..k,Persians …He an she have been supporting killing of Syrian army soldiers,she actually considers all the Syrian army ???? ,she is very happily insulting half a million Syrian best youth…actually if you count that almost every Syrian family has someone in the army,she is insulting every Syrian family.Aboud is acting like this place is his own,SC has been almost Aboud comment,almost 50%of comments were his comments,he successfully chased every one away.This place have become very low,almost like ??? ??????wher when you walk in you get beaten up befor you talk.Shame on all the MB band Aboud crying team,you have very respectful commenter here,and by you crying for punishment of a your mental mob guy here,your practices are no different than the regime.your tears Aboud will add to his favorite fantasy :boiling soldiers in urine.
October 1st, 2011, 9:53 am
zoo said:
Huge cache of weapons intercepted at the Syrian border from Lebanon.
The video shows the detailed dismembering of a huge frigorific truck( with a Iraqi plate) where the hiding place of the weapons is found.
http://www.youtube.com/user/alikhbariasyria#p/a/u/0/N-nlroGIO0s
October 1st, 2011, 9:59 am
Haytham Khoury said:
?? ?????? ?????????? ???????? ?????????? ???????? ….???? ?????………..”??????”
by ??? ??? ???? ???????? ?????? : New Syrian Project on Saturday, October 1, 2011 at 2:29am
?????, 01 ?????? 2011
??? ??? ?????? ?? ????? ?????? ????????? ???? ???? ?? ???? ??????? ?????? ??? ??? ??????? ????? ????? ????????? ?????? ???? ?????? ?? ????? ?? ?????????? ???????? ??? ????????? ????? ??? ???? ??????? ???????? ?? ??? ???? ????? ???????? ?? ??? ????? ??? ??? ?????? ????? ????? ???????? ??? ?????? ??? ??? ?????? ?????? ??????? ???????? ??????? ?? ?????? ??????? ???? ??? ??? ????? ?? ???? ??????? ?????? ??????? ???????? ?? ?????? ?????????.
?? ???? ????? ??? ????? ?? ????? ????? ??????? ???? ?????? ????? ?? ??????? ???????? ??????? ????? ??????? ???????? ????????? ??????? ????? ?????????? ??????? ?????? ??? ?????? ????? ??????? ?? ?????? ?? ???????! ?? ???? ??? ???? ?????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ???????? ??????? ???????? ???? ????? ????? ??? ?????????? ???????? ?????? ????????!.
?? ?????? ???? ??????? ??? ?????? ??????? ???? ?? ??? ?????? ?? ????? ????? ??? ??? ??? ???????? ?????? ??? ??? ??? ???? ?? ????? ???????? ?? ?????????? ??? ???????? ???? ????? ??????? ?????? ?? ???????? ?????? ????? ????? ??????? ??? ????? ??? ??????? ??????? ??? ??? ??????? ????? ?????? ???? ???? ?????? ??????? ???? ????? ?? ????? ?? ????? ??????????? ???????? ????????? ????? ?? ???? ????? ?? ???? ????????? ??????? ?? ????? ?? ??? ????? ?????? ?????? ????????? ?? ??????? ??????????? ?????? ??????? ????? ???? ?????? ?????? ???????? ??? ?????? ??????? ?? ??????.
??? ?? ???? ????? ??? ?? ?????? ?????? ?????? ????? ????????? ??????? ???? ???? ?????? ??? ????? ????? ?????? ????? ????? ?? ?????? ??? ??????? ?? ??????? ??????? ??????? ???? ??????? ???????? ??????? ??????????? ???? ??? ????????? ?? ?????? ???? ??? ?????? ??? ???????? ??????? ????? ???? ???????? ?????????? ???? ?????? ???? ???? ????? ???? ???? ???? ??????? ????? ???????? ??????? ????????? ??? ??????? ????? ??? ??????? ??? ????? ?? ???? ??????? ?????????? ??????? ???????? ?????? ?????? ????????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ?????? ??????? ?????? ???????? ????????? ???? ???????? ?? ??? ????? ??????? ????? ???? ?????? ?????? ?????? ????????? ????? ???? ?????? ?????? ???????? ?? ??? ?? ?????? ?????? ??????? ?????? ??????? ????? ??? ???? ?????? ???????.
???? ????? ??? ????? ?? ?? ???? ??? ???????? ???? ????? ??? ?????? ?? ?????? ???? ?????? ???????? ??????? ???? ?? ??????? ???? ???????? ?????? ????? ???????? ???????? ????????? ????? ???? ??? ??????? ????????? ???? ??? ?????? ???????? ????? ?? ?????? ??????? ????? ??????? ???? ???????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ???????????? ????????? ?? ??? ????? ??? ????? ?????? ?????? ?? ????? ?????? ?? ??????? ????????? ??? ????? ???????? ?? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???????? ???? ?????? ??????? ?? ??? ????? ???????? ???????? ??? ???? ????? ?????? ?????? ???????? ?? ??????? ????? ?????? ??????????.
??? ????? ?? ?? ??? ????? ??? ???????? ??????? ??? ???? ?????? ??? ??? ??????? ??????? ??????? ????? ????? ???????? ???????? ???????????? ?????????? ????????? ???????? ??? ???? ???? ????? ??? ????? ????? ?????? ???? ???? ???? ???????? ????????? ???? ?????? ???????????? ?????? ??? ????? ?? ??? ????? ???? ?????? ??? ?? ???? ????? ???? ???? ??????? ????????????? ?????? ???? ???? ??????? ???? ???? ???????? ??? ?????? ???????? ??? ??????? ????? ?? ???? ???????????? ?????? ?? ???????? ????? ?? ??? ??? ???? ??? ????? ??????? ??? ??? ???????? ?? ??? ????? ????? ??????? ??????? ????? ??????? ??????? ?????? ??? ????? ??? ??? ?? ????? ????? ??????.
???? ?? ??? ?? ??? ???? ?????? ????? ????? ??????? ?? ??????? ?? ????? ???? ??? ???????? ??????? ?? ????? ???????? ????? ?? ????? ???????? ???? ????????? ??????? ???? ????? ?????? ??????? ?????? ?? ????????? ??????????? ?????? ?????? ????????? ???????? ??????? ??????? ????? ???????? ??????? ????? ??????? ??????? ????? ?? ????? ????? ???????? ??????? ????? ?????? ??? ?????? ?????????? ?????? ?? ???? ?????? ??? ???? ????? ????? ?????? ????????? ?????? ???????? ????? ?????? ?????? ?? ?????? ?????? ?? ????? ?????????? ?????? ??? ?? ??????? ??????? ?? ???? ??? ??????? ????????? ?????????? ???????? ??? ???? ?? ???? ?????? ????????? ??? ???????? ??????? ????????? ??????? ????????? ???? ???? ?????????? ?? ?????? ??? ????????? ??????? ??? ???? ??????? ???????? ??? ???? ?? ??? ?????? ?????? ???????? ??? ??? ???????? ??????? ??????? ?? ???????? ?????? ???? ?????? ??????? ??????? ????? ??????? ?????????.
?????? ?? ????? ?? ????? ??????? ????? ????? ????? ???? ??????? ?????? ??? ??? ????? ????? ????? ??????? ?????? ?? ?? ????? ????????? ????? ???????? ??? ???? ?????? ??????????????? ?????????? ??? ??????? ?????? ???? ??????? ????????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ??? ???? ????????? ???????? ?? ?? ?? ??????? ?? ??? ????? ??????? ???????? ????????? ??????? ?? ??? ?????? ????? ??????????? ???? ???? ????? ?????? ?? ???? ??????? ??????? ?????????? ???????? ??? ???? ????? «????? ???????????» ??? ?????? ?? ????? ?????? ?????????? ???????????? ?????????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ???????? ?????????? ?????????? ???????????? ?????? ????? ??????? ???? ?????.
?? ??? ???? ?? ???? ?????? ?? ?????????? ???????? ??????????? ?????????? ?? ?????? ???????? ?? ?????? ?? ????? ????????? ?????? ?? ??????? ?? ??????? ??? ???? ???? ????????? ?? ??? ?????? ????? ?????? ?? ????? ?????? ????????? ??? ??? ???? ?? ???? ????? ?????? ?????? ??? ????? ?? ?????? ?????????? ???? ????? ??????? ?? ?????? ?? ???? ??????? ??? ??? ?? ???? ????? ?? ???? ??? ??????? ??????? ????? ?????? ????? ?????????? ????? ?????? ????? ???? ???????? ???? ?????????? ??????? ??????? ??? ???? ??? ?????? ??????? ??????? ???? ???????? ?????? ???????? ?????? ????? ??????????? ???? ??? ????????? ???????? ?????? ???? ?? ????? ??????? ??? ?????? ?????? ???? ??????? ?????? ???? ???? ????? ????????? ??????
October 1st, 2011, 10:12 am
Haytham Khoury said:
Akram al-Buni is Christian.
October 1st, 2011, 10:14 am
Haytham Khoury said:
???? ??? ?????? ?????? ??????
????????? ( ??????? ????? ?????? ??????? ???????? ) ?? ???? ?? ????? ????? ???? ?? ????? ????? ???? ??? ??? :
• ?? ???? ??????? ????? ??? ????? ??????? ??? ?? ????? ?? ????? ??????? ???????
– ??????? ??????? ??? ???????? ???? ?? ????? ???? ????? ?? ??????? ???? ????? ????? ????? ???? ???? ?????? ?? ???? ???????. ???????? ????????? ??????? ?? ?? ?????? ????? ?????? ???? ??? ?????? ?????? ????? ?? ?????? ??????? ??????????? ???????? ??? ?? ????? ???? ????? ?? ???????????? ????????? ?? ?? ?????? ??? ???????? ???????? ?? ???? ????????? ?????? ?????? ?????.
?? ?? ?? ????? ?? ??? ??????? ?? ??????? ???? ?? ??? ????? ?? ?????? ? ?? ??? ?? ?????? ?? ?????? ?? ???? ???? ????? ? ???? ??? ????????? ?? ???? ???? ???? ?????? ???? ( ?? ??????? ) ???????? … ?
October 1st, 2011, 10:25 am
Revlon said:
961. Dear Pirouz
“Anyone have video or pics of this 2000 man strong army of defectors currently battling the Syria Army, according to “activists”? I’m curious. Where are their vehicles? Where are they deployed?”
The regime claims an army of 200,000 to 500,000 soldiers.
Do you have videos and pics of them Pirouz?.
I will make it easier for you; Do you have pics and videos of only 20,000 of them?
The FSA have become guerrilla groups.
They are decentralised, ie, they are located in various cities and various neighbourhoods of those cities.
If you would divide 10,000 over 10 cities and towns and then again divide the resultant figure over 10 to 20 neighbourhoods and suburbs of those cities you will a figure of 50 to 100 defectors per neighbourhood.
Even then, combat groups thereof would be no more than a handful!
Defectors and their families are not playing X-Box games. With every breath they take, they and their families face the grim and real prospect of getting arrested, tortured and brutally murdered!
The hundreds of defectors who took the risk and appeared on video were considered fake by the doubtful any way, and many of them and their families paid their lives for it!
Satisfying curiousity is a luxury they can not afford!
October 1st, 2011, 10:29 am
majedkhaldoun said:
The attack on the american ambassador,by pro-regime supporters,if repeated will start violent reaction by the USA against Assad
October 1st, 2011, 10:34 am
Revlon said:
977. Dear majedkhaldoun
“Mr. Bakkour is safe and still working on his project”
Thank you for the reassurance; is there any new interview or video?
October 1st, 2011, 10:41 am
majedkhaldoun said:
there was a video of him,Mr.Bakkour, on Alarabieh channel
October 1st, 2011, 10:46 am
Some guy no longer in damascus said:
Here’s a message Aboud requested from me to post:”
Alex, it was quite cowardly of you to slander my character the way you did, knowing full well I would not be able to reply for at least a week. If you are going to bad mouth me, at least have the guts to open yourself up to my retort.
You lied when you said I had made six “filthy” posts after I was banned. I made two posts, and I dare you to post them and prove they broke the forum’s rules.
You implied you had inside information about me, gleaned from your role as moderator. In this regard, you are no better than the dime-a-dozen satellite trumpets, who ceaselessly claim to have “extraordinary proof that will blow this conspiracy wide open…buuuuuuut which I can’t share with you just now.” All you have is speculation, from what you read from my posts. Haven’t you been paying attention, ye “moderator”? Speculation on and about Aboud exceeds the body of work written up on debunking the Da Vinci Code. Har har har, so much for your inside information.
Now, to my fellow commentators. You should realize just how much leverage you all have on a website like Syrian Comment. It is a “comments driven” website. It has little in the way of original content. Half the time it just aggregates news from Google Alerts, and the other half we have a bit of analysis, with the occasional brilliant article from Ehsani. Without your comments, this website would be a dead “updated once a week” shell.
Maybe to sooth Alex’s hurt feelings, I should create a website called I-Love-Asthmaa, and show her the tender care and love her husband has been neglecting. Would that be fine by you, Alex?”
October 1st, 2011, 11:05 am
zoo said:
#977 Majedkhaldoon
Since you seem to know about the whereabouts of Mr Bakkour, can you tell us what project Mr Bakkour is working on? Why is he silent now that he is in a safe place? Is he joining the opposition national council in Turkey?
October 1st, 2011, 11:12 am
majedkhaldoun said:
Zoo
These informations you are asking for, are not for you to know
October 1st, 2011, 11:18 am
zoo said:
Some Guy no longer in Damascus
to: Abboud no longer on SC
Brilliant idea! Go ahead with your anti-Asma blog, I am sure many commenters would love it and promptly move there. It would be certainly a more exciting and at more to your level than this one.
Make sure you that in your Blog, you allow only 2 filthy comments per commenter and that any english spelling mistake would trigger an automatic ban.
October 1st, 2011, 11:30 am
majedkhaldoun said:
Alex the old man I was refering to his name was George Carlin
October 1st, 2011, 11:38 am
Revlon said:
The Syrian ‘opposition’ does not have to prove itself
Syrian political society will show its real face only after the regime is gone – and it needs support to get to that place
Nadim Shehadi
guardian.co.uk, Saturday 1 October 2011 11.00 BST
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/oct/01/syrian-opposition?INTCMP=SRCH
We do not do justice to the Syrian people when we use the term “opposition” to describe those who are in revolt against the Assad regime. What is now being called the opposition is in reality Syrian political society that has been hijacked for decades – and it is from this society with all its rich diversity that a new government and its opposition will emerge after the fall of the regime.
Using the terminology of a regime in power and an “opposition” against it ultimately legitimises the regime itself and puts the onus on that opposition to prove its own legitimacy. This is not just an academic or semantic distinction; it is easy to become trapped in a framework that lends a sense of normality to what is happening in Syria.
The regime is keen to present a certain narrative: that there is no viable alternative to its rule; that beyond it is total chaos with Islamic fundamentalism, sectarian tension, partition, violence and civil war. It accuses the protesters of being manipulated and armed by foreign powers, and claims, on its part, to be pursuing stability and reform.
By normalising the situation we impose the burden of proof on the protesters who assert that they are united, non-sectarian, nonviolent and independent. No matter how many such peaceful demonstrations occur, all it takes is for a couple of incidents of violence or a sectarian interpretation of tension to be reported for the world to start buying into the regime’s narrative.
Moreover, we cannot require protesters to confirm their unity; it is natural that they are not united. Diversity is their strength, not their weakness. Nor can we expect them to prove that they are a viable alternative; the Syrian regime has survived by allowing no such alternatives to emerge or to seem viable. It is precisely because of this that the regime is being opposed. If it had allowed for a credible opposition to be visible, there would be no need to change it.
The simple fact is that any person who had the potential to constitute a challenge to the power of the regime has been eliminated, is out of the country, in jail, or dead. Many have been forced to compromise or were co-opted through blackmail or to protect their family. The security services have often created their own alternatives as decoys to trap opponents of the regime.
The result is an atmosphere of extreme suspicion and intrigue. Thus one cannot accuse the exiles of being exiles, nor those who have stayed of being collaborators. They are all victims of the same system and we are imposing on them impossible conditions if we ask them to prove that they are a viable opposition.
Regional powers are also making the situation worse by competing to create opposition conferences which they sponsor. This has opened the door for regional rivalry which confirms the regime’s accusation of external intervention. The regime participates in this game by creating its own “dialogue”, calling for stability and pretending to reform while continuing to raise the spectre of violence, civil war, sectarianism, external intervention and partition.
The real drivers of the revolts are the local co-ordination committees (LCCs) led by courageous youth with very little means and who operate in secrecy using social media. It is not uncommon for western policymakers to be heard asking for a list of the leaders of the LCCs, wanting to know who they are and if they constitute again a viable “opposition” to the regime. If these names were to be known, these local leaders would be already dead and indeed many have paid with their lives when they can be identified and others have taken great risks to participate in meetings. For these youth, the success of the revolt is a matter of life and death and they know very well that there is no turning back.
Thus by using the dichotomy of the regime versus the opposition a number of expectations are raised as to what we understand should be the characteristics of a viable opposition – and these are contrasted with the regime’s narrative. The net result is that we are playing the game according to rules set by the regime: we are putting the protesters in an impossible position to counter the regime’s narrative.
Syrian political society will emerge and show its real face only after the regime is gone, and not before. This will not be a phoenix rising from the ashes, rather a battered society that will be trying to find its way after a long and dark period.
October 1st, 2011, 11:55 am
jna said:
Some guy no longer in damascus
Doesn’t it occur to you as a guest on this forum that when the moderator bans Aboud for a week, it is not your place to post his message during the ban period, notwithstanding direction from revolutionary sub-comandante Aboud to the contrary? We all realize, of course, the tremendous torment Aboud is bearing in having to wait insufferable several more days to explicate the inhumanity of the authorities here.
October 1st, 2011, 12:02 pm
Ya Mara Ghalba said:
@Alex #935. If you’re looking for some feedback about your poetics: I give it an F because it’s very historically inaccurate (as are the nationalist official and unofficial visions in many other countries). You say “some argue that Syria has never been a single country.” No, we argue that Syria has never been a single country until the Sykes-Picot agreement.
Speaking of that, it reminds me of the following from the Prime Minister of Iraq, Nouri al-Maliki, in a TV interview yesterday 30 Sep 2011:
The senior spokesmen of the Syrian regime would never say something so moronic and dimwitted as what Al-Maliki says there about the Arab Spring. When you carefully read what the Syrian regime people have said about what the “foreign conspiracy” is, it’s all vague and tepid — see for instance what Wallid al-Moallem says in speech at the UN on 27 Sep 2011 at http://www.sana.sy/eng/337/2011/09/27/371804.htm.
One of the reasons why I’m a firm supporter of the Assad regime is that I find it to be relatively sane and intelligent, relative to what the possibilities are. That quote from Nouri al-Maliki is a reminder of what the other possibilities are.
The regime’s very abrupt decision to ban foreign imports is a case where I say the regime has made a stupid decision. Aspects of the stupidity of it were demonstrated by Ehsani in his post at the top of this thread. I read that the head of the Central Bank is saying that an estimated two-thirds of the foreign currency savings from the ban are going to come from cars alone. Thus, if they had just banned cars, it would’ve been clean and simple, and easy to implement and enforce, and it would’ve gotten most of the gains that are to be gotten from the way too-comprehensive, too-complex current ban. Still, I find the regime is relatively sane and intelligent on the whole.
October 1st, 2011, 12:02 pm
Ya Mara Ghalba said:
@ SYAU. As you live in AUstralia, I’m wondering can you recommend to me any forums on the internet where people are talking about Syria in English. Excluding Facebook (I don’t like Facebook’s interface).
October 1st, 2011, 12:06 pm
Akbar Palace said:
More Anti-semitism on Syria Comment
970. Ghat Al Bird said:
Ghat Al Bird,
You could help your cause more if you didn’t cut & paste from anti-semitic websites.
“We Jewish people control America and the Americans know it. “~Ariel Sharon, former Israeli Prime Minister, October 3, 2001
Never said.
“The role of the President of the United States is to support the decisions that are made by the people of Israel. ” ~Anne Lewis, Senior Advisor to Hillary Clinton and sister of Rep. Barney Frank
Misinterpreted by anti-semites.
“Politics in America has become a Jewish profession, just like law and the arts. ” ~Ira Forman, The Jewish Daily Forward, March 20, 2008
http://www.forward.com/articles/12998/
“My opinion of Christian Zionists? They are scum. But don’t tell them that. We need all the useful idiots we can get right now.” -~Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister
Made up.
“The U.S. has no longer a government of goyim, but an administration in which the Jews are full partners in the decision making at all levels.”-~Maariv [Israeli newspaper], The Jews Who Run Clinton’s Court, September 2, 1994
So?
“The Roosevelt Administration has selected more Jews to fill influential positions than any previous administration.” ~Brooklyn Jewish Examiner, October 20, 1933
So? Could mean 2 Jews now instead of 1.
“All property of other nations belongs to the jews which nation consequently is entitled to seize upon it without any scruples.”= Schulchan Aruch Choszen Hamiszpat 348?
Made up.
http://talmud.faithweb.com/articles/theft.html
“We shall embark upon an era of ten thousand years of peace and plenty, the Pax Judiaca, and OUR RACE will rule
undisputed over the world. Our superior intelligence will enable us to retain mastery over a world of dark peoples.” – Rabbi Rabbinovich
Made Up
http://www.camera.org/index.asp?x_article=373&x_context=7
http://www.camera.org/index.asp?x_context=7&x_issue=21
Regarding the Forum’s Policy and Aboud:
The post Alex presented seemed rather violent to me, so I can’t say Aboud did himself a favor by posting this sort of thing. Aboud is anti-Assad and he is passionate about changing Syria’s government, a government which does not even provide basic human rights to Syrians.
If we should ban anything, it would be Assad and his self-appointed government.
Also, it would be nice if threads were no longer than 500 posts. It hard to scroll on PDAs, which are so popular today.
Sheila, (cc: Norman)
I agree with your assessment of Norman’s replies. I find it difficult understanding why Norman is pro-Assad especially when he has no confidence in the Syrian government.
October 1st, 2011, 12:15 pm
Revlon said:
961 Dear Pirouz,
I have managed to find this document for you. It gives an idea about the organisation and deployment of one of the phalanges of the FSA.
http://www.facebook.com/Youth.Syria.Freedom#!/photo.php?fbid=241504872568293&set=a.211018292283618.61745.207658485952932&type=1&theater
It is an announcement by the Military council of the organisational structure of Khaled Ibn Alwalid Phalange of the FSA, with the acronyms of their leaders and their deployment in the various neibourhouds of Homs city.
Cheers!
October 1st, 2011, 12:21 pm
Mina said:
It’s time to read The Shock Doctrine, by Naomi Klein.
The solution can only be global, because thugs are not only in the Arab world, sorry I have to explain that to some of the wealthy Syrian expats who read this blog.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/sep/30/city-conservatives-donations
October 1st, 2011, 12:29 pm
Syrian Nationalist Party said:
DAY 196 – 16,973 PRISONERS –DO SOMETHING PLEASE.
Are there any real Moslem blogging here, one that have compassion like his Allah, Alrahman Alrahim ?????? ?????? or just fake Mossad-CIA paid puppies threatening endless worthless crap no one read. 16, 973 are now in Assad prisons, the dead are moved to the lower astral, but those in prison are in real living hell. Where is Moslem Allah compassion for them, why no one ever talks about them or their misery? Could it be because like Libya, this Syrian Revolution is really a terrorist, destructive campaign by NEOCON-KHAZZAR Reptilian devil worshipers and few graduates of Guantanamo Islamic University de-programming/re-programming school of terrorism, all having an advanced degree in Terrorism and Virtual manipulation ( ALA 9/11) fake videos, fake witness, fake identity, hell… fake everything even calling themselves Moslem is fake. How could a set of compassionate Moslems who are so compassionate that they will whip lash a girl for driving, slit someone throat for not agreeing with them, hell of compassion huh. How they can simply ignore the entire plea for help and not come up with something, a word, a deal. One can conclude that none of the participant in the Revolution is in fact Syrian. The only Syrians in this revolution is the one cattle herded to Turkey to set up Councils to act as front for foreign mercenaries living in safe houses in Syria, helped by local traitors and Moslem terrorists.
You will see this M.O pattern played out throughout the Middle East, Asia and former Russian States.
October 1st, 2011, 1:17 pm
uzair8 said:
@1000 MINA.
Congratulations on the 1000th comment. 🙂
You have gained a place in the Menhabek ‘Hall of Fame’. (See comment #950).
NOTICE: This award is subject to adjustment as comments may appear after a delay and change the position of posts.
October 1st, 2011, 1:44 pm
Anton said:
Dear YA MARA GHALBA
At the beginning of the events in Syria couple months ago I wrote couple of comments explaining what I believed is taking place in Syria which maybe in line to what you wrote here, “Mr. Nouri al-Maliki quote” and I am still believe in it, and try to find out what is next?.. can you please try to share with us your thought on what is the best solution for Syria today ?, or what could be the outcome in short and long terms ?
My thought is – If all ends soon on the president’s and the government’s terms, then he should move to a future democratic Syria and guarantee the human rights, freedom opportunity and well being for all Syrians, Syria is blessed with a wonderful history ,unique historic tourist attractions, enormous capabilities in energy and agriculture (Syria exports its oil and surplus agriculture harvests), an educated population, bright and eager young people who deserve and demand a free future with opportunity for all. Given that freedom, all Syrians will grow, benefit, and prosper with massive tourism and jobs that will lift all citizens of Syria.
This time Syrians need to be more intelligent and thoughtful about what design for us, and how we can use it for our own benefits and destiny to become great again as we use to be throughout history.
We should work and come together to create our great Syria again and spread peace across Middle East.
I hope from the bottom of my heart that President Assad pulls all the people in this region together to be part of a great and prosper Syria, he is our only hope, otherwise we are back to the 1920 sequence of events.
We should be all for Syria .
Thanks for your insight
October 1st, 2011, 1:44 pm
Mina said:
JNA
you can’t use the phrase “sub-commandante” (i bet you took it from Marcos, the guy who was in Mexico?) to apply it to such a moron!!!
More on the global situation:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKM9gEOxWw4&feature=player_embedded#
(oil peak or not yet? why the West badly needs KSA, i. e. bye bye Yemen and Bahrein protests, we need another puppet show for prime time, the Syrian one)
October 1st, 2011, 1:47 pm
Mango said:
http://www.mn.ru/Eugenii_Satanovski/20110803/303722729.html
The Syrian crossword puzzle
Evgenie Satanovsky
Proceeding antigovernmental performances to Syria, which suppression has entailed big human a victim, has caused nervous reaction of “the international community». Thousand were lost is the fact. On the other hand, “civilians” kill and wound hundreds military men and policemen is too the fact.
World mass-media describe an event in Syria as reprisals of a ruling mode against own people, and they are right. A mode, obviously losing information war, speaks about support of performances from the outside, and it too truth. A trouble that all attempts to describe an event as performance of “good guys» against tyranny, have to a Near-Eastern reality as a whole and to the Syrian case in particular no any relation.
Bashar Asad the authoritative governor, and its mode does not cause special sympathies neither in its neighbors, nor at its citizens, at the European and American political moralists. But in region is not present and even in the remote prospect it is not expected other modes. Democracy in the Near East about which so it is much told in connection with «in the Arabian spring», is not the rights of the person habitual for the modern Western world and the right of minority, and the majority right to plunder or destroy minority. Exceptions here does not happen.
Criticizing the Syrian management for suppression of protests Turkey cited as an example to the Islamic world Hillari Clinton during its recent visit to this country as the example of Near-Eastern democracy, rigidly stops displays of national interests of Kurds. Algeria — berbers. The Christian communities are living on the edge of a volcano in “democratic” Iraq and Lebanon, Egypt and Palestinian autonomy.
The Syrian problem has no exit which would suit all. The mode, certainly, is corrupted, agents of national security have gone too far, and the population wearily to wait for changes to the best. Alternative, however, not modernization and prosperity, and chaos.
The situation in Iraq and Afghanistan, Tunis and Egypt shows, in what results wreck of authoritative modes, without dependence from that, it is accompanied by external intervention or not. Today in Syria blood flows, but overthrow of a ruling mode for this polyconfessional and multinational country will mean its almost inevitable disintegration on five or six enclaves and the rivers of blood non-comparable to present victims. About it tells the popular slogan in the ranks of opposition: «Christians — to Lebanon, ???????? — in a tomb».
Moderated ??????? and Druzes, Kurds and Shiits among whom ??????? — only the most influential community, Christians and the rests of Jews hardly can live easy under power «Brothers-Moslems« which mutiny in the Boor the Syrian army is again compelled to suppress as had been suppressed it in this city three decades ago the father of the present president. And the population perfectly understands it, and manifestations of protest support many, but not all.
Actually Syria — fight this field in unsolemn war between, on the one hand, Shiit Iran, which unique ally in the Arabian world it is today, and, on the other hand, Saudi Arabia and blocked with it in opposition of the Iranian expansion ??????????? monarchy of Persian gulf.
For this reason the finance and the weapon of the Syrian opposition arrive through related to local bedouins tribes of Iraq, at more than transparent role in these operations «??????????», and the basic information attack to Asada is conducted by Qatar “Al-Dzhazira”. The special role in an event is played by Turkey applying within the limits of a course taken by her on construction of “new Ottoman empire» for a role of the Supreme arbitrator of all event in the Arabian countries which still a century ago were Turkish provinces. It is no casual in Turkish territory formation attempts «the consolidated opposition» which in the long term can be used as a basis of the future puppet Syrian government are noted.
Today Syria is halfway to full-scale civil war. Excitements have extended on all territory of the country. The armed groups in ethnic communities and tribes are generated. The intellectual elite is shattered, and political leaders show disastrous indecision for a mode.
Problem of Asada not that it suppresses opposition, and that it does it slowly and uncertainly, trying to manoeuvre between requirements of the agents of national security who have been adjusted on rigid actions, and initiatives on carrying out of reforms which should calm protesting, having changed nothing as a matter of fact. Speaking simply, Asad tries to remain sitting on two chairs that was not possible still to any statesman in the history.
For all that the United Nations Security Council hardly will accept concerning Syria the same resolution, as across Libya. Russia and China have drawn conclusions from attempts of external intervention in the Libyan civil war and do not show desire again to walk twice into the same water. As power intervention in the Syrian disorders is improbable: it is necessary to be at war not only with Syria, but also with Iran
October 1st, 2011, 1:54 pm
Mina said:
Uzair,
You misunderstand me. I’m afraid you can’t call me manhibbak coz i have strictly NO sympathy for ANY government on this planet.
I am just being realistic, plus because some circumstances were that I was watching al Jazeera heavily from Christmas 2010 to end of February 2011, I have seen day by day and minute by minute the unfolding of the Qatari plan. And I certainly don’t trust Qatar and Qardawi (especially after THEY brought Qardawi into the Egyptian events while until then all the MBs and Salafis in Egypt had quietly stayed at home saying ‘no ibdaa’, ‘we’ll do like KSA would have it’).
October 1st, 2011, 1:55 pm
uzair8 said:
@1006 MINA.
Ok lets say you were not a Menhabek. This would mean, on account of posting the 1000th comment, that you became an honorary Menhabek.
A Menhabek posting the 1000th comment would have entered the hall of fame.
Anyway thats the end of that.
October 1st, 2011, 2:01 pm
Syria no kandahar said:
Albianoni statement about christians is his own imagination.Most of christians in Syria HATE MB deeply.MB is the cemetery of any hopes or inspirations Syrians have.Let us be honest and answer this question about the Arabic spring in general and in Syria especially: Would the US,the West,Isreal and Turkey Support Islamic States in the middle east if they know that they will be strong and successful democratic countries?is it in the best interest of the west to have a strong united,rich,democratic,powerful Syria?
The answer is definitely :NO.MB is the best guarantee that Syria will be weak,Islamic ,divided,un-secular.MB has had dark room agreements in the US .The US should no better that MB is going to be the Seeds of Alqaed in the middle east.US should be smart enough to know by now that Islamist extremist
And political Islam are like a nuclear reaction,once you start it,you loose control over it.Trying to apply the Turkish experiment to the Arab world is stupid,Turkey is still ruled by Atatork mind.
October 1st, 2011, 2:05 pm
qunfuz said:
Otrakji – stop whining about freedom of speech. it’s a term you and your murdering friends do not understand. you have just banned the best commenter here. more to the point, you are backing and propagandising on behalf of a traitorous regime which is murdering, torturing and chopping into pieces anyone who speaks against it, and many who aren’t even speaking. when there is a democracy in Syria, when the regime and its propagandists have been tried, then i will encourage all kinds of freedom of speech except for slander, racism and incitement to murder. how many menhebaks have been killed in Canada? how many menhebaks in syria have been killed by people tracking down their email addresses?
October 1st, 2011, 2:06 pm
Revlon said:
Thug One forces have committed a large scale massacre in AlRastan
– 15 school children are claimed to have been executed by Shabbeeha in cold blood next to a school, in retaliation for the killing of their fellow thugs on the hands of the FSA forces.
– Over 150 civilians have been killed and scores of houses were destroyed or set on fire.
AlFati7a upon their souls,
May God bless their families with solace and empower them with patience.
???? ????? #syria •? ??????? ??????- ???? ..??? ???? 100%. ????? ????? ?? ????? ????? ??? ???????? ??????? 15 ??? ??? ???? ,??? ??????? ??????????? , ,??? ???? 8 ???? , ??? ??? ??????? ??? ??? ??????? ??????? ????? ????? ??? ?? ????? ????? ???? ??? ?????? ..
about an hour ago.
_________________________________________________________________
???? ????? ???? ?? ??? ????? Youth Syria For Freedom
???? ????? #syria •? ????? ?? ?????? ????? ?? ?????? ???? ?? ??? ????? ?????? ??????? ???????? ????? ?????? ?? ??? ?????? ?????? ?????? ???????? ??? ??????? ????? ?????? ??????? ???????? ?? ?? ????? ????? ????? ????? ?????? ???? ????…???? ???????? …?? ??????? ???? ????? ??????? ?? ?? ??? ????
4 hours ago
__________________________________________________________________
???? ????? ???? ?? ??? ?????? Youth Syria For Freedom
???? ????? #syria •? ????? ???? ???? ?? ?????? >> ????? ?????? ???? : ????? ???? ?? ?????? : ??? ??? ????? ??? ??????? 12 ??? ?? ?????? ???????? ?? ????? ?????? ? ?? ?? ?????? ????? ??? ?? ??? ???? ?? ????? ?????? ? ?? ???? ??????? ????? ???? ?? ?????? ?? ??? ? ??? ???? ????????? ?? ??????? ???????? ???? ???? ????? ?????? ?? ???? ??????? ?? ????? ????? ? ????? ?? ???? ???? ? ??????
4 hours ago
__________________________________________________________________
???? ????? ???? ?? ??? ?????? Youth Syria For Freedom
?? ??? ???? ??????? .. ?? ????? ??? ???? .. ????? ????? ?????? ????
???? ????? #syria •? ???? ????? ? ??????? :?????? ????? ???? ?? ?????? ? ???? ?????? ???? ? ???? ???? ?? ??? ???? ? ??? ???? ?????? ???? ? ???????? ????? ?????? ??????? ???? ????? ??????? ?? ?????? ????? ?? ?????? ?????? ? ????? ????? ??????? ? ???? ????? ??????? ?????? ? ?????? ???? ???? ?? ?????? ?? ???? ????? ??? ????? ??????
6 hours ago
__________________________________________________________________
October 1st, 2011, 2:11 pm
Ghat Al Bird said:
AP @ 998.
These comments are probably more to your likin. Enjoy.
There is a huge gap between us (Jews) and our enemies not just in ability but in morality, culture, sanctity of life, and conscience. They are our neighbors here, but it seems as if at a distance of a few hundred meters away, there are people who do not belong to our continent, to our world, but actually belong to a different galaxy.” Israeli president Moshe Katsav. The Jerusalem Post, May 10, 2001
“The Palestinians are like crocodiles, the more you give them meat, they want more”…. Ehud Barak, Prime Minister of Israel at the time – August 28, 2000. Reported in the Jerusalem Post August 30, 2000
” [The Palestinians are] beasts walking on two legs.” Menahim Begin, speech to the Knesset, quoted in Amnon Kapeliouk, “Begin and the Beasts”. New Statesman, 25 June 1982.
“The Palestinians” would be crushed like grasshoppers … heads smashed against the boulders and walls.” ” Isreali Prime Minister (at the time) in a speech to Jewish settlers New York Times April 1, 1988
“When we have settled the land, all the Arabs will be able to do about it will be to scurry around like drugged cockroaches in a bottle.” Raphael Eitan, Chief of Staff of the Israeli Defence Forces, New York Times, 14 April 1983.
David Ben Gurion (the first Israeli Prime Minister): “If I were an Arab leader, I would never sign an agreement with Israel. It is normal; we have taken their country. It is true God promised it to us, but how could that interest them? Our God is not theirs. There has been Anti – Semitism, the Nazis, Hitler, Auschwitz, but was that their fault ? They see but one thing: we have come and we have stolen their country. Why would they accept that?” Quoted by Nahum Goldmann in Le Paraddoxe Juif (The Jewish Paradox), pp121.
“We have to kill all the Palestinians unless they are resigned to live here as slaves.” Chairman Heilbrun of the Committee for the Re-election of General Shlomo Lahat, the mayor of Tel Aviv, October 1983.
“Every time we do something you tell me America will do this and will do that . . . I want to tell you something very clear: Don’t worry about American pressure on Israel. We, the Jewish people, control America, and the Americans know it.” – Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, October 3, 2001, to Shimon Peres, as reported on Kol Yisrael radio.
(Certainly the FBI’s cover-up of the Israeli spy ring/phone tap scandal suggests that Mr. Sharon may not have been joking.)
” … we should prepare to go over to the offensive with the aim of SMASHING Lebanon, Trans-jordan and Syria… The weak point in the Arab coalition is Lebanon [for] the Moslem regime is artificial and easy to undermine. A Christian state should be established… When we smash the [Arab] Legions strength and bomb Amman, we will eliminate Transjordan, too, and then Syria will fall. If Egypt still dares to fight on, we shall bomb Port Said, Alexandria, and Cairo.” ” David Ben-Gurion, May 1948, to the General Staff. From Ben-Gurion,
A Biography, by Michael Ben-Zohar, Delacorte, New York 1978.
“We must use terror, assassination, intimidation, land confiscation, and the cutting of all social services to rid the Galilee of its Arab population.” Israel Koenig, “The Koenig Memorandum”
Rabin’s description of the conquest of Lydda, after the completion of Plan Dalet. “We shall reduce the Arab population to a community of woodcutters and waiters” Uri Lubrani, PM Ben-Gurion’s special adviser on Arab Affairs, 1960.
From “The Arabs in Israel” by Sabri Jiryas.
“It is the duty of Israeli leaders to explain to public opinion, clearly and courageously, a certain number of facts that are forgotten with time. The first of these is that there is no Zionism, colonialization or Jewish State without the eviction of the Arabs and the expropriation of their lands.” Yoram Bar Porath, Yediot Aahronot, of 14 July 1972.
“Spirit the penniless population across the frontier by denying it employment… Both the process of expropriation and the removal of the poor must be carried out discreetly and circumspectly.” Theodore Herzl, founder of the World Zionist Organization, speaking of the Arabs of Palestine,Complete Diaries, June 12, 1895 entry.
“One million Arabs are not worth a Jewish fingernail.” — Rabbi Yaacov Perrin, Feb. 27, 1994 [Source: N.Y. Times, Feb. 28, 1994, p. 1]
“We Jews, we are the destroyers and will remain the destroyers. Nothing you can do will meet our demands and needs. We will forever destroy because we want a world of our own.” (You Gentiles, by Jewish Author Maurice Samuels, p. 155).
As the proverb says, live and learn.
October 1st, 2011, 2:26 pm
Akbar Palace said:
Weid NEOCON-KHAZZAR Reptilian devil worshipers NewZ
1001. Syrian Nationalist Party said:
DAY 196 – 16,973 PRISONERS –DO SOMETHING PLEASE.
SNP,
Who exactly are you asking for help?
Are there any real Moslem blogging here, one that have compassion like his Allah, Alrahman Alrahim ?????? ?????? or just fake Mossad-CIA paid puppies threatening endless worthless crap no one read.
Are you surprised that Arabs allow (and have allowed) their governments to mistreat them? There are Arabs on this website that advocate for continued mistreatment of Arabs. Many of these Arab supporters believe Arabs need to be mistreated because it will help to defeat Israel. Do you believe that?
16, 973 are now in Assad prisons, the dead are moved to the lower astral, but those in prison are in real living hell. Where is Moslem Allah compassion for them, why no one ever talks about them or their misery? Could it be because like Libya, this Syrian Revolution is really a terrorist, destructive campaign by NEOCON-KHAZZAR Reptilian devil worshipers and few graduates of Guantanamo Islamic University de-programming/re-programming school of terrorism, all having an advanced degree in Terrorism and Virtual manipulation ( ALA 9/11) fake videos, fake witness, fake identity, hell… fake everything even calling themselves Moslem is fake.
SNP,
I confused, are you saying “16,973 are now in Assad prisons” is Assad’s fault or the fault of “a terrorist, destructive campaign by NEOCON-KHAZZAR Reptilian devil worshipers” (aka Jews)?
Thanks,
AP
October 1st, 2011, 2:32 pm
Mango said:
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=25000
America’s Next War Theater: Syria and Lebanon?
Washington’s War against the Resistance Bloc
by Mahdi Darius Nazemroaya
Washington and its allies, Israel and the Al-Sauds, are taking advantage of the upheavals in the Arab World. They are now working to dismantle the Resistance Bloc and weaken any drive for democracy in the Arab World. The geo-political chessboard is now being prepared for a broader confrontation that will target Tehran and include Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and the Palestinians.
Tying Hezbollah’s Hands through External and Internal Pressure
In Lebanon, there is a deadlock in regards to the formation of a Lebanese government. Michel Sleiman, who holds the presidency and the new Lebanese prime minister have been delaying the formation of the cabinet in a political row with Michel Aoun, the leader of the Free Patriotic Movement.
It may be possible that the formation of a new Lebanese cabinet is being delayed deliberately to keep Lebanon neutralized on the foreign policy front.
The U.N. Security Council and several U.N. bodies are all being used by the U.S. and the E.U. to put pressure on Lebanon. U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is taking his orders from Washington. He has contributed to providing legitimacy to the U.S. and NATO wars. Moscow has openly accused Ban Ki-moon of treachery for his 2008 secret dealings with NATO.
It is in this context that the U.N. is being used as a forum for insidious attempts to internationalize the issue of the weapons held by the Lebanese Resistance, with a view to disarming it. Despite the fact that U.N. Resolution 1559 is no longer relevant, the Special Representative for the Implementation of Resolution 1559, Terje Roed-Larsen, still remains active and issues reports against Hezbollah.
The envoys of the U.N. to Lebanon resemble colonial figures making uninvited edicts in Beirut and working as agents of Washington, Brussels, and Tel Aviv. The Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL), which has an entire division in the U.S. State Department, is also a loaded political weapon that Washington is planning on using against Lebanon and Syria.
An international tribunal was formed pertaining to the circumstances of the the assassination of Rafic Al-Hariri. Hariri at the time of his murder had no official state position, but an international tribunal has been created for his case alone. On the other hand the so-called international community has taken no interest in forming any type of tribunals to investigate the assassination of thousands of people killed in Lebanon. What does this say about the STL and the justice being sought?
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has also been complicit in Israeli violations against Lebanon. Even the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRAW) has been infiltrated with officials that are supportive of Israeli crimes against Palestinians and Lebanese. This was demonstrated by Christopher Gunness, the spokesperson of UNRAW, in a May 15, 2011 interview with the Israeli military. While Israel’s IDF was firing on unarmed civilian protesters during Nakba Day 2011, Gunness reaffirmed that UNRAW was working in the interest of Israel’s national security, while also accusing the Palestinians of committing terrorist acts against Israel. Even the Israeli siege of the Gaza Strip was whitewashed by the UNRAW spokesperson.
The absence of a new cabinet in Lebanon has also allowed Saad Hariri and the March 14 Alliance to continue having an ominous hand in managing Lebanon’s affairs. This also buys time for the STL, which can move forward without being challenged by a Lebanese government in Beirut that would be hostile to the STL. In this regard, a new government in Beirut would most certainly question to legitmacy of the STL.
Moreover, the Internal Security Forces (ISF) of Lebanon is also being used by Saad Hariri against Hezbollah and the political opponents of the Hariri family. The ISF may even have a hand in working against Damascus and helping promote violence in Syria. The ISF takes its orders directly from the Hariri family.
Because of the free hand given to Saad Hariri and his cronies (largely due to the absence of a functioning cabinet in Beirut), Ziad Baroud, the acting interior minister of Lebanon, has refused to sign any more papers from his ministry. Baroud has taken this position, because he believes that the ISF is acting covertly and without his approval or supervision. In this regard, the ISF has refused to follow the orders of Ziad Baroud to allow Charbel Al-Nahhas, the acting telecommunications minister of Lebanon, to enter ISF headquarters for a routine check. The ISF was clearly trying to hide its operations and was acting to prevent Al-Nahhas and his team from going to certain floors at ISF headquarters.
It is also no secret that Lebanon is a nest of intelligence agents and operatives from the U.S., the E.U., Israel, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. Their objective is to confront and dismantle Hezbollah and its coalition.
In 2006, during the Israeli bombardment of Lebanon the embassies of E.U. members were also collecting data against Hezbollah. The Al-Sauds have helped facilitate the links between Israel and the network of spies in Lebanon. This is demonstrated by the clear link between Sheikh Mohammed Ali Hussein, the Shiite cleric caught working for Israel, and the Al-Sauds.
In tune with all this, Hezbollah is constantly accused of being an instrument of Iran. Recently, Hezbollah was blamed alongside Iran for stirring protests in the Persian Gulf, specifically in Bahrain and the Shiite-dominated areas of Saudi Arabia. In this regard Lebanese citizens, regardless of their faith in many cases, have also been singled out by the Khaliji regimes and expelled from the Persian Gulf. This is part of a sectarian card to create regional divisions and hate. Within Lebanon it has been used by the Saad Hariri faction to target Hezbollah and its allies. Hariri has ironically accused Iran of interfering in Bahrain at the very moment the Saudi military invaded the island-state to keep the Al-Khalifas in power.
The petro-sheikhdoms of the Persian Gulf are now systematically preventing Lebanese, Syrian, Iraqi, Iranian, and Pakistani citizens from entering their borders. Kuwait has justified this by saying that there could be trouble within Kuwait due to political instability in these countries.
Destabilizing Syria
Damascus has been under pressure to capitulate to the edicts of Washington and the European Union. This has been part of a longstanding project. Regime change or voluntary subordination by the Syrian regime are the goals. This includes subordinating Syrian foreign policy and de-linking Syrian from its strategic alliance with Iran and its membership within the Resistance Bloc.
Syria is run by an authoritarian oligarchy which has used brute force in dealing with its citizens. The riots in Syria, however, are complex. They cannot be viewed as a straighforward quest for liberty and democracy. There has been an attempt by the U.S. and the E.U. to use the riots in Syria to pressure and intimidate the Syrian leadership. Saudi Arabia, Israel, Jordan, and the March 14 Alliance have all played a role in supporting an armed insurrection.
The Al-Sauds have also helped drown out any authentic calls for democratic reform and marginalized the democratic elements in the Syrian opposition during the protests and riots. In this regard the Al-Sauds have supported both sectarian factions as well as terrorist elements, which question the foundations of religious tolerance in Syria. These elements are mostly Salafist extremists, like Fatah Al-Islam and the new extremist political movements being organized in Egypt. They have also been rallying against the Alawites, the Druze, and Syrian Christians.
The violence in Syria has been supported from the outside with a view of taking advantage of the internal tensions and the anger in Syria. Aside from the violent reaction of the Syrian Army, media lies have been used and bogus footage has been aired. Money and weapons have also been funnelled to elements of the Syrian opposition by the U.S., the E.U., the March 14 Alliance, Jordan, and the Khalijis. Funding has also been provided to ominous and unpopular foreign-based Syrian opposition figures, while weapons caches were smuggled from Jordan and Lebanon into Syria.
The events in Syria are also tied to Iran, the longstanding strategic ally of Damascus. It is not by chance that Senator Lieberman was demanding publicly that the Obama Administration and NATO attack Syria and Iran like Libya. It is also not coincidental that Iran was included in the sanctions against Syria. The hands of the Syrian military and government have now been tied internally as a new and broader offensive is being prepared that will target both Syria and Iran.
Syria and the Levantine Gas Fields in the Eastern Mediterranean
Syria is the central piece of two important energy corridors. The first links Turkey and the Caspian to Israel and the Red Sea and the second links Iraq to the Mediterranean. The surrender of Syria would mean that Washington and its allies would control these energy routes. It would also mean that the large natural gas fields off the Lebanese and Syrian coastline in the Eastern Mediterranean would be out of reach for China and would instead go to the E.U., Israel, and the U.S.
The Eastern Mediterranean gas fields have been the subject of negotiations between the E.U., Turkey, Iran, Syria, and Lebanon. Aside from the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) Pipeline, the existence of the Levantine natural gas fields is also the reason why the Kremlin has created a military foothold in Syria for the Russian Federation. This has been done by upgrading Soviet-era naval facilities in Syria. Moreover, it has been Iran that has agreed to explore and help develop these natural gas fields off the Levantine coast for Beirut and Damascus.
Hamas-Fatah Rapprochement
There is a strong correlation between war in Southwest Asia and increased talk at the official level about Palestinian statehood. Hopes of Palestinian statehood have been used twice to discharge pressure in the Arab World built from rising tensions from war preparations against Iraq. The first time was by George H.W. Bush Sr. and the second time by George W. Bush Jr., who was praised for being the first U.S. president to seriously talk about a Palestinian state.
Even as he flip-flops on his position, Obama is also now talking about a Palestinian state. Moreover, rapprochement between Hamas and Fatah has taken place as the count-down towards international recognition of Palestinian statehood begins. The Israelis have also released frozen funds to the Palestinians, which they refused to do before due to Hamas.
The rapprochement between Fatah and Hamas has also served to tie the hands of Hamas. Hamas will have to be careful not to effectively become a junior partner in governing Palestine under Israeli occupation. Hamas must effectively now modify its stance in its partnership in a unity government with Fatah. In all likelihood Tel Aviv and Washington will seek to impose Fatah as the senior partner of the Palestinian Authority. In a manner of speaking, Hamas is being domesticated indirectly by Israel and Washington.
Instability in Pakistan
The announcement that Osama bin Laden has been killed by U.S. forces has contributed to a process of covert political destabilization within Pakistan. There has been a calculated effort to present Osama bin Laden as a popular and venerated figure for Muslims. This is with a view of supporting the so-called “Clash of Civilizations.”
At the same time the U.S. government is starting a media campaign against Pakistan. Islamabad has been portrayed as harbouring Osama bin Laden and his Al-Qaeda network. In reality any Pakistani involvement with terrorists has been ordered and directed by Washington. There is a much more complicated story to all this, but what is happening in reality is that Pakistan as a nation is being targeted for dismantlement.
The dismantlement and destabilization of Pakistan would serve three objectives:
1. Promoting a scenario of a war with Iran: Pakistan would not be under threat of a takeover by revolutionaries that would side with Iran and its allies.
2. The targetting of Chinese interests in Pakistan, including the energy corridor from Iran to China (and the Chinese port in Gwadar), which transits through Pakistan.
3. Regional destabilization in a key area of Eurasia where Southwest Asia, Central Asia and the Indian sub-continent meet. This area extends from Iran and Afghanistan to Pakistan, India, and Western China.
At the same time Washington also wants to neutralize the Pakistani nuclear program.
The U.S. has also announced that it has the right to violate the national boundaries of countries which harbour terrorists as well as send troops to these countries as part of the “war on terrorism.” Hillary Clinton has justified Washington’s stance by saying that U.S. forces would be assassinating terrorists. This is merely an opening door for creating a pretext for military intervention in countries such as Iran, where the Revolutionary Guards have been designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S., or Syria, where several exiled Palestinian groups have been designated as terrorist organizations by Washington.
Global Research Articles by Mahdi Darius Nazemroaya
October 1st, 2011, 3:09 pm
Alex said:
I would appreciate it if we can wrap up the boring irrelevant topic of moderating. There are 3000 daily readers of this blog, most of them are really not interested in Alex banning Aboud for a week.
Few quick answers
1) Majedkhaldoun: I love humor. But most readers get offended by filthy language and violence is even worse. I was asked by many to try to bring Syria Comment back to its more mature form.
I will be adding a new poll to ask all of you to vote on three levels of moderation policy … mild, medium and strong.
That way, we will avoid forcing our own preferences on all.
2) Qunfuz … it would be ideal if you leave me alone, I do not wish to to hear you playing the role of the moral leader who tells everyone he sees below his highness how despicable they are. But you are of course free to continue to attack me if it helps you calm down.
3) Aboud: When you come back, post a clear request under your name to ask me to reveal what I know about you and I will do that. There is nothing dramatic, I have no idea who you are or where you live. All I know is related to something not very ethical that you did here on Syria Comment. If you want me to share it with others, I will … it is really no big deal, but you and your friends seem to be interested to know.
I saw in moderation a number of comments that seem to be by you, at least four of them (not two as you claim) are by you. two under the Aboud name, and two under your other names (same IP, same message more or less … different email etc). You tried to post again despite my ban … you tried different names, different emails .. your second IP …
3) Thank you Anton so much!
The poll will be up later today. Vote there please. This comment section is about Syria.
October 1st, 2011, 3:10 pm
Ghufran said:
???? ?????? ?? ????
October 1st, 2011, 3:27 pm
sheila said:
Dear #957. Revlon,
Very funny. Good one Revlon. Did I ever tell you that I like your posts very much?. Even when you are poking fun at the Halabis.
October 1st, 2011, 3:52 pm
Syrian Nationalist Party said:
@1012. Akbar Palace
Akbar, I have better and deeper knowledge of your Hebrew history, very few so called “Jews” would have it this clear, not corrupted Reptilian programming one.
Jews?? Who are you referring to, there is not such a race of people. There are Israelites that came out, or better said, forced out, of Palestine / Canaan. These are not Jew; they are Israelites comprising 13 tribes.
Are you referring to the House of Judah as the Jews? Or you are just doing “the Programming” and lumping all as Jews?
Khazars who came out of Khazaria are not Israelites (Hebrew). Khazars are the worrier clan / class of southern Russia of today that raked havoc (genocide, rape, plunder and convoluted plots) on all the neighbors back then when they ruled Khazaria. They converted to Judaism religion from paganism and shamanism to confront Christian Byzantium. That does not making them part of the Israelites tribes anymore than a Palestinian convert to it. GOD promises of hope and deliverance is for ISRAELITES not KHAZZARS or Monkeys converted to Judaism. In fact, if you to read the bible, old and New Testament, you will ready a dire GOD Judgment, revenge and defeat is planned for them. My advice to you is to stay away from Khazzars, avoid them like a plague, unless you are one of them. At any rate, read the bible and save yourself from the God wrath that will befall them in the end.
October 1st, 2011, 4:01 pm
Abu Umar said:
927. Mohamed Kanj said:
Mr. fake mumaani’, why did Fashar’s grandfather collaborate with the French and praise the Zionists and blamed the Palestinians for refusing to become refugees in their own land? Why did they slaughter thousands of Palestinians and have a special dungeon for them in Damascus? Why did Hafez al-Jahsh collaborate with the Americans in Gulf War I? It’s ironic that your surname is Kanj as it was Bassam Kanj and a few hundred of his men who took on ten thousand Lebanese and Syrian soldiers. Those “mundasseen” will become a reality and you will remember the days of Ar’oor fondly.
938. Alex said:
What about the cyber-shabiha who were calling for a scorched-earth policy?! Do as I say not as I do?!
961. Alex said:
Everything you and your despicable regime are guilty of and do you think you’re cute with “Ara’eer”. There would have been an uprising, even if there was no Ar’oor. Why do you expect tens of thousands of Syrians to go their graves smiling so your regime can stay in power?
October 1st, 2011, 4:02 pm
Alex said:
Abu Umar … this is not my quote, and you misunderstood my original quote.
I am not totally pleased with the regime’s handling of the crisis and I am not fully pleased with the regime in its past or present form. But I am not impressed with the opposition and would like instead national dialogue between all Syrians so that each one would learn from his opponents about all the mistakes he or she committed. They all made mistakes.
October 1st, 2011, 4:14 pm
Tara said:
Ref: Ambassador Ford
His actions are giving hope to Syrians, and clearly frightening the regime.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/01/opinion/robert-ford-americas-man-in-syria.html
Robert Ford, the United States ambassador in Damascus, is an exemplary and courageous diplomat. While President Bashar al-Assad of Syria and his henchmen have been slaughtering their people, Mr. Ford has been traveling the country, standing with the pro-democracy opposition and bearing witness to their sacrifice.
October 1st, 2011, 4:29 pm
tarek said:
Alex,
I do not know why you have to take the abuse that you get from Qunfuz,
Calling the people who support the government murderous is outrageous and encourage violence, I would ban him forever for saying that , respect of others is essential to make Syria better.
October 1st, 2011, 4:35 pm
DIGGING FOR GOLD IN BOSRA said:
Alex
What mistakes have the protestors made? What do you think of Assad’s response to the demonstrations? Let’s hear you.
October 1st, 2011, 4:35 pm
Tara said:
Tarek @ 1021
Murderous may be over the top.
Let’s be objective and call regime’s supporters using factual phrases: the regime killed 2700 civilians, tortured people, killed children and killed women. So avoiding an over the top names, take your pick:
Genocide supporters
Children killing’s supporters
Women killing’s supporter
Torture’s supporters.
Which one do you like the most?
October 1st, 2011, 4:52 pm
Abu Umar said:
“1019. Alex said:
Do you honestly think that the millions of Syrians who have tha’r against the regime will forget? Your statement seems delusional. The Bahraini gov’t is trying the same thing and it won’t work.
1021. tarek said:
Calling the people who support the government murderous is outrageous and encourage violence, I would ban him forever for saying that , respect of others is essential to make Syria better.
The Nobel prize for hypocrisy. Take your seat besides Abu Nifaq, Mjabali.
October 1st, 2011, 4:55 pm
Syrian Nationalist Party said:
“……..What mistakes have the protestors made?…..”
Allowed and placed themselves at the disposal of foreign operatives to be used as a front for sinister foreign plot, conspired overseas, with intended goal of dividing Syria according to conspirator plan in which Syria will lose its territorial integrity.
Received funding, accepted order and cash from those who organized them with links to foreign intelligence Agencies.
Received, held talks with foreign government ambassadors who their nation intelligence agencies are masterminding the seditious plot against the Syrian Nation.
Aiding and abetting of criminal seditious conspiracy that is divisive and detrimental to National interests and coexistence.
Willfully permitted, housed and provided safe houses for Islamic and Western backed terrorist cells and operatives connected to foreign intelligence agencies of enemy states.
Failed to turn in and or submit information to authority relating to sabotage units and cells that are committing rape, murder and destruction of property in Syria, operating under cover of protest.
Willfully fabricating news stories with intent to harm the Syrian Nation and existing recognized State, and receiving payout from foreign intelligence operatives disguised as Arabs, Palestinians or whoever, payout for fabricating videos to be sent to hostile News Media outlets of exceptional low integrity, for the sole purpose of raising sectarian strife in the nation and helping enemy states and conspirators achieve their goals.
Receiving and accepting orders from foreign Intel agencies agents to create Civil disobedience disturbances operating under the cover of discontent with Baath party rule, but in fact, it is to willfully destabilize the state and bring civil sectarian warfare.
Failure to halt of suspend activities that are well known to have been conspired by foreign agents and actually continue to implement those seditious orders even when truth and knowledge become public regarding the conspiracy and it is plans. Despite well document prove of terroristic action within ranks, they failed to cease and desist from disturbances until such action is stopped or hold further action until such a time when the conspiracy plan is nullified.
There is more……
October 1st, 2011, 5:11 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
Alex
can you elaborate more about the national dialogue you are proposing, knowing that the regime is using violent crackdown,and no dialogue can be done with the regime,who do you suggest the dialogue should be between?and how long the dialogue should take?as you know between Israel and palastinian it has been at least 25 years,with no progress.
October 1st, 2011, 5:17 pm
TRUE said:
To Otrakji the moderator not Alex the commentator,
Otrakji, please, don’t try to cheese the matter, playing a moderator means you should put your own personal feelings aside when it comes down to business and making forum-related decisions. Clearly you have failed in this aspect and expressed the symptoms of emotionally driven person who lacks objectivity in addressing serious concerns.
As a moderator you need to get yourself together and remember your tasks and duties, yes there are duties! Surely, using the moderator’s privileges, of accessing personal info, to liquidate individuals on this forum driven by personal drives and agenda i.e. jealousy & political stand is not one of them. All in all, Otrakji you’re a moderator who lacks neutrality and for sure the credibility is doubted with a big question mark.
Otrakji, you need to redeem yourself and offer your public apologies with a promise to get back on track as a moderator. Otherwise, show some dignity and step down as a moderator.
Make an Honorable Exit.
October 1st, 2011, 5:24 pm
jna said:
mina
re: “sub-commandante”
I was trying to be a little funny with the image. I’ll refrain from discussing the subject until he returns (if at all).
October 1st, 2011, 5:24 pm
TRUE said:
Joshua & Ehsani,
Letting Otrakji to continue playing the moderator on SC, with his current attitude and code of conduct, is exactly similar to ask ABOUD to be a moderator.
Not addressing our demand as (anti-regime group) of removing “Otrakji” as a moderator on SC would be a serious source of concern.
October 1st, 2011, 5:26 pm
zoo said:
King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia shows his big heart
29.09.2011 | Source:
Pravda.Ru
The “great-hearted” King Abdullah bin Abdel-Aziz of Saudi Arabia overturned the court ruling against the woman, who dared to break the ban on female driving. The woman was sentenced to ten lashes for driving a car.
The woman, named as Shema, was found guilty of driving a car in the city of Jeddah in July. Saudi women are banned from driving in the country.
There is no official information to confirm the King’s decision to acquit the female driver yet. The news was revealed by Princess Amira al-Taweel, wife of billionaire Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal. “Thank God, the lashing of Shema is cancelled. Thanks to our beloved king,” she tweeted, the BBC said.
The ban on female driving in Saudi Arabia touches upon both native and foreign women. Tens of women began to deliberately break the ban since July of 2011 in an attempt to lift the ban.
The Saudi King has recently surprised everyone when he gave the women the right to vote and be elected in municipal elections. This obviously became a historical decision for the monarch to make. The decision was made as a result of the talks with high-ranking representatives of the Muslim clergy, Vesti reports.
October 1st, 2011, 5:39 pm
Muhammad said:
SC rules:
Insulting the 1st shabih and his murderous family gets you a ban.
Taunting the opposition with the torture of their detainees and repeatedly insulting Islam gets you … pat on the shoulder.
Moderation my a***
October 1st, 2011, 5:40 pm
Muhammad said:
Since Aboud has been banned this forum is not half as good as it was. Considering how much effort Aboud put into this forum one wonders how could he be banned so easily. This is especially true when compared to one particular moderator who so far not bothered updating the main comment section even once.
If you want this forum to become a boring monologue then it is your choice. There is no lack of space for us opposition to express our ideas and we will simply go somewhere else. I’m fairly certain the forum will lose a lot of audience with the current “moderation” policy. You have an example in the current “National Dialogue” in Syria that no one really cares about. I have seen some stomach turning exchanges in one of them on Syrian TV. The whole dialogue is held in halls that have giant pictures of Besho (thanks Aboud). You have to wonder what exactly are we going to discuss then.
October 1st, 2011, 5:59 pm
zoo said:
#1031
A Blog survives by its commenters. If you want to kill it because you disagree with its administrators, just stop posting and move to another one that suits better you ideas.
October 1st, 2011, 6:01 pm
Jad said:
Dear Alex,
Why you even bother explaining? The previous moderator never give a reason for its actions, just ignore any stupid comment by the usual sectarian clowns of SC, if they want to write within the rules it’s fine if not it’s their decision, this is a public respected site that must keep the language standards high enough for all to read, those who disagree can go somewhere else and make their own blogs.
It’s ridiculous to read comments from two sectarians who insist on judging Syrians according to their religion/sect background to come and give us lecture about morality, have the minimum of what Alex show for the last 6 years then someone will listen to your fake disgusting whining. Truly pathetic!
October 1st, 2011, 6:02 pm
Tara said:
Alex
I don’t want to dwell on the issue of moderating and I agree with your call to move on. I do have a question though.
I don’t believe condemning public figures is a reason for banning. I am very much against personal attacks on SC posters. I am not with banning due to political opinion. Here is my question: Bashar is as hated personality as Ar’oor. Had a commentor made a similar statement that banned Aboud But just changed the name to Ar’oor and his wife, would he be banned?
Can the rule be clarified.
October 1st, 2011, 6:03 pm
tarek said:
Tara,
More than 700 members of the Syrian armed forces were killed by the revolutionary and their supporters,
Should call these revolutionaries
freedom fighters
or
murderers,
chose your pick.
October 1st, 2011, 6:06 pm
hope said:
Syria’s Universities: Breaking the Taboo of Talking Politics
By: Tarek Abd al-Hayy
Published Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Unlike years past, those returning to the classroom at Syria’s universities are now actively discussing politics, including heated debates about toppling the Assad regime .
http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/syria%E2%80%99s-universities-breaking-taboo-talking-politics
October 1st, 2011, 6:07 pm
Muhammad said:
I’m not going to dwell on the issue of moderating. I don’t get paid to post here and unless I feel there is a real exchange of ideas and a diverse audience then I will simply stop wasting my time. In fact, I already feel like I lost a lot of interest in this forum.
Banning Aboud was a mistake and a big one unless you want to turn this forum into another ejtema3 hizbi. I’m not going to mince my words and I think alex is a bad moderator and should leave.
October 1st, 2011, 6:12 pm
Tara said:
Tarek
Should people be slaughtered like sheeps or should they defend themselves. If an armed thug broke in your house and shot your child, do you offer the second child too or try to defend your family? One can argue that not defending your self or loved one if able to be morally unacceptable. Don’t you agree?
October 1st, 2011, 6:12 pm
TRUE said:
To Otrakji the moderator not Alex the commentator,
Otrakji, i say stop being dichotomous and just play fair. I do understand that your personal urge of omitting the presence of anti-regime commentators on SC is preventing you from complying with your ethics as a moderator. At the end of the day you’re a human and it’s quite normal to feel so, not all people including myself could separate their own desires from their duties.
To be honest, Otrakji for someone who have studied Applied Management at McGill University I’m quite surprised how you’re forgetting 1.0.1 of “Business comes first”
Just step down and come for “fair game” debate
October 1st, 2011, 6:16 pm
Tara said:
Muhamad
Your comment is valid and we are waiting clarification.
October 1st, 2011, 6:16 pm
LOUAI said:
ALEX
‘I am not totally pleased with the regime’s handling of the crisis and I am not fully pleased with the regime in its past or present form. But I am not impressed with the opposition and would like instead national dialogue between all Syrians so that each one would learn from his opponents about all the mistakes he or she committed. They all made mistakes’
Well put, it drives me crazy that no one in the world trying to understand this stand..
Accusing every one who stand against this revolution of being a regime supporter is the same as accusing all the revolutionaries of being salfis and paid for .
October 1st, 2011, 6:21 pm
tarek said:
Tara,
I agree with you , your thugs were and are attacking the army and the civilians , The army has to defend himself and the civilian population , so they fired back and your thugs lost their lives, so they should not have started the war that they know they can not win, there is still time, the president, the Baath party and the government can forgive them, the goal is to lead them to safety not to hell . .
October 1st, 2011, 6:21 pm
jad said:
Is this news right or fake?
???? ????? ??? ????? ?? ????? ?????? ?? ????? ?? ????? ?????? ?????? ????? ?? ????? ????? ??? ?????? ?????”???? ??????” ????? ?? ?? ???? ????? ???? ?? ????? ??????? ??????? ????? ???? ?????? ????? ????? ????? ?? ????? ???? ???? ??? ??? ????? ?????????? ?? ????? ??? ???????…
?????? ??? ??????? ????? ????? ?? ?????? “??????” ????? ??? ?????? ??????? ????? ?????? ????? ??? ??????? ???…
????? ????? ?? ????? ?????? ?????? ?? ???? ??????? ????? ?? ????? ??? ??????? ???? ??????? ??? ????? ?? ????? ????? ??? ?????? ?? ???????? ????? ?????? ????? ??????? ?????….
?????? ???? ????? ??????? ????? ????? ?? ??????? ??? ????? ??? ????? ?????? ??? ????? ??? ?????? ?? ??????? ?????? ?????? “??????” ?? ????? ?????? ????? ?? ?????? ???????? ?? ???????…
??????? ???? ?? ?????? “??????” ?? ???? ??????? ?? ??? ????? ??????? ???????? ?? ???? ??? ???? ?? ??? ???? ????
October 1st, 2011, 6:21 pm
TRUE said:
To Otrakji the moderator not Alex the commentator,
Otrakji, why it was OK for you to question and demand actions from Obama’s campaign PR managers on November 25, 2008 (you know the missing country letter)? while on contrary you’re acting similar to those who do don’t acknowledge people and groups with equal rights.
That’s why i say you’re so blinded with your hatred to pro-regime commentators on SC
just step down and make everyone’s a favor.
October 1st, 2011, 6:27 pm
Tara said:
Tarek
You are now twisting the fact which makes me lose interest in continuing the conversation with you. There are thousands of proven authentic clips showing shabeehas and soldiers shooting unarmed demonstrators. Please refer to HRW publications.
Pairouz@ 375 from previous thread
Intelligent comment! I can’t take the credit though. It was True who posted the link to the public opinion not Tara. I agree with what you said and have no problem with a second opinion poll. Bashar does not let free press enter and would not let an overt opinion poll unless conducted by his Shabeehas.
October 1st, 2011, 6:29 pm
zoo said:
Jad
I agree with you, what a waste of time! Alex should just skip these ridiculous requests for ‘clarification’. Lot is happening in Syria to dwell uselessly on the emotional frustration and anger of some commenters who lost their favorite preacher! No one is irreplacable, don’t they know that! I am sure they can find an equivalent preacher on other blogs, if this is what they want.
October 1st, 2011, 6:35 pm
tarek said:
Tara,
Things are very chaotic in Syria that the truth can be shifting depending on who is reporting it, open your mind and play the devil advocate as things are not what they seem.
October 1st, 2011, 6:43 pm
Haytham Khoury said:
Dear Camille:
You are playing a dual role: a commentator and a moderator. This is creating a lot of confusion on SC today.
Further, it is your right to have your own opinion regarding the current Syrian problem. However, this should not influence your judgement as moderator. I am not saying it did. However, it is you who can judge that by doing a conscious self-examination.
Regarding, the violent or insulting language on SC, I think it should be treated decisively. I have been on SC only for few weeks. However, I am surprised by degraded language that is used in certain comments. I understand some people do not really mean what they say. However, what is important is not the intentions but the consequences.
In brief, we do not want anymore any comment by “Alex”. The moderator should assume his responsibility with his real name “Camille” like Joshua used to do. Also, we should respect the moderators decisions. Of course, it is our right to discuss tham, but we should not exaggerate.
“WE DON’T WANT ANY MORE POSTS BY ALEX. IT IS VERY CONFUSING. THE MODERATOR SHOULD USE HIS OWN REAL NAME WHEN HE POSTS”.
October 1st, 2011, 6:47 pm
ss said:
Tarek “More than 700 members of the Syrian armed forces were killed by the revolutionary and their supporters, Should call these revolutionaries freedom fighters or murderers,chose your pick”
TARA “Should people be slaughtered like sheeps or should they defend themselves. If an armed thug broke in your house and shot your child, do you offer the second child too or try to defend your family?”
Leave Syria comment and come back and you will see that people are still spinning around the same idea. SC fellows are not bringing anything new; they are where we left them 6 months ago. Syrian army is killing people in their homes with the help of shabee7a. Aren’t you bored of repeating the same story again and again? This repetitive is becoming like porn. The Syrians proved again to be wise and original. The situation is much better compared to 6 months ago, and the Sylmia now are killing physicians, scientists, intellectual people; does this remind you of anything??? This reminds me of the 80s and yes MBs back to repeat the same history. I hope non of the so called Sylmia would support such killing of the intellectual physicians, engineers, cuz I do not think these people are going after your Childs and women; Tara.
If I want to add up the number of civilians killed by the reports of Tara and Aboud on this forum, I would say that the army should have killed hundred of thousands of people. The Syrian government proved again to be able to deal with challenges. Challenges less than this brought Tunis in 2 weeks, Egypt in few weeks, and Lybia in months. Syria is different because of its mature people.
October 1st, 2011, 6:51 pm
Muhammad said:
The comments above that seems to indicate those of us in opposition should just leave rather proves my point. This forum is very close to become ejtema3 hizbi. This is the same narrow and stupid mentality of the regime: if we can banish you by force then your opinion is not worth hearing.
I hope you have a lot of fun with your own echos after we leave.
October 1st, 2011, 6:53 pm
Norman said:
Haytham
Who are you to tell Alex what we want, you do not represent anybody here, so if you do not like Alex, find a different place,
Alex has my full support.
and yes any foul language, any threat against anybody commenting on SC or the president should be baned
people who think that threatening the president of Syria with execution should read the American about threatening the president of the US.
October 1st, 2011, 6:56 pm
Akbar Palace said:
1017. Syrian Nationalist Party said:
Akbar, I have better and deeper knowledge of your Hebrew history, very few so called “Jews” would have it this clear, not corrupted Reptilian programming one.
SNP,
You have knowledge of nothing. You are an empty vessel of ignorance and stupidity. You aren’t even smart enough to answer the few simple questions I asked you. You’re probably to embarrassed to answer.
Jews?? Who are you referring to, there is not such a race of people.
Jews are a people and Judiasm is our religion. Judaism started over 1000 years before Mohammad was born. I’m sorry this is news to you, most sane people already know this. Below are some links that aren’t on the anti-semitic websites you frequent. You may want to read them.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judaism#History
October 1st, 2011, 7:01 pm
jad said:
Dr. Haytham
With all due respect, neither you, me or anybody have the right to tell anybody on here to USE what you or me want them to USE as their names, it’s obscene, you are crossing a thick red line of the ‘security of person’* in putting people’s security in danger by asking them to use their names that can be used against them either legally or illegally by criminals outside the web world.
I suggest that you don’t ask people to do what you do, it may not work for them, besides, it doesn’t work this way, especially in politics, you have no right to ask such thing even when you write it in ‘CAPITAL’ letters and use the word ‘WE’ that actually represent ‘YOU’ and ‘YOU’ only since ‘WE’ didn’t ‘ELECT’ ‘YOU’ to talk on ‘OUR’ behalf.
Regards
*ref to the ‘CANADIAN CHARTER OF RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS’
October 1st, 2011, 7:02 pm
Syria no kandahar said:
True=Aboud after plastic surgery
October 1st, 2011, 7:03 pm
zoo said:
#1050
Expressing views of the opposition is something very important, but using foul, violent and degrading language is not. If you can’t do without mixing them, then I will certainly not miss you.
By the way, this Blog is not about having fun, but about exchanging and learning as civilized people.
October 1st, 2011, 7:07 pm
jad said:
It seems that the Army did capture Riad AlAsa’d, I thought that he is in outside Syria.
October 1st, 2011, 7:09 pm
Tara said:
Tarek @ 1047
Fair statement have I not witnessed the regime brutality first hand having lived in Syria until I was 21. Tarek, the way I view it is that there is one single person leading the regime who should be held accountable to all the crimes committed by the shabeehas because he happens to be the president and the ultimate decision maker. Swearing into presidency means that you accepting the responsibility and the accountability bestowed on you when becoming a president.
There might be mistakes committed by some who oppose the regime but the revolution can not be blamed for it because it is a mass movement, a popular uprising, without a head or a leading entity.
You guys on SC can’t even acknowledge that SC opposition are decent people . We are always accused of being salafists, traitors or “aliens”. If you ever meet me, you will be laughing at ever entertaining the idea of Tara being any of the above.
Bashar should realize that Syria is at a point of no return. Civil war has already started. It is still in low level but will soon snowball. Pain and anguish will be felt by all. There will be no winner. Syria will change for ever. The only way to avert it and to save the country is for him to step down and allow peaceful transition to a democratically elected president.
October 1st, 2011, 7:11 pm
Akbar Palace said:
I am not totally pleased with the regime’s handling of the crisis and I am not fully pleased with the regime in its past or present form.
Alex,
If you are “not totally pleased with the regime’s handling of the crisis”, etc, can you give us a hint as to what prevents you from being “totally pleased” with the Assad government?
But I am not impressed with the opposition and would like instead national dialogue between all Syrians so that each one would learn from his opponents about all the mistakes he or she committed.
Can you tell us why you are “not impressed with the opposition”? Is it possible you aren’t impressed with the opposition because the opposition is banned in Syria and that anyone speaking out against the Baathist government will be hauled away to prison or shot without any recourse?
October 1st, 2011, 7:14 pm
Akbar Palace said:
I am not totally pleased with the regime’s handling of the crisis and I am not fully pleased with the regime in its past or present form.
Alex,
If you are \”not totally pleased with the regime\’s handling of the crisis\”, etc, can you give us a hint as to what prevents you from being \”totally pleased\” with the Assad government?
But I am not impressed with the opposition and would like instead national dialogue between all Syrians so that each one would learn from his opponents about all the mistakes he or she committed.
Can you tell us why you are \”not impressed with the opposition\”? Is it possible you aren\’t impressed with the opposition because the opposition is banned in Syria and that anyone speaking out against the Baathist government will be hauled away to prison or shot without any recourse?
October 1st, 2011, 7:16 pm
Syrian Nationalist Party said:
Take your Jews and move to Khazaria and New York Reptilian idiot. Leave Palestine to owners the Israelites and the Hebrew. Stop usurping the people land and rights, abusing their name with your filth. Fascism is much more honorable than your NEOCON REPTILIANS. JEWS WILL NEVER EVER HAVE A ONE WORLD GOVERNMNET AND THE ONLY NEW ORDER IS UP MY BUTT.
Don’t talk to me anymore.
October 1st, 2011, 7:16 pm
sheila said:
To #1036. Tarek,
You said:
“Tara,
More than 700 members of the Syrian armed forces were killed by the revolutionary and their supporters,
Should call these revolutionaries
freedom fighters
or
murderers,
chose your pick”.
Unless there are independent observers on the ground (banned by the regime), neither of us knows who is killing whom. All I see is a state army and intelligence services set loose in cities, towns and villages faced by demonstrators. For the regime to be the prosecutor, judge and jury is an interesting way of exacting justice.
October 1st, 2011, 7:40 pm
jna said:
Akbar Palace wrote: “Is it possible you aren\’t impressed with the opposition because the opposition is banned in Syria and that anyone speaking out against the Baathist government will be hauled away to prison or shot without any recourse?”
The opposition in Syria has been banned and repressed but isn’t the account below a regime gesture of change which the opposition could try to work to expand on if there’s a desire to contain bloodshed?
October 1st, 2011, 7:47 pm
Ghufran said:
A pro regime site is claiming that zainab was killed by Islamist thugs after she converted to Shia Islam and that her brother called her a Kafirah in public. The story is not credible but I wanted to share it with you and see if any of you has more info on the subject. Zainab’s family has been silent as far as I know .Whoever killed her must face a similar fate.
October 1st, 2011, 7:56 pm
DIGGING FOR GOLD IN BOSRA said:
@ Akbar Palace
I have asked Alex the same thing twice now and have yet to hear a reply. Come on Alex, speak up.
October 1st, 2011, 8:10 pm
Syrialover said:
Calling Alex and Ehsani! Wake up!
What’s going on?
If your plan is random weekly updates you’ll soon run this site down in Joshua’s absence.
Please don’t let that happen. Get more help if you need it.
October 1st, 2011, 8:58 pm
Tara said:
14 murdered by the regime in Syria on Sat oct 1, 2011
October 1st, 2011, 9:04 pm
Haytham Khoury said:
Dear Norman @1051:
I expressed my opinion respectfully. Simply, it is very confusing to have him as player and referee at the same time.
October 1st, 2011, 9:10 pm
Hans said:
I have been saying this for long time!!! i didn’t write the article, but i found it on a link on SC.
Enjoy reading it and if you don’t agree with it then you need not to look further than your nose.
http://www.daringopinion.com/The-Mirage-of-Arab-Democracy.php
October 1st, 2011, 9:25 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
Alex
you made no response.
The rumors about Zainab Al Hosni are false, the family did mention that she was arrested to get her brother,no truth about her converting to Shiite.
the other rumor about Ryad Asaad is not true either,I could not verify them.
and the news about Yasser Azmeh is dead, is not true.
October 1st, 2011, 9:39 pm
Real Syrian said:
Dear Alex
Go ahead in your duty,and please do not listen to the radicals on this blog……
Terrorists on this blog are in the denial stage of their psychiatric disorders…..They do not want to believe that they have been kicked to hell by the feet of real Syrian people and their brave and honest army…….
God Bless Syria and President Al-Assad
October 1st, 2011, 9:43 pm
Haytham Khoury said:
Dear Jad:
Camille’s name is on the website. There is no more security concern. When Camille was commentator on SC he used to use the nickname Alex. His status has changed. It is less confusing for us if he changes his name. I think now he has a formal status. It is less confusing for us if he acts according to his formal status. Anyway, it is his choice at the end.
October 1st, 2011, 9:51 pm
tarek said:
Tara,
dream on, no help is coming your way, you are better off taking your win and accepting it,
Shiela,
I saw somebody called saqer from the opposition and he was claiming that the nuclear scientist in Homs was killed by the regime as was Dr AL Fayed from the late seventies, people who lived at that time know that the MB killed the University professors.
They ( your opposition) think that the Syrian people are stupid and believe everything they tell them, I don’t think that is the case.
October 1st, 2011, 10:01 pm
jad said:
Again, Dr. Haytham, it’s not your or my position to ask people to change their names.
It’s not confusing as you claim, that Alex is the moderator, he is in this position for the last 6 years and if you care to check, his middle name is actually Alexandre, so, no need for you to go on and on about your proposal for someone to change his name because you asked for it, play within the rules of the democratic game you are proposing, don’t propose your own.
I hope that you respect other people’s opinion and don’t hijack their voices and impose to their privacy, your government left the Canadian’s private rooms long time ago for you to come back and take that privacy back from them.
Regards
P.S. Ayman Abdel Alnour is Christian, you were wondering about that couple days ago.
October 1st, 2011, 10:03 pm
Alex said:
Thanks you again Jad, and Louai. I am trying to answer some of the more reasonable questions (and some of the tiring, repetitive ones too, while I still have some energy)
Please remember that Ehsani will be the more frequent author and moderator on SC. Joshua did the right thing by having Ehsani and I cooperating to run SC. He is very critical of the regime, and I am critical of the opposition.
Dear Haytham: my full name is: Camille Alexandre Otrakji. My grand father’s is Alexandre. Alex is also my name. In 2005 I started to blog as Alex (my name) and most old readers of SC know me as Alex.
I agree that my wearing two hats is confusing. I hope you’ll get used to it. Since 2005 I have been moderating Syria Comment on and off. I only banned one person (for a limited time). Joshua banned him indefinitely. He was given many warning.
But I delete many comments. For example I deleted a comment by Syria No Kandahar a few days ago. He is a regime supporter.
I understand that some of you do not know me well. I founded a number of popular discussion forums all of which were open to all points of view.
Here are some examples:
1) The Syrian Think Tank
http://creativesyria.com/discussion/thinktank.php?TopicID=31
Ammar Abdel Hamid was invited to my forum and his posts almost always given the top spot. His opinion is the one I dislike the most, but I did not want him to feel unwelcome, so he was treated better than Imad Moustapha or Patrick Seale.
2) Creative Forum:
When Syrian Israeli peace was discussed, many Israelis were invited to present their views. “Another Israeli” who was the commentator who attacked me personally everyday was invited to write a piece to express his views. To balance him, left wing Israelis were also invited (he is a Likudist).
http://www.creativesyria.com/syrianbloggers/?cat=7
He is the one I once banned from Syria Comment. But I still invited him to write.
3) Islam Comment:
You will find Islamists, journalists (Mona Eltahawy), secularists (Sadik Al-Azm) … academics from MIT and Princeton … a Rabbi/academic (Dr. Marc Gopin) …
http://islamcomment.org/?topic=1
4) http://www.Mideastimage.com/blog
http://www.Mideastimage.com
My family’s collection of original historic photographic images of the Middle East. One of the largest collections in the world.
5) http://www.onemideast.com
Syrian Israeli peace initiative … academic exercise that got worldwide coverage (see left column here):
http://www.onemideast.org/
It won first place mention at President Obama’s former site Change.org
http://news.change.org/stories/social-media-lessons-from-middle-eastern-activists
Ahead of Egyptian social media and Iranian social media success stories.
October 1st, 2011, 10:05 pm
Alex said:
I just posted a new poll about moderation. Please vote.
And for those of you who like to vote many times (from your cell phone, from your home and then from your office) please try to respect the obvious one man (or woman) one vote rule.
We’ll see in a week what the majority prefers moderation to be.
October 1st, 2011, 10:10 pm
Mohamed Kanj said:
JAD – has it been confirmed that Riad al assad has been captured?? Where did you get this information from? If it is true it is another slap in the face of the extremists and traitors
October 1st, 2011, 10:12 pm
Norman said:
Haytham,
you are new here,
Alex has been on this blog for a long time and has been defending Syria and Arab rights while all of you were sleeping or too young to write, the full name of Alex is Camille Alexander Otrakji, he has been a moderator with you and others not knowing it for years, he set up the SC Rules, see them above , he baned many people for repeated insults and empty talks like AIG, and now he is trying to show Syrians as civilized and doing it by banning the outlaws to the rules, so follow the rules, at the end of the day , Alex and Ehsani are the ones who are putting up with all of us and investing the most time.
October 1st, 2011, 10:14 pm
Haytham Khoury said:
Sorry Alex.
I did not mean to be intimidating. I should stop there. I tried to help. It seems I complicated it. For this reason, I withdraw my previous three comments. Sorry again.
October 1st, 2011, 10:18 pm
Haytham Khoury said:
Again Guys. I am so sorry for Alex. I did not mean at all to be intimidating. I thought the origin of the problem was that people were arguing with him, because they were still dealing with him as commentator, while his status has changed.
Sorry again.
October 1st, 2011, 10:24 pm
jad said:
Mohamad kanj,
It’s been a Facebook/Twitter challenge by both sides, the local pro FB insisting that he was captured, the uprising side is denying it and saying that he wasn’t, then the pro sites challenged them to show him on Aljazeera to deny this news, without any reply from the uprising side until now, it’s a bit confusing.
It sounds similar to when they arrested hamroush, it was denied for couple days before they show him on national TV, will wait and see.
October 1st, 2011, 10:27 pm
Alex said:
No worries Haytham. As I wrote above, you are right to find my role confusing, it is.
Thank you Norman and Jad, fellow SC dinosaurs!
Moderation is not going to be affected by my persoal opinions. I will hopefully post a huge article sometime soon. Then I will get to experience the real joy of reading lots of constructive (and not very constructive) criticism!
October 1st, 2011, 10:31 pm
ziadsoury said:
“I am not totally pleased with the regime’s handling of the crisis and I am not fully pleased with the regime in its past or present form.”
I am glad that you are not totally or fully pleased. But you must be satisfied?
Let me guess what would have made you very pleased with the regime (thugs)
Kill more people? Instill more fear in people’s hearts? Make Aboud kneel down for master basher as his god? Please help me out………????
You have been asked many times to declare your position and connections to the thugs in Damascus (Master basher and all of his thugs), D.C or any where but so far you have refused. Was your father an ambassador to the Syrian government?
Personally I could care less where you stand on these issues. If you want to support bunch of mafia war criminals, that is your choice. I do not judge or pass judgment. The Syrian people will. I can not wait to see basher and the rest of his thugs in their jail cells asking for mercy and forgiveness.
To me, what Aboud wrote is wrong but he has not killed or hurt anyone. He is just thinking out loud. I and people like OTW, Sheila, TARA and many others would have told him that was wrong and he would have respected that. By the way the thugs you are pleased with have actually done that. They have mutilated many people. I wonder what kind of complaint letter you wrote to them or have you banned them from SC.
I have not read any comments from you condemning any killings what so ever by the master’s thugs. So you must be satisfied. Just like I told Norman a couple of days ago, grow some stones.
Look at the comments on this board and many of them are personal attacks and mostly from your side of the fence (I can say that because you have not come clean). I have been called a terrorist salafi by some people and I just completely ignored them.
Who cares what Aboud says should be done to Mrs. Vogue? But master Bashar and his slave Imad in D.C do care and you are very satisfied with the job they are doing. My money says you received an order to remove that comment and ban Aboud.
October 1st, 2011, 10:38 pm
louai said:
Dear all
I just voted for a strong moderation on syriacomment , some people try to cover up what they have lack of reason with bad language ,some people just use bad language and personal insults because that’s their way of doing things . I thing what good about syriacomment is its Varity , there are Syrians and none Syrians from all walks of life ,I like even reading what the Israelis try to do in here .
But SyriaComment in the last month or so became like my City Homs very tens and only the radical voices are being heard
I do not comment in any other website ,I do comment here to share my thoughts fear and hopes with you all and I like to read the same from people , I didn’t post much lately because this place became like a zoo !! Good bloggers like Why-Discuss has left us because of that
unfortunately we can not ban the propagandists and maybe we shouldn’t ,however I chose to ignore them completely.
we can make the rules more strict to allow more moderate people to talk, that what Syria needs right now .
I personally don’t like it when a government supporter uses bad language because this dose not serve his or my cause and the same should be for the opposition, so I hope every one will vote for very strong moderation policy and I hope SyriaComment will be as it used to be
October 1st, 2011, 10:46 pm
Alex said:
My last comment for the day
Dear ziad
1) I will post an article that is so long you will not bother reading it. In it I will answer all the questions asked here.
2) My father has been a senior UN diplomat for decades. He was totally independent of the Syrian government.
3) I never worked for anyone. Was never paid for any of the initiatives I worked on. No one can tell me what to think or do. I own a small business, and I conduct scientific research at my former University for fun. I have a few publications in peer refereed journals in applied psychology and user interface design.
http://www.bibsonomy.org/bibtex/2732ea5753ca48c125a06af9b74cb1607/dblp
http://www.informingscience.org/proceedings/InSITE2006/IISITSaad183.pdf
You are trying too hard to image a crook. Look elsewhere.
4) Dear regime supporters on SC: I hope you would try to avoid calling the pro revolution commentators here as Salafi “thugs” etc … you can use “religious fanatic” instead, and they can call you “regime extremist” Unless the poll tells us otherwise, we will try to moderate the language we use.
October 1st, 2011, 10:54 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
Alex the three category that you posted are very very vague, so I am going to vote for the first one.
October 1st, 2011, 11:07 pm
TRUE said:
Otrakji
Typical old retarded mentality, total denial & full stubbornness of the damage you have caused. Not to mention lacking the courage to come out clean and offer apologies and guarantees for misusing the moderator’s power.
Your replies address nothing of our concerns, in contrary, you’re insisting in praising and glorifying your divine unmistakable judgments and irrational decisions. Your policy of “It’s only my way” was made clear and surely added no value. I can safely assume that what’s actually happening now on SC is an absolute projection of what’s happening on ground in Syria.
I refuse to take a part of your ugly game especially with no clear apology of your actions and disgraceful attitude, I shall participate no more on SC. While many of you, including yourself, would say “La Tezi” I’m sure others, who have more than 2 working cells brains, would understand and appreciate.
Thanks Joshua, Ehsani and all my friends on SC. Good luck with this self-obsessed new moderator
For those who would like to keep in touch
[email protected]
October 1st, 2011, 11:22 pm
Alex said:
Majed … nothing wrong with that vote. I voted for balanced.
True … No, I will not apologize because your majesty issued an order accompanied by a number of insults and accusations, then repeated it five times.
The reason I posted today all those links is that for the past week some of you have been trying hard to portray me to the new readers of SC as some low level moukhabarat that they should worry about.
Sorry if I tried to show I am not that person suggested through your very smart tactics.
Tara, that does not include you, I read your explanation and I am totally fine with it, thanks for explaining.
I’m referring to the always friendly ZiadSoury and True (and probably my good friend Aboud when he comes back).
October 1st, 2011, 11:36 pm
DIGGING FOR GOLD IN BOSRA said:
@ Alex “Dear regime supporters on SC: I hope you would try to avoid calling the pro revolution commentators here as Salafi “thugs” etc … you can use “religious fanatic” instead, and they can call you “regime extremist” Unless the poll tells us otherwise, we will try to moderate the language we use.”
You see, this is exactly why I was against your heavy handed moderation in the first place. To me this is like the thin edge of the wedge. Once you start stipulating which words can and cannot be used you end up on that slippery road towards censorship. I appreciate that you want to raise the level of debate, but I would hope that a contributor’s desire to have their opinion respected would win out over any childish impulse to use gratuitous insults.
By the way, you still haven’t answered my questions pertaining to your support of the regime, or at the very least your reluctance to condemn it in anything but the most tepid of language. The gauntlet has been thrown down. What say you?
October 1st, 2011, 11:57 pm
Alex said:
Dear Digging for gold
Those were only suggestions … obviously people will not stick to them. In that comment I meant to remind those who are not opposed to the regime that they will also hopefully stick to a more civilized tone. If they do not, you and others will complain “you see, Alex is letting these people insult others only because he likes their political views”.
Let’s wait for the poll’s results. You like people power? let their votes decide.
As for my opinion, as I wrote above, I will bore you with it in my upcoming long article. I don’t like partial answers to sensitive topics. But for now, I think I am a 30/70 to 40/60 opposition/regime ratio… very roughly.
October 2nd, 2011, 12:05 am
ziadsoury said:
Alex,
I dare you to find a post where I used foul language or used derogatory language toward any ethnic group or religion.
But when you say “not totally pleased” with the regime while the regime is killing our future you need to be called on it. You never answered any of my questions and specially how could the regime have left a better impression on you?
You said:
“I never worked for anyone. Was never paid for any of the initiatives I worked on. No one can tell me what to think or do. I own a small business, and I conduct scientific research at my former University for fun. I have a few publications in peer refereed journals in applied psychology and user interface design”
Great. I am very happy for you and it proves that Syrians are go getters and can succeed in anything. My question to you: if you lived in Aleppo would you be able to say the same thing? How many Syrians can say “no one can tell me what to think or do”? Please answer that question in your very long paper.
October 2nd, 2011, 12:22 am
Ya Mara Ghalba said:
As reported at comments #157 and #190 above, the British ambassador in Damascus said on 26 Sep 2011: “Video clips show Syrian security forces firing into crowds of unarmed protesters – you can search for them on YouTube. Regime attempts to dismiss most of this as the fabrications of a foreign conspiracy are absurd.”
The anti-regime people see fit to repeat themselves over and over about this allegation. So I’m going to repeat what I’ve said before about it too. Commenter SS at comment #1000++ above said it’s been months since he visited at SyriaComment, and he finds the generality what’s being said here today is stale — no different from what was being said months ago. There’s lots of truth in that.
The regime has a policy of not firing at unarmed protesters.
At the British Ambassador’s blog where he disseminated the above allegation, there’s a place for reader comments and it’s gotten several hundred comments since 26 Sep 2011. One of them is a request for the specific Youtube video links that people think show the truth of the allegation. Such alleged video clips as I’ve already seen are either (a) clear fakes produced by anti-regime propagandists or (b) an unprejudiced person does not see enough information from the video to be able to know what is really happening. The request got a reply of just one video and here it is, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=we2LflzntHo In that video, which carries a date of Friday 22 April 2011, one can’t see any security forces at all — never mind security forces firing. That disqualifies it. The following is another video dated Friday 22 April 2011. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=od_bVIF_GbY#t=290s I posted this second video here at SyriaComment once before. In this video, a line of security forces is visible in the distance, blocking the progress of the marchers. The gunfire starts just after time 5:00. The crowd rushes backwards in a panic during the gunfire. A purportedly killed demonstrator is carried away by other demonstrators, just like in the first video above. Once again, you can’t see the security forces firing. Both videos are elaborately contrived fakes, in which the guns were fired into the ground or into the air by the dissidents to scare the crowd for the sake of the camera. Only a minority of the protesting crowd are cognizant of the scheme to create the slander upon the security forces. In the second video, watch out for the stunt-man who rolls along the road tarmac, then walks back across the road and stands errect in the middle of the road with his back to the security forces, then dives onto the tarmac as more shots break out, etc.
I’ve never seen a credible video of security forces firing into crowds of unarmed protesters. Fake videos created by Syrian dissidents have been given credence by ignorant and prejudiced foreigners. But the people of Syria, who know their army and their police, are not fooled by them.
The regime would have nothing to gain by adopting a policy different from what its current policy is.
For the most part, anti-regime demonstrations are permitted and unhindered. You can truly see that at Youtube. Not every demonstration is permitted. When a particular demonstration is to be dispersed, the dispersion can be achieved with ordinary non-leathal force. The regime has no motive to use disproportionate force. General public knowledge of atrocities authorized against peaceful protesters would undermine the regime’s support among ordinary Syrians. That is the reason why the anti-regime propagandists talk it up so much. The story that the regime’s security forces fire into crowds of unarmed protesters is a scurrilous slander propagated by anti-regime people who have been trying to undermine the regime’s legitmacy.
The British Ambassador in Damascus is very far from alone in believing these scurrilous stories. Almost all the newspapers of the Gulf countries and Egypt have been reporting matter-of-factly and repeatedly that the Assad regime has been shooting at peaceful protesters. Since the Assad regime denies any such thing, these newspaper reports are effectively also saying that the Assad regime is full of liars and lacking in all moral integrity. The people of Syria have access to those Arabic-language news outlets, and they’ve had to make a judgment about who’s telling the truth. And they’ve done so. “The fake revolution has failed.”
Question: Can anybody link me to a video showing security forces opening fire on unarmed demonstrators, where I can actually see the actual security forces actually firing on the demonstrators? I’ve seen enough fakes that I demand a high level of clarity from the video before I can give it credence. I’ve been following video clips coming out of Syria for six months now, but I confess I largely quit watching videos from anti-regime sources a good while ago.
Incidentally:
15 Sep 2011: Two armed dissidents confess on Syrian State TV to using shotguns to fire on peacefully protesting dissidents in Rif Damascus to create the illusion that the security forces were firing on the peaceful dissidents. No reported use of camera, though. http://www.sana.sy/eng/337/2011/09/15/369461.htm
30 Sep 2011: Two armed dissidents confess on Syrian State TV to opening fire on dissidents in Homs to frame the security forces for it. They also brought a camera to record the scene. http://www.sana.sy/eng/337/2011/09/30/372527.htm
October 2nd, 2011, 12:25 am
jad said:
Tomato attack on US ambassador in Damascus
I am following the indignant US official reactions to the tomato attack on the US ambassador in Damascus. One statement got my attention: the US government stated that those who attacked the envoy of the ambassador were regime goons or words to that effect. Why? Is the US claiming that anybody who express opposition or even rage against US and its representatives in the Middle East must be a goon of the regime? Are you kidding me? Are Zionists are the Department of State that capable of deluding themselves? They dont think that the are millions of Arabs who are genuinely and sincerely enraged at the US government and their representatives? I can introduce you to many Arabs, in Syria and in Saudi Arabia, who are opponents to all Arab regimes but who are fiercely angry at the US and are willing to get their tomatoes and eggs and more at any US diplomatic representative. The notion that only regime goons hate US officials is a symptom of arrogance of big power. In fact, I was expecting the US government to maintain that the tomato attack on the convoy has the hallmark of Al-Qa`idah and that the perpetrators would be attacked form the air by drones. That would not surprise me one bit.
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/10/tomato-attack-on-us-ambassador-in.html
October 2nd, 2011, 12:30 am
AIG said:
From the NY Times
October 1, 2011
Key Syrian City Takes On the Tone of a Civil War
This article was reported by a correspondent for The New York Times in Homs, Syria, and written by Anthony Shadid in Beirut, Lebanon.
HOMS, Syria — The semblance of a civil war has erupted in Homs, Syria’s third-largest city, where armed protesters now call themselves revolutionaries, gun battles erupt as often as every few hours, security forces and opponents carry out assassinations, and rifles costing as much as $2,000 apiece flood the city from abroad, residents say.
Since the start of the uprising in March, Homs has stood as one of Syria’s most contested cities, its youth among the best organized and most tenacious. But across the political spectrum, residents speak of a decisive shift in past weeks, as a largely peaceful uprising gives way to a grinding struggle that has made Homs violent, fearful and determined.
Analysts caution that the strife in Homs is still specific to the city itself, and many in the opposition reject violence because they fear it will serve as a pretext for the government’s brutal crackdown.
But in the targeted killings, the rival security checkpoints and the hardening of sectarian sentiments, the city offers a dark vision that could foretell the future of Syria’s uprising as both the government and the opposition ready themselves for a protracted struggle over the endurance of a four-decade dictatorship.
“We are done with the protesting phase,” said a 21-year-old engineering student here who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal. “We’ve now entered a more important phase.”
Homs is a microcosm of Syria, with a Sunni Muslim majority and minorities of Christians and Alawites, a heterodox Muslim sect from which President Bashar al-Assad draws much of his leadership.
Six months of protests and crackdown here have frayed ties among those communities, forging the conditions for urban strife.
An armed opposition is battling security forces in the most restive neighborhoods. Insurgents have tried to protect the same peaceful protesters the government has relentlessly sought to arrest. Tension has grown so dire that members of one sect are reluctant to travel to neighborhoods populated by other sects. Men in some parts of the city openly carry weapons.
Perhaps the most dramatic facet of the struggle is a series of assassinations this past week that have left nearly a dozen professors, doctors and informers dead in a paroxysm of violence that echoes the sectarian vendettas still besetting Iraq. Unlike the uprising’s early days, when the government exercised a near monopoly on violence, fear is beginning to spread in the other direction, as insurgents kill government supporters and informers, residents say.
One of those killed was Dr. Hassan Eid, the chief of thoracic surgery at the National Hospital here and an Alawite from Al Zuhra, one of a handful of neighborhoods where his sect makes up a majority and where buildings and streets are still plastered with the portraits of Mr. Assad. He was shot to death in front of his house as he headed off to work, residents said.
Al Ouruba, a government-aligned newspaper, called him a “symbol of dedication” and said he treated victims of the violence “without discriminating between any of them.” But in Sunni Muslim locales, residents called him a government informer who helped security forces detain the wounded who were treated at his facility.
By nightfall, a hint of triumphalism echoed in parts of the city, as some people celebrated his death.
“He was responsible for the death of many young men,” said a 65-year-old resident of Homs, who gave his name as Rajab. “He was killed because he deserved it.”
Soon after dawn the next day, gunfire erupted as children went to school.
“They shot Abu Ali,” an old man who collects garbage and cleans the streets in the neighborhood said a short time later.
Abu Ali, the name most knew him by, was another informant, the residents said.
“The guys were aware of him a long time ago,” said an activist in his late 40s who gave his name as Abu Ghali. “But now it’s different. He kept reporting, so they had to kill him. I don’t think he died right away though.”
Abu Ghali added that it was not difficult to get information on informers. “You can do anything with money,” he said. “You just bribe an officer, and be generous with him, and you can get all you want.”
The killings took place during two bloody days in Homs, a city along the Orontes River and not too far from the historic medieval castle Krak des Chevaliers. Residents said that after Abu Ali died, three Alawite teachers were killed at a school in the neighborhood of Baba Amr. (Government newspapers did not confirm those deaths.) In the afternoon, Mohammed Ali Akil, an assistant dean at Al Baath University in Homs, was found dead in his car on a highway. Students said he had shown support for the uprising and criticized Mr. Assad’s leadership in his lectures.
“It is true that we were scared during your lectures, but you were a wonderful professor,” a student posted on Facebook. “May you rest in peace. We won’t forget you.”
Near the Lebanese border — where residents say weapons flow across a porous border from Turkey, Saudi Arabia and even Qatar — Homs strikes an odd posture. Many of its Sunni residents are at once fearful and proud, empowered by their opposition to dictatorship. Many Alawites are terrified; they are often the victims of the most vulgar stereotypes and, in popular conversation, uniformly associated with the leadership.
In Alawite villages, only government television is watched. To do so in Sunni neighborhoods amounts to treason. There, Al Jazeera and Al Arabiya are the stations of choice. Suspicions give currency to the wildest of rumors; in one, a female butcher in Homs named Um Khaled asks the armed gangs to bring her the bodies of Alawites they capture so that she can cut them up and market the meat to her customers.
Centuries-old connections between sects still knit together the city, even as the suggestion of civil war threatens to sever them forever. The countryside, residents say, is roiled by far more sectarian hatred. Government checkpoints separate Sunni from Alawite.
“One side kills an Alawite, the other kills a Sunni,” a 46-year-old activist said.
The uprising’s overall toll has been grim: By the United Nations’ count, more than 2,700 people have died. The revolt still draws much of its strength from the countryside, and the two largest cities, Aleppo and Damascus, remain relatively quiescent. Though protests have flagged lately, Homs has stayed defiant.
Armed men often protect the perimeter of protests in places like Bab al-Sbaa, Khaldiya and Baba Amr, where some stores are shut and buildings are scarred by broken windows and bullet holes. Some of them have carried out the assassinations of informers, or “awayniyeh,” as they call them. Others scout government checkpoints and occasionally set up their own, temporary versions.
“They have rocket-propelled grenades and Kalashnikovs,” said a driver in his late 50s who lives in the neighborhood of Khaldiya. “They should be armed,” he added. “They protect us.”
A woman who gave her name as Suleima lives on Al Joura Street in Baba Amr. She earns a living by preparing kibbe, a dish of minced meat with cracked wheat, for wealthier clients in other neighborhoods of Homs. For three days, gunfire kept her inside her house and telephones were down.
“You never know when they will start shooting again,” she said.
Angry and exhausted, she professed neutrality in a conflict that makes such a notion ever more difficult.
“Neighbors accuse me of being with the regime, so I laugh,” she said at her house, which she shares with her daughter. “What on earth did this regime give me? Absolutely nothing. But neither did the revolutionaries. I work, I eat. If I don’t work, I starve. At least I worked before. Now I’m at home, hardly leaving it, and hardly making a living.”
October 2nd, 2011, 12:57 am
AIG said:
Alex,
Instead of giving weasel answers can you give a clear answer to the following:
Do you want Assad to stay in power or are you for free democratic elections in Syria in a reasonable time frame (6-9 months)?
October 2nd, 2011, 1:00 am
Ghufran said:
Russia is going through a political process that will lead to the return of Putin as president
and a less flexible foreign policy after suffering a number of setbacks that had negative consequences on its economy and prestige. This can make the UN and NATO less able to influence events in certain parts of the world including the Middle East.
The Arab Spring was not an international conspiracy,it was the result of oppression,corruption and brutality of The Arab regimes including our own,but as opportunists,foreign and regional powers did not want to waste the chance to position themselves to gain from internal opposition to existing regimes.
It will be up to our citizens to determine the fate of their government but the amount of help or opposition they get from other countries may reduce or increase their degree of success. As always,Arab countries are being manipulated and used while others focus on long term strategies that serve their own interests. One possible benefit from a shift in Russia’s leadership change is forcing the west to adapt a less aggressive position when dealing with Syria,but that may not be necessarily good for efforts to change the regime which is obviously needed to end this crisis. The regime,sensing the lack of unity both inside and outside Syria,has been on the offensive for weeks now and I see no sign of this changing any time soon.
October 2nd, 2011, 1:55 am
Syria no kandahar said:
Dear Alex
I just want to pay your attention to a historical mistake you made few days ago when you referred to Jewish in Qamishli as Kurdish Jews,there is no such a thing.Those Jews are as much as Syrian as you and me,they were about 3000 of them,today only one remained!
Get your facts from good history books and don’t listen to Kurdish propaganda.Kurds try hardly to steel history and one day they claim to be Assyrians the next day they are hatheen and so forth..the fact is that they came from Iran to the area they are trying to proclaim.With all respect to them and to their rights,they shoold not steel others history,
Nore we should fall into Kurdish falsifying facts.No Kurdish king or Kurdish money or Kurdish language existed ever.They pro-claim Salah Aldin and Almamalik and that is fair.They try to proclaim Assyrians in that area to be Christian Kurds and that is TAZWEER of History.
Kurdish issue is the hottest issue which is making this cat and mouse game between all parties very tricky now.Living between Syrian Kurds I can tell you that they don’t believe in any thing except KURDISTAN.They claim that Syria occupied western Kurdistan.Erdogan mouth gets zipped more than he wants to because he knows that if he gets his MB PUPPETS in Damascus,Syria will dissolve.The fact of physics is :without the proper pressure Arabs and Kurds don’t mix,like water and oil.
October 2nd, 2011, 2:03 am
Syria no kandahar said:
700 were arrested for demonstrating on Brooklyn bridge In NY!! they refused to stay out of cars way! Assad condemned the arrest.Imad Mustapha is planning to visit the bridge.
700 hundreds in one day! At this rate Syria should have had 700times 200=140000 arrests at US standards.
October 2nd, 2011, 3:21 am
Syrian Nationalist Party said:
SNP is totally for free and independent thinking, freedom of expression, explicit language and free hugs, free kisses and free sex too. So we voted for the mild, the first one, since there isn’t a category that says Un-moderated or Free. We are as offended by Hijab Shari, Salafi and Wahabi Moslems as a prostitute screaming XXX rated language in the street; we find it all to be equally offensive, so who to judge.
I also received many complaints about Alex calling SNP pro regime. When he knew well since 2005, that we are alone in opposition for many years, they were not there, we invented them online. We do not support the Baath Party or the regime, we support Syria and work to protect it. It is that protection we seek that forces us to stand with the Assad Central Government despite the fact we received a slap on the face from him, passing a Party law that practically equate SNP with MB. We cannot afford any other choice now. We should not trade our narrow interests with losing the whole country. We are not guppy or fool like others. So this Menabbek and Mamenhebbek is really silly and childish. It is also not fair to have pro and anti regime only, there got to be a third category that will describe our position as well as Alex for example, why not think of one (third Category) please.
October 2nd, 2011, 3:35 am
Syrian Nationalist Party said:
@SNK
Agree, Kurds are not Assyrians because in Zachariah Sitshin Chronicle of Earth, many tablets he translated stated that North of Assyria there are the Mountain people who has no King. That region is basically Kurdistan today. Kurds and Israelites have the same history; they both never had king, currency or anything resemble a state. Both located on the outline area of known Civilization and States and are tolerated by the powerful states that surrounded them on the condition they stay neutral and make no trouble. In one instant the Kurds of old did make trouble for Assyria and were beaten up, but unlike Israeli only once they did make a trouble. The Israelites became a problem and were invaded and dispersed. Kurds, Israelites and Arabs have throughout history lived as gypsies, nomads who held grunt on other nations. They carried this grunt throughout the centuries, even to this day.
October 2nd, 2011, 3:52 am
Revlon said:
Dear Alex,
I share Majedkhldoun’s assessment of the rating scale proposed for moderation that you have posted for voting.
I also find it rather vague and confusing:
– MILD category indicated no restrictions and as such should be called RESTRICTION FREE!
– BALANCED tolerates mild violations. The word balance would intuitively mean in the middle and not mild!
I would have preferred to have a censorship scale of two ratings instead;
A low level that would include your mild and balanced,
and a high level that would include your strong category.
Since you have already posted it, you might want to collapse the first two groups and consider them as one in the final tally of votes.
I would also suggest that those who face banning ought to have a chance to be able post their rebuttal which ought to be considered in the final verdict of the moderator.
Cheers!
October 2nd, 2011, 3:54 am
NK said:
Mr. (we were in the opposition before anyone else)
Here’s a reminder from 2007
============================================================
?? ????? ??????? ???
Dear Syrian Nationalists,
I urge you to participate in the Syrian referendum for President, cast your
“ YES ” vote for President Bashar Assad.
He demonstrated a great example of Syrian national courage, made Syrians stand tall and proud. Not only he stood solidly against the diabolically Jewish inspired Greater Middle East Zionist Project, but helped defeat it once and for all.
It was Zionist criminal Jew named Pelosi and other Jewish criminals that traveled to Damascus recently, confused, defeated and humiliated. It was Zionist Negro Rice that begged to meet our great Foreign Affair Minister Muallem in Sharm Al Sheikh, it was Christian Zionist Bush, the genocidal murderer of 700,000 innocent Moslems that relented and let go of his humiliating defeat, asking defeated Jew Olmert, who last summer was miserably defeated on the hand of much powerful and moral force, the Lebanese resistance fighters. Bush, is begging Olmert to go and make peace with Bashar Assad. Olmert, coward, defeated and like his Jewish nation, morally bankrupt and historically amount not much more than a fraud is practically begging President Bashar Assad for peace.
Is not that enough signs for you to know that President Bashar Assad policies were in the interests of Syria and Syrians, was that stand of no compromise, no surrender, no defeat a winner and a case for pride to all Syrians. Was he not the guest of honor at the recent summit of low achievers, unfitted, unhinged, impotents and coward Arab rulers gathering in desert sand Arabia.
Yes, the price of goods and rents are up in Syria, but think about it, would you rather pay the price of freedom, liberty, security and dignity or you rather live like the Palestinians in an awful open air concentration camp called Gazashwicz! Faced with Arial rocket attack hourly. Would you want to pay the price of security and pursuit of happiness or walk the streets of your Syrian towns and villages staring at rows of M16 rifle nozzles held by an illiterate American Soldier from some daddy to big it hurt kinda of State like Texas, ready to empty his rifle at your 2 years old child if he felt like it with impunity.
Imagine if Syria did not have to endure the cost of sheltering Millions of Palestinians, Iraqis, Lebanese, not mention the half a million Armenian Christians, Kurds, Turkmen’s, Cherkassy, and other who ran away from the violence and upheavals that ravaged their land by Western Oil Companies, under the guise of Freedom and Democracy Programs.
You want to live in Ghadristan or Hariristan State like, mortgage your country to foreign bankers and oil companies! You want to live in concentration camps, you want to live in Lebanese Jumblatian crussaders State go see what it feel like it next door.
In life we make choices, make your own, don’t let the likes of Kaddam’s, Bayanooni’s makes it for you. Live as a proud Syrian in secure country, under a smart, young and solidly National President.
Vote Yes for Bashar Assad for President, vote for Syria.
???? ????? ????????? ??????? ???????– ??????
2215 Wyoming Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20008
202-233-6313
??????: 202-234-9548, 202-265-4585
[email protected]
????????? ??? ???? ????? ????????? ?????? 27 ????
???? ????? ??? ?????? ? ??? ? ?????? ?????? ???? ?????, ????
???? ???? ??? ?????? ???????
??? ?????? , ???????? ??????? ?????????
??? ???? ??????? ?? ????? ?????? ??????
I cast my vote for the first time ever to vote on anything in Syria to re-elect President Bashar Asad, President of Syria. No, I am not making this under duress but this Arabic paragraph below speaks volume why Syrians should re-elect this President.
Metaz K M Aldendeshe
Personally and on behalf of the
Syrian Nationalist Party
“?????? ?????? ???? ????? ???? ??? ??? ????? ???????? ????? ?? ??? ???? ??? ????? ????? ???? ??????? ?????? ????? ??? ??????? ?????. ?? ????? ??? ???? ????? ?? ?????? ??? ???? ???? ???? ????? ??? ?? ???? ?? ????? ???? ?????? ?????? ???? ??? ????? ??? ???? ???????? ?????? ?? ????? ??????? ?? ??????? ?????? ??? ??????? ??????? ??????. ??? ?????? ????? ????? ?? ?????? ??? ????? ???????? ???? ???? ?????? ??? ????? ?????? ??????? ???? ????? ???? ????? ?? ????? ?????? ??? ????? ????? ?? ?????? ????? ???? ?? ????? ???? ???? ???? ???? ????? ????? ????? ?? ?????? ??? ??? ???? ?? ??????… ??? ?????? ?? ??? ????? ??? ??? ???????? ??? ??????? ??? ????? ?????? ??????? ???? ???? ??? ?? ??? ??? ???? ??? ?????? ???? ???… ?? ?????? ??????? ????? ?? ????? ?? ??????? ?????? ??? ?????? ???? ?? ??????? ??????? ?? ???? ??????? ???????? ???????? ???? ?? ????? ????? ?? ???? ????????? ??? ??? ?????? ??? ???????? ??? ???? “???? ???” ????????? ????? ?? ?????? ?? ???? ????? ?????? ??? ?? ??? ??? ???????”.
Posted by: Syrian Nationalist Party | May 24, 2007 at 11:47 PM
============================================================
October 2nd, 2011, 4:00 am
Revlon said:
FSA is promoting and has already succeded in a strategy that would promote oundeclared, on site defection of army personnel.
?????? ?? ???? ?? ??? ????? ?????? ???? ????? ?? ?????? ??????? ?? ??????? ?? ??????? ???????? ?? ??? ?????
2011/10/02
http://www.sooryoon.net/?p=34340
???? ? ??? ?? ?????? ??:
???? ????? ????? ????? ??????? ?? ???? ?? ?????? ?? ?? ????? ?????? ???? ??? ????? ????? ???? ??? ????? ?????? ??????? ???????? ????????? ?? ????? ?????? ?? ?????? ??? ??????? ???????? ??????? ???? ?????? ?? ???????? ?? ????? ????????? ?????? ?????????? ????? ??????? ??? ?????????? ?????? ??????? ??? ???? ?? ????????? ?? ??????? ???? ?? ??? ???? ????? ?? ?????? ??? ??? ????? ???? ?? ?????? ??????? ????????? ????? ????? ?? ???? ???????..
???? ???? ?? ????? ????? ??? ????? ??? ????? ?? ??????? ???????? ?? ?????? ?? ??? ???? ?? ??????? ?? ?????? ?????? ?????? ????? ???? ?????? ????? ???????? ??? ????? ?????? ??????? ??? ???? ??????? ???? ????? ?????? ???? ???? ?? ????? ???? ?? ??? ..
????? ?? ???????? ????? ???? ????? ???? ????? ???????? ?????? ????? ???? ?? ?????? ????? ???? ??? ??? ????? ??? ????? ?????????? ??????? ?????? ??? ?????? ??????? ???????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ??? ?????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ?????????? ??? ??? ?????? ??? ?? ???? ?????? ??????? ???????
October 2nd, 2011, 4:06 am
Revlon said:
Nine mobsters of Thug One’s forces were confronted and killed by KIW of FSA, while they were shooting indiscriminately at AlBayadah round about in Homs.
This is how illegitimate Thug one’s forces are falling; By the legitimate FSA defense forces.
???? ????? ???? ?? ??? ?????? Youth Syria For Freedom
???? ????? #syria •? ??? ???? ?????? ?????? ???? ???? ???? ????? ?? ????? ???? ???? ?? ?????? ??????? ??????? ?? ??????? ??????? ??? ?????? ????? ?????? ????? ??? ???? ??????? ????? ???? ??? ???? ???? ?? ?????? ???? ????
3 hours ago
October 2nd, 2011, 4:19 am
Revlon said:
For those who can not hear: We want your head Bashar; in deaf language
???? ???? ?? ???? ????? ???? ??????? – ????? ?? ???? ???? ??????? – ??????? ???????? – ????
October 2nd, 2011, 4:22 am
Revlon said:
Regime media claim of arrest of Colonel R AlAsaad is unfounded.
Press Office,
FSA
2-10 -2011
9 hours ago
???? ????? ???? ?? ??? ?????? Youth Syria For Freedom
????? ?????? ???? >> ????: ??? ??? ?????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ????????? ??? ????? ???????? ?? ?????? ??? ?????? ???? ????? ?????? ???? ?????? ???? ?????? ???? ??? ?????? ????? ????? ????? ???
??? – ???? ?? ??? ? ?? ???? ?? ????? ?????? ?? ?????? ??? ???? ??? ???? ?????? ??????? ??????…
– ?????? ???? ?????? / ???? ????? ?????? ???? ???? ? ????? ???? ? ????? ????? ????? ?????? ??????? ???????? ????? ?????? ????
– ???? ??? ???????? ???? ?????? ?????? ?????? ? ??????
????? ?????? ???? / ?????? ????????
2-10 -2011
9 hours ago
October 2nd, 2011, 4:25 am
Revlon said:
Phalange of Mu3ath AlRaqqad engaged with and killed 25 of Asad forces in Deir Azzor.
???? ????? ???? ?? ??? ?????? Youth Syria For Freedom
???? ????? #syria •? ??? ???? ?????? ?????? // ????? ?????? ???? / ?????? ?????????? : ???? ???? ????? ????? ?? ????? ????? ???? ?????? ?? ??? ????? ???? ???? ????? ????? ??? ???? ?? ???? ???? ??25 ????? ?? ?? ????? ???? ????? ?????? ??????? ???? ?????? .. ??? ???? ?? ?????? ??? ?????? ?????? … ? ????? ??????? ????? ????????? … ? ???? ??????? ????? ?????????
9 hours ago
October 2nd, 2011, 4:28 am
Muhammad said:
We still have people arguing whether the regime is shooting at protesters, even after 7 months of doing so. Leave alone all the video evidence and testimonies from literally now thousands of people. I personally know that orders to shoot at demos are given to the army and have mentioned it on this forum before. I have even elaborated on the methodology of it. This has been confirmed to me by people on both sides of the action.
But no, I should discard all this and believe one of these confessions on Syrian TV which will always flow like this:
1. I went out to demonstrate
2. Mention Hariri or one of his affiliates
3. We were given weapons and money (optional: Aljazeera pills and kabab sandwiches)
4. I started shooting at demonstrators and the police force
For goodness sake, by what logic am I supposed to connect 1 to 4 ? I’m sorry but I’m not stupid.
And you still have people talking about reforms when in 7 months the Syrian media has:
1. Never mentioned Presidential elections.
2. Never hosted an opposition figure. I’m not asking for Ar’aroor or Ghadri here. Host Kilo and Sarah and let them speak their minds ON AIR.
3. Never filmed one of these thousands of demos that happen in Syria.
4. Never acknowledges that asking for regime change is not necessarily tantamount to treason.
5. Never defined the source of the huge “conspiracy” against them except in the most vague terms. If Hariri is so powerful as to destabilize Syria in this way (in fact, I think he is an idiot), just ask Hizb Allah to sort him out. They have done it before. If the American Ambassador is truly leading the armed attacks, just expel him.
The Syrian state has not:
1. Removed law articles permitting security forces to literally do as they wish with the Syrian population.
2. Punished even one security official involved in the “mistakes that happened” … Besho (thanks Aboud) seems to know that mistakes happened but does not know what they are. I want them brought out on national TV and “confess” like those “terrorists”.
3. Allowed international media and human rights organisation unrestricted access despite all the empty talk by regime mouthpieces. Every other “bouq” said that they should be allowed including Buthaina the snake. Why on earth is it still not happening ?
All reform talk is just pure BS. The Syrian regime is waiting for the storm to pass to inflict the most horrendous revenge on rebellious cities. We know it and we have been through this before. I -personally- know people who are 3rd generation after the 80’s events who are still punished by the regime. some are denied jobs, some are denied passports, some are locked up and you name it. We will not be deceived twice.
Alex
I still think you are not fit as moderator. More so now that I had the chance to check your historical record on the few links you posted. Most of them seem to not had an update for months !
October 2nd, 2011, 5:04 am
Mina said:
I repost a link that has been posted yesterday but didn’t get thumbs so it seems as usual that important news go direct to the trash
http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/syria%E2%80%99s-universities-breaking-taboo-talking-politics
The protesters have achieved what is needed: there will be elections, parties are forming. This cannot happen in 24 hours. People with a foreign agenda have been refusing reforms and dialogs since march already stating “no we don’t want reforms we want isqaaat al nizam like they say in Egypt and Yemen”. Well 6 months later, they have the ex minister of defence acting as president in Egypt, and a full war from the gov towards the people in Yemen (electricity 10 minutes a day in Sanaa, no food, regular majzara in the demos, universities are closed etc).
October 2nd, 2011, 5:11 am
Syria no kandahar said:
Question to REVLON
?? ??? ???? ????? ??? ?????? ???????
??????? ?????? ?? ???????? ????????
October 2nd, 2011, 5:42 am
Revlon said:
1087. Dear TRUE,
I am indebted to you for I am now able to claim that I have more than 2 brain cells without the need for craniotomy, biopsy and histological confirmation; I do appreciate your writings on this blog.
Quitting will not only let down those who share my appreciation of your contribution, but more importantly our brethren in Syria who are deprived of the freedom of expression that you ardently support and ably promote on their behalf on this blog.
True, I urge you to reconsider.
Syria needs your opinion on this blog, like it needs all others.
October 2nd, 2011, 5:47 am
Revlon said:
1110. Syria no kandaharsaid:
“Question to REVLON
?? ??? ???? ????? ??? ?????? ???????
??????? ?????? ?? ???????? ????????
SNK! Try using your other idle brain cell! …. if you have one!
October 2nd, 2011, 5:51 am
Muhammad said:
Here, some of the video evidence of Assad using all types of military force against demonstrators.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWNdCR9X-HI&feature=share
Ah, but all these happened in fake cities in Aljazeera studios … and you wonder why no one believes you.
?? ?????????
October 2nd, 2011, 6:23 am
Syria no kandahar said:
Revlon
You have lost Alrastan battle,very decisive one,another cancer cells have been removed.your lies are expected with the degree of anger you and Islamic extremists have suffered.Harmoush and Riad armies are like amouse playing with the tail of the great Syrian Army,even Mr Robert ford has declared that the Syrian army is very strong and very united.You claim to be secular ,why are using all these Islamic names for your group of defected or deserted rats:???? ??
????? ??? ??…is that your secularism mr MB.You are calling army soldiers ???? ??????? ….that is half a million syrians they are all ???? ? ??????…why?who are you to call half a million syrians dogs and pigs?is it because they are not defecting and joining your Harmoush and Riad thugs?is that what your religion teaches you ??? ????? ????? ???????? .or that is selective to people you like only?you see you are a person or organization filled with hate,which turns you into an actual blind person both mentally and spiritually,love has no existence in your life,even your god you have chosen to only learn from him hate.you have to open your heart and mind and think:is splitting the army and going with civil war good for our country,if you think so,I think you are the problem.
October 2nd, 2011, 6:43 am
Revlon said:
1114. OK SNK! Revert to your first brain cell now…. and try again!
October 2nd, 2011, 7:03 am
Husam said:
Tara, Annie, Revlon, Amir, Hytham, Muhammed, Majedkheldoun, True, Newbie(s) and dozen others…
Re: Aboud, etc…
1) Syria Comment has no proper privacy policy period, it means anything you say here can be sold, reprinted, deleted, modified, transferred, and your identity revealed to anyone. Period. Without a privacy policy, any one of the 5-6 moderators can do anything with your information without any recourse from you whatsoever. And before you all scream, that I am spreading fear, then why not just have a privacy policy and shut the likes of me up?
2) Syria Comment is run by an atheist/anti-Islamic group of people who run tight together from day 1. They, and only they decide who gets striked or banned and for how long. They are biased to the teeth. The minute they learn that you have an inkling of faith, you are put in a special outcast box and will never make it into their inner circle (much like our Syrian Regime). Look at Tara’s ratings for example. Alex’s comment: “notify me rather than complain later” is B.S. as he purposely turns a blind eye on slandering and attacks done unto others by his buddies. He had the opportunity to ban the likes of SNK, and few others who insight hatred, used foul language and got away with it – is proof that the few landlords that run this forum are heavily biased. No, its not just about pro-regime or pro-assad, its also about your faith (or lack thereof). FYI, the only secular (atheist) at heart and has my utmost respect is OTW.
3) Syria Comment’s weak rules are certainly bendable based on seniority, privilege and beliefs of the commentator. Don’t kid yourself. We have been there many times. The current poll weak, medium strong will do nothing as the moderators are biased up to their eyeballs.
4) Do you ever wonder: where are the Syrian Sunnis & Christians who form the majority of Syrian Expats? According to Alex, there are 3000 daily readers. They won’t partake in this platform where God, Prophets and their faith gets insulted day in day out on SC (before the Arab Spring, 50% of SC’s topics were bigoted in the name of free speech…anyone newbie who wants a sampling, just ask). Look at Hytham Khouri, the minute he starts talking about what Christianity is all about, he got pounced back too. Many of you respect SC because it is one of the very few places where Syrians meet. You can be the biggest brain in Economics, Politics or Science, but if you have no respect for others and have deep seated hatred, then your soul is dead.
5) For the record, Islamcommnet.com that Alex refers to is nothing more a platform to slander Islam, spread misconception and hatred again in the name of free speech. I have no problem with Daniel Pipes and the like, because the mission is clearly visible. However, Islamcomment list its “number one” advisor on its advisory board as none other than Dr. Elie Elhadj. This is the male-version of Wafa Sultan. For those of you have no clue who Elhadj is just search his name on SC and read his inflammatory bigoted articles and debates. The SC dinosaurs as Alex likes to call them, came out in droves for his defence. Mr. Otrakji, you are anti-Islamic and you are in denial. How can you be a moderator? You are not in the center, and never were.
5) Alex is wrong about your IP address revealing just the city you live in… your neighbourhood is revealed too. Anyone who knows a bit about Google analytics or software like Clicktale can tell you that everything from your browser screen resolution down to your language of choice, connection speed, web provider and much more. Clicktale goes into onsite real-time behavioural metrics. This measures user behaviour, heat maps, form analytics and can detect much more about the user. These are basic tools. And of course, your IP address can be hacked and your identity can be known as easy as 1-2-3. As Alex stated: there are 5 or 6 people who have access to your IP Address. The “programmer” who ever that is, has capabilities beyond the comprehension of most users here. The problem is there is no accountability, no privacy policy and weak governance. But hey, when SC was shut down you all whined till you were blue.
6) Ah yes…if you don’t like it here, then leave.
October 2nd, 2011, 7:18 am
Syria no kandahar said:
Revlon
2Healthy brain cells are worth million micro-wahabi-dead cells.
October 2nd, 2011, 7:40 am
DIGGING FOR GOLD IN BOSRA said:
@ Ya Mara Ghalba “I’ve never seen a credible video of security forces firing into crowds of unarmed protesters. The regime would have nothing to gain by adopting a policy different from what its current policy is.
For the most part, anti-regime demonstrations are permitted and unhindered. The regime would have nothing to gain by adopting a policy different from what its current policy is.”
I’m sorry, but you are seriously deluded if you believe what you are saying. There are countless videos that show soldiers and Assad loyalists firing at protestors, even Iran has tentatively admonished the regime for its policy of violence against protestors. How do you explain the deaths of 2700 people? No one hoping to be taken seriously is in any doubt that many unarmed protestors have been killed. The debate has shifted. It is now about whether protestors should agree to Assad’s plea for more time in which to enact his promised reforms. It is about whether the reforms he is advocating go far enough. It is about whether a different government can credibly protect religious minorities. It is definitely not about whether scores of unarmed protestors have been killed by his forces.
“by anti-regime people who have been trying to undermine the regime’s legitmacy.”
I want you to explain to me from where exactly the Assad regime acquires its legitimacy. I’m serious. Where do you think it comes from?
You clearly haven’t been to Syria for a very long time.
October 2nd, 2011, 7:49 am
Revlon said:
1117. SNK! Use them both now, together!
October 2nd, 2011, 7:53 am
Tara said:
Digging
Ya Mara ghalba behaves like Iranian IRG, and probably is. They believe Assad’s legitimacy emanates from the approval of the great Ayatolla Khamenei. This is very clear from his writings. Please note that I do not believe that Pirouz is related to IRG. I believe what Pirouz has told us. He is independent Iranian- American.
Ya Mara Ghalba,
Am I mistaken?
October 2nd, 2011, 8:01 am
majedkhaldoun said:
Husam
I agree totally with what you said.
There are people who has hate as their motivation,they are not interested in discussion of justice and freedom,they do not care about being just, some resort to pesonal attack,some resort to fabricating things,most on Sc are anti islamic, where I believe Islam or christianity or judaiism should not be part of discussions,this should be political forum,
There are those who are not willing to change their mind even they admit there are serious mistakes,we do not have an acceptable basic agreement,we can build our discussions on,there are those who advocate freedom but obviously what they say is against what they preach.
I very much like to have personal contact with some commenters E-Mail.I trust OTW blog.
October 2nd, 2011, 8:06 am
SYRIAN HAMSTER said:
Merciful
REVLON @ 1119
SNK! Use them both now, together!
Don’t be mean, that might overpower the circuit and cause a blown fuse.
October 2nd, 2011, 8:15 am
Mango said:
( For Politically correct Istanbul oppositionists )
http://nstarikov.ru/blog/11598
Road to Damascus
For short circuit of a ring of instability round Israel and a war unbinding in this region, to Anglo-Saxons is not enough one element. One fragment of a mosaic of operated chaos does not keep within the Near-Eastern boiling copper.
This element – Syria.
And to direct events in this country under the Libyan scenario one person disturbs ….
His name is Muammar Kaddafi. While it is live – in Libya there is a legitimate authority. While it is live a victory of the West and Al-Kajedy in Libya cannot be definitive.
So – the road to Damascus is closed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Af-hiVUsa8
http://rutube.ru/tracks/4733406.html?v=da2d5693fb551d18fc292c302e5c48da
October 2nd, 2011, 8:16 am
majedkhaldoun said:
Congratulations to all Syrian, Syrian national council has been formed,it is a turning point in Syria history, I think there has to be financial support, where money is the mother milk of all political movement.
October 2nd, 2011, 8:17 am
SYRIAN HAMSTER said:
Civilized Discourse
Alex’s appeal for civility:
Suggesting one’s subjective and misleading labels for adoption as the language of discourse should immediately disqualify anyone from being an objective moderator. The most vociferous anti-regime commentators on Syria Comment have never expressed any attachment to religious fanaticism and the moderator knows that. When did SHEILA, OTW, MAJEDKHALDOUN, ZIADSOURY, MAJHOOL, HAYTHAM KHOURY, me, the more moderate critics like EHSANI and GHUFRAN, and even those whose posts demonstrate faith such as REVLON and NK have ever implied in their own words any religious fanaticism. Suggesting such a misleading label by indicating that it is accepted by the moderators under the pretense of encouraging civilized dialog is nothing less than kowtowing the regime propaganda line against all evidence the moderators have more than anyone else. This is beyond failure, moderators should try to clarify and reject such charges when they know from the posting history of each individual that such charges are bogus. To see the moderators of Syria comment doing the opposite is heartbreaking. I would sure like to hear whether Ehsani concurs with this.
The error and lapse of judgment will not be any less grave if the above recommendation was written with innoncent carelessness as I and many others hope, and not due to malice as I and many others fear, even if slightly.
I will let the loyalists and regime defenders defend themselves against the charge of extremism.
Too serious to be sarcastic about
October 2nd, 2011, 8:28 am
Observer said:
Well, I am seeing the civil war in Syria right here on this blog. It started and it is clear that a so called moderator here is biased and this was evident before the start of the revolution in Syria.
What is amazing is that the moderator lives in a democracy and enjoys free speech and the rule of law and basic human rights regardless of his background. Yet it seems that the same cannot apply to the Syrian people.
I have said this before, every small group in the Arab world wants a secular democratic system that allows the group to retain its religious ethnic identity while denying it to the majority Sunni Arab populations. Banning one commentator while allowing some rabid others to remain on board is a microcosm of the situation in Syria.
When the revolution triumphs and the regime is sent to the dustbin of history this blog will no longer be relevant.
The germs are developing resistance and spreading; the rats are about to finish the cockroaches.
Cheers
October 2nd, 2011, 9:05 am
sheila said:
To #1097. Syria no Kandahar,
The Kurds are one of the indigenous populations of Syria. They have been in Syria way before Arabs and Muslims arrived. They are not Semitic like the Arabs, rather Indo-European like the Persians. This does not mean that they came from Iran and that they are not Syrian in its current definition. Kurds were tribes in these areas with their distinct language. Their language always existed, but was not written until recently. The only reason why Kurds started having nationalistic aspirations is because of their maltreatment by all countries involved, whether Syria, Turkey, Iraq or Iran. I am rather embarrassed to read your post attacking the Kurds. They are part of the Syrian fabric and do mix very well with Arabs. They are not falsifying any historical facts, but demanding to be treated fairly. But then again, who in Syria is treated fairly?
October 2nd, 2011, 9:10 am
zoo said:
Only in Syria …
(Sadeq Khanafer | DP-News – almanar )
SYRIA- Ridiculously, the “Syrian” uprising is not sectarian, but still they hold up slogans such as “Alawites to coffins…Christians to Beirut,” “Muslims and Christians tread on Alawites…” and “Out loud we say, not one Alawite we want to see,” or “O! Alawite, O! Pagan! We will open a grave for you!”… but they say their uprising is not sectarian!
Preposterously, their “revolution” is national and not linked to any foreign conspiring party, yet one will hear them say slogans such as, “O! Israel! We sacrifice our Souls and Blood for you!” or “Bandar, Bandar, Hariri …, We Want Al-Jazeera,” and more slogans like, “No Iran or Hezbollah, We Want One That Fears God!” Are not those the ones who tweet and call out for the American intervention and involvement on their so-called “uprising”?
Idiotically, they claim their “uprising” is peaceful, yet their “sheikhs” have declared “Jihad” against their Syrian army and their internal security forces and against whoever disagrees with them. Are not they the ones who slaughtered the officers and the privates along with their families, maimed, and mutilated the corpses in application for their sectarian slogans? Are not they who snipe their own citizens from the tops of the minarets using American sniper rifles?
Only in Syria…
The “sheikhs” of dissension took the profession of “Ifta ?” (religious final judgmental science ruling on all sorts of life matters that become obligatory.) and theorizing for it setting the sectarian haughtiness at fire, but never to reform or defend the interests and the rights of their citizens as they claim. How paradoxical they are! The “fatwa’s” ink (the individual judgments issued by the “Mufti” sheikhs.) has not yet dried up regarding the rejection for demonstrations and the revolutions in Egypt, Tunisia and other countries! How could this happen and they were proud about having printed out five million copies of their “fatwa’s” prohibiting demonstrations for being a breaching sin in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Bahrain.
How could they goaded and spurred in their fanatic sectarian speeches for the killing of all the Alawites, displacement of the Christians out of Syria, ridding of the Ishmaelites, the Druze , and the Sufis. Here came “sheikh” Saleh Al-Luhaidan with his “fatwa” allowing to rid of one third of the Syrian nation in order to relieve two thirds of it, while he ruled that demonstrating in Saudi Arabia and other countries was a sinful breach because it would cause disorder and ruin both private and public property. Was not ruling against demonstrating in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Tunisia, and Egypt a form of support for the moderate regimes that opted to surrender? It was an act in the core of politics that served “Israel,” and had to do neither with religion nor with the religious vision! Otherwise, how could their spurring, provocations, and invitations for demonstrations up at their media podiums in addition to their satellite televisions be explained when it came to Syria and only Syria?
How could the uprising be a “revolution” in Syria while it is considered “a security disorder” in Bahrain that calls for the Arab Peninsula forces and its shield intervention?
The fag ends of the blaspheming groups have offered the grace of Heaven when they disclosed a wicked conspiracy against Syria. It became clear when they instrumentally chose violence, slaughtering, devastating property, and they used the sectarian style to address other citizens, a step which made Syria retrieve its vitality and power and encounter that conspiracy with absolute forcefulness.
Only in Syria…
Certain Arabian and foreign satellite televisions spur and lie and distort facts in the ugliest manner one could imagine based on “Lie and lie till people believe you.” Miracles occur on those so-called “professional” satellite televisions. Eye witnessing must have the final say, yet one finds observers here and observers there, ?none of them located in Syria? provide you with the latest casualties for confrontations in Syria for any day! However, they never mention any internal security or military martyrs whose coffins we see every day in the Syrian media.
The observers do not possess any information about the slaughtering of the security, and if they do, they classify that under “The regime killed them because they refused the orders to fire at the civilians.” It seems that those satellite TV’s have taught viewers for years to scrutinize and to double check on the sources of news; as a result, those viewers now have passed the test while the deceivers have failed.
Only about Syria, one can view an analysis by “a prominent Arab thinker” on a prominent Arab satellite TV contradicting himself tens of times and subsequently submits to the disclosed policies of that satellite TV. The interviewer asks “the Arab thinker” about the fears rising from the scenario of Hama, and he says it is impossible in the presence of media stations and high technical instruments … Naturally, that answer did not appeal to the lady interviewing him and she proceeds to irritatedly say, “But Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned of a new Hama.” At last, that “thinker” realizes her message and proceeds saying,” Yes, the mentality that was present in Hama is still there and still more, there are more killings than those that happened in Hama…”
The same goading channels assure the demonstrating massive marches heading for both Abbasid and Omayyad Squares in Damascus. Simultaneously, you change the channel to the live broadcasting the Syrian satellite TV airing from the same two squares and the roads leading to them both, and they prove that the situation there is very normal. However, the goading channels insist on their lying, because if they back up, they are going to speed up their bankruptcy before their viewers.
Only in Syria…
Of the so-called, “the national Arabian Revolution” one will find slogans such as “O! Could I Sacrifice my Blood for You, Israel?” In addition, one of the leading figures of this “revolution” abroad is Farid Al-Ghadiri who visited Israel in 2007, was a guest at the Knesset, and took a tour in several cities one of which was Haifa. Then, he was blamed by the Arab Parliamentary members of the Knesset for his wrongdoing. Here he comes today to announce that” One day the Israeli flag will be hoisted in Damascus, because the Syrian nation is peaceful, good, and cannot hold hatred; however, Bashar Al-Assad has imposed on the people aversion, fighting, and enmity.” The dissident who lives in Washington discloses that a part of the Lebanese intelligence support the antis because of their conviction that a departing Assad will be in their country’s interest. He also requests the international community to intervene and stand by the Syrian people… He rather prophesies the targets…”Twenty missiles at twenty intelligence buildings in Syria, the regime would collapse.” On the margin, it is advisable never to bet on the same horse that March 14 bets on, because July 2006 War and the tea serving in Marj Ouyoun is the best evidence.
Only in Syria…
The Syrian state and the regime have passed reformation bills some of which for instance is the Bill for Parties, and the Bill for Media, the Bill for Elections, and the Bill for Local Governances. They also passed more than one general pardon in addition to many other reformations at a fast pace towards democracy. What a ridiculous fate this regime has when other regimes invite President Assad to listen to his people and they request freedom and democracy of him; they still reached the point of asking him to step down and conduct early elections of which they themselves never comprehend anything. Still they request constitution amendments while if any person in their countries utters the word “constitution,” he is going to be jailed with an accusation of heresy.
Only in Syria, one can buy one liter of diesel oil for US 30$ while its production cost is US 80$. More of this, who can buy a schoolbook for US 30$ when its production cost is US 90$? Still, only in Syria, one can get any hospitalization free even if a surgery is needed. Yes, only in Syria, income tax is 5% with an exclusion of those with a low basic. Only in Syria, one can have his children join schooling from primary grades all the way through university graduation at a cost equivalent for one-year tuition fees at one of the universities in neighboring countries.
Only in Syria, foreign debts on the state treasury are 0%. Only in Syria, there has been a shift from the socialist economy system to the free market system, yet still the Syrian Pound rate against other currencies was constant and steady. Only in Syria, there are more than one million Palestinians with absolute citizenship privileges equal to the native Syrian citizens with no discrimination whatsoever. Only in Syria, two million Iraqis took Syria as refuge during the invasion, yet none of them resided in a refugee’s tent. Only in Syria, one can walk into a restaurant and find Mr. President along with the First Lady sitting at a table adjacent to yours. Finally yet importantly, only in Syria, one can find Shiites married to Alawites whose mothers are Sunnis with Christian brothers-in-law and Kurdish aunts and so forth. Only in Syria!
October 2nd, 2011, 9:32 am
sheila said:
Dear #1108. Muhammad,
I agree with everything you said and want to thank you for it, except for the harsh criticism of Alex/ Camille. Moderating SC is like walking in a mine field. I have my own reservations about Alex/ Camille, but I know for a fact that very few of us can do a better job.
October 2nd, 2011, 9:40 am
Tara said:
zoo,
kindly stop spreading “rediculous” propaganda. The expression “Alawites to coffins…Christians to Beirut,” was invented by the regime and its propagandists to feed into a sectarian strife. There was never proof of it.
Aboud,
You are irreplaceable and indispensable.
October 2nd, 2011, 9:48 am
Husam said:
Sheila:
You said: “I have my own reservations about Alex/ Camille, but I know for a fact that very few of us can do a better job.”
So true, but one should not be a coward and hide behind his own skin while protraying himself as fair game. Especially now, Syrians from all walks of life are fed up with double standard, one idealogy and family-for-life-idol. Enough already. To accept Alex as moderator because there is no other is like to accept our beloved Bashar because there is none other. Dig?
We are the checks and balances!
October 2nd, 2011, 9:51 am
Haytham Khoury said:
?????: ??????? ??? ???? ?? ????? ?????? ??????
???????? ???? ????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ??”????? ???? ?????”
http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/10/02/169799.html
October 2nd, 2011, 9:53 am
Haytham Khoury said:
My new article in Arabic with the title “The Syrian Opposition and the Political Sterility”.
???????? ??????? ? ????? ???????
http://haytham-khoury3.blogspot.com/
October 2nd, 2011, 9:57 am
Husam said:
Majedkhaldon:
You, being here for a while, of all people know what I am talking about. Thanks for your support for the truths.
Observer:
You too know the B.S. and that all Syrians are tired of being marginalized just for speaking out about this extremely blasphemous platform.
Syrian Hamster:
They call the shots, right on dude. They tell us how to think, what can be said, what labels to use, etc… Hehehe
Ok, now here is one trivial question: How many times have I (you know, the guy that can’t even seem to keep his routine prayers) being called an Islamist on SC?
The winner gets 77 Syrian virgins on a lollipop.
October 2nd, 2011, 10:03 am
SYRIAN HAMSTER said:
Scales of Displeasure
A man is not totally pleased
Could he be a half and half?
We know he loves the chief
Does he also hate the staff?
And when the forest is burning
Will he save the poor Giraffe?
The man is not totally pleased with insurrection
He could be ninety and ten
He seeks a civilized discourse with the gangsters’ protection
Much like a bunch of wise old men
For the dead nor a prayer or even reflection
But a protest of anyone maligning a hen
And now the wretched get no rejection
But the righteously angry are struck with a pen
A man is not totally pleased
Could he be a half and half?
We know he loves the chief
Does he also hate the staff?
And when the forest is burning
Will he save the poor Giraffe?
The man is not totally pleased with the find
He could be eighty and twenty
For the gangsters have been all the more too kind
And the Don has offered a plenty
But the people remain too stubborn, and to him are too blind
And the poor against the rich, an unfair ante
And when the downtrodden dared and opined
Their sentiments, unsurprisingly, offend the cognoscenti*
A man is not totally pleased
Could he be a half and half?
We know he loves the chief
Does he also hate the staff?
And when the forest is burning
Will he save the poor Giraffe?
The man is not totally pleased with the thing
He could be seventy and five times six
Mistrustful of the so-called Arabian spring
Of its dissonant chants and the people in the mix
Are the tanks invisible and stealthy are the fixed-wing?
Or are the dismembered merely flies and tics?
The man is not totally pleased with the matter
He could be sixty and forty
I guess not, for he has been hearing the chatter
His friends are not that much sporty
Too much displeasure and the vase….. will shatter
A man is not totally pleased
Could he be a half and half?
We know he loves the chief
Does he also hate the staff?
And when the forest is burning
Will he save the poor Giraffe?
——————————–
*cognoscenti: noun, an expert able to appreciate a field; especially in the fine arts
And then I broke the scale
October 2nd, 2011, 10:03 am
some guy no longer in damascus said:
zoo, your last post was devoid of all knowledge and complete utter bull****
“SYRIA- Ridiculously, the “Syrian” uprising is not sectarian, but still they hold up slogans such as “Alawites to coffins…Christians to Beirut,” “Muslims and Christians tread on Alawites…” and “Out loud we say, not one Alawite we want to see,” or “O! Alawite, O! Pagan! We will open a grave for you!”… but they say their uprising is not sectarian!”
never seen such a demonstration anywhere, not on youtube or tv, and even if there was it would be a totally isolated incident, far from reality. when i demonstrated in midan, we said : wa7ed, wa7ed, wa7ed il sha3b il souri wa7ed.
“Preposterously, their “revolution” is national and not linked to any foreign conspiring party, yet one will hear them say slogans such as, “O! Israel! We sacrifice our Souls and Blood for you!” or “Bandar, Bandar, Hariri …, We Want Al-Jazeera,” and more slogans like, “No Iran or Hezbollah, We Want One That Fears God!” Are not those the ones who tweet and call out for the American intervention and involvement on their so-called “uprising”?”
same thing, not a single demosntration was held in israels honor, and when i demonstrated in midan we chanted: bashar is the zionist that kills syrians. thats our anti-israeli credentials for you.
“Idiotically, they claim their “uprising” is peaceful, yet their “sheikhs” have declared “Jihad” against their Syrian army and their internal security forces and against whoever disagrees with them. Are not they the ones who slaughtered the officers and the privates along with their families, maimed, and mutilated the corpses in application for their sectarian slogans? Are not they who snipe their own citizens from the tops of the minarets using American sniper rifles?”
at first it was truly peaceful, and we chanted for basic rights like freedom( of expression, demonstration, opinion, etc…) but the regime responded in the worst manner, and hell no! we are not going to be sitting ducks.
How could the uprising be a “revolution” in Syria while it is considered “a security disorder” in Bahrain that calls for the Arab Peninsula forces and its shield intervention?
The fag ends of the blaspheming groups have offered the grace of Heaven when they disclosed a wicked conspiracy against Syria. It became clear when they instrumentally chose violence, slaughtering, devastating property, and they used the sectarian style to address other citizens, a step which made Syria retrieve its vitality and power and encounter that conspiracy with absolute forcefulness.
dont blame the demonstrators for that. blame the media….even the regime’s media( that didnt report the bahraini revolution,and mubaraks trial yet did report the qatari revolution.)
Only in Syria…
Certain Arabian and foreign satellite televisions spur and lie and distort facts in the ugliest manner one could imagine based on “Lie and lie till people believe you.” Miracles occur on those so-called “professional” satellite televisions. Eye witnessing must have the final say, yet one finds observers here and observers there, ?none of them located in Syria? provide you with the latest casualties for confrontations in Syria for any day! However, they never mention any internal security or military martyrs whose coffins we see every day in the Syrian media.
please refer to the following video regarding the syrian medias credibility:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MelxzZwW5kQ
“The observers do not possess any information about the slaughtering of the security, and if they do, they classify that under “The regime killed them because they refused the orders to fire at the civilians.” It seems that those satellite TV’s have taught viewers for years to scrutinize and to double check on the sources of news; as a result, those viewers now have passed the test while the deceivers have failed.”
maybe if the regime allowed true access to the foreign news agencies, we would know whats going on.
Only about Syria, one can view an analysis by “a prominent Arab thinker” on a prominent Arab satellite TV contradicting himself tens of times and subsequently submits to the disclosed policies of that satellite TV. The interviewer asks “the Arab thinker” about the fears rising from the scenario of Hama, and he says it is impossible in the presence of media stations and high technical instruments … Naturally, that answer did not appeal to the lady interviewing him and she proceeds to irritatedly say, “But Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned of a new Hama.” At last, that “thinker” realizes her message and proceeds saying,” Yes, the mentality that was present in Hama is still there and still more, there are more killings than those that happened in Hama…”
il let taleb ibrahim do the talking for you:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shZalNx7VmU
“The same goading channels assure the demonstrating massive marches heading for both Abbasid and Omayyad Squares in Damascus. Simultaneously, you change the channel to the live broadcasting the Syrian satellite TV airing from the same two squares and the roads leading to them both, and they prove that the situation there is very normal. However, the goading channels insist on their lying, because if they back up, they are going to speed up their bankruptcy before their viewers.”
once again, they shouldnt take accountability, the regime should allow them in, furthermore i’ve demonstrated in midan only to return home and listen to syrian state tv deny any demonstrations in midan
“Only in Syria…
The Syrian state and the regime have passed reformation bills some of which for instance is the Bill for Parties, and the Bill for Media, the Bill for Elections, and the Bill for Local Governances. They also passed more than one general pardon in addition to many other reformations at a fast pace towards democracy. What a ridiculous fate this regime has when other regimes invite President Assad to listen to his people and they request freedom and democracy of him; they still reached the point of asking him to step down and conduct early elections of which they themselves never comprehend anything. Still they request constitution amendments while if any person in their countries utters the word “constitution,” he is going to be jailed with an accusation of heresy.”
bashar al assad to wall street journal sometime around last january:
” doing reforms in these times would be reactions and not actions”
“Only in Syria, one can buy one liter of diesel oil for US 30$ while its production cost is US 80$. More of this, who can buy a schoolbook for US 30$ when its production cost is US 90$? Still, only in Syria, one can get any hospitalization free even if a surgery is needed. Yes, only in Syria, income tax is 5% with an exclusion of those with a low basic. Only in Syria, one can have his children join schooling from primary grades all the way through university graduation at a cost equivalent for one-year tuition fees at one of the universities in neighboring countries.”
you really need to take econ 101, these prices dont matter! what matters is purchasing power! the average american works around 10-12 minutes to get a big mac, the average syrian worker has to put much more time into it.
“Only in Syria, foreign debts on the state treasury are 0%. Only in Syria, there has been a shift from the socialist economy system to the free market system, yet still the Syrian Pound rate against other currencies was constant and steady. Only in Syria, there are more than one million Palestinians with absolute citizenship privileges equal to the native Syrian citizens with no discrimination whatsoever. Only in Syria, two million Iraqis took Syria as refuge during the invasion, yet none of them resided in a refugee’s tent. Only in Syria, one can walk into a restaurant and find Mr. President along with the First Lady sitting at a table adjacent to yours. Finally yet importantly, only in Syria, one can find Shiites married to Alawites whose mothers are Sunnis with Christian brothers-in-law and Kurdish aunts and so forth. Only in Syria!”
this is the cherry on top of your sundae
you have to thank the Syrian people for these accomplishments and not besho. our unity was like that before besho and we’ll maintain it after besho. the restaurant part demonstrates your ignorance of Syria, where a sizable chunk of the population make less than 250$ a month.
ps: theres so much BS in that article i dont have the time to refute now, but i assure you it is far from reality.
October 2nd, 2011, 10:19 am
Tara said:
Dear Husam
The hatred you come across reading the comment section is so obvious and honestly shocking.
Let haters boil in their hatred. The Syrian people will ultimately prevail.
October 2nd, 2011, 10:21 am
zoo said:
Tara
Are you trying to silence me? Because I am Iranian, or Shia, or Alawite, Left-wing, Kurd or just because I show different point of view to your petit-bourgeois, fake-moderate-islamist and sterile revolutiannary views and your obvious contempt for the ‘peasants’ and the ‘uneducated’.
I will post what I want and when I want.
So if you don’t like it, go and join your dear preacher Abboud in the pool that he has prepared to boil the soldiers.
October 2nd, 2011, 10:24 am
Revlon said:
Dear Husam,
“5) Alex is wrong about your IP address revealing just the city you live in… your neighbourhood is revealed too. Anyone who knows a bit about Google analytics or software like Clicktale can tell you that everything from your browser screen resolution down to your language of choice, connection speed, web provider and much more. Clicktale goes into onsite real-time behavioural metrics. This measures user behaviour, heat maps, form analytics and can detect much more about the user. These are basic tools. And of course, your IP address can be hacked and your identity can be known as easy as 1-2-3. As Alex stated: there are 5 or 6 people who have access to your IP Address. The “programmer” who ever that is, has capabilities beyond the comprehension of most users here. The problem is there is no accountability, no privacy policy and weak governance. But hey, when SC was shut down you all whined till you were blue.
6) Ah yes…if you don’t like it here, then leave”
Thank you very much for your clarifications.
Your statements on the significance of IP address are relevant to the safety of SC bloggers and are at variance with those provided earlier by Alex.
I would like to ask Alex and all of those interested this: Is privacy statement required in Blogs by federal laws in the US?
I have just googled the question and came up with “Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act” (Canada)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_Information_Protection_and_Electronic_Documents_Act
……..The law requires organizations to
• obtain consent when they collect, use or disclose their personal information;
• supply an individual with a product or a service even if they refuse consent for the collection, use or disclosure of your personal information unless that information is essential to the transaction;
• collect information by fair and lawful means; and
• have personal information policies that are clear, understandable and readily available.
The last item clearly requires the presence of personal information policy Alex!
Could u comment please!
October 2nd, 2011, 10:27 am
Mango said:
Chaos and revolutions — the dollar weapon
In the modern world any more does not remain anything reliable. Exchange rates fluctuate, crises shake economy. A little it is «a revolutionary wave» and chaos threaten to absorb the whole continents. And so already was in the history of mankind. The first and Second world wars have reversed the world. Adolf Hitler has made dollar world reserve currency. Today’s events are started for preservation of an existing order of things. New, «collective Hitler» urged to keep a dominating role of the American currency, having destabilized thus economy and political system. Everywhere, except the USA and Great Britain.« Darling cozy »the West what we knew it, comes to an end. The new round of struggle for world supremacy has before our eyes begun. Ahead at all inhabitants of a planet — refusal of a high standard of living, tolerance, human rights and other”inventions”which have helped the USA with struggle against Soviet Union. Forthcoming struggle will be cruel. The period of chaos and revolutions never came to an end with the world. After revolutions wars always begin. In the history our country revolution was noted by millions victims. Wish repetition of Russian tragedy can either the silly person, or the traitor.
You will find answers to questions in the book:
Whence on roofs of the Arabian cities there were «unknown snipers»?
Why the NATO has untied aggression against Libya?
For what the resource of Vikiliks has been created?
Whether Nikolay II renounced a throne?
Who and what for kills legal experts in Russia?
Why “not consent” persistently want to break the Constitution of Russia?
What Russian policy in coming circumstances should be?
The dollar does not want to die. Its owners wish and to correct further the world. Rescue dollar can only operated chaos and revolutions. And after them — war …
http://nstarikov.ru/new/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/45900845.jpg
October 2nd, 2011, 10:34 am
zoo said:
Some guy no longer in Damascus
Thanks for commenting in this post graciously. I know it is controversial but it reflects an emotional view from a journalist in Al Manar, not necessarily mine.
It also show that the truth has many facets and it is enriching to look at all the perspective and not be blinded by either.
If you qualify this as B…, I would say that many of the western articles ( NYT, the ridiculous Pepperdine poll) fit in the same category, yet no one dare say it because of that colonial-inherited idea that the West knows better.
Because of the proliferation of ‘smart’ articles the western medias with biased view, it is healthy to read local articles too.
October 2nd, 2011, 10:37 am
zoo said:
Revlon
Tha’ts what you meant by Personal Policy? I found that but I am sure there are many similar examples.
Example of a Comment section policy (The Long War Journal)
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Commenters will be required to leave an e-mail address and are encouraged to submit their website or URL also. E-mail addresses will not be published to the site; however, if it is determined that it is a false address, the comment will be removed.
The Long War Journal reserves the right to edit, delete, or decline to publish any comments that violate this policy, and prevent any repeat offender from commenting.
If you have any questions on the comments policy or problems with the site,
Read more: http://www.longwarjournal.org/threat-matrix/archives/2011/09/syria_update_the_free_syrian_a.php#ixzz1ZZnCS8Nm
October 2nd, 2011, 10:45 am
jna said:
When the shoe is on the other foot. Guess who below (style is distinct).
“Hehe, keep that up, I love seeing the menhebaks keeping their perfect score for getting themselves banned (although it is Sunday, the moderator might take a while)”
https://joshualandis.com/blog/?p=11995&cp=all#comment-273952
“@270 and you wonder why you were banned? People are trying to explain to you why you are being a paranoid little menhebak, and you insult them. Tsk tsk. Heck, if I had the power to censor you, I’d do so for that rude and foul mouthed post of yours. You see, your whole manufactured grievance is just a way for you to get back at Landis, for the ban you were slapped with. Instead of taking responsibility for your actions, you spam this forum with the most ridiculous and outrageous accusations, all so you can tell yourself that you weren’t banned for doing anything wrong. No, it was all a conspiracy.Dude, do you see conspiracies in your cereal?”
https://joshualandis.com/blog/?p=11981&cp=all#comment-273338
“Aweeee. Poor little Persian has his feelings hurt that most of the menhebaks have turned tail and fled this forum, or else gotten themselves banned LOL!”
https://joshualandis.com/blog/?p=11981&cp=all#comment-273049
“… Poor #156, getting banned for a comment no one had time to see hehehehe. I so hope it was about me :)” …
https://joshualandis.com/blog/?p=11210&cp=all#comment-265571
“Of all the people who have been banned from this website?, ?all of them have been menhebaks?. ?Says alot”
https://joshualandis.com/blog/?p=11200&cp=all#comment-265777
October 2nd, 2011, 10:55 am
Tara said:
Zoo
I am sorry if I hurt your feeling. I did not think that you are that “delicate” to feel that I am trying to silence you. I was expressing my opinion in regard to the article you posted. I have many times asked for proof of the statement “Alawites to coffins…Christians to Beirut”… and got none.
A brilliant person like yourself does not need to restore to “..your petit-bourgeois, fake-moderate-islamist” and “So if you don’t like it, go and join…” just to score a point. Do you really believe that I am a fake moderate Islamist and wouuld like to silence you because you are iraniam, shiaa, alawi or whatever?
October 2nd, 2011, 11:08 am
some guy no longer in damascus said:
a convoy of shabeeha passing in umaweyeen square, i think theyre heading to the kafer suseh mukhbarat area.
this is what we have to deal with, people!
focus on the background, the green and white buses are the buses used to transport the “grey” shabeeha
grey shabeeha”: a term i created for the security service that wear civilian clothes and attack protesters or any dissent. you can blame them for the attacks on ali ferzat, malek jandalis parents and the ambassadors, furthermore they can be used to drown out any opposition near journalists. the regime denies responsibility for them and sometimes claims theyre the “armed elements” ( like the attack on ali ferzat)
October 2nd, 2011, 11:21 am
Muhammad said:
Husam
Thanks for the advice. Personally I’m openly anti-regime now and I know for a fact I’m wanted. I don’t really care if I get an additional paper in my file.
Shiela
I’m open to change my mind. I did not base my opinion of Alex on anything but his behavior and the links he has given – admittedly I did not spend an awful lot of time checking them.
The council announced today is an important development. We now have a national platform that include the whole Syrian spectrum. If the regime is truly interested in a democratic transfer of power (I’m sure it isn’t) then here is the side they need to negotiate with. If there are some fake secularist whinging about how this revolution is a salafi conspiracy then here is a council that have a secular in it’s leadership and they can support it and play the democratic game. I’m sure they will however be exposed for the little nasty sectarians they really are. The council needs to have a boost of international support and I’m sure a lot of people who are supporting the regime due to lack of other options will start switching sides soon.
October 2nd, 2011, 11:24 am
Revlon said:
The Syrian Revolution 2011 ?????? ??????? ?? ???? ?????
????? ??????? ?????? ??????
“??? ????? ???? ??????? ?????? ?????? ??????”
SyriaNC#
???? ?? ?????
October 2nd, 2011, 11:24 am
Mina said:
Revlon,
You use FB and you care about privacy? Don’t you know there are trials on the way because FB continues to collect your personal datas even after you log out? Come on… there is no such thing as privacy on the internet, full point.
By the way, what did he disclose??? That Aboud is not in Syria contrarily to what he’s been claiming for 6 months? (since he can use 2 IP addresses, that means that he is not using a proxy anonymizer, as any concerned person in Homs writing what he writes would?)
A new sport is going to emerge in Lybia:
http://www.lemonde.fr/libye/article/2011/10/02/plus-de-10-000-missiles-sol-air-perdus-en-libye-selon-l-otan_1581172_1496980.html#ens_id=1481986
October 2nd, 2011, 11:32 am
Revlon said:
1142. Dear zoo,
“Revlon
That’s what you meant by Personal Policy? I found that but I am sure there are many similar examples.
Example of a Comment section policy (The Long War Journal)”
Not really; I meant privacy policy not comment policy!
Thank you for your feedback.
October 2nd, 2011, 11:33 am
DIGGING FOR GOLD IN BOSRA said:
JNA 1143
that actually did make me laugh out loud. fair post.
October 2nd, 2011, 11:37 am
Alex said:
Syrian Hamster … very smart and creative, as usual.
Revlon and others:
This is Joshua’s personal blog, not a private organization, and you linked to a Canadian law, this is an American blog.
In my own company’s site I do have a privacy statement. But this is not a company and it is not my blog or Ehsani’s. It is Joshua’s.
I want you to know that you always give up a bit of privacy every time you go online. When you give your credit card to some site selling a DVD, or when you leave a comment at some blog, and definitely when you are on Facebook that keeps sharing your personal information with more and more.
If you want to take zero chances … cancel your internet service and your iPhone or smart phone.
I was told that I should not use Yahoo mail because the Israelis have access to all information on Yahoo through their friends there. It reminds me when in the past, when we started having Israelis commenting on SC, some commentators left because they told us they now do not trust SC if their information is being passed to the Israelis!
Joshua, Ehsani, and I are here to help, not to benefit financially. A blog is an expense, not a money making machine. Over the years I paid the programmer thousands of dollars to build and maintain this blog. Joshua paid for hosting. You have a free platform to share your political views if you wish. No one can force you to participate.
If you enjoy being here and you don’t mind the fact that the programmer and Alex and Ehsani and Joshua and the previous admin and some American I do not know that Joshua added as admin all have access to your IP and the fake email that you provided (most here give us some [email protected] kind of emails) then please stay. If you are not comfortable with that, then you should know that every single comment you left at ANY blog or site, you shared with one or more people at that blog or site your IP address.
I would be happy to add a privacy statement, but how can I ensure that Joshua and anyone else who is added by Joshua will abide by it? again, this is not my personal blog.
Normally, we only look at IP address when we need to moderate someone like Aboud who is trying to play IP games to post even though he is banned. I have no idea what is the IP of the vast majority of you here.
Many regime critics on this blog went to Syria the last two months and came back to tell us about it. (Observer?)
This has been going on since 2005 … we had regime critics here who went for summer vacations in Syria each year.
As for moderating options … the poll we have on top left column will tell us. So far it is for balanced to strong moderation. But it is too early, we’ll wait a week until many more readers vote. Thos eof you who complained about the wording being “vague”, there is no right and wrong wording and there is no way to be totally “clear” when you have 10 words to describe each option in that poll. So take it as a simple SMALL MEDIUM & LARGE when you buy a T-shirt … that is also vague, but people manage.
Finally, Ehsani will be the more frequent moderator and author here. I am working on other online projects at this time and will not always be available. You can see that all the posts so far are by Ehsani.
Every person is biased. If you are suggesting that a moderator here can only be fair if he or she is biased towards your view, like the previous moderator who was 100% biased, then I suggest you go and start a new blog that is as closed minded as you are.
Now we have two moderators who are moderately biased, one to each side. Sorry if we can not accommodate you 100% and upset the other half (or more) or readers who do not share your preferences.
October 2nd, 2011, 11:39 am
Revlon said:
1148. Dear Mina,
“Revlon, You use FB and you care about privacy?”
I keep my FB status, whether member or not, to myself!
“Don’t you know there are trials on the way because FB continues to collect your personal datas even after you log out? Come on… there is no such thing as privacy on the internet, full point”
I am aware of both Mina; the presence of legal framework for electronic exchange of personal information on the internet,as well as ongoing abuse of its loopholes.
Having a pivacy policy statement reassures the commentors of their right to legal recourse in case the policy was breached; Whether they persue their righ or not is their prerogative.
October 2nd, 2011, 11:47 am
Akbar Palace said:
Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid;)
I was told that I should not use Yahoo mail because the Israelis have access to all information on Yahoo through their friends there. It reminds me when in the past, when we started having Israelis commenting on SC, some commentators left because they told us they now do not trust SC if their information is being passed to the Israelis!
Alex,
Do you think any of the posters here should also worry about their email addresses falling into the hands of the Syrian government? I haven’t heard of anyone being hauled off to jail in Israel or the US for speaking out against their own government.
October 2nd, 2011, 11:48 am
Alex said:
Akbar,
As I said .. regime critics here have been going to Syria regularly and coming back with no one bothering them.
Pro regime commentators were also worried the previous admin was passing their emails or IP addresses to the revolution. There are “shame lists” on facebook for anyone who “defends the regime” and they hint that they will deal with them when the revolution succeeds.
As I said … we can be afraid of the Israelis, the regime, the revolution, the CIA or the Somalis. Each person has his own comfort level with risk in general. It is your personal choice, this is simply a blog. Don’t blog if you are worried about any of the above risks.
For your information .. Syria Comment was hacked many times the past few years and whoever hacked it obviously had access to IP addresses.
Again … your IP is not going to lead to your house. My friend Mona Eltahawy (American Egyptian journalist) once received a comment on her blog threatening her. She passed the IP to the FBI and they worked for weeks until they got the person who wrote that comment.
October 2nd, 2011, 12:04 pm
Akbar Palace said:
Syria Comment’s Selective Use of their Own Rules NewZ
1102. NK said:
Mr. (we were in the opposition before anyone else)
Here’s a reminder from 2007
============================================================
?? ????? ??????? ???
Dear Syrian Nationalists,
I urge you to participate in the Syrian referendum for President, cast your
“ YES ” vote for President Bashar Assad.
He demonstrated a great example of Syrian national courage, made Syrians stand tall and proud. Not only he stood solidly against the diabolically Jewish inspired Greater Middle East Zionist Project, but helped defeat it once and for all.
It was Zionist criminal Jew named Pelosi and other Jewish criminals that traveled to Damascus recently, confused, defeated and humiliated. It was Zionist Negro Rice that begged to meet our great Foreign Affair Minister Muallem in Sharm Al Sheikh, it was Christian Zionist Bush, the genocidal murderer of 700,000 innocent Moslems that relented and let go of his humiliating defeat, asking defeated Jew Olmert, who last summer was miserably defeated on the hand of much powerful and moral force, the Lebanese resistance fighters. Bush, is begging Olmert to go and make peace with Bashar Assad.
Alex,
Sorry to bug you again, but I would like some clarification. Your rules (and Professor Josh’s) prohibit the following as stated on SC’s main page:
– Personal attacks against other contributors;
– Racist, sexist, obscene, or otherwise discriminatory or hateful language;
– Provocations designed to derail discussions away from substantive debate into dead-end arguments;
– Links to commercial sites or posting of commercial messages;
– Threats of death or violence;
When posters label other posters or personalities with the epithet “Jew” or “Zionist”, because they can’t seem to articulate a point, doesn’t that go against your rule against “Racist, sexist, obscene, or otherwise discriminatory or hateful language”?
I realize it may be hard to respond to all these posts, because it occurs here quite often.
BTW, “Zionist Negro Rice” and “Zionist criminal Jew named Pelosi” are both Christian:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nancy_Pelosi
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Condoleezza_Rice
BTW NK – Saddam Hussein killed at least an order of magnitude (ten times) more Arabs than Bush. If you are really interested, I’ll be happy to link some websites for you.
October 2nd, 2011, 12:11 pm
Amir in Tel Aviv said:
This was a great exercise in democracy for you, Alex.
I’m sure you didn’t expect the outrage that banning Aboud, caused. The general out roar here on SC forced you to debate your decision, explain your policy, and even announce a kind of referendum – poll (direct democracy). None of this would have happened if not the (relative) free speech in this blog.
I’m more than sure, that in the future, if you consider banning a commentator, you will think 18 times before doing so. Democracy changes the way governments (you, on SC) behave.
.
October 2nd, 2011, 12:11 pm
zoo said:
Tara
Thanks for your candid concerns. Point taken. I stick to me perception, until proven the contrary.
October 2nd, 2011, 12:20 pm
Alex said:
Amir,
I have been designing discussion forums since 2005. I don’t think I just met democracy for the first time. My first forum, “The Syrian Think Tank” had the regime’s most extreme critic Ammar Abdel Hamid on top, because I believed in real debates, not because anyone forced me to.
Islam Comment has Wassim on top .. he is one of the smartest Islamists I know, I invited him adn placed his articles on top. Yet someone here decided that Islam Comment is anti Islam because there is ONE author (Elie Elhadj) who is against a role for Islam and religion in general in politics. The gentleman who decided that I hate Islam, did not bother to read that almost ALL the authors I invited wrote in support of building the mosque/Islamic center near ground Zero in NYC.
And did you notice that I do not come up with discussion topics on Islam Comment? … I built this page to let everyone enter a proposed topic and the site’s visitors to vote on which topic they would like us to cover. Again, how many others are doing that?
http://www.islamcomment.com/?tab=community
I am not the one who needs a lesson in democracy. It is the gentlemen here who can not tolerate my opinion or any opinion they disagree with … they would not allow Elie elHadj to speak if they were in charge on Islamcomment.org
October 2nd, 2011, 12:20 pm
Akbar Palae said:
The Syria Comment Freedom of Speech Website NewZ
AMIR IN TEL AVIV,
Yes, it seems the greatest supporters of Assad and his autocratic regime live outside of Syria.
Eyze hafta’a?
October 2nd, 2011, 12:23 pm
uzair8 said:
A post from Shiachat posted today. I thought it was worth sharing:
i just watched some clips , bashar al asad supporters torturing some one and forcing him to say that bashar is his god then he spits at bashar and they start torturing him
also i heard bashar saying ” we do not use the tanks but we just got them to scare the terrorists”
and then i saw a clip of the army crushing a human with a tank while many watch.
Iran and hizbullah have to start talking and shouting and condemning otherwise they will be complicit and they will stain all of us with the blood of the people and the anger of a nation that will not forgive us.
we can not throw our religion out the window for the sake of some stupid alliances , this is how America and her allies work but we are claiming to be shias of Ali
imam Ali never turned a blind eye to any injustice
I heard news that some singers who were singing against bashar were also executed just for singing
So what if we loose the battle its better to loose the battle than to loose our religion
as imam hussain said:
death is better than doing the shameful
and doing the shameful is better than entering the hellfire
PS not sure of the last bit. May be a misquote by the poster.
October 2nd, 2011, 12:27 pm
Mango said:
1153. AKBAR PALACE said:
I haven’t heard of anyone being hauled off to jail in Israel or the US for speaking out against their own government.
http://arabic.rt.com/news_all_news/news/65311
????? ?????????? ???? ?????? ??? ???? ?????? ????? ??????? ?? ????????
??? ?????? ?????????? ?????? ??? ???? ?????? ???? ??? ???? ??????? ????????? ?? ????????. ????? ????? ?????????? ???? ??????????? ?????????? “???????” ???????? ?? 19 ????/?????? ??????.
????? ????? ????????? ???? ??????? ?????? ??? ??? ?? ??????? ??? ???????. ??? ???? ??????? ???? ???? ??????? ????? ??????? ??????????? ?????? ??????? ????? ???? ?????? ??????? ??? ????????? ???? ???? ?? ??????.
?? ????? ???? ?????? ?????????? ??? ?????? ???? ???? ?? ?????? ???????? ???? ???? ????? ??? ????? ?? ???? ?? ???????? ???? ??? ??????? ??? ???? ?? ??? ??????.
???? ?? ???? ?????? ???????? ?????????? ?? ???? ??? ???? ?????? ?? ????? 42 ???? ????? ????? ?????? “?? ???? ?????” ??? ?????? ????? ????? ????? ????.
?? ?????? ??? ??????? ?????????? ??????? ?????? ??? ???? ????? ???? ???? ??? ?????? ?? ????? ????????? ????? ??????? ??? ?? ??? ???? ????? ?? ??? ?? ???? ??????? ??? 19 ?????? ????.
???? ???? ???? ?? ????? ???? ?????? ???????? ?? ??? ???? ?????? ???? ???? ???? ?? ???? ??? ?? ?????? ????? ???????.
????? ???? ????? ???? ???? ?? ?????? ?? 6 ????? ??????? ???? ???????? ?? ?????? ???? ??? ?? ????? ?? ?????? ??? ????.
?????? ????? ???? ???? ?? ??? ?? ?????? ??? ????????? ?? ????? ?????????? ??????? ????? ?????? ???? ?????? ??? ??????? ????.
????? ?? ???? ????? ?????????? ???? ??? ??? ????? ???? ??????? ?????????? ??? ???? ??? ?? ????? ????????? ???? ????? ?? ?????? ???????? ????? ????? ???????.
?? ???? ??? ???? ?? ???? ??? ??? ?????? ??????? ???? ??? ??????? ????? ??? ????.
??? ???? ?????? ?????????? ??????? ????????? ?? ???? ?????? ???????? ?? “????? ?????”? ??? ??? ??????? ???? ????? ???????? ?????????? ????? ???????? ?????? ????? ???.
?????? ???????? ???? ??? ???? ?? ????????? ??????????? ?????? ?????? ??? ?? ??? ?? ?????? ?????????? ?????? ????????? ???????? ?????? ???????? ???? ????? ??? ????? ??????? ???? ??? ??????? ?? ??????? ?????????? ????? ?? ?????? ????? ?? ???? ????? ???????? ?? ??? ??? ???? ?? ??? ????????? ????? ??? ??????? ??? ?? ??? ?????. ??? ???? ????? ?? ????? ?????? ???? ?? ???? ???? ??? ???????? ?? ????? ?????? ???????? ???? ????? ???????? ????? ????? ??? ????? ???????? ?????? ???? ?? ??????????.
???? ????? ?????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ??????
?? ????? ????? ???? ???? ??????? ?????????? ???????? ???????? ?????? ????????.
???? ???? ??? ???? ??????? ???? ???? ???? ?? ??? ???????? ?????? ??????? ?????? ??????? ???????? ????? ????? ??? ??????? ???????? ???????? ??????.
???? ??? ???? ??????? ????????? ?? ??????? ?????? ???????? ???? ????? ???????? ??? ???? ?????????? ???? ??? ??????? ???? ?????? ??? ??????.
October 2nd, 2011, 12:27 pm
Mina said:
How come Syria gets an expat opposition to compete with the opposition on the ground (same as Iraq 2003), while the US and KSA allies such as Bahrein and Yemen don’t?
October 2nd, 2011, 12:29 pm
Mango said:
http://arabic.rt.com/main_news/news/568060/
“????? ????? ??????”.. ?????? 700 ?????? ??? ???????? ??? ??????? ????????
???? ?????? ?? ????? ??????? ?????? ???? ?? 700 ?????? ?? “????
?????? ??? ?????” ??? ???????? ?????? ??? ??????? ???? ????? 1 ??????/????? ?????. ????? ?????? ?? ???????? ?????? ?? ????? ???? ??????? ???? ?? ????? ?????????? ??????? ??? ????? ?????? ??? ????? ??? ????????.
??????? ??????? ??? ????? ?? ???? ?????? ?????? ?? ????? ???? ?????? ?? ???? ???? ??????? ??????? ??? ???????. ?????? ????? ???? ?????? ??????? ???? 400 ??? ??? ??? ??????? ??? ?? ???? ??? ??????? ????????? ????? ??????? ????? ??????? ??? ?????????.
??? ??? ????? ??? ????????? ?????????? ????????? ?? “????????? ??? ?????” ?? ?? ??????? ??? ??? 17 ??????/????? ????? ???? ???.
???? ???? ?? ??? ??? ?? ????? ?????? ??? ??? ????? ?????? ?? ??????? ??? ?????? ???????? ??? ?????? ??? ?? ????????? ???? ????? ??????? ?? ???????? ???? ????? ???? ???? ??? ????? ??? “?????? ??? ?????”. ????? ?????? ????? ?????? ???????? ????? ??????? ?? ??????????? ???? ??? ????? ?????? ???? ??? ??? ???????? ?????? ????? ?????? ?? ?????? ?????? ?????????? ????? ????? ??????? ???? ??????. ??? ?????? ???? ?????? ???? ?????? ?? ????? ????? ?????? ??????? ??? ????????? ??? ??? ?????? ?? ?????????? ??????? ??????? ?????????? ???? ??? ????? ?????? ???? “?? ?? ??”.
??? ????? ??????? ???? ??????? ????? ?? ??? ????? ?? 17 ??????/?????? ???? ?? ??? ?????????? ?? ???????? ?? ??? ??????? ??????? ?? ????? ???????? ?????? ????? ?????? ?? ???? ???? ??????? ??????? ???????? ??? ?????? ?????? ?????? ???? ?? ????? ??? ????? ???????? ??? ???? ????????? ????????. ????? ???????? ?? ????? ?? ????? ???? ??? ????? ??? “????? ????? ??????” ??? ???? ????? ??????? ?? ??????? ?? ???? 25 ????? ??????? ??? ????? 20 ??? ??? ?????? ??? ??? ????? ????????? ???? ???? ????.
October 2nd, 2011, 12:33 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
Alex
Elli elhadge,is only anti islam, I challenged him to talk and criticise christianity on SC, he declined.
Mr. Burhan Ghalioun has enormous job,now,I think while he is in Turkey he ought to meet with Mr. Erdogan,and later with several head of state, he also should be careful about his safety, I understand that he will be active in this transitional period, and will not seek political job in the future,
Bashar and his supporters think that this revolution will end soon,they will be disappointed.
October 2nd, 2011, 12:41 pm
jad said:
??????? ????? ????? ? ????? ??? ???? ????????? ?? ???? ??? ???? ???? ???
???? ?????? ??????? ??? ??? ????? ????? ? ????? ??? ???? ????????? ?? ????? ?????? ??? ??? ??????? ???? ???? ?????? ?? ????? ???? ??? ???? ???? ??? ??? ????? ?????.
???? ???? ???? ?????????? ” ?????? ??????? ???? ????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ? ???? ????? ???? ??? ???? ????????? ????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ???? ???? ?????? ” .
? ???? ?????? ” ???????? ??????? ???? ??? ?? ?????? ?????? ????? ??? ??????? ??? ??? ??? ???? ??????? ??????? ??? ????? ? ????? ????? ???? ?????? ?? ?????? ??? ????? ?????? ?? ?????? “.
???? ???? – ????????? – ???
October 2nd, 2011, 12:42 pm
Tara said:
UZAIR8 @1159
Thank you for your post. We have a local example in our SC community. A great guy with a name of Mundas. He posts occasionally when traveling outside Syria. He is Shiaa and fully support the revolution. You can search his comment using the search function. His comments are pleasure to read. This revolution is not about sects. Syrian Shiaa like the rest of Syrians excluding the regime’s cronies are equally oppressed and do differentiate between right and wrong. They do not suffer from minorities’ complex disorder and know the Sunni Syrians for who they are.
Mundas, I hope you and family are all well.
October 2nd, 2011, 12:45 pm
uzair8 said:
The regime has everything to lose and is running out of time.
The revolutionaries have nothing to lose and all the time in the world.
October 2nd, 2011, 12:49 pm
jad said:
???? ??????? ??????: ?????? ??????? ?? ??????
???? ????? ????? ?? ????? ??????? ??????? ????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ????? ????? ????? ?????? ???????? ?????? ??? ?? ?????? ???????, ???? ???? ??? ????? ???? ??????? ?????? ?? ?????? ??????? ?? ???? ???????? ??? ?????? ?????? ??????? ??????? ?? ??? ??????? ?????????.
???? ??????? ?????? ????? ????? ?? ????? ????, ?????? ????? ???????? ?????? ???? ???????? ??????? ?? ???????, ?? “?????? ?????? ?????? ?? ?????? ?????? ???????? ??????? ?? ?????? ???????”.
????? ????? ??? ?? “?????? ?? ??????? ??????? ?????? ???????? ???? ??? ????? ???? ???? ????? ?????? ?????? ?? ????? ????? ???? ???? ?????? ?????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ??? ?????? ??????”, ????? ??? ?? “?????? ???? ????? ???? ???? ????? ????? ??? ????????? ????? ??? ?????”.
???? ????? ?? “?????? ???? ?? ???? ????? ??? ???????? ??????? ???????? ?????? ???????? ???????? ??????? ????????? ????? ?????????? ???? ????? ?????? ?????? ??? ?????? ?? ????? ??????? ???? ???? ??????? ??????????? ??????? ????? ??????? ???? ??????? ??????”, ??? ?? ??????.
????? ?????? ??????? ????? ??? ?? ?????? ?????? ?????? ??? ??? ??? ?????? ??? ???????? ?? ??? ????? ???? ??????? ?? ???????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ???????? ?????? ?? ????? ??????? ???????.
????? ??????? ??????? ???? ?????? ?????? ??”???????? ?????” ?????? ?????? ?????? ???? ??? ????? ?? ??????? ?? ???????? ?? ??? ???? ??? ??????? ???????? ?????? ??”???” ?????? ??? ?????? ?????????? ???? ??????.
????????, ??? ??? ???? ??????? ?????? ??????? ?????????? ???? ??????? ?? ????? ?? ???? ????? ?????” ?? “????? ????????? ??? ?????? ?? ??? ????”.
????? ???????, ??? ???? ???????? ?? ??????, “??????? ??????? ??????? ?? ?? ???? ????????? ??? ?????? ?????? ????? ????? ??????? ?????? ??? ???? 15 ???? ????? ??????? ????? ??? ?????? ?????? ?? ??? ??????? ?? ?????? ??????? ????”.
???? ??????, ???? ???? ?? ??????? ????? ?????? ??????, ????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ???? ????? ??????? ???? ??????? ????????? ?11 ???? ?????, ??? ??? ?????? ?????? ?????? ?? ?????? ?????? ??? ??? ??????? ??? ?????? ?????? ??? ????? ????? ????? ???? ??????? ???? ???????? ???? ??? ????? ???? ??????? ???? ????? ????? ????? ????? ????? ???? ???????? ????? ??????? ???? ????? ????? ???????? ????? ????.
http://syria-news.com/readnews.php?sy_seq=138037
October 2nd, 2011, 12:50 pm
Alex said:
Majedkhaldoun
Do you know that Elie is 100% against the Syrian regime in this crisis?
If he hated Islam, he would have sided with “the minorities”, no?
I assure you he can’t stand any clergyman meddling in politics.
October 2nd, 2011, 12:56 pm
Akbar Palace said:
We can Bomb Mosques you Can’t
The gentleman who decided that I hate Islam, did not bother to read that almost ALL the authors I invited wrote in support of building the mosque/Islamic center near ground Zero in NYC.
Alex,
While you support building mosques in someone else’s country in an area where nearly 3000 Americans lost their lives at the hand of muslim extremists, I find it a bit hypocritical that you support a regime that bombs mosques in Syria and screams “MB” or “salafi” at any one who speaks out against Assad.
October 2nd, 2011, 12:56 pm
zoo said:
Tara
Thanks for your candid concern. Just read your posts again and you’ll see what I mean about your classifications of commenters: Good Iranian/ Bad Iranian. Good Alawite/ Bad Alawite. Good Lebanese/bad Lebanese. Good Syrian-expat/ Bad Syrian-expat, Bad Peasants/Good Educated and the list goes on… They are evil only if they have opposing ideas to yours (Bush syndrome)
I continue to stick to my perception until proven the contrary.
October 2nd, 2011, 12:58 pm
Revlon said:
The regime’s symbolic retaliation from Turky for hosting the historic announcement of the SNC today; A 300 Kurds demonstration in Aleppo, chaperoned by Thug One’s forces and cheered for Ojalan!
Ugarit News | ??????? ?????????
??????? || ??? :: ??? ???? ::
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?????? ???????? ??? ???? ????????? ???? ?????? ????? ?????? ?????? ???? ????? ?????? ?????? ???????? ?????? ??? .
?? ??? ??? ???? ????? ?? ?????? ????? ????? ??????? ???? ???? ??????? ??? ?????? ?? ?? ??? ?? ???? ???????? .
???? ????? ???? ??? ?? ????? ??? ???? ?? ???????? ?????????? ???
??????? ?????? ????? ????? ?????? ??????? ??? ????? ?????? ??????? ???????? .
2 minutes ago
October 2nd, 2011, 1:01 pm
Husam said:
Alex:
I am not the only gentlemen here who thinks you and your dinosaurs are anti-islamic. I have one simple question for you:
I understand fully and trust your Syrian Patriotism without a doubt. However why would, someone like you who is obviously not a Muslim (to say the very least), go at length to develop something called Islamcomment?
You state it is an open forum for debate but your project synopsis specifically states: “….non-specialist answers to questions relating to Islam” So how can it be so without a non-specialist (i.e. Islamic scholar)?
This is like saying we have a platform discussing a Nuclear Collider project without a PhD present in Nuclear science! Your advisory board save for the Rabbi have no background in theology whatsoever. It is funny you list a Rabbi but not a Sheikh on supposedly an Islamic site. Elhadj is a bigot and your hero… come on just say it.
I mean you are obviously a very busy man like many of us, you say you are not paid by the CIA or Bashar and don’t make money from all of this, so what gives?
Respectfully,
October 2nd, 2011, 1:03 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
Alex said:
“Do you know that Elie is 100% against the Syrian regime in this crisis?”
Yes I do.
“If he hated Islam, he would have sided with “the minorities”, no”?
NO,you are assuming,
Haytham Khoury is christian,he is from minority,he is pro revolution.
October 2nd, 2011, 1:04 pm
Alex said:
Akbar,
If most of the authors I invited to debate issues on Islam Comment supported building the mosque, I am personally not for building that mosque, and not for building the new Church near my home in Montreal. This article is close to reflecting my opinion:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/firas-alatraqchi/why-i-oppose-the-new-york_b_713693.html
I pray to God before I go to sleep sometimes (not as an obligation, but when I feel I need to). I am not impressed with religious institutions in generals but I do not hate them.
Husam,
Please read this part,
http://www.islamcomment.com/?tab=about§ion=forum
Majed,
I did not imply that all minorities are with the regime, I implied that those who hate Islam (Hate is a serious state of mind) are not known to side with the revolution. Elie dislikes Islam (and other religions) but he HATES dictatorships.
October 2nd, 2011, 1:11 pm
Mango said:
1165. JAD
???? ?????? ??????? ??? ??? ????? ????? ? ????? ??? ???? ????????? ?? ????? ?????? ??? ??? ??????? ???? ???? ?????? ?? ????? ???? ??? ???? ???? ??? ??? ????? ?????.
???? ???? ???? ?????????? ” ?????? ??????? ???? ????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ? ???? ????? ???? ??? ???? ????????? ????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ???? ???? ?????? ” .
???? ??? ??? ! ???? ????? ??????? ??? ???? ??????? ! ???? ?????? ??????? ???? ( ?????? + ??????? ) ??? ????? ?????? ??????? ????????
http://nstarikov.ru/blog/11598
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4mDlxBd2kE
http://rutube.ru/tracks/4733406.html?v=da2d5693fb551d18fc292c302e5c48da
October 2nd, 2011, 1:13 pm
Ghufran said:
????? ??? ??????
???? ???? ?? ?????
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CDoQtwIwAQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DsPaeiJW-eW0&rct=j&q=%D8%B4%D8%B9%D8%A8%D9%88%D9%84%D8%A7&ctbm=vid&ei=W5qITtODBoaCtgfGt6ztCg&usg=AFQjCNExCdPNqCGIRzeHtK4f70uykXAT1w
October 2nd, 2011, 1:14 pm
Revlon said:
President of the SNC said:
The SNC urges all international bodies and organisation to:
– accept their responsibilities in protecting the Syrian people from the war decalred by the illegitimate regime and from the grave human rights violations
– by using all legitimate means, including the activation of applicable clauses of the international law.
In nutshel, no to unsolicited foreign intervention that breaches the SNC soverignty but yes if solicited/approved by the soverign SNC!
???? ????? ?? ?????? “???? ?? ???? ????? ??? ??????? ???????”? ????? ??? ??? “????? ???????? ???????? ??????? ??????? ????? ?????????? ???? ????? ?????? ??? ?????? ?? ????? ??????? ???? ???? ??????? ??????????? ??????? ????? ??????? ???? ??????? ?????? ???????? ??????? ??? ?? ??????? ???????? ????? ????? ?????? ????????? ?? ??????? ??????”.
October 2nd, 2011, 1:15 pm
Syrian Nationalist Party said:
“……..A blog is an expense, not a money making machine……”
More than money expensive, it is time expensive. I can understand Landis motives in running it; it gave him a name in the field. But why Ihsani and Alex doing it for free, it shows how much they care about Syria, thanks for your efforts.
@Akbar palace. You want to talk to me you need to keep decorum, I am really getting tired of the filth on syriacomment, some of our wives and kids read this blog and complain a lot. I am always assaulted by my wife for the language used here in rebuttal. Sometime she says “I absolutely prohibit you from saying that”. So you will be on long list of IGNORE if you do not self moderate your language.
Yes we voted for President Assad and his Interior Minister said then that our votes are not valid. Will vote for Assad now and next decade as well, there exist no reliable team to take over Syria, and SNP primary interest is “Continuity of Syrian State” not “Continuity of Baathist State”. When a team or a coalition are ready in SNP view to administer Syria without taking risks on Civil war, economic collapse, social upheaval and so forth, will consider joining them even if they were devout enemies, if it will provides for that continuity. In any Coalition SNP must lead, that is a must because we need to insure that Syria is the next California Golden State within 5-7 years of the transition. We can do it. SNP can reach peace with Israel, strengthen ties with Iran and roll back Turkey without too much damage. We can accept a 50/50 split in Iskenderun, or like the Golan deal run by a Development Authority ruled by both Syrians and Turkmen. NATO would be the little mice in the corner, if SNP in position to carry some ministerial portfolio such as the Defense one, they would not come to turkey backing, France made a mistake and needs to help correct it. We have the technologies that can with 3 years send NATO back to the 16th century (comparatively), for a starter; we can electromagnetically immobilize their forces.
October 2nd, 2011, 1:17 pm
Husam said:
Alex said:
“… they would not allow Elie elHadj to speak if they were in charge on Islamcomment.org”.
But you did not allow Aboud to speak and banned him. Alex, I am sorry but this is double standard. You use the free speech card and withdraw it as it pleases you.
Your idol, Elhadj, spreads falsehoods about Islam, pitches misconcpetions, and disrespected and insulted many of us. Did you ban him? When I called upon you, you IGNORED ME. He called me all kinds, even labelled be an Islamist just because I disagreed with him. So your unconditional love and support for a Muslim-basher-hater makes you what?
October 2nd, 2011, 1:20 pm
Alex said:
Thank you SNP. It is time consuming, but it is also rewarding for some reason!
Husam
1) Aboud is allowed to speak just like Elie was allowed to speak … until they use profanity or violence.
I could have banned Aboud at any time … I always was one of the admins of SC since 2005. Aboud was allowed to speak many times each day. He will be back in 5 days.
2) Elie is not my idol, I find him too extreme in his views. But he is a brilliant man and he researches his topics well. Currently he and I do not speak if that makes you better understand that I am now defending someone I disagree with greatly.
October 2nd, 2011, 1:27 pm
zoo said:
Jad
#1168
It is very healthy that the local political opposition leaders that have been apathetic since the beginning on the uprising is starting to react seeing that the Turkey group supported by pro-Israel western countries are hijacking the revolution.
I hope they become more vocal and organized and starts a serious dialog with the government who share the same rejection of this ‘foreign made’ opposition group.
In any case I have lots of doubts about that “Council” in Turkey that has little credibility inside Syria.
If they hope to emulate the Libyan council, they’ll need plenty of defections both in the Syrian Government and the army.
Until now there is only the mysterious Adnan Bakkour who is supposed to have escaped in a foreign country but who is still totally silent or silenced? In the army, the number of defections are controversial (hundreds to 10,000) Yet Harmoush defected from the defectors, Rastan fell and there are rumours about ‘General’ Al Assaad’s whereabouts.
Turkey’s support for the Council is now at its peak, but with the increased internal and foreign problems Turkey is facing I doubt they will continue their antagonism with Syria. They have a lot to loose, economically and strategically. The Turkish press is very silent about Syria. Iran has reiterated its support for reforms in Syria and rejected the interference of foreign powers.
I think time may play in favor of the Syrian government. The new importation laws has created protests from businessmen but it has died off, for now. I guess most businessmen know they will have to squeeze their belt but until now they seem to be willing to do it.
If the Government starts the implementation of the reforms within the month of grace that the UNSC may give it, they will cut the grass under the Turkey Council’s feet as these have the same reforms in mind but without Bashar Al Assad.
The next month is crucial for both sides.
October 2nd, 2011, 1:31 pm
Louai said:
now the main problem in Syria is Alex so every one trying to discuss him? get over it ,he dose not support the revolution and aboud deserve to be banned for using bad language you know it and every one dose .
he was not the first one to be banned , no one made a big issue when SNK and others were banned
to Aboud if you are reading this comment , if i were you i would start a new blog as apparently you have a lot of fans .
all your attempt to harras Alex will not work hopefully ,i personally like the fact that Alex and Ehsani do not share the same point of view ,i share Alex’s point of view but i do respect and admire Ehsani’s way of expressing himself, very civilized and balanced , let us all learn from him .
October 2nd, 2011, 1:31 pm
Husam said:
Alex:
I am not interested in reading or participating in a Forum that has the bigot Elhadj (Wafa Sultan’s lover) as it’s #1 advisor.
Where are your scholars that you invite? Why are they not permanent advisors? I have Rabbi friends and Sheikh friends…which shiekh do you befriend or call upon? I am not talking about Wassim or so-called-self-proclaimed-experts, I am talking degrees bro. What are you guys afraid of?
October 2nd, 2011, 1:31 pm
Husam said:
Alex:
Ok fine, but please believe me when I tell you I know you are a Syrian Patriot. Can you please just explain what satisfaction does Islamcomment give you?
October 2nd, 2011, 1:37 pm
Alex said:
Husam. At the time, there was great tension between the right in the US and American Muslims. I felt there is a need for a forum that is willing to present both views in an intelligent way. Everything else I read at the time was either totally pro Islam or anti Islam. Discussion forums were full of hate and paranoia.
Now that there is no friction there, you can see that I did not put much energy in that site for months. But it is there when there will be a need to have a relevant discussion.
The Rabbi is there because he is the director of the center for conflict resolution, not because he is a Rabbi. There are no priests or Shaikhs because the site has nothing to do with theology. It is about politics and culture and whatever questions are related Islam withing those two areas.
The whole advisory board are there because they support the site. None of them advised. I did most of the work and my good friend Elias Muhanna (Qifa Nabki) helped a lot too.
October 2nd, 2011, 1:53 pm
Abu Umar said:
1128. zoo said:
I wonder who planned the Iraq war with the Jewish Neocons and rode in on American tanks?! So much for mumaana from a sectarian hypocrite.
October 2nd, 2011, 1:56 pm
ann said:
*** TURKEY DECLARES CIVIL WAR ON SYRIA ***
Syria Opposition Forms Anti-Assad Transitional Council, Warns of Civil War
Oct 2, 2011 11:15 AM
Syrian activists formed a council to coordinate efforts to end President Bashar al-Assad’s rule and stop his deadly crackdown that has claimed more than 3,600 lives this year.
The so-called Syrian National Council will include the head of Syria’s Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamic political party banned in the country, as well as Kurdish and other groups, Burhan Ghaliun, a political sociologist at Paris’s Sorbonne University and member of the council, told reporters in Istanbul today. Assad’s crackdown on dissenters threatens the country with civil war, he said.
Syria’s opposition is following the path taken by Libya’s rebels, who formed a National Transitional Council during that country’s uprising. The NTC became the main governing authority in Libya in late August after seizing Tripoli, the capital, and ending the four-decade rule of Muammar Qaddafi. The Libyan and Syrian revolts were inspired by a wave of unrest that unseated Tunisia’s President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in January and Egypt’s President Hosni Mubarak the following month.
“It benefits everyone to establish a common platform for these leaderless groups, where there is uncertainty as to whether they have shared goals,” Soli Ozel, a professor of international relations and political science at Istanbul’s Bilgi University, said in a telephone interview. “It’s a good thing for them to unite under one roof.”
While the council rejects any outside intervention in Syria’s internal affairs, it seeks United Nations protection for the Syrian people, Ghaliun said.
Minorities ‘Scared’
Assad’s regime “stands today because minorities are rightfully scared about who will protect them if it falls,” said Ozel. “They are forming this council and will slowly seek to establish their credibility. We’ll see if they will gain the international community’s respect going forward.”
The council will have an executive panel of six or seven people, who will rotate chairmanship, said Basma Qadmani, another opposition figure. The head of the opposition council, which seeks to establish a democratic government, hasn’t been decided, Ghaliun said.
Assad’s crackdown has left more than 3,600 civilians dead since the protests began in March, according to Ammar Qurabi of the National Organization for Human Rights in Syria. About 30,000 people have also been detained and 13,000 are still being held, he said. About 700 members of the state security forces have been killed in the uprising.
Draft Resolution
European nations on the UN Security Council on Sept. 29 circulated a fourth version of their draft resolution on Syria in a continuing bid to win Russia’s support. It deletes the word “sanctions,” instead threatening to adopt “targeted measures” in the event that Assad’s government doesn’t halt attacks on protesters. The text also drops a reference to possible referral of alleged crimes to the International Criminal Court and adds a line that “urges all sides to reject violence and extremism.”
October 2nd, 2011, 2:04 pm
NK said:
Akbar Palace
You do realize that in #1102 I was merely quoting what SNP posted back in 2007, right ?
October 2nd, 2011, 2:10 pm
ann said:
Pro-Assad forces regain rebel Syrian town: agency
Sat Oct 1, 2011 6:20pm
Syrian troops regained control of the central town of Rastan, the official news agency said on Saturday, after the most prolonged fighting between the army and insurgents in a six-month uprising.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/01/us-syria-idUSTRE79017Y20111001
“Calm and security have returned to Rastan after security police backed by army units entered the town and confronted the terrorist groups who have terrified its inhabitants,” the agency said.
The town was the scene of large protests demanding the removal of President Bashar al-Assad and had been under the control of army defectors and other insurgents in the last few weeks.
Government forces, backed by tanks and helicopters, moved on the town of 40,000, which lies 110 miles north of Damascus on the main highway to Aleppo, on Tuesday.
Local activists said that members of the Khaled bin al-Walid Battalion, the main defector unit defending Rastan, withdrew from the town after it came under tank shelling and heavy machine gun fire.
The battalion, named after the first Arab conqueror of Syria, was formed last month as defectors began to organize and mount guerrilla attacks against security forces and a pro-Assad militia, known ‘shabbiha’.
Assad is a member of Syria’s Alawite minority sect, an offshoot of Shi’ite Islam that dominates the army, security apparatus and power structure in the mostly Sunni Muslim country of 20 million at the heart of the Middle East.
He has blamed the violence on armed gangs backed by foreign forces, and his officials say 700 police and soldiers have been killed, as well as 700 “mutineers.”
Activists and human rights campaigners say loyalist forces are killing an average of 10-20 civilians every day.
One of the activists told Reuters that Rastan remained sealed while “state media stage their version of events” but that at least 130 people, both insurgents and civilians, have been reported killed in the assault since Tuesday.
“The Khaled bin al-Walid battalion took a decision to withdraw from Rastan to spare the town further killings,” he said, adding that they included 12 insurgents from the Ali bin Abi Taleb brigade of defectors in the nearby region of Houla, across the Orontes river.
He said six loyalist soldiers were killed in attacks by the defectors in Houla on Saturday, and that troops later sealed the agricultural regional center and arrested 30 villagers.
Another activist said that troops and pro-Assad militiamen have occupied hospitals and clinics in Rastan and converted schools into detention centers now holding hundreds of villagers, in line with tactics used in assaults on numerous cities and towns across Syria.
An official statement said on Friday that seven soldiers and police were killed in a military operation against “terrorists” in Rastan. “The units responsible have inflicted big losses on the armed terrorist groups,” the statement said.
Rami Abdel-Rahman, head of the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said a force of 250 tanks was sent to Rastan.
The United Nations says Assad’s crackdown has killed 2,700 people since the mostly peaceful protests erupted in March, inspired by Arab revolts which have toppled three Arab rulers in North Africa and rattled leaders across the Middle East.
The United States and Europe have condemned what they described as brutality by the Syrian authorities and imposed sanctions on the country’s small but key oil sector.
The oil embargo, combined with a slump in tourism revenues and falls in foreign investment and trade, have pushed Damascus to take drastic steps to protect currency reserves.
Last week it barred most imports apart from basic goods and raw materials. It has also tried unsuccessfully to barter crude oil for badly needed fuel.
RELATIONS WITH U.S. WORSEN
The United States, which had been trying to re-engage with Assad and loosen the close alliance he had with Iran before the outbreak of the unrest, has condemned the crackdown on protests and pushed for United Nations sanctions on Damascus.
Relations hit a new low on Thursday when Assad supporters threw stones and tomatoes at U.S. ambassador Robert Ford’s convoy as he visited an opposition figure in Damascus.
Ford and his party were uninjured but several embassy vehicles were damaged and Ford had to lock himself in an office to await help from Syrian security, U.S. officials said.
Assistant Secretary of State Jeffrey Feltman summoned Syrian Ambassador Imad Moustapha to the State Department on Friday and “read the riot act about this incident,” State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said.
Syria, irked by Ford’s meetings with opposition figures, accused Washington of inciting violence and meddling in its affairs. Washington demanded that Syria take steps to protect U.S. diplomats.
October 2nd, 2011, 2:26 pm
agatha said:
To All
I don’t see the problems of some of you with rules and there implementation on this blog.
this is a private webside: so I agree that others make rules and imply them, I still have the freedom of choice – to read the blog or not / or even to participate on the discussion in consideration of this rules.
Dear Alex and other moderators,
thank you for giving me (and us) now the possibility to vote, I understand it as a democratic way of rulemaking on SC, therefor
I will VOTE!
And I hope for good discussions in futur, I mean fair argument-battles, playing the ball and not the man/woman!
October 2nd, 2011, 2:29 pm
Afram said:
I CALL ON PRESIDENT ASSAD TO RELEASE MY PROUD MARXIST COMRADES:
????? ??????? ???????? ???? ????
DR;Nayef Saloum and Mansour Al-attasi
October 2nd, 2011, 2:43 pm
Haytham Khoury said:
??????? ????? ????? ???? ????? ?????? ?????? 2\10\
October 2nd, 2011, 2:43 pm
Haytham Khoury said:
???? ????? ????? ???? ?? ?? ?? ???? 30 9 2011
October 2nd, 2011, 2:48 pm
Haytham Khoury said:
Dear Afram @1192:
I see that you are becoming anti-regime.
Best
HK
October 2nd, 2011, 2:51 pm
bronco said:
Syria warns US ambassador against meddling
ZEINA KARAM
The Associated Press
BEIRUT – U.S. Ambassador Robert Ford should stop meddling in Syrian affairs if he wants to avoid more ‘rotten eggs’ attacks in the future, a state-run Syrian newspaper warned on Sunday.
The Al Baath newspaper, a mouthpiece of the Syrian regime, accused Ford of supporting armed anti-government groups in Syria and said his meddling will not be tolerated.
Supporters of President Bashar Assad on Thursday pelted Ford , an outspoken critic of the Syrian regime’s brutal crackdown on the country’s six-month-old uprising , with eggs as he visited a prominent Syrian opposition figure in Damascus. He was trapped in the office for about three hours by the hostile pro-government protesters outside until Syrian security forces arrived to escort him out.
“If you want to avoid rotten eggs, you should advise your country to stop its blatant interference in Syrian affairs and its feverish efforts to seek sanctions against Syria from the U.N. Security Council,” the newspaper said.
Read more: http://www.philly.com/philly/wires/ap/news/world/mideast/20111002_ap_syriawarnsusambassadoragainstmeddling.html#ixzz1ZeU8rO3K
October 2nd, 2011, 2:54 pm
Haytham Khoury said:
???? ???? ??? ?????? ???????? ?? ???? ?????? ???????? ?? ????? ?? ???? ????? ?? ???????? ??????? ???: ??? ?????? -?????? ????????- ??????? ??????
http://www.ahewar.org/debat/show.art.asp?aid=277014
October 2nd, 2011, 2:55 pm
Some guy no longer in damascus said:
Afram ,
Let’s hope they aren’t victims to the viciousness of the assadian sadists, and furthermore aren’t prone to the pathetic re-imprisonment najati tayara faced. Besho won’t listen to you, and he wouldn’t listen to any one even if he screamed it in his face. Trust us, we’ve been trying for 7 months now.
October 2nd, 2011, 3:01 pm
zoo said:
UN Security Council Discusses New Syria Resolution
Bashar AlJaafari: “Focusing on the Palestinian issue is not good for [the] USA and the Europeans; this is why they need to focus on something else. It is a diversion,” he said.
[ 29 Sep 2011 ]
Baku-APA. The U.N. Security Council discussed a possible compromise resolution on Syria Wednesday – one that would not include sanctions, but would condemn the escalating violence in Syria, urge implementation of promised reforms and call on the government and the opposition to engage in an inclusive Syrian-led political process, APA reports quoting VOA.
…
Earlier Wednesday, Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin told reporters that the European draft was “a continuation of the openly declared policy of regime change” of some council members and that in Moscow’s view, it encouraged “destructive elements” in the Syrian opposition to continue their violence. He said Russia had put forth to the council a revised draft of its earlier resolution.
….
“The main thing is not to lose sight of those two objectives – stop violence immediately and put in train a political process which would lead to reforms and which would lead to a satisfactory situation of the people of Syria,” said Churkin.
Syrian Ambassador Bashar Ja’afari was outside the Security Council during the closed meeting. He told reporters that the European draft, which has U.S. support, is intended to distract from the issue of the Palestinian application for U.N. membership, which was submitted last week.
“Focusing on the Palestinian issue is not good for [the] USA and the Europeans; this is why they need to focus on something else. It is a diversion,” he said.
Ja’afari said the situation in Syria is improving and that the government is in full control of the country, with the exception, he said, of “some minor spots” in the city of Homs. He added that in a few days, a new commission would be established to review the constitution, adding that the government is “on the right track.”
The Syrian ambassador said his government does not need outside interference in implementing reforms, and would prefer the Security Council encouraged members of the opposition to engage in national dialogue instead of sending negative messages that their actions have international protection.
http://en.apa.az/news.php?id=156109
October 2nd, 2011, 3:04 pm
mjabali said:
Mr. Alex:
Salam first of all.
Thanks for your efforts and for keeping this form open.
Thanks for Prof. Landis and others working on this blog for letting me express myself and write my ideas. This is great to find a place like this blog online.
It is really great to find in it all types of ideas.
I am for the freedom of speech and hate to see this blog ban anyone, including Aboud. I think banning him was a mistake as it was a mistake to ban Syria No Kandahar before.
Freedom of speech is more important and if anyone uses foul language they are reflecting whom they are, what they stand for and how they feel.
We really need to find out what people stand for without lies, so why put barriers on what they are allowed or not to say. Living in the West taught us how important freedom of speech is to everyone especially for us coming from under Supreme Leaders who rule forever, forced to watch one TV station and listened to speeches by the comrades telling us what to think. No, I do not stand for anything but the freedom to say what I feel like and want.
It is really interesting to find out that Tara was the previous moderator. But, still, this finding did not shake my belief in the importance of this blog.
I know that online protecting my identity is hard, so I better live with it.
Please keep the good work and keep this space open for us Syrians who are happy to find a space like this online so maybe we start learning how to live with opinions that represent different sides.
Thank you again and those working on this blog.
October 2nd, 2011, 3:08 pm
Tara said:
Zoo @1171
I am not clear to your post. Where is the problem with such classification (if present)? The regime embodies evil. One can’t discredit the report of the killing, torture, imprisonment, and humiliation. Cases are documented and available to all for review. Wouldn’t be a logical consequence then to consider people who support a brutal regime to be “bad” and those who don’t to be “good”? Wouldn’t that be calling a spade a spade?
And just to be clear, such ” morsel classification” does not equate advocacy for any kind of future punishment or revenge.
October 2nd, 2011, 3:10 pm
ann said:
Donilon Discusses Syria With King Abdullah in Saudi Arabia
Oct 1, 2011 2:52 PM
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-10-01/donilon-discusses-syria-with-king-abdullah-in-saudi-arabia.html
White House National Security Advisor Tom Donilon thanked Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah and the Gulf Cooperation Council for their opposition to violence in Syria “perpetrated by the Assad regime” during a visit to Saudi Arabia today, according to a White House statement.
During a one-day visit to Riyadh, Donilon “commended” King Abdullah for his call for “an end to violence against civilians” led by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, White House spokesman Tommy Vietor said in a statement.
October 2nd, 2011, 3:14 pm
Aliccie said:
Hi
I’ve been reading comments but there are so many, I’ve not been able to catch up, or post, although there are many many things I would have liked to say.
I finally found Aboud’s comment that caused his banning. Yes, it was too much. This sort of eye for an eye justice has to stop. How can anyone blame Israel for this type of justice when it’s the same reaction in the Arab/muslim world ? But I love Aboud, and his basic position. I don’t think he means what he says half of the time, at least I hope so.
Syria is really a huge hypocrit, see Ann’s former post of an article of some minister who is whining about Israel’s ‘crimes against humanity’ and their pitiful Golan Heights. Really, do we know what the population there wishes today ? Be under Isaelis or Assad ?
Last night, it was on our main TV news, about the invasion of tanks to repress the army defectors. The situation in Syria is terrible, terrible. I feel sick even looking at it.
Yet, I noted something about the poor girl who was mutilated, that I wished to ask about.
In an article about her, a neighbour said she was a ‘very well behaved girl, who spent her time praying and fasting’.
Now, we also read that her seven brothers were activists. At least one killed.
Now if anyone without sectarian bias can explain to me, what sort of family is this ? Is this girl educated in a state school, or coranic ? Can she read and write ? Are they ‘typical poor people ?’
Are they ‘pious muslims’ who live as they wish, or are they ‘muslim brotherhood/salafists ?’. Why is such a girl imprisoned in her tight veil, and her home, to fast and to pray ? Is she prevented from studying, working ?
What is the Assad’s policy towards these people ? Is it officially to allow anyone to live according to their wishes, or because of bad gvt policy, not providing support for these ‘pious’ people ? Because, one can doubt that this type of family belongs to a ‘secular’ modern democratic Syria.
Surely this type of family wants to be able to live as they are now ! And maybe have more legislation to ensure they can keep their pressure on their women, sisters.. Keep them ‘well behaved’ ‘prayin
‘n fastin’ !
And yet what can I read, usually with Google translate, pages of reports of upteen meetings of upteen councils. Where MB representatives say they don’t want a secular society, but a ‘civil’ society with freedoms and democracy.. Well, maybe these MB, as in Egypt are totally split up with more brainy youth who realize that Sharia islamist republics are a thing of the past, and forever rejected by the rest of the world, like Iran.
Even havens of backwardness under the verneer of gold fawcets, and shiny shopping mals, are under pressure as the slightest event is sent around the world a thousand times in seconds and finishes up on our 8pm news, with films of black tented women being whipped or driving a big sedan in secret. Wow, what a revolution.
And during this time we have pretty long haired ladies on AJE saying how France or Belgium are against ‘womens’ rights’ by banning the burka in THEIR FREE countries. What hypocrisy.
Why is it that in Islam, lying and cheating is allowed yet forbidden in Christianity ?
And I wish people would stop talking about Christians in the ME without mentioning that they are also very backward in their rules and rituals. Copts can’t even divorce. (And the other churches ?). They all worship their icons, their popes are dressed up worse than Benedict in Rome.
I’ve read that in Syria, identity cards mention the religion, that sharia law is used for domestic things (is that all ?), all under the modern secular regime of the Assads, the junior of which, was prevented from making promised reforms because of Israel and an assassination in Lebanon ! In what way was he prevented ?? Poor baby.
And I note that ‘nato4syria’ is a tweet account because some can see people holding up papers in demonstrations asking for Nato intervention.
Well, our foreign minister M. Jupé has said that it’s not possible. Syria is another kettle of fish from Libya. Libya, asked, pleaded for help, not Syria. And in any case, maybe the pilots and technicians are tired and need a break, not mentioning the cost, how will Syria pay ?
Nah, Syrians need to decide, and many have, except that they don’t know much about anything because they are waking up slowly like from a long sleep.
Who knew anything about Syrians in the western world ? They were part of the ‘axis of evil’, a brutal, state, friend of Iran and enemy of Israel and the ‘west’. That’s all we knew about Syria. Until Bashar and his wife did tours of the countries and plenty of interviews, smiling and assuring everyone that he was the man to bring Syria into the modern democratic world.
And no doubt many fell for it. Sarkozy did, he gave him the red carpet, a priviledged place beside him to watch our national 14th july celebrations.
What were Syrians saying in the winter, ‘this will never happen to us !’. But now the world looks on in horror at the brutality, the sheer cruelty of this regime.
The regime hits back with accusations, videos of the brutality of the ‘armed gangs’. Tit for tat ? Yes, I think so in some cases, but not in general. This regime has lost all credibility, at the top and certainly in the inner circle, they are as crazy as the Gaddafis, they are psychotic and will stop at nothing, they are totally totally sick.
The syrians who have finally realized this, are saying that the only way to end it is with arms, as they refuse any other help, they are totally confused, they realize that their country is not very liked, and that nobody knows much about it. Hundreds of articles mention sectarian strife and divides, others say it’s artificial, or has only now come to the surface. This is no doubt true because it always happens in civilian strife. The Balkans was a forerunner.
But it’s no reason to cling onto a cruel regime. To see 20 killed everyday is not nothing ! All these people are brothers, fathers, cousins, colleagues. And sometimes daughters. People become numbed to figures. Millions starving in Somalia, thousands killed in Syria, hundreds in loads of bomb attacks in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and tens of thousands in Libya. Numbers, numbers, we are overwhelmed with human misery, not to count the victims of natural disasters.
And during this time people are bickering over who will have what place, what influence, what religion, what law. Unfortunately, we, in the 21st century are forced to see religion again, as the centre of conflict, the main cause of deaths, inhumanity. Death is nothing compared to pain, and suffering. Humans are very fragile, and only have to experience a traumatic event to be destroyed for the rest of their lives. How many traumatised people and children will live to tomorrow, after all these events ? How many are behaving in revenge for previous trauma ? Many.
My tentative prediction : with Syria, Libya, Egypt and Tunisia, who are preparing for a new system, (I don’t count Yemen, because I can’t even watch it, it’s too much, they are like in pre islamic times), I think that the whole islamist ‘thing’ of the past 30 years will fall down. And, hopefully, the soviet style leftists, kurds, old expats etc. The future is technological, any country who refuses transparency is doomed, rejected, like Cuba, N. Corea, Iran, Somalia, even Venezwela partially.
Pakistan is becoming so, with their taliban friends, and many African states who harbour violent islamists who bomb, kill, mutilate.. The Gulf countries are on the waiting list, for the moment they’re paying their way out and pretending, with silly women who prefer ‘male gardianship’.. That will change, with their children.
I predict that all the west has to do is sit and wait. Smile, say ‘yes, we support the opposition, but we won’t interfere, except for advice and guidance’.. In the meantime, our countries must put their foot down against islamist pressure, immigration, except for real asylum cases, INTEGRATION not multi-culturalism, which doesn’t work, (Cameron, Merkel). Follow the French model of real secularism, (which isn’t without weaknesses), the Scandinavian model for justice, civil life, creativity etc.. the Swiss model for civic democracy (referandums for decisions), and no doubt several other countries who have good ideas and practises.
When people elsewhere say the ‘west’ they often think of the USA. Well, I wouldn’t call it a model in every sense. One must be quite precise in pointing to particular things that are a model.
I don’t live there, have never been there, I know very few americans, but I would say that they are losers on many fronts and also winners. But you can’t group ‘America’ as a model. Each state has different laws and ways of living. It’s constitution is a model, just as many individuals are.
The only things that need to be fought are ignorance, religion, paranoia, corruption, and abuse of human rights.
Which means that any country needs to spend money on education, science research, justice, medecine (including psychiatric), transparency (anti-corruption), and the whole lot to ensure human rights.
Of course every country needs good economists who can lead it out of stagnation, corruption, red tape, bad practises etc.
There you go, I charge 50€ an hour for personal armchair rants, LOL
October 2nd, 2011, 3:16 pm
zoo said:
Umbrella movement: Syria opposition announces united front
2011-10-02
“It represents the Syrian revolution both inside and outside the country,” he ( Borhan Ghalioun) said.
“It works to mobilise all categories of people in Syria and give the necessary support for the revolution to progress and realise the aspirations of our people for the overthrow of the regime, its symbols and its head,” he said.
{…}
“Today is the day of the universities uprising. Everyone knows the fear the universities inspire in the regime,” said a statement on “The Syrian Revolution 2011” Facebook page.
{….}
Officers who had deserted announced their “retreat from Rastan” in a statement on Friday night.
“Because of major reinforcements and the weapons used in Rastan by Assad’s gangs… we have decided to withdraw in order to better wage the struggle for liberty,” the statement said.
Three people were reported killed in clashes in Rastan on Saturday between the army and deserters as the Assad regime pursued its deadly crackdown on dissent. {..}
http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=48343http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=48343
October 2nd, 2011, 3:16 pm
Akbar Palace said:
Too Much “Filth”, But Who Cares Anyway NewZ
I am really getting tired of the filth on syriacomment, some of our wives and kids read this blog and complain a lot. So you will be on long list of IGNORE if you do not self moderate your language.
SNP, do the wives and kids complain about your anti-semitism?
And who exactly are “NEOCON-KHAZZAR Reptilian devil worshipers”?
Alex,
Thanks for not answering my question about your “racism” policy. I get it.
BTW – When do we get a new thread? I might have to increase the RAM in my computer;)
October 2nd, 2011, 3:17 pm
Some guy no longer in damascus said:
There are reports that the son of the state’s mufti has been killed.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150402922993854&set=a.10150134007013854.334893.22233463853&type=1
I think some one did a revenge killing……
October 2nd, 2011, 3:21 pm
zoo said:
Tara
This ‘brutal’ and ‘evil’ regime has received with open arms millions of refugees, Iraqis fleeing the chaos that the US created, the Lebanese fleeing the Israeli bombing with American F16 planes, the Palestinians kicked out of their country by allies of the US while the ‘soft’ and ‘good’ regimes of the US and Europe closed their doors for fear of massive strain on their selfish economy.
Syria’s “evil” regime has saved millions of life through the history of the region, while your ‘soft and good’ western countries are responsible for the death, displacement of millions of arabs. So start the counting of ‘documented’ killings and displacement. Then you may tell me who is “good” and who is “bad”.
If you are in such a rush to see Bashar al Assd step down, please name me the next entity that will be propped up to fill the void? The very “popular” western made “Turkish Council”? any other candidate?
No reply? then you know what you need to do…
Anyway, this is my last attempt to show you another reality than the NY times and Fox news tell you.
October 2nd, 2011, 3:36 pm
ghufran said:
I need a link to the full statement of the SNC to see if it has a clear condemnation of violence and a confirmation that a regime change can not be achieved using violent methods. violence is now almost random and not just directed against security forces. those who still support the violent path will change their mind if,god-forbid,one of their innocent family members is killed by anti regime Shabeehas,blaming the government for every death in Syria is an old song,most people in Syria do not sing it today even those who oppose the regime.
Ehsani,what do you think of the fact that there are strong opposition voices inside Syria that do not recognize the SNC?
what people here think of the SNC statement and how are you going to reconcile that with feverish calls to arm the opposition?
I personally welcome the formation of the SNC pending more clarifications about their view on violence and more info on the weight of Islamists in that council.
October 2nd, 2011, 3:38 pm
NK said:
Here’s the full statement
October 2nd, 2011, 3:52 pm
louai said:
Trying to take revenge of moderate Islam in Syria , the son of Shaik Hassoon is dead now.
?????? ????? ????? ???? ??? ???? ????????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ????? ???? ?????? ???????? ??? ????? ?? ????? ????? ?????? ??? ????? ????? .
???? ???? ????? ??? ????? ???? ???? ???? ?????????? ?? ” ??? ?????? ???? ?????? ????? ???????? ??? ???????? ???? ?? ??? ?????? ????? ????? ?????? ???? ??????? ”
???? ?????? ??????? ????? ??????? ??? ????? ????? ?????? ?? ??????? ???????? ?? ??? ??? ??????? ??????? ??????? ???? ????? ??? ????? ???? ??? ?????? ?????? ??? ?????? ??? ?????? ?????? ????? .
???? ???? – ????????? – ???
http://www.syria-news.com/readnews.php?sy_seq=138028
October 2nd, 2011, 3:53 pm
Tara said:
Zoo
Why are you bringing a comparison with the west into this? And why are you making the assumptions that I view what the west did in Iraq, Lebanon, and Palestine soft and good.
I can not agree more with your moral judgement of the west’s evil doing in Iraq, Palestine, and Lebanon. The presence of evil-er entity than the Syrian regime does not exonerate the regime from being evil killing its own people. Should we be content with the evil regime in KSA just because the west is evil-er?
How about Bourhan Ghalioun filling the void, a true secular that have been preaching separation of religion and state for long long time?
October 2nd, 2011, 3:58 pm
louai said:
??????? ???? ????? ?? ???? ??? ?????? ?????? ?????? ?? ??? ????? ????? ??????? ???????
????
???? ???? ????? ?? ????? ????? ?????? ????? ?????? ?? ??????? ???? ????? ?? ???? ??? ?????? ???? 8 ????? ????? ?????? ?? ???? ??? ?????? ????? ??? ?? ??????? ???? ?? ??? ?????? ???????.
????? ????? (????) ??????? ?? ?????? ???? ?? “????? ???? ??? ?????? ????? ?????? ??????? ???? ????? ?????? ???????? ?? ????? ??????? ???? ??????? ????????? ??????? ????? ?????? ????? ???????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ??????”.
????? ?????? ?? “????? ???????? ????? ??????? ?? ????? ????? ???? ??????? ??? ??????? ?????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ??? ???? ??????? ???????? ?? ??? ??? ??????? ??????? ?????? ???? 8 ?????”.
????? ??????? ??????? “?????? ??????? ????? ????? ?? ??????” ??????? ?????? ????? ?? ?? ??????? ??????? ???????? ????? ?????? ???? ???? ????? ?? ???????? ??????? ?????? ??????? ???? ????? ??????? ????? ?????? ??? ?????????? ??????? ???????? ??? ???? ??????.
????? ?????? ?? “????????? ??????? ????? ??? ??? ?? ??????? ???????? ?? ?????? ????????”? ????? ??? ??? “??? ??????? ?? ??? ????????? ?? ??? ?????? ??????? ???? ????? ?????? ?????? ???????? ????? ????? ???????”.
????? ??? ??? ?? ?????? ??? ??? ???? ????????? ??????????? ????? ??? ????????? ?? ??? ?????? ?????? ????? ?? ???? ?????? ?????? ?? ???????? ?????? ????? ???? ?????.
???? ??? ?? ????? ???? ??? ????? ???? ??????? ??????? ????? ???????? ?????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ?????? ????? ???? ??????? ?? ???????? ??????????? ????? ??????? ??????? ?????? ??”?????? ?????”, ???? ???? ??????? ??????? ???????? “????? ?????? ??? ??????????.
?????????
http://www.syria-news.com/readnews.php?sy_seq=138036
???? ????:
???? : ?????? ??????? ????? ???? 4 ????? ?? ?? ????? ?????
2011-10-02 18:32:53
?????? ??? ????? ??????? ?????????:
October 2nd, 2011, 4:11 pm
ziadsoury said:
All,
I condemn all kinds of killings. Our children, no matter how old they are, are not responsible for our actions. Let’s see who is going to join in my condemnation.
At the same time, I want real investigations of all these crimes that have been committed. Over 3000 fellow Syrians have been killed. I want to know who is committing these crimes. I want justice and justice will be served sooner or later.
October 2nd, 2011, 4:23 pm
Tara said:
Ziadsoury
I second your voice. All the killings should be investigated and perpetrators should be brought to justice. The killing of Hasson’s son is a horrendous crime and deserves the strongest condemnation.
October 2nd, 2011, 4:32 pm
Observer said:
I was in the ME but not in Syria.
My sources tell me that there is no heating oil any longer even at high prices.
There is an increase in begging and at every red light there is a cadre of 5-6 children begging.
Poverty has increased dramatically.
The troops loyal to the regime have entered Rastan only because the dissenters withdrew not because of some incredible military feat.
Violence begets violence and the regime has not made a single correct move in more than 7 months. I challenge anyone to show a single real genuine positive move the regime has done; even for itself. Even pro regime supporters are at a loss on the satellite stations to explain the moves of the regime. By the way if the satellite channels are fabricating the revolution why then do regime mouth pieces go on them defending the regime?
I insist on the words real and genuine not propaganda my foot could produce such as the abolition of the state of emergency or the decree of establishing multiparty system.
Even if this round is won by the regime it comes out of it without legitimacy and without support and without regional weight. It lost its cards in Hamas and even in HA as they distance themselves from such stupid mafia-like regime. It has lost Turkey and I would add Iraq as well. Apparently Iranian president has tried to call the Doctor more than 30 times without a response.
It is only a matter of time before the army splits and splinters and there will be a Libya style regime change and without a UNSC resolution. This is what the regime and Russia do not understand. There are the elements of establishing pockets from which the regime will be taken down by force.
Finally, if the regime has managed to unite the disparate Syrian opposition then it speaks volumes about how stupid it is. This opposition could not even agree on where and when to meet and what agenda to adopt and were bickering among themselves like children on a playground. Now they are united and have one and one aim that coincides with the wishes of the majority of the people: an end to dictatorship; (initially with the current President and now without him).
October 2nd, 2011, 4:53 pm
NK said:
Everyone should checkout this picture, it’s taken from a pro-regime facebook page.
http://the-syrian.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/302243_174487615965760_123654064382449_358424_657567659_n1.jpg
Please, do share your thoughts!
October 2nd, 2011, 4:53 pm
jad said:
This is the message on all pro FB sites, nobody will post anything for a day because the killing of Mr Hassoun’s son:
????? ?? ???? ??????? ???????
?????? ?????? ?? ??? ?? ???? ??? ??? ???? ??? ?????
???? ?????? ??? ????? ??????? ??????? ?? ?? ????? ?????? ?????? ????? ???? ??? ????? ????
???? ?? ?????? ??? ?????? ??? ??? ???? ?? ?????? ????? ?? ?????? ?? ?? ?????? ???????
????? ???? ??????? ??????? ??????? ???? ????
????? ????
October 2nd, 2011, 5:04 pm
Mango said:
??? ????? ????? ?????? ????? ??? ??? ????? ??????????? ???????! ?? ??????? ???? ????? ????? ? ????? ?????????? ?
October 2nd, 2011, 5:24 pm
Tara said:
Bronco @871
Just noticed 871. Noted. Will not contest it. Hope myself means family too.
October 2nd, 2011, 5:24 pm
Jad said:
Filkka is claiming that what’s happening in Syria today of killing teachers, military men and moderate top Muslim Sunnis leaders was already planned 6 months ago in Turkey between MBs and the Americans:
??? ??? ???? ???????? ??????? ????? : ?? ?????? 910
???? ?????? ???? ?? ????? ?? ??????? ??????? ??? ??? ??? ???? ?? ????
??? ?????? ???? ???? ??????? ??????? ??? ?????? ??? ?? ????? ?????? ???? ?? ????? ?????? ?????? ??? ?? ?? ????? ?? ??????? ?????? ???? ??? ??? ???? ?? ?????
?????? ??? ??????? ???? ???? ????
http://filkkaisrael.blogspot.com/2011/04/blog-post_6305.html
?? ?????? ??? ?? ????? ????? ???? ???? ??? ??? ??? ?????? ??????? ???????? ?? ???? ???? ???????? ??? ???? ????? ?? ??? ?????? ?????? ?? ?????? ??????? ???????? ???????? ?????? ??????? ????????? ?? ????????
??? ??? ?????? ??? ?????? ????????? ?? ???
??????? ????? ?????? ????? ??? ?????? ??? ???? ????????? ??????? ??????? ???????? ??? ???? ?????????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ????? ?????? ??????? ??? ?????? ??? ????? ??? ???????
????? ?? ?????? ?? ???? ???? ?? ???
???? ??????? ??????? ??? ??? ???? ?????? ???????? ??? ??? ????? ???? ????????? ??????? ??? ????? ??? ???? ?? ????? ?????? ???? ?????????? ????????? ???????? ?? ?????? ????? ??? ??????? ????? ?? ?????? ?? ????? ??????
???? ?????? ???????? ??? ???? ?????????? ?? ????? ?? ????? ????? ???? ???? ??? ???? ?? ????? ?????? ???? ??????? ?? ???? ????? ??? ??????? ????? ???? ?? ???? ??????? ??
October 2nd, 2011, 5:31 pm
Shami said:
Hassoun is the most hated man in Aleppo.A very corrupt ,very hypocrite ,mukhber who has sent many educated aleppines to jails and death.
But that doesnt give a clear idea about the perpetrators his son could have been killed by the regime itself.
Louai and Jad,you like the qardooh ahmad hassoun because he is a docile puppet for your shabeeha leader bashar.
October 2nd, 2011, 5:34 pm
zoo said:
Tara
If you admit the negative and murderous actions of the Western countries and their ability to manipulate minds and information, I wonder how you take for face value this western manipulated campaign to throw the Syrians against each other, destroying the social fabric by instigating hateful revenge and sectarian hatred.
I just don’t trust western intervention in whatever forms.
They have lied too much so I don’t believe one word of what they say. Especially when they invoke “Freedom, Human Rights, Justice” and I know it has to do only with money, oil and protection of their crony in the area, Israel.
Whatever time it takes, a change in Syria has to be done by Syrians in Syria in a gradual transformation not an abrupt shock by expats fed with the hypocrisy of the western countries and impatient to satisfy their greed for power.
The Turkish “Council” is funded and operated by western countries and yet claims to represent the Syrians. Ask the ‘peasants’, no one knows who is Ghalioun. Already the local opposition has rejected it for being a western creation. Do you trust their judgment or the one of Ghalioun?
I think this “Council” is a temporary face-saving attempt, totally artificial and that will crumble despite the praise and the funds of the US and Turkey. Turkey got into a power trip and dreams to recreate a new version of the ottoman empire after having wrecked the whole middle east with the previous one.
As you have you mind already set on revenge, chaos and blood, keep your opinions, I keep mine.
October 2nd, 2011, 5:45 pm
zoo said:
Observer
The usual redundant doom vision you described 5 month ago. Any time frame for the Armadeggon you are predicting?
October 2nd, 2011, 5:53 pm
Shami said:
ZOO,a democratic Syria on the path of Turkey and Europe is the better that we can hope for.
October 2nd, 2011, 5:58 pm
jad said:
Sunday, October 02, 2011
War on Shi`ites and Christians: new order to House of Saud’s propagandists
Now House of Saud propagandists have been launching a war on Shi`ites for years now (if not centuries). There are now new orders to Saudi propagandists: to launch attacks on Arab Christians. The editor-in-chief of the mouthpiece of Prince Salman, Ash-Sharq Al-Awsat, fires the first salvos.
Posted by As’ad AbuKhalil at 9:13
——–
Shami
I had no doubt of your ‘liberal’ thinking, glad that killing Mr. Hassoun’s son made your day!
October 2nd, 2011, 6:02 pm
SANDRO LOEWE said:
Syria, the cradle of civilizations,
After thousands of years of civilizations, this is what syrian army has learnt to do with their citizens:
http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/09/14/166823.html
http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/08/20/163229.html
Is this fake? Made in Hollywood?
October 2nd, 2011, 6:04 pm
Tara said:
Zoo
“As you have you mind already set on revenge, chaos and blood…”
Kindly refrain from making assumptions in regard to my mindset and I promise to do the same. Although I should have gotten used to much worse accusations and unkindness, I get selectively sensitive.
October 2nd, 2011, 6:08 pm
zoo said:
Shami
A European or Turkish modeled democracy in Syria? That would be a premiere in the Arab countries.
Do you think the path will be faster than the Iraq’s US modeled democracy?
October 2nd, 2011, 6:16 pm
jad said:
Syrian Protests and the Media (II): Al Jazeera and Al Arabiya
‘ In other words, the truth about Syria is lost: missing between the propaganda of Saudi/Qatari media, and the media of the Syrian regime.’
By As’ad AbuKhalil – Thu, 2011-09-29 21:26- Angry Corner
It says something about the changes in Arab media that Al Jazeera and Al Arabiya’s coverage of Syrian developments are now compatible. In the past, the difference between the two channels was quite marked: the bitter Saudi-Qatari feud created a wide margin for Al Jazeera to operate in. Different topics and different points of views were expressed and represented on the channel, to the great dismay of the House of Saud.
It can be argued that Prince Nayef pushed the House of Saud for rapprochement with Qatar because he feared that the channel was successful in giving voice to Saudi dissidents and in destabilizing the kingdom. The eruption of the Arab uprising brought the two governments closer and both now form the leadership of the Arab counter-revolution—the movement to abort the Arab uprisings and to channel popular energies in a direction that is not threatening to the US and GCC’s interests. Al Jazeera is now a different channel altogether. It is not a news channel anymore. The channel which thrived when it acted independently and when it covered the entire Arab region , and the world, is now beholden to a narrow propaganda agenda dictated by the GCC strategy following the repression in Bahrain. The Qatari government which was aligned for years with the Syrian government suddenly broke with Bashar Assad and followed the Saudi agenda on Syrian developments.
Of course, both governments are dictatorial governments with no commitment to democracy or human rights. Saudi media heaped praise on the Syrian government during the long decades of Saudi endorsement of the regime of Hafez Assad, while the Qatari ruler counted Bashar as one of his close allies in the region. But since 2005, Saudi media has been very critical of the Syrian government although the improvement of relations between Syria and Saudi Arabia eliminated criticisms of the former from the Saudi press. Suddenly, the voices that championed Syrian freedoms in the mouthpieces of Saudi princes went silent. That continued until new directives came in the spring of 2011 when Saudi Arabia (and the GCC and US) decided to go all out against Syria. Al Jazeera quickly adjusted but, unlike Al Arabiya (the news channel owned by King Fahd’s brother-in-law), the network had professional standards that it always struggled to meet. Unlike Al Arabiya, Al Jazeera was a serious news network that took its mission very seriously and that worked hard not to allow the Qatari ownership to severely harm its journalistic mission. All that changed. Al Jazeera’s mission since the crucial GCC meeting that formed a solid alliance behind Saudi military intervention in Bahrain, became primarily a propaganda channel. The network’s coverage on Syria is largely devoid of news and professional reporting. It mostly hosts Syrian dissidents from around the world and opens its phone lines to anonymous eye-witnesses around Syria—we are told but we can’t verify that because the network never verifies that either.
But this is not a comment on repression by the Syrian government: it is about the deterioration in the standards and reputation of the premier news channel in the Middle East, if not beyond. The network has ignored news developments in the Arab world: the Yemeni protests were not extensively covered and protests against the Military Council in Egypt barely gets coverage. And the network was late in covering the protests against the Israeli occupation embassy in Cairo. It became devoted to covering Syria in a non-professional way to encourage protests. The mission became political, regardless of whether or not one agrees with the political mission. The network often reports on “developing stories” from Syria that don’t materialize the next day. The famous news talk show, Al-Ittijah Al-Muakis which used to debate political developments in most Arab countries—but not in Qatar, of course—became exclusively devoted to the Syrian issue. It is now a replica of Saudi media although Al Jazeera became even more sensational and crude in its propaganda than some of its Saudi ally media. In other words, the truth about Syria is lost: missing between the propaganda of Saudi/Qatari media, and the media of the Syrian regime.
http://english.al-akhbar.com/blogs/angry-corner/syrian-protests-and-media-ii-al-jazeera-and-al-arabiya
October 2nd, 2011, 6:17 pm
Humanist said:
Zoo,
If west is so “murderous” and “evil” why do you live here?
Why don’t you go back to the amazing country you (probably) come from and praised in so many previous posts?
If you instead openly critized “the negative and murderous actions” of this certain other country while you lived there you would be lucky if you still would be alive (or at least not detainted and/or tortured) by today…
BTW (regarding the always claimed “majority support” for the “leader”): Being majority and being morally right is two totally different things – there are many proofs of this in history…
October 2nd, 2011, 6:26 pm
zoo said:
Tara
I am not inventing. You are the one condoning the horrors, violence, blood and revenge that your favorite Abboud was calling for. You said several times that you missed him.
With a friend like that, don’t be surprised if one assume your mindset is in sync with his.
October 2nd, 2011, 6:29 pm
zoo said:
Humanist
The why I am where is certainly none of your business. Stick to the subject and avoid invoking nationality, origin, religion, ethnicity or psychology when you are out of arguments to discuss an issue.
October 2nd, 2011, 6:33 pm
Humanist said:
re. JAD ,
“Filkka is claiming that what’s happening in Syria today of killing teachers, military men and moderate top Muslim Sunnis leaders was already planned 6 months ago in Turkey between MBs and the Americans”…
I don’t know anything about that odd website or it’s (probably minimal) reability but I just wonder:
Why do you Syrians (both “government” and oppostion) always blame foreigners (Israel, Satan Amrika, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Erdogan, Lebanon, Hezbollah, Saudi, Qatar, al jazeera, west, west, neo-cons, neo-cons jews, jews etc etc..) when appearently SYRIANS ARE KILLING OTHER SYRIANS?
Just accept it: the truth can be hard sometimes…
October 2nd, 2011, 6:42 pm
Haytham Khoury said:
@ Tara # 1201
This is part on a discussion that I attended on one of the forums.
?? ?? ?????? ?? ???? ?? ????? ?? ????? ???? ??? ???? ??? ?????? ???? ??????? ???? ???????? ???????? ???? ?.
??? ???? ?????? ????? : ????? ??????? ?????? 23 \ ???? ??? ???? ?????? ?? ????? ????? ??????? ?? ?????? ??? ???? ??? ??? ????? ????? 40 ??????? ???? ??? ??????? ????? ????? ?????? ??? ???? ???? ????? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???????? ??????? ??? ?? ???? ??????? ????? ?????? ????? ?????? ????? ??????? ????????? ???? ?????? ???? ??? 61 ????? ????? ?? 100 ???? ???? ????? ??? ?????? ??? ?? ???? ?? ????? ?????? ???? ?????? ????? ????? ?????? ??????? ????? ??????? ?? ??? ??????? ????? ??? ????? ????? ??? ????? ????? ???????? 24 ?? ??? ????? ??? ???? ???? ??? ?????? ?????? ????? ??? ???? ?????? ???? ??? ???? ????? ???? ?????? ???? ?????? ?????? ?? ??? ????? ?????? ?????? ??? ?? ??? ???? ?????? ????? ???? ??????
October 2nd, 2011, 6:48 pm
Humanist said:
Zoo,
I myself have partly middle eastern origin (iranian), and I know why people had to flee their contries. So I know what I talk about more than you think…
I just asked you a question, and you could either choose to ignore it or to answer it but without personal insults…
October 2nd, 2011, 6:50 pm
zoo said:
Humanist
You know very well that people can be manipulated to feel threatened, especially people who are highly emotional and fragmented by different ethnicity, religion and social background.
Colonial countries UK, France, Italy and now the US have done that for years to keep their grip on countries : Setting the people against each other using any difference they could use to make the other group feel threatened. A usually very successful strategy in weakening a country.
October 2nd, 2011, 6:55 pm
Aleppo said:
This is what I am told is happening in the ground in Aleppo:
– city is functioning normally but checkpoints have increased substantially
– merchants very unhappy with import restrictions
– there is clear awareness that the situation will not be resolved quickly
– the doubtful “lesser devil” theory still resonates in the middle class and up
October 2nd, 2011, 6:56 pm
Haytham Khoury said:
Ghalioun looked very presidential.
October 2nd, 2011, 7:06 pm
Humanist said:
Zoo,
Thank you for the answer.
Agree about the “divide and ruling” tactics being used by west but also by dictatorships (especially in the middle east).
sorry, if my post was disrespectful. I was probably too “emotional”. I have nothing against you personally, since I don’t know you.
I think we all should be ready to change our views and our mistakes.
I hope you (and many others on this blog) will do the same and stop supporting dictatorships in the name of “resistance” or “anti-colonalism” – a card which is effectivaly used bu certain regimes.
October 2nd, 2011, 7:10 pm
zoo said:
Burhanghalioun.com domain is on sale, any buyer?
October 2nd, 2011, 7:14 pm
Tara said:
Haytham @1234
Can’t imagine the pain. Humans as Alicea said are very fragile and a traumatic experience can destroy their life for ever. There hasn’t been a day passed since the beginning of this revolution when my tears did not just suddenley poured none-stop while involuntarily recalling scenes of these massacres and I live thousands of miles away.
October 2nd, 2011, 7:23 pm
Alescander said:
Copied from Aljazeera!!!
????? ?”??? ?????”.. ??? ????
????? ???? ???? ???? ????? ?????????? ????? ???? ?????? ?????? “??? ?????” ?? ????? ???? ??? ????? ?? ?????? ??? ??????? ?? ???? ??????????? ??????? ????? ????? ????? ??????? ?? ??????? ?????????? ????????? ??? ????? ?????? ????? ?????? ???????? ??? ????? ??? ?????? ??? “??? ?????”.
??? ???? ???? ????? ??? ???????????? ?? ???? ??????? ?????? ????????? ????? ??? ????? ????? ????????? ???? ????? ????? ???? ????? ?? ???? ???? ????? ????? ???????? ????????? ????? ???? ???? ??? ???? ????? ?? ??????? ?????????? ????????? ??????? ??? ??? ?????? ???? ????.
?? ?? ?? ?? ?????? ?????????? ??? ????? ??????? ???????? ??? ??? ????? ??????? ????? ???? ????? ????? ?? ?????? ????? ?? ??????? ??? ???? ??? 2008/2009? ??????? ?????? ?? ?????? ??? ???? ??? ?? ???? ???? ?? ????? ???????? ????????? ?? ????? ?????? ??????? ?? ?? ?????? ????? ???????? ?? ????? ??? ????? ????? ??????? ???? ???? ????? ??????. ??? ???? ????? ???? ???????? ?????? ??? ??????? ???? ?????? ?? ???? ??? ?????? ?????? ????? ????????? ??? ?? ????? ????? ???????.
???? ????? ????? ??? ??????? ???????? ??? ????? ????? ???? ????? ??? ?????? ?????? ????? ?????? ??? ?????? ??????? ?????????? ??????? ??????? ???????? ????? ?????? ????? ???? ????? ?? ?????? ????????.
??? ?? ??????????? ??????? ???? ????? ????? 2011 ???? ????? ?? ???????? ???? ?????? ?????? ?? ?????????? “??? ?????” ??? ?? ???? ??????? ??? ????? ???? ???????? ?????? ??? ??????? ?????? ????? ??????? ???????? ?????? ????????? ??? ?? ??????? ????? ??????? ???? ??? ??????? ????? ???? ??? ??? ??? ?????? ?????? ?????? ????? ???????? ???????? ????????.
??? ??? ????? ???????? ??????? ??????? ??? ???? ??? ?? ??? ????????? ???????? ?????? ?????? ???????? ??? ??????? ????? ?? ????? ???????? ??? ???? ????? ??????? ????????? ?????? ???????? ??? ?? ??? ??????? ???? ???? ????? ?????? ????? ???.
?????? ???? ????? ????? ??????? ?? ????? ?????? ??????? ????? ???? ???? ??? ????? ???? ?????: ??? ??????? ??????? “??? ?????”?
?? ????? ??? ??? ???? ??????? ??????????? ??????? ?? ?????? ????????? ??? ??????? ???????? ??? ?? ?????? ????????? ???? “??? ?????” ?? “?????? ????” ??? ?? ???????? ???????? ????????? ?????.
????? ??? ???? ????? ????? “??? ?????” ????? ?????? ??????????? ???????? ???? ??????? -????????- ?? ?????????? ????? ????? ?? ??? ??????? ???????? ?? ???????? ???????? ??? ????? “??? ?????” ?????? ???????? ?? ???? ????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ????? ??? “??? ???????” ???? ?????? ?????? ?????? ?? ?????? ?????? ???????.
???? ???? ??????? ?? ????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ?? ?????? ?? ????? ?? ??????? ???? ??? ?? ??? ?????? ??????? ?????? ??? ?? ???? ?????? ?? ????? ?????? ???????? ???? ??? ??? ??????? ??????? ?? ?????? ?? ?????????? ????? ??????? ??? ??????? ?? ????? ?????? ???????? ???????? ????? ?? ????? ?? ?????? ????? ???? ???? ????? “??? ?????” ???? ????? ???????? ??????? ??? ?????.
?? ?????? ???? ????? ??????????? ??????? ?? ??????? ???? ??????? ?? ???????? ?? ????? ?????? ?????? ????? ?????? ????????? ????? ?? ???????? ?? ????? ???? ?????? ?????? ???????? ?? ??????? ?? ??? ?????? ???? ?? ???? ???????? ??????? ?? ??? ???????? ????? ?????? ??? ????? ????? -??? ?? ???? ?????- ?? ?????? ????? ?? ?????? ?????? ?? ???? ???? ??????? ???? ????????.
??? ?? ????? ??????? ???????? ??????? ?????????? ????? ????? ??????? ?? ??? ??? ????? ???????? ??? ?????? ?? ??? ????? ??? ????? ?? ??????????? ?? ?? ????? ????????? ?????????? ?? ?? ??????? ??????? ????????.
????? ??? ?????? ???? ???? ?????? ??????? ???????? -????? ???????- ?? ???? ????? ???? ?????? ??? ?? ????? ?? ???? ?? ??? ?? ????? ?? ?????? ????? ???????? ?????????? ????????. ????? ??? ?? ???? ?? ????? ????? ??????? ???????? ????? ??? ??? ???? ??? ?? ??? ??????? ???????? ??? ???? ???????? ??????? ?? ???? ??? ???? ?? ????? ????? ??????? ????????? ?? ?????? ?? ??? ????? ?????? ??????? ????????.
??? ?? ????? ??? ???????? ???? ?????? ???? ?????? ?? ??? ???? ???????? ??? ??????? ??? ??? ?? ??????? ????????? ???? ??????? ????? ???? ???? ?? ?????? ?? ???? ?????? ????? ???????? ??? ???? ?????? ??????? ?????? ??? ?????? ???????? ????? ?? ????????. ?? ?? ???????? ????????? ?? ??? ??????? ????? ????? ?????? ???????? ???????? ???? ???? ?? ??? ?????? ????????.
??????? ???????? ??? ???? ??? ???? ????? ??????? ???? ???? ??? ?????? ??????? ???? ??? ???????? 39 ??? ????? ????????, ???? ?????? ???? ?? ?????? ?????? ?? ???? ??? ??????? ????? ?????? ????????? ?????? ???? ??????? ???? ????? ????? ???????? ???? ?????? ????.
????? ?? ??????????? ??????? ???? ???? ?? ???????? ??? ????? ???? ??? ????? ??? “??? ?????”? ???? ??? ???? ???????? ?????? ??????? ???? ???????? ?????? ??? ?? ????? ?????? ?????? ?? ???????? ???????.
???? ??? ?????? ?? ?????? ?? ????? ????????? ?? ?????? ????????? ?????? ????? ?????? ?? ????? ?? ?? ????? ????? ???????? ?? ????? ??????? ?????? ?? ??? ????? ??????? ??? ????? ??? ???? ??? (??? ????).
??? ?? ????? ?????? ??? ?????? ?? ????? ?? ???? ?? ?????? ???? ??? ???? ?????? ?? ???? ?? ???? ????????? ???? ????? ???? ??? ?????? ??????? ??? ???? ?? ?????? ?????? ??????? ??? ?????? ???????? ??????????? -???????? ??????? ??????- ??? ?????? ???????? ??? ???? ?????? ???????? ????????? ??? ?? ???? ?? ????? ????? ?? ??????? ??????.
?? ??? ?????? ?????? ???? ?????? ?? ?????? ???????? ???? ??????? ?????? ?? ???????? ???????? ??? ??? ?? ????? ??????? ????????? ???? ???? ?????? ?????? ??? ???????? ??????? ????? ????? ???? ?????? ?? ??? ????? ?????? ????? ????? ????????? ?????? ?????? ???????? ???????.
?? ??? ??? ??? ?????? ?????? ?????? ????????? ?? ??? ????? ?????? -??? ?? ??? ?? ???? ?? “???? ?????”- ????? ?????? ??? ?? ??????? ???? ??? ???? ?? ???????? ???????.
??? ??????? ?? ????? ???????-????? ?? ???? ??? ?????? ???????????? ??????? ??? ????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ???? ????? ???????? ????? ?????? ???????? ???? ??????? ????? ?????? ?? ??? ?????? ?????? ??????.
???? ?? ??? ??????? ???????? ???? ????? ??? ???? ????? ??????? ??????? ???? ?????? ?????? ???????? ???? ??????? ????? ????? ??? ????? ?????? ?? ???????? ????? ???? ??? ???? ???? ??????? ??? ????? ??? ????? ?????? ???????.
??????: ???????
October 2nd, 2011, 7:26 pm
ann said:
*** A REMINDER FROM MAY 5TH 2011 ***
Christians Under Attack From Anti-Government Protesters in Syria
http://www.christianpost.com/news/christians-under-attack-from-anti-government-protestors-in-syria-50104/
Christian communities across Syria have been attacked by anti-government protesters in recent weeks.
International Christian Concern says that protesters are being led by hard-line Islamists and that Christians have come under pressure to either join in protests demanding the resignation of President Bashir Assad, or else leave the country.
Eye witnesses report seeing around 20 masked men on motorcycles open fire on a home in a Christian village outside Dara’a, in southern Syria.
Another source told ICC that churches had received threatening letters over Easter, telling them either to join the protests or leave.
In Karak, Muslim Salafists forced villagers to join the protests and remove pictures of the president from their home. One man who refused was reportedly found hanged on his front porch the next morning.
One Syrian Christian leader told ICC: “People want to go out and peacefully ask for certain changes, but Muslim Salafi groups are sneaking in with their goal, which is not to make changes for the betterment of Syria, but to take over the country with their agenda.
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“We want to improve life and rights in Syria under this president, but we do not want terrorism. Christians will be the first to pay the price of terrorism.”
ICC fears that the intimidation tactics may drive Christians out of Syria in a similar way to the exodus of believers from other parts of the Middle East, most notably Iraq.
Syrian Christians fear that if the hardliners succeed in taking over the government, they will try to drive Christians out of the country.
One Syrian Christian leader told ICC: “If Muslim Salafis gain political influence, they will make sure that there will be no trace of Christianity in Syria.”
Another source told ICC that protesters in Duma, a suburb of Damascus, were last week heard shouting: “Alawites to the grave and Christians to Beirut!”
ICC’s regional manager for the Middle East, Aidan Clay, urged the U.S. administration to take a cautious approach in its diplomatic relations with Syria.
“Unlike in Egypt, where Christians predominantly supported the revolution that removed President Hosni Mubarak from power, Syrian Christians have not participated in protests, anticipating that chaos and bloodshed will follow if radical Islam takes hold of the country,” he said.
“Throughout the Middle East, Christians have been fleeing their homeland in unprecedented numbers. Now, in a country where Christians have historically taken refuge from nearby purges in places like Turkey a century ago and Iraq in recent years, Islamists are threatening their existence.
“We urge the U.S. Government to act wisely and carefully when developing policies that have deep political ramifications for Syria’s minorities by not indirectly supporting a foothold to be used by radical Islamists to carry out their anti-Christian agenda.”
October 2nd, 2011, 7:29 pm
zoo said:
Humanist
Thanks for your message. I am sorry to have replied abruptly but on this blog people are often aggressive.
The situation of Syria cannot be described in simple terms of “dictatorship” as it was with the Shah or Mobarak who were both close allies to the USA.
Syria is an enemy to the US. Therefore it is a much more complex situation, and you can’t expect simple solution. It will take time but I believe the country can gradually change to a democracy if the opposition accepts to negotiate for the sake of the integrity of the country.
But many foreign powers have a different agenda: they want a pro-western government in Syria to neutralize any resistance to Israel and ensure US base for the troops leaving Iraq.
Therefore they don’t want to encourage a gradual move to democracy with the same anti-Israel ideology, they prefer to create an immediate chaos and put their allies in charge of the country, like they did in Iraq. Russia and China strongly disagree with all that.
So you see, not a very easy choice: You remove a dictator and you get a weak government acting like a puppet to the US and the EU.
October 2nd, 2011, 7:30 pm
Akbar Palace said:
The Evil U.S. Strikes Again
This ‘brutal’ and ‘evil’ regime has received with open arms millions of refugees, Iraqis fleeing the chaos that the US created…
Zoo,
A regime is considered “evil” to my way of thinking when it puts itself in power, when it stays there for ever, when it doesn’t allow free elections, when it doesn’t permit anyone to speak out against the regime. Again, this is my definition of “evil”. And if it makes you feel any better, there are a number of other countries that are just as “evil”: Iran, North Korea, China, and maybe a dozens others.
BTW – Syria voted for the allied attack on Iraq in UNSC 1441, which threatened Iraq and Saddam Hussein with military action.
I can not agree more with your moral judgement of the west’s evil doing in Iraq, Palestine, and Lebanon. The presence of evil-er entity than the Syrian regime does not exonerate the regime from being evil killing its own people.
Tara,
The UN voted for the attack against Iraq. Saddam Hussein was responsible for more deaths than the US even before the UN-sanctioned regime change. I doubt the 300,000 dead Iraqis found in mass graves and their relatives are upset that the US deposed Saddam Hussein and brought him to trial.
Now if Syria continues to behave like she has for an additional 12 years and 17 UNSC resolutions (like those leveled at Iraq), perhaps the UNSC will vote for military action against Syria. But I hope the UN body will not wait until another 300,000 Syrian are dead.
October 2nd, 2011, 7:37 pm
DIGGING FOR GOLD IN BOSRA said:
@ ZOO
The situation of Syria cannot be described in simple terms of “dictatorship”
er, where did you get that little gem of an idea from? It can be described as a dictatorship and in fact it is described as one, because it is exactly that – a dictatorship.
October 2nd, 2011, 7:42 pm
NK said:
Watch this video and tell us what you see
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqNx1LA0BOU
P.S It’s all in the background 😉
October 2nd, 2011, 7:45 pm
ann said:
NK So what?!
October 2nd, 2011, 7:50 pm
Syrian Nationalist Party said:
I personally do not even own a T.V. or cable station so I don’t have to watch crap like CNN, Fox and Al Jazeera and other Al Hakira stations. Never read junk like the New York Time, LA Times or Jerusalem Post. Because the learning and news value from all these MSM is less than what you will read on your shopping cart advertising sign. We come here to Syria comment because it offers truthful, varied and objective opinion from many posters like SNP. It is annoying to scroll over those long posts of CNN and Aljezaara that someone who lack a brain or knowledge to think and write something on his own is posting here. Why not just post the URL link to the article. You think people are too dumb to know they can click on it and read if so they choose to be illiterate like a Bedouin, a dark haired or blond one.
October 2nd, 2011, 7:52 pm
Syrian Nationalist Party said:
Does anyone know how to scroll to the bottom of the comment section on IPHONE screen, in one single click or action?
October 2nd, 2011, 7:55 pm
Aldendeshe said:
Did it work?
October 2nd, 2011, 8:14 pm
Syrian Nationalist Party said:
NOPE. I wonder what Private Info did Alex collected on that IPHONE post, any Number, IP, Name????
October 2nd, 2011, 8:22 pm
Syrian Nationalist Party said:
Location for sure if it is enabled on the phone. Google BLOGSPOT auto converts the blog to .mobi format for free, if you enable it in settings.
October 2nd, 2011, 8:24 pm
Ghat Al Bird said:
#1244. As a decent and freedom loving individual did you get to vote on stoning a dog to death or were you against it.?
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/06/17/jewish-court-sentences-dog-to-death-by-stoning/
October 2nd, 2011, 8:30 pm
zoo said:
Digging Gold
I thought you would say gold nugget not gem, thanks anyway.
Who said that Egypt under Mobarak was a dictatorship before the uprising? Did you see western democracies putting sanctions on him? The 2 billions $ gift was a punishment?
You see, it is a flexible notion: Saddam, the Shah, King Abdallah of Saudi Arabia, Al Khalifa of Bahrain, Hugo Chavez, Bashar al Assad, Putin etc…
October 2nd, 2011, 8:41 pm
zoo said:
Washington announces “limited” contacts with Brotherhood
Sunday, October 2, 2011 CAIRO
US officials met members of the Muslim Brotherhood’s political party, a U.S. diplomat says, after Washington announces it will have direct contacts with Egypt’s biggest Islamist group, whose role has grown since US ally Hosni Mubarak was ousted
Washington announced plans to establish contacts with Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood in June, portraying such contacts as the continuation of an earlier policy. But analysts said it reflected a new approach to the way it dealt with a group that Hosni Mubarak had banned from politics. The Brotherhood is one of Egypt’s most popular and organized Islamic groups, with a broad grassroots network built up partly through social work even in Mubarak’s era.
Under the previous policy, U.S. diplomats were allowed to deal with the Brotherhood’s members of parliament who had won seats as “independents” to skirt the official ban. This offered a diplomatic cover to keep lines of communication open.
“We have had direct contacts with senior officials of the Freedom and Justice Party,” said the senior diplomat, referring to the Brotherhood’s party that was founded after politics opened up following the ouster of Mubarak. The diplomat said U.S. officials did not make a distinction between members of the Brotherhood or its party. “We don’t have a policy that makes a distinction, that one or the other is off limits,” he said, without saying when the meetings took place. However, Deputy Head of the Freedom Justice Party Essam el-Erian denied on Sunday that any meetings had taken place with U.S. officials when asked about the diplomat’s comments.
{..}
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=washington-announces-limited-contacts-with-brotherhood-2011-10-02
October 2nd, 2011, 9:03 pm
Tara said:
Zoo, in regard to #1231
The “horror, violence, and blood..” is what the regime has tried and perfected over the last 6 months. Aboud does represent the Syrian people, the downtrodden and the underdogs who were able to rid themselves of the fear factor implanted by the house of Assad across generations. And talking about who I miss, I also miss ( I am sure to your surprise) a regime supporter, someone brilliant with the rare qualities of kindness and class.
October 2nd, 2011, 9:26 pm
Shami said:
Zoo,you asked :Do you think the path will be faster than the Iraq’s US modeled democracy?
My Answer is that Syria is Syria and Iraq is Iraq ,in fact never Syria had followed the path of Iraq,Iraqi history is very different than that of Syria.
But there is no doubt that we can find many similiraties between Turkey and Syria.(and Egypt,Morocco,Jordan,Tunisia…)
The danger i see in post Asad Syria ,is in the attempt of the last asadists to cut the coastal region from Syria ,they will be faced with force from Jisr,Edleb,Homs to Deir Zor and from Aleppo,to Damascus to Deraa.
The syrian people as whole and especially the muslims are nostalgic of democracy,freedom and economic succees.
As for Elie el Haj ,there is no problem if he criticizes traditional Islam with science and reason,we are free to answer him in a civilized way.
October 2nd, 2011, 9:48 pm
Haytham Khoury said:
??? ”?????” ???? ??????? ????????? ???????? ??????? ?????? ??????
??? ??? ????? ????? ??????? ????????? ????? ???????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ???? ????? ?? 140 ????? ????? ????? ?? ?????? ?????? ????? ?????? ?????? ???????? ???? ?? ????? ????? ?? ?????? ??????? ????? ?????? ????? ??????? ????? ?????? ????? ????????.
??? ??? ???? ???? ??????? ????? ??????? ???? ??? ?????? ?? ?????? ?? ?????? ?????? ??????? ???: “???? ????????? ???? ??????? ??????? ??????? ???? ????”? ???? ??? ?????? ???? ????????.
??? ????? ???? ?????? ?????? ?? ????? ???? ??? ????? ?????? ??????? ?? ?????? ???? ???? ????? ??????? ??? ??? ???? ????? ??? ????? ????? ???? ??? ???????? ??????? ?? ??? ???? ?????? ????? ??????.
????? ??? ?? ??????? ????? ??????? ?? ?????? ??? ???? ???????? ?? ???? ????? ????? ?? ????? ???????? ??????? ??????? ????????. ???? ???? ?????? ??? ???? ????? ?????? ??? ?????? ???? ?????? ?????? ??? ????? ???? ???? ??????? ?? ?????? ??? ???? ?????? ?????? ????????? ??????.
October 2nd, 2011, 9:48 pm
zoo said:
Tara
You are eluding the point I made. You know very well that Abboud has been sadistically calling for blood, murder and revenge.
You are excusing him as you think this is the natural outcome of his ‘liberation’ from fear. In my view, there is no excuse or justification for such violent appeals and moreover it gives a very dark view of the future of Syria.
You have not only condoned him but admired him. You made your choice not only by never criticizing his calls to violence but admiring him and indirectly encouraging him, therefore don’t be surprised if you are perceived by many as part of his scheme.
I wonder why you would miss a regime supporter… They are all ‘evil’
October 2nd, 2011, 9:54 pm
zoo said:
Shami
I am surprised by your statement.
I find more similarities between Iraq and Syria than between Turkey and Syria. Iraq and Syria comes from the Baath ideologies, both have religious and ethnic minorities, they speak the same language, they have similar history (Both were colonies), same cultural reference, similar arts and they don’t have any land occupied by the other.
Maybe you are exclusively using the religion as the basis of ‘similarity’, yes both Turkey and Syria have a sunni majority, while Iraq has a shia majority.
But I really doubt this is enough to make them similar.
October 2nd, 2011, 10:05 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
The SNC must work quickly to establish an area where the defecting troops can go to, this protective area or zone,along with no fly zone are very essential.
Also the SNC must work quickly to present the human rights violations by the regime to the UN , Adnan Bakkour needs help.
On the ground the regime is assasinating the opposition
Sariah Hassoun was killed by Shabbiha.
October 2nd, 2011, 10:09 pm
Ghufran said:
????? ?.?
??? ????? ????? ??? ???? ? ??? ? ??? ???
?????? ??? ??? ???? ??? ????? ? ??? ????? ???? ??? ????????? ?? ?????? ????? ?? ???? ?????? ??????
????? ?? ???? ??? ?????? ????? ????? ????? ???????
????? ??? ??? ???? ???? ?????????? ? ?? ?? ?????? ???? ?????? ? ???? ???? ??? ?? ????????
?? ????? ?? ?????? ????? ?????? ???? ?? ????? ?????? ????? ??????
?????? ?????? ????? ????? ????? ?? ???????? ?? ??????? ? ??? ??? ????? ??? ??????? ???? ??????????
?????? ????? ????? ??????? ????? ???? ????? ????????
???? ?????? ?????? ? ???? ?????? ?????? ???? ??????? ? ???? ??? ????? ???????? ????? ???????? ?? ???? ?????? ??? ???? ? ????? ?????? ?????
?????? ?????? ?? ??????? ????? ? ???? ??????? ? ????? ?????? ????? ?????? ?? ???????? ?????? ????? ???? ????? ? ??????? ????????? ??????? ? ??????
?? ??? ???? ??? ? ??? ????? ??????? ? ??? ?? ????? ????? ??? ?? ???? ?????? ????? ???? ?????
October 2nd, 2011, 10:13 pm
Shami said:
Zoo,
It would be true if we had in Syria ,large orthodox shia minority.
The orthodox shias in Iraq are not a big majority ,this is if we take in account the last elections which were not perfect and happened under the current sectarian leadership.
Also Iraq has 3 large distinctive entities according to sects and ethnicities,Syria has a clear majority in most of its parts from Aleppo to Deraa and from Homs to Deir Ezor…the heterodox shias and druze minorities are concentrated in an isolated geography and they are surrounded.
Compared to Syria,Turkey also has an heteredox shia community ,its percentage is comparable to that of Syria.
The religious islamic culture in Syria,is very similar to that of Turkey.(And to that of Egypt and Maghreb countries…).
October 2nd, 2011, 10:31 pm
Norman said:
http://www.aawsat.com/leader.asp?section=3&article=642972&issueno=11996
October 2nd, 2011, 10:34 pm
zoo said:
Shami
I agree with you about the similarity in the religious culture in Syria and Turkey, but the similarity stops here.
As I mentionned before, they have a different language, a totally different history as Syria was a french mandate, quite different traditions, different art and different political aim, as Turkey identifies itself as Europe while Syria identifies itself as an Arab country.
October 2nd, 2011, 10:35 pm
ghufran said:
sooner or later Galioun will have to address the issue of FSA and the use of violence in Syria as a method to weaken the regime.
Without a clear position on the subject and a plan to rehabilitate,not amputate, the army and security forces he risks losing a lot of potential supporters.Also,the statement did not touch on the sensitive subject of how a big chunck in the syrian society that is either pro regime or undecided,will be treated.The undeciders are fearful of an oppressive regime that may not be much better than the one they dislike but learn to tolerate (the devil you know story).As soon as Glaioun states his opposition to violence, as expected based on his previous interviews,he will be declared unfit to lead and a “double agent”.I think he should speak his mind and ignore all,you can not make all Syrians happy,I have no problem with the man.
October 2nd, 2011, 10:35 pm
Shami said:
Zoo,
Btw,the syrian cities and villages have preserved more of their ottoman heritage and it is not only restricted to architecture than modern Turkey itself.
And we should avoid any essentialist perspective which is that of islamophobs because there is today a consensus among the scholars of european medieval philosophy that Europe discovered rational thinking through the arab thinkers.And we should not forget that for centuries the most advanced part in Europe was the european Spain under Islamic dominance.There was already a rich Arab history within the Roman empire.(One Roman Emperor was known to be an Arab).
The arabs can adopt democracy and modernity even more spontaneously than the turks.
The arabs will rise again ,this is for sure ,because we can not be at lower place than we are today.
October 2nd, 2011, 10:53 pm
Haytham Khoury said:
Dear Ghufran:
You are asking Ghalioun too much at this time. He needs to relax a little bit after of the marathon of “uniting” the opposition, Further, before any announcement he needs to study his files well. For this reason, he needs to have some advisers on foreign affairs, security, and media. I think he should build a team around him first, before committing to any option.
October 2nd, 2011, 10:54 pm
NK said:
Ghufran
The Assads will never give up power, not now, not in 2014, not ever.
From what I gathered talking to people in and outside the country, everyone is backing the new council, including demonstrators, the only people who refused to support the council were the NCB and those as far as I can tell only represent themselves and have no credibility among the demonstrators for the simple face that they want dialogue with the regime and want reform done under Assad, in fact most people call the NCB “regime opposition”.
October 2nd, 2011, 11:03 pm
Haytham Khoury said:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/syrian-dissidents-form-council-hope-to-win-greater-international-support/2011/10/02/gIQAMsWRGL_story.html
October 2nd, 2011, 11:07 pm
ghufran said:
NK,
what about the big names in syrian opposition inside Syria and those Tansiqyaat?
October 2nd, 2011, 11:10 pm
Syrian Nationalist Party said:
@AKBAR PALACE wants to know:
“SNP, do the wives and kids complain about your anti-semitism?”
“And who exactly are “NEOCON-KHAZZAR Reptilian devil worshipers”?”
1- No neither wives nor members have Anti Semitism COMPLEX. Nor will we stoop down to the lowest level and use it as extortion tool. And we are not anal about doing business with Israeli, just woofed my third Sabra Hummus bucket this week, dam they make it better than mine, impressed. What I object to strongly and think it is an immoral Jewish practice worse than killing Iraqi, Iranian and Syrian scientists are Jewish/Israeli companies and individuals that are trusted supposedly in securing governments and instead, this trust is used against them. Take for example an Israeli owned company called AMDOC or NARUS. It is reported that they steal confidential data from companies and sell it to competitors, in some case; they sell it to Israeli companies who compete with the Americans unfairly.
2- The one that nuked the World Trade Center, and falsely, deceptively blamed it on Moslems. The one that have prior knowledge of the crime plot and made profit out of it, instead of exposing it, the one that stole the world’s largest gold stash from Nova Scotia bank gold vault beneath the towers the day before and even during the next morning. The ones that gathered more than 200 Navy auditors at the renovated section of the Pentagon and blew it up to wipe any of the evidence they discovered about the missing 3 billion plus dollars. The one that blew up Cantor Fitzgerald floors at WTC to hide the evidence where the Pentagon missing billions gone. The one that lied about it all in the media, the one that used it to kill millions in the Middle and Asia, the one that are bankrupting America, the one that are lying about the total Iraqi casualties and the one that have lied about American soldier causalities… common man the list is too long, I can spend few hours typing. Do you wants me to go back into who funded Lenin and Adolph Hitler? Do you want me to name names? That is liable, not that I am afraid they will go court, they will not dare to do so and be exposed with all the evidence available, but the internet is full of sites that you can get all the names you are inquiring about.
October 2nd, 2011, 11:23 pm
John Khouri said:
HAYTHAM KHOURY – you really are in denial. You make up 0.001% of the syrian christian community living in and outside of syria . Its best that you stay in your cave and cuddle up with the extremists hiding out in Turkey
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eS2bM0ruWSo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvjXNgOejgk
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/28/world/middleeast/fearing-change-syria-christians-back-bashar-al-assad.html
http://www.dp-news.com/en/detail.aspx?articleid=97760
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/sep/25/religious-minorities-fear-syria-islamists/?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utemYtY3F_A&feature=related
October 2nd, 2011, 11:25 pm
Haytham Khoury said:
@ Ghufran #1272 & NK# 1270:
The council contains all the opposition groups except the NCB. From inside the countries, it contains the Damascus declaration, the Kurdish opposition and the Assyrian opposition. This is more than enough. The NCB are isolating themselves. The Tansiqyat are just people on the facebook pages. The people demonstrating in the streets have no organizations. They are spontaneous demonstrators.
The council have the support of the majority of the Syrians anti-regime.
October 2nd, 2011, 11:25 pm
ann said:
*** THOSE PEACEFUL AL QAEDA ISLAMIST TERRORIST KILLERS ***
Son of Syria’s grand mufti dies of his wounds – 2011-10-03 04:20:45
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-10/03/c_131172488.htm
DAMASCUS, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) — Saryah Hassoun, the son of Syria’s grand mufti Ahmed Hassoun, died late Sunday of his wounds just hours after being shot by armed terrorist groups along with a university professor in northern province of Aleppo.
Hassoun and Mohammad al-Omar, a history professor at Aleppo University, was shot on their way to the university.
Hassoun was wounded in the attack and was hospitalized before being announced dead, according to the official news agency SANA.
Terrorist groups have recently killed a number of prominent Syrian intellectuals, including a chest surgeon and an expert in nuclear engineering.
Khaled Aboud, a Syrian parliamentarian, told Xinhua by phone that Syria will witness more similar assassinations, blaming ” foreign parties” for the killings. He urged the opposition to consider the “new phase … because it’s neither in the interest of the government nor the opposition.”
Ahmed Hassoun, Syria’s foremost Muslim leader, told al-Watan newspaper in an interview published Sunday that the crisis Syria is passing through has been actually ended, noting that pressures on the country are from outside.
October 2nd, 2011, 11:33 pm
ann said:
Military operation in Syria’s Rastan accomplished: report
2011-10-02 00:13:32
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-10/02/c_131171553.htm
DAMASCUS, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) — Syrian government troops accomplished its operation in the town of Rastan in central Syria, private Al-Ekhbaria TV reported Saturday.
Al-Ekhbaria TV said that a large amount of weapons were confiscated during the operation in Rastan, adding that a total of 140 wanted people were arrested, including “armed groups leaders who call themselves the Free Syrian Army.”
The Syrian official SANA news agency quoted a military sources as saying Thursday that the law-enforcement forces, backed by some government forces, started a “qualitative” operation Thursday against armed terrorist groups in al-Rastan town in the central province of Homs.
Meanwhile, the Doha-based al-Jazeera TV cited sources as saying that about 10 tanks rolled into al-Rastan earlier Saturday, as fights between security forces and defectors continued for the fourth straight day in the town, which has emerged as a hub of protests and a stronghold of army defectors.
The report, however, couldn’t be independently verified as journalists are banned from heading to troubled areas.
Syrian official media said about six people were killed Friday in separate incidents by armed groups, while some activist groups said at least 11 people were killed by security forces during Friday protests.
October 2nd, 2011, 11:39 pm
NK said:
Ghufran
People only care about the message, they don’t care about the messenger. Most people lost any respect the had for many classic opposition figures, it’s sad, but it’s also true. Many opposition figures wanted to cut deals with the regime for their own personal benefit, and many wanted to ride this wave to become the next dictator of Syria; those are not only people inside the country, but outside aswell, like Muhammad Rahal for instance who declared himself the leader of the revolution!
I guess what I’m trying to say is that these councils can represent the people who are demonstrating, but they cannot claim to have control over them, they are allowed to voice the demands of the people they represent but are not allowed to change these demands especially when they contradict what the street wants.
Haytham Khoury @1275
I totally agree.
October 2nd, 2011, 11:43 pm
ann said:
Syria import ban deals heavy blow to already shaken Lebanese exports
October 03, 2011 02:20 AM
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/Business/Lebanon/2011/Oct-03/150273-syria-import-ban-deals-heavy-blow-to-already-shaken-lebanese-exports.ashx
The export market has been backsliding for most of this year due to mass uprising in Syria that has forced land transport rates upward by as much as 50 percent.
Syria is the only country with which Lebanon shares an open border, making it the only gateway to major trade partners in the region, namely Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
The vast majority of exports from Lebanon travel by land, industry experts report.
Trade in agriculture is reported to have been badly shaken by the events, with Syrian produce flooding the market due to waning demand in the crisis-ridden country, and exporters unable to bear spiraling transport costs.
October 2nd, 2011, 11:51 pm
ann said:
Rai: My views reflect Vatican policy
October 03, 2011 02:21 AM
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Local-News/2011/Oct-03/150269-rai-my-views-reflect-vatican-policy.ashx
BEIRUT: Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai said before departing to the United States Saturday that his visit was pastoral in nature, while his recent controversial statements reflected the policy of the Vatican.
“I am on a pastoral visit on the occasion of the gathering of Maronite bishops who are in the diaspora countries across North America, South and Central America,” Rai said at Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut.
Rai said that his recent trip to Paris, where the patriarch’s statements on Hezbollah’s weapons and the Syria crisis had sparked controversy, had been of a different nature “because I received an official invitation from the French president … however, with regard to America I am going to visit our people and I will also go to other countries where we have parishes,” Rai said.
Asked whether he would travel to Syria, Raid said: “It is my duty to visit all of our parishes and people in Jordan, the Holy Land, Syria and the rest of the Arab world.”
Rai also confirmed that he would visit Iraq next month.
Questioned on the controversial statements he made in Paris and whether these reflected Vatican policy, Rai said: “It is enough to read what the Vatican says to know whether what I said reflected [Vatican policy] or not.”
During a five-day visit to France last month, Rai tied the issue of Hezbollah’s disarmament to an overall Middle East peace sand called for giving Syrian President Bashar Assad a chance to implement political reforms. He also warned that the rise of the Muslim Brotherhood to power in Syria could threaten the presence of Christians there.
October 3rd, 2011, 12:17 am
louai said:
1221. SHAMI SAID:
‘Hassoun is the most hated man in Aleppo.A very corrupt ,very hypocrite ,mukhber who has sent many educated aleppines to jails and death.’
Before this revolution hysteria, I used to dream that the government will open doors to all voices including the MBs , I wished we had a democratic society where every one can contribute in the rebuild this beautiful country .
Tara and ziadsouri condemn the killing of the mufti’s youngest son and every Syrian victim, they call for investigation for EVERY Syrian and I add my voice to theirs.
But Shami comes here and tells us how bad his father is and that he was responsible for the killing of many people to justify the crime, then he refers to the regime to be the suspect killer!!
I know shami is an MB sympathiser and that tells me a lot about the MB’s way of thinking , they don’t even bother to pretend they are against the killing of person who all his fault was being the son of the Mufti of Syria .its beyond tragic !!
October 3rd, 2011, 12:39 am
John Khouri said:
“U.S. diplomats have secret meeting with Muslim Brotherhood”
http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/10/02/idINIndia-59662020111002
October 3rd, 2011, 3:06 am
Solitarius said:
It’s only the mind of a deep sactarian fanatic that sees Syria and Turkey as being closer than Syrian and Iraq.. unbelievable and there is no point in even arguing
??? ????? ??????? ?
Empty recycle bin
October 3rd, 2011, 3:23 am
Solitarius said:
1275. Haytham Khoury said:
The Tansiqyat are just people on the facebook pages. The people demonstrating in the streets have no organizations. They are spontaneous demonstrators.
I can’t help but say I feel little movement in my stomach when I read such blatant lies and distortions of the truth. When the people of “Dair Baalbeh” of Homs raise those banners and simultaneously all look at a very distant camera man who holds the name of the friday that’s coordinated by the Tansiiqyyat and the facebook page… then you clearly know there is no spontaneous feces going on there. The banners are the lowliest of signs sometimes.. Such as the one in the aforementioned Dair Baalbeh that equalizes Syria and Israel in one sentence. No honor comes from this movement.. It’s violence, stupidity and arrogance will shove it down the toilet of history.
October 3rd, 2011, 3:46 am
John Khoury said:
Haytham – since u speak for the 0.0001% of syrian christians who support your new council, can you give me your opinion on the speaker in this video and explain to me how the muslim brotherhood will embrace democracy and equality for other religions?? This evil preacher is filled with hatred for all other minorities and he represents the beliefs and idealogy of the muslim brotherhood. Do you actually beleive us christians will be convinced into beleiving that these extremists beleive in democracy?
http://www.memritv.org/clip/en/3115.htm
October 3rd, 2011, 4:15 am
Some guy no lnger in damascus said:
For the record,
I condemn The murder of the mufti’s son, but i know no judicial measures will be taken. His death will be the newest bullet in the medias artillery and that’s where it will stop. No real, systematic justice will happen to syria’s victims be it pro or anti under this pathetic regime. Although I wish we had a proper investigation, trial and punishment, I am adamant none of this will happen under besho.
October 3rd, 2011, 5:58 am
Husam said:
Majedkheldoun said:
“Sariah Hassoun was killed by Shabbiha.”
Possibly. But Majed, where is your proof? What is your source?
October 3rd, 2011, 6:21 am
bob said:
When will there be a new post on this site? It has been one week already! With all that is happening on Syria there should be more posts, more often.
Thank you.
October 3rd, 2011, 6:56 am
Some guy no longer in damascus said:
For the record,
I condemn The murder of the mufti’s son, but i know no judicial measures will be taken. His death will be the newest bullet in the medias artillery and that’s where it will stop. No real, systematic justice will happen to syria’s victims be it pro or anti under this pathetic regime. Although I wish we had a proper investigation, trial and punishment, I am adamant none of this will happen under besho.
October 3rd, 2011, 7:28 am
Akbar Palace said:
SNP: A Showcase of Arab Anti-Semitism and Denial
I guess our thread started with your post 1001 where you stated:
DAY 196 – 16,973 PRISONERS –DO SOMETHING PLEASE.
Which sounded reasonable to me that someone would be askiing for help regarding the terrible conduct of the Syrian government against her own people.
However, in the same post you stated:
16, 973 are now in Assad prisons, the dead are moved to the lower astral, but those in prison are in real living hell. Where is Moslem Allah compassion for them, why no one ever talks about them or their misery? Could it be because like Libya, this Syrian Revolution is really a terrorist, destructive campaign by NEOCON-KHAZZAR Reptilian devil worshipers and few graduates of Guantanamo Islamic University de-programming/re-programming school of terrorism, all having an advanced degree in Terrorism and Virtual manipulation ( ALA 9/11) fake videos, fake witness, fake identity, hell… fake everything even calling themselves Moslem is fake.
SNP, I then asked you for clarification on who exactly are the “NEOCON-KHAZZAR Reptilian devil worshipers”, and you replied
in Post 1017:
Jews?? Who are you referring to, there is not such a race of people. GOD promises of hope and deliverance is for ISRAELITES not KHAZZARS or Monkeys converted to Judaism.
Then you added in post 1061:
Take your Jews and move to Khazaria and New York Reptilian idiot.
Then in Post 1179, you had to audacity to state:
You want to talk to me you need to keep decorum, I am really getting tired of the filth on syriacomment, some of our wives and kids read this blog and complain a lot. I am always assaulted by my wife for the language used here in rebuttal. Sometime she says “I absolutely prohibit you from saying that”. So you will be on long list of IGNORE if you do not self moderate your language.
And in Post 1273 you added:
No neither wives nor members have Anti Semitism COMPLEX. Nor will we stoop down to the lowest level and use it as extortion tool. The one that nuked the World Trade Center, and falsely, deceptively blamed it on Moslems.
My response:
SNP,
Obviously, you want to spout anti-semitism whenever it pleases you and when confronted, you don’t want to take responsibility for your words.
Judging from the comments from others on this forum and the way the forum is edited, you are not alone. Anti-Jewish and anti-Israel comments are the norm here.
But don’t forget, there are also Arab individuals on this forum who are NOT obessessed by Israel and can live with Israel in the ME just like any other state. Although these individuals are the minority, their numbers will increase as Arab governments move to democracy. I believe the big fear of the “Arab Spring” is not that thousands of Arabs will be killed by their despot overlords, the big fear is having to actually VOTE on whether to war with Israel. We can see many participants on this forum who WANT continued oppression just to spite the West. In your case, as in your original post 1001, you want help, but not from the Jewish community.
BTW – I know that most in the ME and Arab world believe 9-11 was an “inside job”, but here is something that may change your mind, although I doubt it.
http://www.9-11commission.gov/report/index.htm
Alex,
You didn’t respond to AIG’s post 1095, and my earlier questions in post 1060 and when we might expect a new thread.
Shukran!
October 3rd, 2011, 7:32 am
Revlon said:
The SNC is down to the business of supporting the revolution;
Funds have been established for the support of ground activities, families of martyrs and detainees and the displaced in neighbouring countries
2011/10/03
http://www.sooryoon.net/?p=34473
????? ?????? ?????? ?? ?????? ??:
????? ?? ????? ??????? ???????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ?? ????? ????? ??????? ????? ????? ????
2011/10/03
???????? ? ?????? ??:
???? ????? ?? ?????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ????? ?? ???????? ?? ?????? ?? ?? ??? ?????? ????? ????? ??? ????? ??????? ??????? ????? ??????? ?????? ??????? ??? ?????? ?????? ????? ?? ????? ????? ????? ?? 29 ????? ???????? ??? ???? ?????? ? ?????? ?????? ??? ??? ????? ????? ??????? ????? ??????? ???????? ?? ????? ???? ???? ??????? ???????? ????? ????? ???????? ?? ????? ??????? ??????? ?????? ????? ?????? ?? ????? ???? ??? ??? ???? ?? ??? ????? ???? ????? ?????? ????????? ?? ???? ???? ..
????? ?? ?????? ??? ?????? ????? ???? ?????? ?????? ? ???? ???? ????? ??????? ?????????? ????? ???? ???????? ?? ????? ????????? ??? ?? ????? ???? ??????? ????????? ??????? ???????? ?? ?????? ???????? ????? ????? ??????? ?????? ????? ?????? ??????..
.
October 3rd, 2011, 7:44 am
Revlon said:
Sheikh Mohammad Ali AlSalqini addresses all Syrians to rise against the tyrant
????? ????? ???????? ?????? ????? ??????
October 3rd, 2011, 7:59 am
Areal said:
1203. Aliccie said:
….
I’ve read that in Syria, identity cards mention the religion, that sharia law is used for domestic things (is that all ?), all under the modern secular regime of the Assads,
….
REALITY
1. Syrian Identity Cards do NOT mention the religion.
2. Sharia law is NOT used for domestic things FOR EVERYBODY in ANY case,
The Syrian judiciary is divided into secular and religious courts and is constitutionally independent from the executive branch.
The secular courts are under the jurisdiction of the ministry of justice and hear both civil and criminal cases and use the nationality code, the personal status code, and the penal code .
Separate religious courts serve different religious groups concerning matters of personal status, family, and inheritance.
October 3rd, 2011, 8:20 am
Syrian Nationalist Party said:
@AKBAR PALACE
I thought you are a nice person. I was wrong, but always should give people chance. This platform called syriacomment.com, our interest is Syria. Why not take your crap antisemetos whatever you call it and go to rense.com, they can deal with your crap. You are now on IGNOR
October 3rd, 2011, 8:28 am
Ales said:
Were there hundreds or even more than thousand of defected soldiers in Rastan or not? If yes, what did happen to them? Hard to believe they retreated, as some internet copied news mentioned.
Not a single poster here contributed any new information.
October 3rd, 2011, 8:31 am
sheila said:
To all,
Most of us on this blog live somewhere in the west: Canada, the US, France, the UK etc.., very few are in the middle of the mayhem in Syria. Most notably, Aboud. The fact that he was in Homs gave us all a good picture of what was happening there. It was his raw emotions reflecting through his postings that gave us an indicator of the hardship people in Homs were living through. As many of you know, I have addressed Aboud directly on several occasions asking him to tone down his language. I was not the only one doing so. I am not excusing his rough language, I am merely explaining it.
We cringe watching these videos of shootings, dead on the ground and tortured bodies. We think about our families back home. For Aboud, this was his daily life, watching people get shot and attending funerals of neighbors, relatives or friends. Our raw emotions and his raw emotions can not even come close.
October 3rd, 2011, 8:32 am
sheila said:
To all,
Ahmad Hassoun is not like people are portraying him today. He is a knowledgeable, intelligent and open minded person. He became the Mufti of Syria before this revolution started. He is stuck in his post under the watchful eyes of the regime, unable to really speak his mind. The regime is not accepting any dissent at this point and especially from someone like Hassoun in such a prominent religious post. I can assure you that he is 100% on the revolution’s side. No one knows who killed his son. It could be someone from the opposition as a wake up call for his father, or someone from the government showing him what would happen if he veered from his path. Either way, it is a tragedy. It is also a reflection of what people inside the government have to go through stuck between a rock and a hard place. The only way they can truly speak their minds is by doing it a la Bakkour style. Pack up and run.
October 3rd, 2011, 8:41 am
Revlon said:
Neo-Shabbeha, part II
http://all4syria.info/web/archives/30401
?????? ????? (2) ??????? ????? …????? ????? ????????
2011/10/03
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??? ??????? ???? ????? ??? ???? ?? 15 ??? ??? ?????? ?? ???? ???????? ??? ?? ??????? ?????? ??????? ..
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???? ????? ?? ??? ?????? ??????? ?? ????? ..?????? ???? ?????? ???? ???????? ?? ??? ?????? ..??? ?????? ???? ???? ????? ??????? ????? ..???? ??? ??? ???? ?? ??? ?????? ?? ????????? ?? ???? ..
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??? ?? ??? ???? ??? ?? ????????? ??? ?? ???? ??? .. ??? ???? ???? ?? ?????? ???? ????? ???? ??? ???? ?????? ????? ??? ?? 1984 ????? ??????? 170 ???? ???? ?????? ????? ??????? ?????? ??????? ..??? ??? ??? ?????? ???? ?? ????? : ????? ???? ????? ..
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October 3rd, 2011, 8:48 am
Ghufran said:
Sheila,
Why would the government kill Hassoun and Dr Omar,neither of whom was associated with any opposition group. Hassoun’s father in particular was attacked almost daily on this
Blog for his pro regime stance.
Abboud kept saying that he is Homs and most here accepted his claim,however,there is no way for you or me to be sure he is in Homs. In my case,I think he has the right to state his opinion regardless where he lives.
Before the ink on the SNC announcement dried,two founding members deviated from Galioun’s statement and gave interviews to foreign press about the virtues of international intervention. It is now clear that the SNC and the inside opposition compliment each other but can not assume sole ownership of the opposing voice in Syria,my vote will certainly go for the opposition inside Syria for obvious reasons.
October 3rd, 2011, 8:57 am
Areal said:
Peaceful protesters in Syria
REALITY
Armed Terrorist Group Assassinates
Professor of History at Aleppo University Dr. Mohammad al-Omar on October 2nd
Saria Hassoun, son of Grand Mufti of the Republic Ahmad Badreddin Hassoun, second year student at Ebla University on October 2nd
Chairman of Thoracic Surgery Department at Homs National Hospital Dr. Hassan Eid on September 25th,
Engineer Aws Abdel Karim Khalil, a nuclear engineering specialist and charge d’affaires at al-Baath University on September 28th,
Deputy Dean of the Architecture Faculty Mohammad Ali Aqil on September 26th
Amin al-Masri, Abdul-Wahab al-Masri, Abdul-Muneim Ramadan and Hannoush al-Khudr four citizens (and injuring a child) in al-Qadam neighborhood in the capital Damascus on Saturday
http://www.sana.sy/eng/337/2011/10/02/372798.htm
http://www.sana.sy/eng/337/2011/10/03/373019.htm
October 3rd, 2011, 8:58 am
Areal said:
Cheap labour in Homs to be investigated
REALITY
Terrorist Bilal Abdelhalim Hassoun confessed to being a member of an armed terrorist group that assassinated Dr. Hasan Eid a few days ago in Homs, in addition to opening fire on military personnel, civilians, funerals and schools.
Hassoun said that he committed his crimes for money, starting with participating in protests in exchange for SYP 500 given out by Afara.
Later, Afara gave him a pistol and camouflaged military clothing and instructed him to wear them and walk behind protestors and shoot at them to make people think that security forces are opening fire on protesters, promising him 1,000 pounds for each time he shoots at the protesters.
“After three days from shooting at protesters, Afara came and asked me to shoot at mourners in funerals taking place in Bab al-Siba’a area and I agreed… I then started attending each funeral and opening fire at mourners in exchange for 1,000 pounds for each time,” he said.
Hassoun said that Afara told them that no student must go to school, … After that, they opened fire at the school’s gates to scare children from attending, and on the next day they went to another school and opened fire on its gates.
http://www.sana.sy/eng/337/2011/09/29/372272.htm
October 3rd, 2011, 9:16 am
Mango said:
?? ???? ????? ?????? ??????? ??????? ??? ????? ?
??????? ??? ?????????:
????????? ???? ?????? ????? ?????? ???????? ???? ????? ?????? ?? ??? 3500 ?.?. ?? ??????? ??????? ??? ???? ???? ???? ??????? ??? ???????? ????????. ?????????? ????? ????? ???? ????? ?????????? ???? ????? (???? ??????? ???????) ???????? ??? ?????? ???????? ????????.
?????? ???????? ???? ?????? ?? ??? ????? ???? ?? ???? ????? ????? ???????. ???? ??? ?????? ????? ???????? ??????? ?? ????? ??????? ????? ???????? ????????? ???????? ???????? ?????????..
In linguistics and ethnology, Semitic (from the Biblical “Shem”, Hebrew: ???, translated as “name”, Arabic: ??????) was first used to refer to a language family of largely Middle Eastern origin, now called the Semitic languages. This family includes the ancient and modern forms of Akkadian, Amharic, Arabic, Aramaic, Ge’ez, Hebrew, Maltese, Phoenician, Tigre and Tigrinya among others.
As language studies are interwoven with cultural studies, the term also came to describe the extended cultures and ethnicities, as well as the history of these varied peoples as associated by close geographic and linguistic distribution.
October 3rd, 2011, 9:21 am
Areal said:
New millionaire ( garbage man ) in Daraa and movie director in Damascus
REALITY
Young Men from Daraa: We Videotaped Areas in Damascus to Fabricate Protests
Sep 30, 2011
DAMASCUS, (SANA) – Two students from Daraa province confessed to participating in fabricating footages of protests and videotaping areas in Damascus to fabricate footages of protests inside Damascus.
Shkr al-Bardan told the Syrian TV on Thursday that he filmed protests and sent them to TV channels and filmed the police headquarters in Khaled bin al-Walid St. in Damascus and sent the film to other terrorists who wanted to fabricate footages of protests there.
For his part, Mohammad Meri said he took part in three protests in his village in Daraa, adding that he knew that the people who invited him to participate in the protests received SYP 3 millions from al-Jiza village intended to be given to the protesters.
http://www.sana.sy/eng/337/2011/09/30/372480.htm
October 3rd, 2011, 9:28 am
Areal said:
From Law College in Lebanon to terrorist in Syria : well paid job
REALITY
Four Terrorists Confess to Killing Pharmacist Qantari in Maaret al-Numan
Sep 25, 2011
DAMASCUS, (SANA)- Four terrorists confessed to killing the pharmacist Samir Qantari, chief member of the Syrian Social Nationalist Party, in Maaret al-Numan city in Idleb Province, north Syria, and taking part in the attack against the Security Detachment in the city, in addition blocking roads.
The 20 year old terrorist Firas Mandeel, who recently left the Law College in Lebanon, said in his confessions broadcast by the Syrian TV on Saturday that he and his acquaintances planed to kidnap the pharmacist Qantari during the period of protests in Maaret al-Numan which they participated in coordinating.
“One day when I was sitting with Youssef al-Saeed and Abdulqader Abu Hajar in Youssef’s barbershop, we came up with the idea to kidnap Qantari since he works with the State…We contacted Yehia al-Sheikh Bakir, who is an arms dealer, to supply us with the needed weapons” Mandeel confessed.
He explained that on the 3rd or the 4th of last August, wearing camouflage clothes with their faces covered, they took off the license plate of a silver Kia Rio car they rented to carry the two guns and a pump-action rifle which Bakir provided them with and headed towards Qantari’s pharmacy.
“Bakir and Abu Hajar went into the pharmacy first and I followed them. There were two other persons beside Qantari whom I forced to get out at gunpoint. Few minutes later, I heard a gunshot. When I went in, I saw Bakir aiming the rifle at Qantari’s face and then he fired at him. Abu Hajar and I also fired shots at him and then we fled away,” said Mandeel.
For his part, the terrorist Youssef Mohammad Deeb al-Saeed, 31 years old, said the when the protest movement started, he and his cousins used to go out to the main road on Damascus-Aleppo highway and block it with tires and stones for one or two hours daily.
The terrorist confessed that some of the protesters were holding weapons which they brought from the eastern and western villages in Pick Up cars.
“At one point, I took part in an attack we launched against the State Security detachment and I was carrying a military pistol. A number of the members were killed. I saw two of them,” said al-Saeed.
He referred to the conversation with Mandeel and Bakir in which they planned to kidnap the pharmacist Qantari.
He related how someone called Maher Sarabi, nicknamed ‘Abu Shahoud’, gave them the Kia Rio car and the camouflage clothes in exchange of SYP 5000.
“I was driving the car…they got into the pharmacy…instead of kidnapping Qantari they killed him,” al-Saeed admitted.
He pointed out that about two weeks before being killed, Qantari had visited him to advise him that all who were involved in riot acts and turn themselves in they will be exempted from punishment.
“Later, I went to him for this purpose…He helped getting my arrested brothers out of jail and helped other arrested people as well. Nevertheless, we planned to kidnap him,” al-Saeed pointed out.
The 30 year old terrorist Yehia al-Sheikh Bakir, who works as a butcher, confessed to providing al-Saeed and his friends with two guns and pump-action rifle which they would need to kidnap the pharmacist Qantari.
“We changed our clothes and headed to the pharmacy…All of us fired at him. I shot him in his face,” said Bakir.
The terrorist Abdulqaser Mohammad Walid Abu Hajar, 24 years old, who works in inlaying stone, confessed to shooting Qantari after Bakir already shot Qantari fired at him in his face.
October 3rd, 2011, 9:37 am
Syrian Nationalist Party said:
Fictitious account, acted independently… SANA FICTION. Syria still covering up for the perpetrators and backers of this and other murders.
October 3rd, 2011, 9:45 am
Haytham Khoury said:
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October 3rd, 2011, 9:49 am
Revlon said:
????? ????? (1 ?? 2)
????? ????? ???????
http://the-syrian.com/archives/43618
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(1) ???????? (?????????). ?????? ??? ????? ????? ??? ???? ??????? ???? ????? ???? ??? ???? ?? ????? ????? ?????? ???? ????? ??? ??? ??? ????? ?? ??????? ???????? ??????? ???? (?? ?? ???? ??? ???????? ?? ??????? ????? ????????? ?????? ????? ?????? ?? ?????? ????? ??????? ??? ???? ?? ????? ????? ???????).
(2) ???????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ??? ???????? ?? ??????? ??? ?????? ?????? ??? ???? ????? ????? ????????? ?? ????? ??????? ???????? ??????? ??????? ?????????. ????? ?????? ???? ?? ????? ?????? ?????? ?? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???? ??????? ???????.
(3) ????? ????? ??????????? ?????? ?????.
(4) ?????? ???????? ????????? ?????? ??????? ??? ???: ???? ????? ????????? ??????? ??????? (????? ????? ?????? ?????? ?? ?????? 569 ??????)? ??????? ?????? ???? ????? ?? ???? ????? ??? ?????? ?????? ??????? ??? ????? ??? ??? ???? ????? ?????? ???? ??????? ??????? ?????? ???? ??????? ?????.
(5) ????? ???????.
?? ???????? ?? ??? ???????. ?? ?????? ???? ??? ???????? ??? ?????? ??????? ??????? ???????? ?? ??? ???????? ??? ????? ????????? ????????? ?? ??? ????????? ??? ???? ?????? ??? ??????? ???????? ????? ???????? ?????? ????????. ???????? ????? ????? ??????? -?? ?????- ?? ???????? ????? ?????? ?????????? ??? ????? ??? ??????? ???????? ????? ?? ?????? ??? ????? ??????? ?? ???????. ??? ????????? ????? ??????? ??? ????? ?? ????? ?? ?????? ??????? ???????? ???? ?????? ?? ???? ???????? ?? ?????? ????? ???? ???? ??????? ???????? ?? ???? ?????? ?? ????? ??????? ???? ?????? ?? ?????… ???? ???????? ???? ?????? ????? ???? ?? ????? ??? ????? ????? ??? ??? ????? ????? ???? ???? ?????? ?? ????? ??????.
?? ???? ??????? ?????? ?? ??? ??????? ?????? ?????????? ?? ???????? ?? ????? ??? ?????? ?????. ????? ???? ????? ?? ?????? ?????? ???? ?? ?? ????? ??? ?????? ??????? ????? ?? ????? ???? ???????? ?? ???????? ??????? ????? ?????? ???? ????? ?? ????? ????? ????? ???? ???????? ??????? ?????? ??????? ?????? ??????? ???. ????? ???? ?? ??? ???????? ???? ?? ??????? ?? ????? ?????? ?????? ???? ?????? ??????? ???? ?????? ?????:
(1) ??? ????? ?????? ??????? ?????? ?? ??????? ?????? ???? ???????? ????? ??? ???? ?? ????? ????? ?????.
(2) ?????? ??????? ????? ????? ???????? ?????? ????? ????? ??? ?????? ?????? ?????? ???? ???????? ??????? ???? ???? ??????? ??? ?? ????? ????? ???????.
(3) ??? ????? ????? ????? ?????????? (?????? ????????? ????????? ???????) ??? ??????? ????? ??? ?????? ?? ??????? ????? ????? ?????? ???? ????? ??????? ???? ??? ??? ???? ?? ?????.
(4) ??????? ?? ?????? ???? ????? ????? ??? ??????? ?????? ?? ????? ????? ????? ?? ??????? ?????????? ????? ????????? ????? ??? ????????.
(5) ????????? ????????? ?? ????? ??? ????? ?????? ????? ??? ????? ?????? ????????.
????? ?????? ??? ????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ????? ??????? ?? ???? ??? ?????? ??????? ??????? ???????? ??????? ????? ??? ?? ????? ?? ??? ???????. ?????? ???? ???? ??????? ??? ?? ?? ????? ??? ????? ?????? ??? ????? ?????? ????? ???????? ?? ?? ???? ??? ?????? ????? ??? ??????? ????????? ?? ????? ????? ???????? ??? ??????? ???? (??? ??? ????????? ????? ?????? ?? ??? ?? ?????? ????? ????? ?????????? -????? ????????- ?????? ????? ?????? ??????? ??????? ?????? ??? ?????? ??????).
??? ?? ????? ??? ????? ??? ??????? ?? ?? ???? ??????? ????? ??????? ?? ???? ??? ????? ????? ?????? ???? ??? ?????. ?????? ???????? ?? ???? ??? ???? ???? ?????. ??? ????? ??????: ???????.
??? ?????? ????? ?????? ??? ????? ???? ??????? ??????? “?? ???? ?? ??? ??????”? ?????? ???? ???? ????? ????? ??? ?????? ?? ?? ?????? ????? ???????? ??? ???? ?????? ??? ???? ????????? ??????? ??? ??? ????????? ???? ???????. ?????? ?????? ?? ?????? ????? ???? ??????? ??? ??????? ?????? ??????? ??? ????? ?? ??????? ??? ??? ???? ??????? ?? ??? ?????? ??? ?????? ?? ?? ??? ???? ?? ???????? ??? ?? ???? ???? ??????? ???? ????? ??????? ????? ????????. ????? ??? ?? ??????? ????? ??????? ??? ????? ?? ?????? ??? ?? ?? ????? ????? ?????? ??????? ?? ????? ????? ???? ?????? ????????? ????? ?????? ?????? ???? ?????? ??? ????????: ?? ????? ?????? ??? ????? ????????? ??? ????? ?????? ??? ???????? ??????. ???????? ?????? ???????? ?? ??? ???????? ??? ??????? ???? ??????? ?? ??????? ?????? ???? ????.
* * *
?????: ?????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ?????????
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?? ????? ?????????: ???? ?????? ?? ?????? ???? ??????? ??? ??? ????? ????? ????? ??? ????? ?????? ???? ?????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ??? ??????? ????? ??????? ?????? ???????. ?????? ??? ?????? ???????? ?????? ???????? ????? ?????? ?? ?????? ???????? ????? ?? ???????? ??????? ?? ???? ?? ?? ??????? ???????? ??????? ???????:
(1) ?? ???? (?? ?? ???): ?????? ?????? ??????? ?????? ???????? ?????? ??? ?????? ??????? ?? ???? ?????? ????? ????? ???????? ??????????. ??? ??????? ?????? ???? ???? ??? ????? ?????? ???? ????????? ??????????. ??? ?? ???? ?? ?????? ??????? ???? ???? ???????? ???? ???? ???. ??? ????? ??? ?????? ??????? ??? ?????? ????? ??? ????? ????? ??????? ??? ?????? ??? ????? ?? ??? ????? ???????? ????????.
(2) ?? ???? (?? ?? ???): ???? ????? ????????? ????????? ??? ???? ??????? ??????? ????? ??? ????. ??????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ???? ????? ?? ?? ??? ??? ???? ??? ???? ????? ????? ?????? ???? ???????? ?? ??? ??????. ??? ??????? ??????? ??????? ????? ????????? ???? ?????????? ??? ??????? ????????? ????? ????????? ??????????? ???? ????????? ?? ?????????? ?? ???????? ???? ?????? ?? ????? ???????? ????????? ?? ???? ?????? ?? ??? ?????? ?????? ????? ????? ??????.
(3) ?? ???? (?? ?? ???): ?? ?????? ????? ??????? ?????? ?????????? ????? ????? ??? ?????? ???????? ??? ?????? ?????????? ?????? ??????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ????? ???? ???? ???? ????? ??? ?? ???? ?? ???? ??? ?? ???? ?????? ????? ???? ??? ????? ????? ??? ?? ???? ?????? ?????? ?? ????? ?????? ?????. ?? ?????? ????? ??????? ?? ?????? ????? ????? ?? ??????? ????? ??????? ???????? ??? ????? ???????? ????? ????? ????? ?? ??????? ??? ?????? ???????? ????? ??????? ???????? ????????.
(4) ???? ????? ?????? ?? ?????? ?? ?????? ???????? ??????? ??? ??????? ?? ????? ?? ??????? ????????? ??????? ?? ????? ????? ????? ???? ????????? ?? ????? ??????? ???????? ????? ?????? ?? ??????? ?????? ?? ?????? ??? ??????? ???? ??????? ???? ??????? ??????? ?????? ????? ??????? ?????? ????? ??????? ???? ????? ??? ???? ?? ????? ??????? ?????? ????? ??? ?????? ????? ???????? ?? ????????.
??????: ????? ??????? ?? ????? ????????
(1) ?????? ??????? ?? ???????? ?????? ???????. ????? -??????- ?? ???????? ?? ?????? ?????? ???????? ??? ????? ??????? ??? ????? ?????? ?????? ?? ??? ?????? ???? ?? ??? ????? ?????? ????? ?? ??????? ?????? ??? ?????. ???? ?? ?????? ??????? ??? ??????? ??? ?????? ?? ??? ?????? ?? ??? ???? ????? ?????? ?? ???????? ??? ???? ??????? ?? ???? ???????. ?? ????? ??? ???????? ?? ?????? ??????? ?? 128 ??? ???? ???????? ???? ?? ????? ???? ?????? ?????? ??????? ?? ??? ??? ??? ????? ??????? ?? ???? ????? ???????? ????????? ??????? ???????? ????. ????: ????? ?? ???????? ????? ??????? ?? ???? ??????? ???????.
(2) ??????? ????? ????? ??? ????? ??????? ???? ????? ?????? ??????? ?????? (??? ???? ???? ?????? ???). ??????? ?? ????? ??????? ?? ??????? ???????? ????????. ????? ??? ?????? ??? ?? ????? ???????? ?? ???? ?????? ???? ??????? ???????? ???????? ??????? ???????? ????????… ?????? ???? ?? ????? ?? ???? ?? ????? ???????? (??? ?? ?? ?? ??? ?? ??) ???? ?? ???? ???? ??? ????? ?? ????????? ???????. ?????: ?? ???? ????? ???? ????? ?? ????? ????? ?? ?? ???????? ??????? ???? ????? ?????? ?????? ???????? ??? ?????? (?? ????) ???? ?? ??????? ??? ?????? ????? ???? ???????. ?? ???????? ???? ?????? ?? ?????? ???????? ??? ??????? ????? ???????? ???? ??????? ?????? ??? ??? ?? ?? ?????? 343 ??? ???? ???? ????????? ?? ??? ??????!
(3) ?????? ??????? ?? ?????. ??? ????? ????? ?????? ?? ????? ??????? ?? ??????? ???? ??????? ??? ??? ????? ??? ?? ????? ??????? ???????. ?? ??????? ??? ??? ????? ??? ???????? ?????? ?? ?????? ???????. ?? ????? ??????? ?? ?????? ???? ????? ?????? ?? ???????? ?? ??????? ??? ????? ????? ????? ?? ???? ?? ????? ??? ??? ???? ??? ?????? ??? ???? ????? ????? ??????? ?????? ??? ???? ???????? ??? ???? ??? ???? ?? ?????? ???? ??? ??? ?????? ????. ??? ?????? ??????? ??? ?????: ?? ????? ????? ?? ?????? ?? ????? ?????? ???? ??????? ????? ??? ???????? ????????? ???? ??? ?? ?????? ????? ?????? ???? ???? ????? ???????. ?? ??????? ?? ???? ????? ???? ?????? ??????? ???? ?? ?????? ??????? ?????? ????? ???? ?? ?? ???? ???????? ??? ??????? ??? ???? ???? ?? ???????? ??????? ????? ????? ????? ????? ?????? ?????? ????? ??? ????????. ????: ?????? ??????? ?? ????? ??? ?? ??????? ??? ?????? ?? ??? ???????
October 3rd, 2011, 10:16 am
zoo said:
Hassan Hassoun’s funerals and the moving sermon of his father The Grand Mufti ponctuated by the usual subtle personal interpretations of AFP Bassam Mroue from Amman.
“Also Monday, funeral processions were held for the 21-year-old son of Syria’s top Sunni Muslim cleric who was killed a day earlier in an ambush in a restive northern area.
The cleric, Grand Mufti Ahmad Badreddine Hassoun, who is considered a close supporter of Assad’s regime, told hundreds of people attending the funeral at a mosque in the northern city of Aleppo that the country’s opposition should stop working against Syria from abroad.
“Come and say whatever you want here and if anyone rejects I will be with you in the opposition,” said Hassoun, his voice shaking, in an apparent reference to steps taken by Assad to allow the formation of political parties and promises of free elections. “You want freedom, you want justice then come here and build it with us in Syria.”
Hassoun, who has echoed Syria’s regime claims that the unrest in the country is the result of a foreign conspiracy, blamed fatwas or religious edicts by clerics living abroad for the death of his son. He did not name the clerics or say where they were based.
“My brothers who were misguided and carried arms, you should have assassinated me because some clerics issued such fatwas. Why did you kill a young man who did nothing and harmed no one,” Hassoun, holding back his tears, said in a sermon aired on Syrian TV stations.”
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h0l379AOpCruYIWPEdoRhuqqfQiQ?docId=b0fdc9c98fc0444491dff43a5a9f786d
October 3rd, 2011, 10:18 am
zoo said:
Funerals of Sarya Hassoun and the sermon of the Grand Mufti
“Also Monday, funeral processions were held for the 21-year-old son of Syria’s top Sunni Muslim cleric who was killed a day earlier in an ambush in a restive northern area.
The cleric, Grand Mufti Ahmad Badreddine Hassoun, who is considered a close supporter of Assad’s regime, told hundreds of people attending the funeral at a mosque in the northern city of Aleppo that the country’s opposition should stop working against Syria from abroad.
“Come and say whatever you want here and if anyone rejects I will be with you in the opposition,” said Hassoun, his voice shaking, in an apparent reference to steps taken by Assad to allow the formation of political parties and promises of free elections. “You want freedom, you want justice then come here and build it with us in Syria.”
Hassoun, who has echoed Syria’s regime claims that the unrest in the country is the result of a foreign conspiracy, blamed fatwas or religious edicts by clerics living abroad for the death of his son. He did not name the clerics or say where they were based.
“My brothers who were misguided and carried arms, you should have assassinated me because some clerics issued such fatwas. Why did you kill a young man who did nothing and harmed no one,” Hassoun, holding back his tears, said in a sermon aired on Syrian TV stations.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h0l379AOpCruYIWPEdoRhuqqfQiQ?docId=b0fdc9c98fc0444491dff43a5a9f786d
October 3rd, 2011, 10:26 am
Revlon said:
???? ??? ?? ???? ?? ??? ???? ????? ????
?? 3 ????? ?????, 2011 – 04:27 ?????
http://the-syrian.com/archives/43622
????? ?????? ?? ????? ??? ?????? ??? ?????? ???? ??? ???? ??????? ? ???????? ???? ????? ????? ? ???? ????? ? ??? ????? ?? ?????? ??? ?? ?? ?? ???? ? ???? ?? ??? ????? ?????? (??? ???? ??? ? ?? ?????? ????? ) ? ???? ????? ? ??? ???????? ???? ??? ??? ?? ????? ?? ??? ? ??? ???? ? ???? ?? ???? ? ???? ? ????? ?????
??? ???? ???? ????? ????? ? ?????? ? ?????? ? ???? ????? ??????? ???? ???? ? ???? ????? ???? ? ???? ? ???? ???? ??? ???? ???? ? ?????? ???? ?????? ????? ? ???? ?? ??? ?????? ? ???????? ? ???? ?? ???? ?? ????? ???? ??? ????? ? ????? ?????? ?? ???????? ??? ??? ?? ????? ???? ????? ???? ????? ?? ?? ???? ? ??? ????????
???? ?? ???? ??? ?????? ? ???? ?????? ?? ???? ?? ??????? ??????? ??????? ? ???? ?? ???? ??????? ?????? ??? ??? ???? ??????? ? ???? ?? ???? ????? ??? ????? ? ??? ?????? ????? ???? ??? ???? ?? ???? ?? ???? ????? ?????? ????? ?? ???? ????? ? ?? ???? ?? ???? ?? ?????? ?? ????????? ?? ????? ? ???? ?? ????? ? ?????? ?????? ??? ?? ?????? ? ?????? ??? ??? ?????? ?????? ? ???? ??? ???? ?????? ????? ????? ????? ?? ???? ?????? ???? ???? ??? ?? ????? ???? ?? ?????? ??? ????? ?????? ??????? ?????? ? ??? ? ???? ????
???? ???? ?? ???? ??? ????? ? ???????? ???? ???? ?? ??? ?????
???? ????? ????? ????? ? ??? ???? ??? ????? ? ?????? ??? ????????? ???????? ???????
???? ???? ? ???? ? ???? ? ????? ? ????? ? ???? ? ?? ???????? ??? ?? ????? ?? ??????
???? ??? ?? ? ???? ?? ???? ???? ?? ???? ?? ??? ?????
???? ????????? ????? ??? ????? ? ???? ????? ?? ?? ?? ????? ? ???? ??? ??? ????? ??????? ??? ?? ?????? ???? ???????? ?? ?? ??????? ? ?????? ??? ??? ??????? ? ??????? ?? ???? ??? ??????? ??????? ??????????
???? ???? ?? ????? ????? ???? ?? ????
??? ????
October 3rd, 2011, 10:30 am
Revlon said:
French First Lady calls for Syrian psychoanalyst’s release
Sunday, 02 October 2011
http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/10/02/169832.html
By AFP
Paris
French first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy called Sunday for the speedy release of Syria’s first practicing female psychoanalyst Rafah Nashed, arrested on her way to Paris last month.
In a letter to Nashed’s husband, Faisal Mohammed Abdullah, she expressed concern for the 66-year-old cancer patient’s health and the fact that her family was only allowed to pay her two half-hour visits per week.
The first lady stressed that Nashed appeared exhausted at the last meeting with her family, adding: “Everyone who knows her is concerned about her state of health.”
In the letter, published on a French website, she described Nashed as an “independent and accomplished woman, known the world over whose life and work honor Syria, Syrian and Arab women and indeed all women.”
Bruni-Sarkozy added: “I dare to hope that those who are in a position to do so, render Rafah Nashed to her family without waiting further.”
Nashed founded the Damascus School of Psychoanalysis and until recently hosted meetings where Syrians could talk about their fears in the face of a deadly crackdown by the security forces on six months of protests against the government of President Bashar al-Assad.
France has accused the Syrian regime of committing crimes against humanity and slammed the UN Security Council for failing to take a stronger stand on the unrest.
Syrian authorities detained Nashed, who suffers from cancer, heart trouble and high blood pressure, as she was preparing to board a flight to Paris from Damascus on September 10, her husband has said.
President Nicolas Sarkozy’s wife said she was “appalled” by the arrest.
“It seems to me inconceivable that this clinician, who dedicates herself to therapeutics and study, can be a threat to public order, to state security,” she said, expressing admiration for Nashed’s courage.
Nashed, a French-speaking Syrian psychoanalyst, obtained her degree in clinical psychology from the University of Paris-Diderot, and was the first female psychoanalyst to practice in Syria.
October 3rd, 2011, 10:35 am
jad said:
Invitations for NATO and Israel to bomb Syrian military targets
Look at this (before they remove it):
http://nationalcouncilofsyria.blogspot.com/
scroll down and look at the map posted on this Syrian opposition group’s website (a reader sent it to me from Burhan Ghalyun’s page). They have specific locations of military targets to be bombed presumably by NATO and Israel. These lousy opposition groups are a gift for the propaganda of the Syrian regime and they are stigmatizing the real inside opposition. (thanks Karim)
Posted by As’ad AbuKhalil at 6:07 AM
Yet another Syrian exile opposition council
So yesterday, it was announced in Istanbul that yet another exile opposition group was formed. It has no head: there were conflicts among the various constituent groups. But I will tell you this lesson from Arab contemporary history: there has never been a case in which leftists or secularists were aligned with fundamentalists (Sunni or Shi`ite, lest you make a distinction) and in which the fundamentalists were not the dominant party. Not one case. Usually, when leftist or secularists were strong (like the Lebanese National Movement in the early phase of the Lebanese civil war) they don’t align themselves with fundamentalists. The lousy Muslim Brotherhood are the dominant party in this new front yesterday (picture above is from the first meeting (AFP) from As-Safir). But the lousy Riyad Ash-Shaqfah, the “general inspector” of the Syriam Ikhwan was in charge of questions and answers and he was the one who was invited to Aljazeera for an interview. The suspicions I had about those Ikhwan and their front liberals were only confirmed. This bunch is playing a cute game: they, on the one hand state that they are opposed to foreign intervention, and yet in the same breath they say that they call for international protection of civilians. Do those folks think that we are stupid? Did NATO not bomb the hell out of Libya under the pretext of “protecting civilians”? Even civilians supporting the NATO rebels were not immune from NATO bombs. I don’t know which way it will play out in Syria: but the lousy regime has been blessed with such lousy opposition. No wonder the Syrian opposition in the inside has been quite critical of the exile opposition. The meeting in Istanbul yesterday only needed Ahmad Chalabi.
Posted by As’ad AbuKhalil at 5:52 AM
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/
October 3rd, 2011, 10:38 am
Areal said:
1303. Haytham Khoury said:
http://www.aawsat.com/details.asp?section=4&article=643222&issueno=11997
Among the dead were Dr. Hossam Eid, head of thoracic surgery at the National Hospital in Damascus, who belongs to the Alawite sect, and was living in the neighborhood of al-Zahra, one of the neighborhoods that make up the majority of his community ….
REALITY
Sectarian assassination in Homs
October 3rd, 2011, 10:40 am
Syrian Nationalist Party said:
?? ??? ??? ??? ?????? ????? ?? ????? ?? ????? ?? ????? ???. ???? ???? ???? ?????? ???? ?????? ??????? ?????? ??? ???? ???? ?? ???? ?????? ????.
October 3rd, 2011, 10:43 am
uzair8 said:
Syrian economy weakens under strain of insurrection and sanctions
Assad’s government, desperate for cash, imposes special tax on state workers and ban on importing cars
Wednesday 28 September
Six months of insurrection and crackdown have taken a severe toll on the Syrian economy, with the currency weakening, recession deepening and the government so short of cash that it has been forced to levy a special tax on state workers.
The vital tourism industry has all but ground to a halt, depriving the country of more than £5bn in annual revenues. Cash reserves are so short that the government has suspended the import of cars to “conserve the country’s foreign reserves and to reallocate it to the lower income groups”, according to the Sana state news agency.
“In February both of my hotels were booked up months in advance – and all were cancelled. Today I do not have a single booking for now or any time in the future,” said the manager of a chain of boutique hotels in Damascus’s old city.
Workers at the Central Bank of Syria in Damascus said the government had asked public sector employees to “contribute” about £6.50 of their monthly salary to a fund for the government. Employees in the state sector earn on average about £160 per month.
[Read more:]
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/sep/28/syria-economy-weakens-insurrection-sanctions?newsfeed=true
October 3rd, 2011, 10:43 am
NEW REGIME NEW HOPE said:
Are the protestors crazy? Rising up against this vicious regime! And that for 7 months!!!
Are they out of their minds?
What is the world coming to?
October 3rd, 2011, 10:46 am
zoo said:
#1268. Shami
I have no doubts the arabs can recreate the golden age of the Islamic civilization. The colonization after the fall of the ottoman empire have fragmented not only the countries but also the mind of the Arabs. With the discovery of oil, generosity among Arabs has transformed into selfishness.
When you think about the money now in Gulf countries and the misery in Egypt, Soudan and other Arab countries, you wonder what happen to the cohesion of the Islamic world.
If revolution is seriously needed, it is in rich Gulf countries who live in luxury and indifference. Instead of creating institutions to let the Islamic golden age reborn, in Arts, Sciences, Literature, they just build commercial malls, ridiculous tower and consume products while using cheap Asian labors, not even Arabs.
Young Arabs have incredible intellectual potential, but the money is in the hands of narrow-minded leaders, who only care about maintaining their rich and vain style of life.
If you wish for a Islamic Golden age, then you should encourage a complete cultural revolution in the rich Arab countries, not the poor ones!
October 3rd, 2011, 10:47 am
uzair8 said:
Geagea: Syria’s allies in Lebanon are nervous
October 03, 2011
The Daily Star
BEIRUT: Syria’s allies in Lebanon are nervously watching developments in their neighboring country that might lead to the fall of President Bashar Assad’s government, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea said.
“Allies of the Syrian regime in Lebanon are in a state of nervousness to the point where they are now asking for dialogue,” Geagea said during a call with the annual conference of the LF party in North America, according to a statement released Monday.
Geagea said that Damascus’ allies in the country feel that the popular uprising in Syria, which has been met with a violent crackdown by the Syrian authority, will bring down Assad’s government.
“Syria’s allies feel that the regime is going to fall so they are trying to take all possible measures to protect themselves in case this happens. Consequently, everyone in Lebanon today is monitoring the events.”
Since the beginning of the uprising Syria’s main ally in the country, Hezbollah, has supported Assad’s views on the protests there, describing demonstrators as part of a larger conspiracy aimed at targeting the country. The party’s leader, Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah, has accused the West of plotting to divide Syria in an attempt to create a new Middle East.
Other lawmakers, such as Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun, have repeatedly expressed confidence that Assad’s government is resilient and will overcome what he described as a “crisis.”
A staunch critic of Syria’s influence in Lebanon, Geagea also said that neither the March 8 nor the March 14 coalitions would take any steps in the country except for the daily work of the government.
[Read more:] (the remainder of the article is on local issues)
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Politics/2011/Oct-03/150347-geagea-syrias-allies-in-lebanon-are-nervous.ashx#ixzz1ZjMwEkxA
October 3rd, 2011, 10:56 am
zoo said:
# 1309 Jad
The ‘unity’ of the opposition is totally flawed. It is only a facade to please the USA and the Turks who has been pressing these groups to give an apparence of cohesion.
They hope to get funds, but the difference between Ghalioun and the MB is so deep that this ‘unity’ will last just the time when they will fill up their pocket.
Hilary Clinton, in total confusion, is now flirting with the MB in Egypt and in Syria, under the watchful eyes of Erdogan who naively believe that the Arab MB are nice sheeps and he is promoting their ‘moderate’ agenda when we all know they are wolves in disguise.
The wakeup will be hard when they will presents the new government program based on the Sharia Law that, we all know, Ghalioun likes very much.
October 3rd, 2011, 11:00 am
Areal said:
1307. Revlon said:
French First Lady calls for Syrian psychoanalyst’s release
Sunday, 02 October 2011
http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/10/02/169832.html
By AFP
Paris
French first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy called Sunday for the speedy release of Syria’s first practicing female psychoanalyst Rafah Nashed, arrested on her way to Paris last month.
REALITY
A free press journalist made a report “pretending” that she declared in some public gatherings :
“”””
“The paradox is, everyone is scared in Syria,” says Rafa Nashed, a psychoanalyst and one of the organisers of the gatherings at a Jesuit home in the centre of Damascus.
“Why does the regime use violence and repression? Because it is scared of losing power. And the people who protest, do you think they are not scared? They are very scared, but they are still going.”
“”””
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2011/Aug-31/147618-fear-unites-syrians-of-all-faiths.ashx#ixzz1ZASB2HUP
which her husband refutes
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2011/Aug-31/147618-fear-unites-syrians-of-all-faiths.ashx#ixzz1ZASB2HUP
Something tells me that she has been framed by the journalist and that the opposition is blatantly using the case for propaganda with no respect for her fate.
October 3rd, 2011, 11:00 am
majedkhaldoun said:
True
I hope you come back
Voice of truth should never turn silent
October 3rd, 2011, 11:11 am
jad said:
Emotional speech by Mr. Hassoun in his son’s funeral
???? ????? ?????? ?? ????? ???? ?????? ????? ????
http://youtu.be/e5u8p6rpaM0
N
???? ????? ?????? ?? ???? ???? ?????? ????? :
???? ???? ?? ???? ?? ???? ?? ?????? ????? ???? ?? ??? ??? ?? ???? ??? ???? ???????? ?????? ????? ?? ??????. ?????? ??? ?? ????? ???? ????? ???? ?? ?????? ????? ????? ?? ????? ????? ??? ????? ??? ?????? ???? ??????? ??????? ????? ????? ????? ?????. ?????? ???? ????? ???? ??? ?? ?? ??? ?? ???? ?????? ????? ?????? ???? ???? ?? ?????? ?????? ?????? ????? ?…??? ??? ??? ??? ???? ????? ????? ????? ?????? ???? ???? ????? ???? ?????.
????? ????: ??? ????? ???????? ???? ??? ??????? ??? ??? ???? ???? ???? ???? ??? ????? ??????? ??? ???? ????? ???? ????? ?? ???? ?? ??? ??? ???? ?????? ???? ??????? ?? ??? ?? ???? ??????? ???? ?? ???? ?????? ?? ???? ?? ???? ????? ?? ??? ???? ?? ???? ??????? ??? ???? ??? ??? “?? ???? ???? ?????? ???? ?????? ????? ?? ??? ????? ?? ???? ?? ?? ????”.
????? ?????? ??? ???? ??? ????? ?????? ????? ?? ????? ???? ??? ???? ??? ?? ?????? ??? ???? ??? ?????? ????? ???? ????? ????? ??? ???? ???? ?????? ?????.
?????? ???????: “???? ???? ?? ???????? ????? ???? ?? ?????? ????? ???? ?????? ????????? ??? ??? ?????: ????? ?? ????? ????? ??? ????? ?????? ???? ??? ????? ?????? ?? ????? ????? ?? ???? ??? ?? ???? ????? ??? ??? ???? ???? ??????? ?? ?? ???? ??? ?? ????”.
????? ????: “???? ????? ???? ?????? ???? ???? ?????? ????? ?????? ?????? ??? ?????? ??? ???? ?? ???? ????? ?????? ?? ??? ??????? ??? ?????? ???? ?????”.
????? ???? ?? ???? ??????? ????? ???? ????? ?? ????? ???? ????? ??? ?????? ???? ??????? ?????? ????? ???? ????? ?????.
October 3rd, 2011, 11:15 am
uzair8 said:
First Published: 2011-10-03
How Syria Works
[Select quotes]
“The Syrian army is the army of the Syrian security services,” said Muhammad, a senior Sunni Muslim army officer.
….
Fear is the cement of the security edifice, and it is this that the current revolt has swept away.
…
I asked Muhammad how many men there were in the army and the security services. He told me there were more than 700,000 — 400,000 in the regular army, 100,000 in the police and intelligence, and tens of thousands employed part-time by the security services. These form the battalions of the shabbiha and the irregular forces. The shabbiha are made up of people from the countryside, and probably criminals freed at the start of the revolt.
…
When a commander is Sunni, his second in command is Alawite, and vice versa. The same principle governs the allocation of ministerial posts in the government: Every non-Alawite minister is overseen by an Alawite deputy who makes all the political decisions… Decisions in the army and security services are always made by Alawites — Sunnis have no influence.
….
“Sectarianism is widespread, but unspoken.”
…
“All security service officers come from the army. It is the security services that tell the army chief of staff which officers to appoint and promote. All the decisions made in the repression of the revolt were taken by security service officers, even down to moving a tank. The Syrian army is the executive arm of the security services, and not the chief of staff.”
…
What about the officers and soldiers killed in the revolt? Muhammad said: “No Syrian soldier would doubt that the security services would eliminate anyone who didn’t carry out an order. Within the logic of the regime, the security services would happily kill several Alawites to provoke a sectarian conflict, or make it look like one…. But the deaths of soldiers or members of the security services could also be linked to individual acts of revenge, local initiatives.
…
Could the army divide? “What we have here are individual dissidents, and not a split within the entire military. These isolated dissidents cannot deliver a strong message to the regime….
…
What are the prospects for the uprising? “It’s difficult to say they are anything but bleak. The regime has lost its way. The demonstrators are determined not to give in, but the regime is not willing to give ground…..
http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=48353
October 3rd, 2011, 11:16 am
sheila said:
Dear #1296. Ghufran,
Even though I agree with your logic when you say: “Why would the government kill Hassoun and Dr Omar, neither of whom was associated with any opposition group. Hassoun’s father in particular was attacked almost daily on this Blog for his pro regime stance”. I think you would agree with me that the situation in Syria is quite chaotic. It is impossible to verify who is doing what. In addition to that, I have heard that Hassoun was voicing his discontent to the “higher authorities” and suggesting a change in tactic that did not sit well with those who are for force as a final solution. This is why I am saying it could have also been the regime as a way to silence him and prevent him from going public with his concerns.
I really do not know the truth. It could have been either or.
October 3rd, 2011, 11:20 am
Jihanne said:
La vague colonialiste se brisera en Syrie
3 Octobre 2011
par Pierre Khalaf, chercheur au Centre d’Etudes Stratégiques Arabes et Internationales de Beyrouth
Les élites occidentales colonialistes se comportent comme si elles avaient repris l’initiative après l’occupation de la Libye et le lancement d’une contre-attaque avec la collaboration d’Israël, de la Turquie et des pays arabes tournant dans leur orbite, contre la Syrie et la Résistance libanaise.
Les États-Unis, la France et la Grande-Bretagne agissent avec arrogance, alors qu’ils vivent une crise financière sans précédent. Ils s’investissent en Tunisie et en Égypte dans l’espoir de cueillir les fruits des révolutions populaires, alors que rien n’indique qu’ils engrangeront les dividendes souhaités. Le concept des guerres préventives a prouvé son échec et il sera suivi, très prochainement, par celui des guerres humanitaires, sorti à la hâte des tiroirs et dépoussiéré.
{…}
http://www.voltairenet.org/La-vague-colonialiste-se-brisera
October 3rd, 2011, 11:22 am
Areal said:
1315. zoo said:
# 1309 Jad
The wakeup will be hard when they will presents the new government program based on the Sharia Law that, we all know, Ghalioun likes very much.
REALITY in Libya : Lessons to be learned
Do you have the new program government in Libya ?
Do they have a government in Libya ?
“””
Libya’s interim prime minister Mahmoud Jibril, currently chairing the executive committee of the National Transitional Council said Thursday that he will not be a part of the new government of Libya, the formation of which has been postponed until the end of the country’s conflict.
“””
The dissenters pointed to cracks in a rebel movement that has been striking in its unity around a common flag and the common goal of toppling Al Qathafi
http://tripolipost.com/articledetail.asp?c=1&i=7023
October 3rd, 2011, 11:27 am
jna said:
Three related Nir Rosen articles in Al Jazeera. The most detailed reporting on the protests in Homs that I have seen (re: Sheila 1293).
Ghosts in the mosques
http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/features/2011/09/201193063322274258.html
Syria’s symphony of scorn http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/features/2011/09/2011930102056270682.html
The tides of mosques
http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/features/2011/10/2011101143646274931.html
October 3rd, 2011, 11:31 am
sheila said:
To all those who keep quoting SANA and Aldunyah please STOP.
I do want to insult you personally, but I do not know any person with any measurable IQ who accepts anything that SANA or Aldunyah broadcasts. Even before the revolution started, SANA was always the butt of jokes for their outlandish newscast.
Please give our intelligence and yours some respect and stop quoting these two propaganda machines.
Also, please stop broadcasting who admitted to what under Syrian custody. We all know that a camel would admit to being a chicken after spending a few hours under the “hospitality” of the Syrian intelligence services. So, also, please stop. No one believes these confessions to be true. It is the Syrian regime being the prosecutor, judge and jury. If they have nothing to hide they will allow independent news media into Syria and please do not tell me they do because we all know it is not true.
I want to second Mohammad’s motion:?? ?????????
October 3rd, 2011, 11:39 am
Jihanne said:
Areal #1316
or how a Daily Star journalist Sammy Ketz contributed to the jailing of Rafa Nached and how the press continues to put Mrs Rached life in danger.
https://joshualandis.com/blog/?p=12233&cp=all#comment-275201
October 3rd, 2011, 11:55 am
zoo said:
#1324
Sheila
With all my respect, could you avoid dictating what can we post or not. I and others are regularly skipping your posts, so you can skip the ones you don’t like. No hard feelings.
October 3rd, 2011, 12:00 pm
Revlon said:
National Council of Syria website; It is delightful to browse!
Its facebook menu has a real time live update of Syrian news.
It offers a glimpse of what future Gevernment Syria website would look like!!!
I can not wait for its blog section to work!
http://nationalcouncilofsyria.com/index.html
Congratulations Free Syria!
October 3rd, 2011, 12:15 pm
Some guy no longer in damascus said:
Shiela,
Zoo is right. You can’t say who gets to post what. That being said, im glad people are posting from SANA, because the regimes media hurts the regime More than than opposition can hurt the regime. ???? ?????? ?????? ?????? ? ??? ???? ??????? ?? ???????
Not once did these pathetic news agencies call any one from the opposition for an interview.
So pleeeeeaaaaase post the regime bs, I’ve refuted it before and il do it again :). Your epic failure is my win .
October 3rd, 2011, 12:16 pm
Areal said:
1320. sheila said:
Dear #1296. Ghufran,
I think you would agree with me that the situation in Syria is quite chaotic.
It is impossible to verify who is doing what.
In addition to that, I have heard that Hassoun ….
This is why I am saying it could have also been the regime as a way to silence him and prevent him from going public with his concerns.
I really do not know the truth. It could have been either or.
REALITY
Classic MB propaganda from someone who denied the assassinations by these MB terrorists back in the 70’s and 80’s.
Maybe “she” was not born then , nor “her” parents living in Syria.
October 3rd, 2011, 12:18 pm
N.Z. said:
Humanist,
Yes, there is a war in Syria, the Syrian government is killing the Syrian people. This is tyranny.
Aljazeera is not responsible. To the contrary, the team is partly, if not greatly influential in this great “Arab Awakening”.
The sole responsibility lies squarely on the regime. The people wants freedom, and everyone who hinders their demand, twist the facts or invent excuses is to be blamed.
Does that answer your question? Humanist!
October 3rd, 2011, 12:20 pm
SANDRO LOEWE said:
Hassoun son could quite well been executed by both sides. But I am afraid this is the typical killing from inside the regime against those inside the regime who show discontent with the procedures in the regime. Hassoun is a respectable personality in a portion or sector of syrian islam and because of this he is a dangerous person if he fails to repeat word by word what he is obligued to say.
Anyway I am afraid and scared when a see a religious person shouting and crying at the same time, dressed in religious clothes, feeling sorrow for his son, giving a message that mixes love and hate. When I hear him shouting I feel God will descend at any moment with a kalashnikov or scud misile ready to send people to the judgment day. This is the drama od Islam, moral, politics, economics, religion, all in one. Who in the world voted this man to be the mufti, Allah? God bless all syrians who have no power, political or religious.
October 3rd, 2011, 12:23 pm
Syrian Nationalist Party said:
“…..Congratulations Free Syria!…”
Yeppp. Khaddam said that back in 05′ and we said BULL.
October 3rd, 2011, 12:33 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
The timing of the murder of Saria Hassoun ,at the time of formation of SNC,makes me suspect the pro regime has done it ,to get sympathy to the regime and cause anger against the rebels.
October 3rd, 2011, 12:37 pm
Areal said:
1324. sheila said:
To all those who keep quoting SANA and Aldunyah please STOP.
I do want to insult you personally, but I do not know any person with any measurable IQ who accepts anything that SANA or Aldunyah broadcasts. Even before the revolution started, SANA was always the butt of jokes for their outlandish newscast.
Please give our intelligence and yours some respect and stop quoting these two propaganda machines.
REALITY
I expect all the 700+ victims of your terror to raise and say that it is propaganda.
I never read a proof that a fact reported by SANA has been rebutted.
Remember when the train derailed near Homs on July 23th , one MB commentator here claimed that it was “poor maintenance” ,
now we have another incident
ANOTHER REALITY
http://www.sana.sy/eng/337/2011/10/03/372943.htm
Terrorist Group Targets Freight Train in Idleb, Injuring the Driver and His Assistant
An armed terrorist group targeted early Sunday morning a freight train in Oubin area in Idleb province, north Syria.
The driver and his assistant were injured as three cars were diverted off the railway.
Governor of Idleb Khaled al-Ahmad said an explosive device planted on the railway exploded around 6 am causing the driver’s railcar to divert off the main track along with the following two railcars, injuring him and his assistant.
http://www.sana.sy/servers/gallery/201110/20111002-161640.jpg
The governor added that the initial information imports that the bombing planners had planned to target instead of the freight train a passenger train which was scheduled to pass at the time of the explosion, but there had been a change in the train schedules and the passenger train trip was put off for reasons related to the company.
Al-Ahmad pointed out that the targeted train was carrying pipes and a number of materials needed for different service uses.
Eng. George Mqa’bari, Director General of the General Establishment of Syrian Railways, told SANA that the train was targeted as it passed the area between the towns of Bdama and al-Younisiyeh where the railway was bombed.
He added “The damage is estimated at millions of Syrian pounds and the technical committee is working on assessing the precise value of the damage.”
The Establishment will work on replacing and maintaining the damaged part, about 75 meters of the railway and mending it to be put in service as soon as possible and the Establishment will also fix the railcar, he pointed out.
He noted that the train was loaded with 26 cargo trucks that contain irrigation pipes.
A source from Mine Dismantling Engineering Unit said that two explosive devices, one to the right and the other to the left of the railway sides, were linked together by a wire and a remote control in order to carry out the terrorist crime yet as the wire broke, only one device exploded, which reduced the volume of the damage.
Also on the 23rd of July, armed terrorist groups targeted a passenger train in al-Sawda in Qazhil area in Homs province as it was heading from Aleppo to Damascus, carrying 500 persons.
October 3rd, 2011, 12:41 pm
zoo said:
#1332
Why is anyone surprised that the opposition is resorting to violence to silence anyone who does not support them? (Facebook’s shame list is becoming a hit list). It was accepted and condoned officially by the US, a self-fulfilling prophecy…
October 3rd, 2011, 12:44 pm
Some guy no longer in damascus said:
When Abdul massih shami was asked about the attack on Ali ferzat, he gave a similar response to what majed khaldoun just said. I don’t think we can jump to conclusions. What happened to the grand mufti’s son is a disgraceful act, but it does not add to the regimes legitimacy. This is me as a Syrian citizen speaking. The regime must go, first and foremost and those who murdered innocent people must be held accountable. I also think it was stupid of hasoun to tell us demonstrators to have dialogue with the regime, more than 2700 syrians have been killed and he still thinks we can have dialogue with the monsters killing people in midan.all I can tell Hasoon is, welcome to the club, I lost some one too. I’m sure those that murdered his son won’t see justice, because of the regime mismanagment.
October 3rd, 2011, 12:53 pm
NEW REGIME NEW HOPE said:
Bassma Kodmani V Buthaina Shaaban
Cant wait.
October 3rd, 2011, 12:53 pm
zoo said:
Raid, rift cloud Syrian opposition’s unity deal
Sunday, October 2, 2011
ISTANBUL – Hürriyet Daily News
Representatives of Syrian tribes and members of the Syrian opposition inside Syria raid a meeting of the Syrian National Council, a collection of Syrian opposition movements
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/images/2011_10_02/raid-rift-cloud-syrian-opposition8217s-unity-deal-2011-10-02_l.jpg
Syrian dissidents fight on the sidelines of a gathering of Syrian opposition leaders and activists in Istanbul on Sunday. AFP photo
Syrian opposition groups meeting in Istanbul on Sunday announced they had reached agreement on a united front, but their achievement was overshadowed by representatives of Syrian tribes who raided the hosting hotel and delayed the start of the gathering.
Representatives of Syrian tribes and dissidents who call themselves “Opposition on the Streets” raided the meeting of Syrian opposition movements and claimed they were being excluded from the opposition-formed Syrian National Council.
Representatives of the Syrian opposition movements were holding a meeting Sunday to announce that they had formed a common front uniting all groups that oppose the regime of President Bashar al-Assad. But the meeting started with a one-hour delay because the Syrian tribal representatives raided the hotel where the meeting was being held. More than 100 Syrian dissidents came to the hotel and wanted to attend the meeting of the Syrian National Council that was announced in Istanbul in August.
A verbal confrontation erupted between opposition groups after the representatives of the Arab tribes were not let inside by the other members of the council.
Police forces were called to the hotel to prevent a clash between the two groups.
“We are from inside Syria. Many Arab tribes have sacrificed themselves in Syria for the revolution, and we are not being represented here in the National Council that is being formed by Syrians outside Syria,” President of the Arab Tribes Ben Wafian Methgal told the Hürriyet Daily News in an interview.
“We will give the leaders of this council one month. If they don’t fulfill the Syrian street hopes of ending and finishing the Assad regime and giving the Syrian resistance their freedom, then we will create another council that must be named from the Syrian streets, not from the exterior opposition, which will be considered illegitimate by the Syrian opposition inside,” Methgal said.
Members of the Syrian National Council refused the claims and said the Arab tribes and representatives of the revolution were already represented in the council.
“The Syrian National Council is open to all Syrians. It is an independent group personifying the sovereignty of the Syrian people in their struggle for liberty,” Paris-based Burhan Ghalioun told reporters. “The council rejects any outside interference that undermines the sovereignty of the Syrian people.”
Ghalioun, a France-based academic, was recently designated leader of the opposition group National Transitional Council, which has Islamist and nationalist supporters.
The new opposition grouping announced on Sunday unites Syrian opposition movements across the political spectrum and includes local coordination committees that group activists on the ground, liberals, and the long-banned Muslim Brotherhood as well as Kurds and Syriacs.
Representatives of Syria’s six-month-old protest movement and opposition had been meeting since Tuesday to forge a united front against Assad’s regime, which the U.N. says has killed at least 2,700 people since protests erupted in mid-March.
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=raid-rift-cloud-syrian-opposition8217s-unity-deal-2011-10-02
October 3rd, 2011, 1:06 pm
Areal said:
1328. Some guy no longer in damascus said:
Shiela,
Zoo is right. You can’t say who gets to post what. That being said, im glad people are posting from SANA, because the regimes media hurts the regime More than than opposition can hurt the regime. ???? ?????? ?????? ?????? ? ??? ???? ??????? ?? ???????
Not once did these pathetic news agencies call any one from the opposition for an interview.
So pleeeeeaaaaase post the regime bs, I’ve refuted it before and il do it again
REALITY
1) How do you know that SANA never call any one from the opposition for an interview ?
2) SANA reported on the opposition
http://www.sana.sy/eng/337/2011/06/27/355077.htm
The journalists, who went to cover the meeting, in particular Satellite TV channels, including the Syrian TV, which were ready to transmit live the meeting, were caught by a surprise when the sessions of the meeting were held behind closed-doors. The journalists were only allowed few minutes to take some pictures.
YOU NEVER refuted any fact from SANA !!
October 3rd, 2011, 1:06 pm
sheila said:
To #1329. Areal,
You said: “Classic MB propaganda from someone who denied the assassinations by these MB terrorists back in the 70?s and 80?s.
Maybe “she” was not born then , nor “her” parents living in Syria.”
REALITY
1- She was born then.
2- her parents live in Syria.
3- She had a big post about the assassination of the MB s back in the 70s and 80s.
4- She is the last person you can call an MB.
Sorry Areal. Wrong on all fronts.
October 3rd, 2011, 1:06 pm
Amir in Tel Aviv said:
The Mufti Hassoun addressed Haled Mish’al (the head of the Palestinian MB) during the funeral of his dead son. This reminds me of the fable about the frog and the scorpion, crossing the river.
And the epigram: If you sleep with the dogs, don’t be surprised to wake up carrying fleas.
.
October 3rd, 2011, 1:11 pm
sheila said:
To #1326. Zoo,
With all my respect, the whole idea of contributing to a blog is opening your mind to other people’s perspectives on things. If you regularly skip my posts, First, it is your loss and second, why are you even here if you do not want to hear the other side?. I am not trying to dictate what you can or can’t post. Please read my post carefully and try to comprehend it. No hard feelings.
October 3rd, 2011, 1:13 pm
zoo said:
BBC excerpts
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-15143293
“Mr Ghalioun was named last month as chair of the council, which has Islamist and nationalist supporters and includes the Local Coordination Committees, which organises activists on the ground.
Syrian dissidents fight on the sidelines of a gathering of Syrian opposition leaders and activists in Istanbul, on October 2, 2011. Despite the announcement, there were some disagreements on the sidelines
The board also includes Bassma Kodmani as spokeswoman, Mohammed Riyad al-Shaqfa of the Muslim Brotherhood, and representatives of the so-called Damascus Declaration for reform.
The council, which is to elect a president, will hold a general assembly of 190 members next month, Ms Kodmani said.
It will have a 29-strong general secretariat representing seven Syrian opposition factions”
October 3rd, 2011, 1:21 pm
sheila said:
To #1338. Areal,
No one can answer you when you quote SANA because:
1- SANA is not a news agency, rather a propaganda tool for the Syrian regime.
2- There is no free press on the ground in Syria.
You can keep repeating these allegations until you are blue in the face. Only those who are part of the regime or directly benefiting from the regime will believe you. The rest of us will just sit there and shake our heads with dismay.
October 3rd, 2011, 1:22 pm
some guy no longer in damascus said:
areal,
1) have you been keeping track of my every comment?
2) not 1 single opposition member was given a chance to go on an interview, phone call or even article. NOT ONE!
3) read this:
http://sana.sy/eng/21/2011/06/28/355388.htm
then read this
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/06/29/137500678/kucinich-visits-syria-says-he-was-misquoted-by-state-press
4)http://www.sana.sy/eng/21/2011/07/16/358750.htm
i know everything there is to know about midan, and this was FAAAAAAAAKEEEEEEEEEE!!! unreal, plastic,LIES!!!
these people were bought in, transported by the green buses the regime uses to transport there grey shabeeha. i assure you everyday , the people of midan go out and demonstrate to bring down this evil regime and not once has this pathetic news agency of yours truly given the reality behind these protests. we get stupid vague articles like : tens of protesters gather to chant for faster reforms under the semi-god besho, the protest finished with no one harmed.
5) i said i can refute the regime’s media and not just SANA, be it champress, syrian state tv, addunia, and ikhbaria sooriya. hmm i can’t believe my taxes fund syrian state :(. i could’ve used that money to buy some real comedy instead of this unintentional syrian “media” comedy.
—————————————————————
furthermore SANA has reported today that the temperature in Damascus is 27 degrees. my sources tell my that in reality it is 27.5 degrees so HA!
October 3rd, 2011, 1:25 pm
zoo said:
Sheila #1346
I do read most posts, I only skip them when the posts just offer personal wishful thinking, dire predictions with no documented basis or hammering personal convictions. I also tend to skip posts when a commenter tries to belittle other commenters by making assumptions on their nationality, religion, ethnicity or origin, example: ” You are not Syrian, or you have left long time ago, this is why you don’t understand the real situation..” Or “You are Shia.. this is why..”
In all cases, I always react to posts that tries to silence the commenters.
No hard feelings.
#1348
By the way Al Shar al Awsat is a propaganda tool for Saudi Arabia, NY times for Israel, Russia news for Russia, Orient le Jour for right wing Lebanese, Al Jazeera for Gulf countries supporing the USA, PressTV for Iran etc… Most media are owned and funded by political entities. There are very few newspaper that are free. It is up to us to make the distiinction and recoup the information
October 3rd, 2011, 1:33 pm
Areal said:
http://www.middle-east-studies.net/?p=1108
Burhan Ghalioun: Clerics Control the Media
Clerics Have Power In Muslim Countries
They don’t differ from the Arab dictatorial regimes
REALITY
Burham Ghalioun’ future is bleak .
Remember
Camille Desmoulins ,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camille_Desmoulins ,
Kerenski ,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Kerensky
I can add to the list !!!
October 3rd, 2011, 1:36 pm
atassi said:
Fall of Syrian regime a ‘matter of time’: US
Dan De Luce
3 October 2011
Agence France Presse
It is “a matter of time” before the Syrian regime headed by President Bashar al-Assad is ousted from power by a popular uprising, US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta said on Monday.
Speaking in Tel Aviv after meeting his Israeli counterpart, Panetta said Washington and other foreign capitals had “made clear Assad should step down.”
“While he continues to resist, I think it’s very clear that it’s a matter of time before that (exit) in fact happens. When it does, we don’t know,” he said.
The Pentagon chief, in a visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories on Monday, said Assad’s regime had lost all credibility after a brutal crackdown that has killed at least 2,700 people, according to the United Nations.
“Anytime you kill your own people as indiscriminately as they have over these last number of months, it’s pretty clear that they have lost their legitimacy as a government,” Panetta said at a news conference with Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak.
Panetta, who served as CIA director until he took over as defence chief in July, pledged the United States and other countries would keep up pressure on the regime to make way for a government more responsive to the needs of its people.
Barak also said the regime’s days were numbered and that Assad’s fall from power would represent a “major blow” to what he called a “radical axis” of militants in the region supported by Iran.
According to US media reports, American officials are increasingly convinced that Assad’s regime will not survive and are bracing for a possibly violent aftermath.
The New York Times has reported that Washington was quietly working with Ankara to plan for a post-Assad scenario that could see Syria’s various ethnic groups battle for control of the country.
Despite calling on Assad to step down, the United States has yet to withdraw its ambassador, Robert Ford, instead using him as a conduit to the opposition and Syria’s disparate ethnic and religious groups.
Last Thursday, a crowd of nearly 100 Syrians chanting hostile slogans tried to storm an office in Damascus where Ford had arrived to meet opposition figure Hassan Abdelazim, officials said.
In response, the US government summoned Syrian ambassador Imad Mustapha to the State Department last week and “read the riot act” to him over the incident, a spokeswoman said.
Since mid-March, Syria has been shaken by an unprecedented pro-democracy protest movement that the Assad regime has sought to crush using deadly force.
More than 2,700 people have been killed in the unrest, according to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva.
Late Sunday, protesters poured onto the streets in a mass show of support for a powerful opposition grouping that was launched in Istanbul, activists said.
The Syrian National Council drew “demonstrations of support” in the country’s main protest hubs, including Hama, Homs, Idlib, Daraa, Deir Ezzor and the province of Damas, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
The group also said the Syrian army had Sunday “taken complete control” of the central city of Rastan in Homs province, 160 kilometres (100 miles) north of Damascus, where fighting had raged between army deserters and Syrian forces.
October 3rd, 2011, 1:37 pm
Afram said:
Petition!!!:Stop banning Isalamists from posting
I think one SC poster(?)got so frustrated for not being able to do so,began roaming the syrian streets shooting at college Professors.hahaha
Haytham.KHOURY
I,m not anti OR pro regime….I,m totally pro syria
majority of syrians might actually prefer to live under Assad rule Despite the hardship than living under“Islamo-Fascism”boots.
October 3rd, 2011, 1:43 pm
Shabbi7 said:
To the idiots that are saying Grand Mufti A7mad 7assoun is a “mukhber” or “regime puppet”, I invite you to look into his history. During the MB terrorism spree in the 70’s and 80’s, A7mad 7assoun’s father was the preacher at the big mosque in Aleppo’s al-Midan (I can’t remember his name nor the name of the mosque, at the moment). A7mad’s father spoke out and preached against the assassinations and bombings that the MB were perpetrating, so they tried to assassinate him at least twice that I know of. The 7assouns have a long history of nationalism and serving the public and Islam independently and in good faith, which is why Aleppo loves the 7assouns. Don’t believe the morons (dabbi7a) here that tell you otherwise, since you all know who those people are (dabbi7a!).
Since the beginning of the current events in Syria, all that sheikh A7mad 7assoun has done was call for national unity. If you feel that him saying that was anti-revolution, then tough luck, l7asu 6izi.
PS: Alex, I cannot describe to you in words how I feel about you, but all I can say is that you are a national treasure. After seeing the personal attacks against you recently, I started looking at some of your other blogs and it is so easy to get lost in emotion for hours reading and seeing the material (I especially love the old photographs). Thank you for everything!
October 3rd, 2011, 1:45 pm
sheila said:
To #1350. zoo said:
I guess you either do not read or comprehend my posts, or you are mistaking me with another poster. I have never said “you are Shia..this is why”. However, I am certainly glad I am not in your “league“, having been reading your posts for a while. No hard feelings.
October 3rd, 2011, 1:45 pm
Nur al-Cubicle said:
You must read this. What a withering analysis! Deserves to be translated.
http://syrie.blog.lemonde.fr/
October 3rd, 2011, 1:58 pm
Areal said:
1344. sheila said:
To #1329. Areal,
You said: “Classic MB propaganda from someone who denied the assassinations by these MB terrorists back in the 70?s and 80?s.
Maybe “she” was not born then , nor “her” parents living in Syria.”
REALITY
1- She was born then.
2- her parents live in Syria.
3- She had a big post about the assassination of the MB s back in the 70s and 80s.
4- She is the last person you can call an MB.
Sorry Areal. Wrong on all fronts.
REALITY
I challenge “her” to post here and now the link of “her” big post devoid of MB propaganda.
October 3rd, 2011, 2:04 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
American secretary of defense said
Assad will leave ,it is a matter of time
I say
Once Assad leaves all Assad supporters will go away.from SC.
October 3rd, 2011, 2:10 pm
Haytham Khoury said:
@ 1356. Nur al-Cubicl
C’est le régime syrien. C’est un régime de voyous.
http://haytham-khoury.blogspot.com/
October 3rd, 2011, 2:19 pm
Haytham Khoury said:
@ 1353. Afram
“I,m not anti OR pro regime….I,m totally pro syria”
We agree
October 3rd, 2011, 2:21 pm
Haytham Khoury said:
@ 1347. zoo
Forming this council was like running the marathon. I summarized all the hustle and bustle till we reached there in the following article.
http://haytham-khoury3.blogspot.com/2011/10/blog-post.html
Sheila:
I invite you to read my article. I would like your opinion on it.
October 3rd, 2011, 2:34 pm
Mango said:
Turkey just about will get to the American trap: the Turkish deputy
“The government tries to create visibility of deterioration of relations with Israel, but it does not represent the facts. Occurrence in Turkey of systems of the ABM of the USA – the bright example ???????? politicians of intensity with Israel. Knowing this geography understand that the system pursues the aim to protect Israel. Because the rocket let out from Iran cannot reach Europe”, – the chairman of the center of strategic researches of Turkey ), deputy Sinan Ogan has declared in interview to the newspaper “Vatan”.
The expert has underlined that from the geographical point of view Malatya is the most convenient point between Israel and Iran. He has declared that the ABM not defense means, and opposite, attack means. “It can serve as the war reason between us and Iran”, – he has underlined.
A question why the ABM system sees to the deputy means of attack it has answered that “the rocket started by Iran will not be directly directed on the enemy”. “The rocket leaves in a space and therefrom already attacks the purpose: It can be destroyed from three positions: during an exit in space, it is direct in space and during purpose defeat. If to present that at Israel simultaneously will guide 100 rockets, 97 it is possible to bring down in air, but three remain in operation. It is impossible to destroy all. For destruction of Israel there are enough 3 rockets. For this purpose rockets should be destroyed even before start”, he considers.
The deputy asserts that Turkey just about will get to a trap. “The probability of occurrence of pressure in relations with Iran is very great. At it two reasons – events in Tunis will repeat sooner or later in Iran. However examples of Syria and Libya show that Turkey operates at the same time from the USA. The second reason – ABM system. Israel can carry out at any time diversion – is artificial to create threat of attack from Iran. The purpose of the USA consists in the conflict of Turkey to Syria. The West does not ask a question, whether it is possible. It is an established fact, them date interests only. Unfortunately, Turkey is on the verge of hit in this trap”, – has declared S.Ogan. Meanwhile the representative of the White house, wished to remain unnamed as newspaper Milliyet informs, has declared that the agreement between Washington and Ankara will raise safety of Turkey and will strengthen links of Ankara with allies on the NATO block.” On the other hand, corresponding structures of the USA will send to Israel the data from a radar of EvroPRO to Turkey “, – considers a source.
Let’s remind that the chief of the Joint Staff of the USA admiral Michael Mullen has characterized relations of the United States with Turkey as “vital”. “Our relations – they very strong, in particular, in military sphere. Turks already long time our trustworthy aliens and friends”, – was declared by him.
October 3rd, 2011, 2:35 pm
Areal said:
1356. Nur al-Cubicle said:
You must read this. What a withering analysis! Deserves to be translated.
http://syrie.blog.lemonde.fr/
Dans un pays comme la Syrie, où le détenteur du portefeuille de la Défense n’a aucune influence réelle sur la chose militaire, comme l’a démontré la présence à ce poste durant 31 ans (de 1972 à 2003) du général Moustapha Tlass, la fonction de vice-ministre de la Défense ne représente rien
“””””
REALITE
L’ homme fait la fonction
Classiques ragots de cocktails diplomatiques
About Tlass : lousy comments , no need to carry further
Sorry !!
October 3rd, 2011, 2:39 pm
Khalid Tlass said:
[Alex: Last warning. Keep your wishes for mass killing to yourself. Next you will be banned for one week]
If the regime killed Hassoun’s son, I don’t feel sorry for him, Menhebak got what he deserved, hopefully all Menhebaks will be eliminated like this by the regime itself 😆
And if the opposition activists killed him, then good riddance.
October 3rd, 2011, 2:40 pm
Khalid Tlass said:
And I really miss Aboud, has he been banned permanently ? I’m not posting too much on SC bcoz Aboud’s no longer here.
October 3rd, 2011, 2:42 pm
sheila said:
To #1357. Areal,
You said: “Classic MB propaganda from someone who denied the assassinations by these MB terrorists back in the 70?s and 80?s. Maybe “she” was not born then , nor “her” parents living in Syria.” And “I challenge “her” to post here and now the link of “her” big post devoid of MB propaganda”.
It is post 270901 from September 1st.
This is the last time I answer your posts. I feel like it is a very big waste of my time.
Here is my post in its entirety:
33. sheila said:
To #13. hsyrian,
Since you have been asking for so long and no one wants to tackle this issue, I would like to attempt to put this to rest. Here is my take on what happened in the late 70s and early 80s in Syria during the MB uprising:
As I have mentioned before, I was 14 years old in Aleppo during the uprising. I clearly remember the first horrific incident: the artillery School massacre of 34 cadets by one of their own: Ibrahim AlYousuf. They were gathered in the gym for a “meeting” and instead faced the bullets.
Before the uprising started, people were getting really upset with the regime. Corruption, nepotism and the deteriorating economy were the main reasons for the public anger. This is why the majority of Syrians supported the MB uprising, including many minorities, until the indiscriminate killings started. People could convince themselves that the Artillery School massacre was legitimate, because they were soldiers, however, no one could argue that the killing of professors, doctors and teachers like Muhammad Al Fadl, Ibrahim Na’ma, Shahada Khalil or Yousuf AlYousuf was legitimate. They were simply killed because they were Alawiis and this did not sit well with the majority of Syrians.
In my view, the MB uprising failed because it lost popular support.
On the other hand, the government reaction was even worse. The indiscriminate killing by the Mbs was mere change compared to that of the government. The terror that we had to live with specifically in Aleppo, Hama and Jisr Alshougur, is hard to describe. Some areas had it worse than others. Hama was literally destroyed.
So to answer your question:
No one knows how many innocent victims were killed by the Mbs in the late 70s and early 80s, and no one knows how many innocent victims were killed by the Syrian regime in the same period, but I can assure you that everyone knows that far more were killed by the regime.
I am very upset about the killings committed by the MBS. I personally knew two of the Alawiis they killed in Aleppo, but I am more horrified by the atrocities our government committed against innocent civilians whose only crime was that they lived in Syria at the time. This is our government that is supposed to protect us.
October 3rd, 2011, 2:47 pm
Syria no kandahar said:
Majedoglu
So if SC becomes all pro-MB,you can stop your Prozac .
October 3rd, 2011, 2:53 pm
Syria no kandahar said:
Kaled
We missed you so much.Any throats you slashed lately,any new larynxes?
October 3rd, 2011, 2:59 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
Colonel RYAD ASAAD Is free and the news about his capture are definitely false as all the news from Syrian news
Dunia, Sana, Sham news,
Zoo you said has the news from those channel been refuted?, here one of them, keep quoting them and believe them as much as you want, they all lie.
SNK
You need to triple your dose of Prozac.
October 3rd, 2011, 3:01 pm
Areal said:
1349. some guy no longer in damascus said:
areal,
1) have you been keeping track of my every comment?
2) not 1 single opposition member was given a chance to go on an interview, phone call or even article. NOT ONE!
3) read this:
http://sana.sy/eng/21/2011/06/28/355388.htm
then read this
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/06/29/137500678/kucinich-visits-syria-says-he-was-misquoted-by-state-press
4)http://www.sana.sy/eng/21/2011/07/16/358750.htm
i know everything there is to know about midan, and this was FAAAAAAAAKEEEEEEEEEE!!! unreal, plastic,LIES!!!
these people were bought in, transported by the green buses the regime uses to transport there grey shabeeha. i assure you everyday , the people of midan go out and demonstrate to bring down this evil regime and not once has this pathetic news agency of yours truly given the reality behind these protests. we get stupid vague articles like : tens of protesters gather to chant for faster reforms under the semi-god besho, the protest finished with no one harmed.
5) i said i can refute the regime’s media and not just SANA,
REALITY
1) I challenge you to post now and here a link to one of your post with a rebuttal of a fact stated by SANA.
2)SANA reported on the opposition
see :
http://www.sana.sy/eng/337/2011/06/27/355077.htm
but
“””””
The journalists, who went to cover the meeting, in particular Satellite TV channels, including the Syrian TV, which were ready to transmit live the meeting, were caught by a surprise when the sessions of the meeting were held behind closed-doors. The journalists were only allowed few minutes to take some pictures.
“”””
3) some politician is seeking reelection back in USA and Syrian journalists are polite and don’t argue with their guests !!
4) this demo happened at the date and time specified by SANA !
The public transportation buses in Syria are green !!
NOTE :
“these people were bought in, transported ”
Curious : that reminds of a mistake made by another of your “friend” here :
https://joshualandis.com/blog/?p=12233&cp=all#comment-275396
October 3rd, 2011, 3:08 pm
Some guy no longer in damascus said:
Khalid, the son of mufti hassoun is innocent, he did not deserve this. Why do you support the death of an innocent man?
Furthermore, we can go on with out Aboud. We don’t need Aboud to be on the right side, we have LOGIC and REASON, that’s all we need. It would really be irrational to consider the banning of Aboud to be some victory or loss for any one.
Btw everybody,
Aboud appreciates your support, and he is quite surprised about the friends he has on SC 🙂 .
I’m glad there are people like Aboud who voice there opinions as Syrian citizens first and foremost.
Hehehe I bet SNK set his alarm clock to the date Aboud returns.
October 3rd, 2011, 3:14 pm
jad said:
“???? ??????
????? ?????? ????? ?? ??? ???? (??? ?? ?????).. ???? ???? ????? ????? ????? ???? ?? ??? ??? ?? ?? ???!
??? ????? ????????? ??????? ?????????…
?????? ?? ?????? ?? ???? ?? ??????: ?? ?????? ??? ?????? ???? ????.. ??? ?????? ???? ?????? ?? ????? ?????..”
October 3rd, 2011, 3:14 pm
Syrian Nationalist Party said:
“……..Once Assad leaves all Assad supporters will go away.from SC…”
What, you want SC for you to yak all your life, If your wet dream come true, is not time to stop threatening, roll your sleeves and start working in Syria. Or you want others to do the dirty work and you stay here alone telling them what to do? That was going to be my Job man. I am not going back to live in Hijabstan you know.
October 3rd, 2011, 3:19 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
SNP
I will definitely go back to Syria, ,I want to go to Homs Hama and Rastan ,I want to see Syria without your God,Bashar.
October 3rd, 2011, 3:30 pm
Louai said:
KHALID TLASS said:
‘If the regime killed Hassoun’s son, I don’t feel sorry for him, Menhebak got what he deserved, hopefully all Menhebaks will be eliminated like this by the regime itself
And if the opposition activists killed him, then good riddance.’
supporting terrorism no matter who dose it . hope you are not living in Europe or the Americas because your statement is clearly supporting terror , this blog is obligated to pass your information to the authorities if asked ! oh , no , supporting terror is ok if it was against Syria , you are safe then …unless you live in Syria ,i hope you do .
October 3rd, 2011, 3:41 pm
Abu Umar said:
1354. Shabbi7 said:
The hell with you and Hassoun. Your name of choice shows what a menhebek thug you are. The “MB terrorism” was in response to the brutality of Hafez al-Jahsh, who certainly didn’t come to power on a bed of roses, but the turrets of his tanks. The Nusayris should have stayed in their mountains and not come to rule a Sunni populace who don’t want them, now more than ever. Ironically, the Nusayris claim they don’t want to be ruled by Sunnis, and the Sunnis feel the exact same way. Go and establish your Nusayristan in Turkey or Iran.
May Hassoun feel the bitterness that tens of thousands of Syrians, Lebanese and Palestinians experienced at the hands of his regime, which he has been defending. His son isn’t any better than other Syrians who have died, and this clown Hassoun declared Mu’awiyah an infidel and has the audacity to talk about oppressive “Sunni” rulers, even though he supports the oppression of his Nusayri masters.
October 3rd, 2011, 3:42 pm
Abu Umar said:
” 1375. Louai said:
supporting terrorism no matter who dose it . hope you are not living in Europe or the Americas because your statement is clearly supporting terror , this blog is obligated to pass your information to the authorities if asked ! oh , no , supporting terror is ok if it was against Syria , you are safe then …unless you live in Syria ,i hope you do .”
Menhebek mukhabarati, I don’t remember you talking like this when the cyber-shabiha threatened the deaths of entire Syrian cities, and you have also supporteed the actions of your regime in previous posts, and you also implyimg the threat of the Syrian dungeons. How hypocritical can you get?!
October 3rd, 2011, 3:47 pm
Areal said:
1366. sheila said:
To #1357. Areal,
You said: “Classic MB propaganda from someone who denied the assassinations by these MB terrorists back in the 70?s and 80?s. Maybe “she” was not born then , nor “her” parents living in Syria.” And “I challenge “her” to post here and now the link of “her” big post devoid of MB propaganda”.
It is post 270901 from September 1st.
https://joshualandis.com/blog/?p=11743&cp=all#comment-270901
REALITY
“””
I clearly remember the first horrific incident: the artillery School massacre of 34 cadets by one of their own: Ibrahim AlYousuf.
“””
This was not the first killing in Aleppo :
The crimes began with killing Dr. al-Yousef for no fucking reason other than that he’s Alawi. He was popular because he gave free optometry treatment to the poor that couldn’t afford it.
https://joshualandis.com/blog/?p=11743&cp=all#comment-270930
The killing was not done by a cadet but by an officer in duty, Ibrahim el-Youssef, and a group of Combatant Vanguard (Attali’a el-Moukatillah, headed by Adnan Uqla)
The number of killed cadets is higher than 34.
then after Habib’s post , Sheila remembers
https://joshualandis.com/blog/?p=11743&cp=all#comment-270959
“”””””
I knew Dr. Al-Yousef personally. A very nice and decent man, who unfortunately for him, was appointed the head of the ophthalmology department at the university of Aleppo upon return from his studies in Russia (we all know how good the Russian degrees given to foreigners were)
“””””
So , the doctor was killed because he was incompetent or his death was not that important !!
You “forgot” the bombs in cars and buses including school buses.
and finally your last sentence:
“This is our government that is supposed to protect us.”
This is unashamed MB propaganda !
October 3rd, 2011, 4:01 pm
Abu Umar said:
1378. Areal said:
Just like your Nusayri regime slaughtering tens of thousands of Sunnis, many of whom were civilians. How did the khanzeer Hafez al-Jahsh come to power?!
October 3rd, 2011, 4:06 pm
sheila said:
Dear Haytham,
I read your article. It is very well written and to the point. I think we should cut the opposition some slack. You have articulated quite well, the state of affairs of the Syrian opposition and explained why they are where they are today. Not only did the government suffocate any real opposition, it also perpetuated a culture of submission through the “educational” system. We teach our kids countless hours of “Socialist education”, waste their time with “talae’ and shabibeh, and kill their ambitions with Itihad altalabeh. Based on these “reparations” by our regime, We should not expect anything less than what we have today. I said it before and I will say it again: this regime can write the book in how to destroy a nation.
October 3rd, 2011, 4:12 pm
some guy no longer in damascus said:
“1) I challenge you to post now and here a link to one of your post with a rebuttal of a fact stated by SANA.”
i clearly mentioned ALL OF THE REGIME’S MEDIA and not just SANA
https://joshualandis.com/blog/?p=12233&cp=27#comment-276382
“2)SANA reported on the opposition
see :
http://www.sana.sy/eng/337/2011/06/27/355077.htm
but
“””””
The journalists, who went to cover the meeting, in particular Satellite TV channels, including the Syrian TV, which were ready to transmit live the meeting, were caught by a surprise when the sessions of the meeting were held behind closed-doors. The journalists were only allowed few minutes to take some pictures.
“””””
of all of the dissidents in syria, not one has been asked for some interview or article by SANA?
“3) some politician is seeking reelection back in USA and Syrian journalists are polite and don’t argue with their guests !!”
still intentionally misquoted him, SANA takes anything that shines well on the regime and turns it into “Pulitzer winning articles ”
“4) this demo happened at the date and time specified by SANA !
The public transportation buses in Syria are green !!”
you need to visit syria NOW!
these buses were captured on the pathetic syrian state tv, boy are they good at being stupid, focus on the background:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqNx1LA0BOU&feature=share
not good enough for you? how about these green buses lined up at the kafer suseh mukhabarat HQ:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMNzm9cYyJI
and finally i leave you with shabeeha exiting these green buses in midan:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=607YKKTj9ow.
please shower me with your Pulitzer winning SANA articles, theyre SUCH A CHALLENGE TO DEAL WTIH!
October 3rd, 2011, 4:15 pm
Ya Mara Ghalba said:
I’ve asserted the Assad regime has broad and deep support and should be expected to win any elections. Commenter SHEILA #534 counter-asserted that “Your post is delusional at best…. Do you really think Syrians are this stupid to elect him again in a free election?” To demonstrate that Assad’s support is broad and deep takes lots of time. It would be a long article. However, I’ve just found a terse way of counter-counter-asserting against SHEILA. SHEILA says in #1297 about the Grand Mufti Ahmad Hassoun: “I can assure you that he is 100% on the revolution’s side.”
The Grand Mufti’s father was preacher at a big mosque in Aleppo in the 1970s and 1980s and spoke out against the MB; and the MB tried to assassinate the father — I have that on the authority of #1354 Shabbi7. In his speech at his murdered son’s funeral today, the Grand Mufti said: “Those who protest [against the regime] or create a safe environment for murderers are providing cover to those who wish Syria ill.” He called upon all decent Syrians to be government informants when they see illegal activities “because this will help save the homeland and protect religion and the honest values.” He said the Syrians have been over the past six months the victims of misleading and deceptive news reports. He expressed consternation that some Arab countries have withdrawn their ambassadors from Syria. http://www.sana.sy/eng/337/2011/10/03/373155.htm
October 3rd, 2011, 6:58 pm
Aliccie said:
Areal # 1295
Thank you for the clarification. About the ID, I read it here, someone saying that they wished religion wasn’t mentioned. I can’t remember who. So, I don’t understand why, as it would be an important issue.
You do confirm that there are religious courts for domestic things, this is not a secular system.
October 4th, 2011, 10:48 am
Aliccie said:
Areal #1322
Your ‘reality’ doesn’t sum up. Why should we believe state TV confessions ?
And this about Rafah Nashed, what is your point ? The two links are the same. Where does the husband refute ? And so what if she has groups talk about their fear ? It doesn’t make her a rebel.
And why is she arrested ? Do you mean that the opposition has made all this up, just to get support, and she never did this type of work ?
Whatever, the fact that she was the first female analyst is quite telling. Not that I like the term ‘psychoanalyst’, Freud & cie have been discredited for years.
From what I can see, it would be a better idea to have legions of therapists rather than security forces to help people overcome their fears and ancient grudges, and talk about their hopes and wishes.
I seem to think that you imagine you have the monopoly on REALITY. Big head and defender of tyrants.
October 4th, 2011, 10:51 am
Aliccie said:
@ Jihanne 1327
Voltaire net is a nasty type that hates anything western, yet benefits from French freedom of speech. He made his moment by publishing ‘9/11 imposture’ by stealing everything from other people’s websites. I saw it happening at the time. He is a sick person.
ps – his book make him a laughing stock and nobody took him seriously except the deluded band of conspiracy minded lunatics that only spit out hatred for ‘colonialistes’ jews, and imagined world wide plots. He should go and live in Cuba, and help them with their new laws, like being able to buy and sell cars !
Or rather N. Corea as what communist system still exists ? Or maybe live in Gaza..
October 4th, 2011, 10:52 am
Aliccie said:
As for the Mufti and the arguments about what he means or says, surely it’s proof that religious clerics have no credibility and should be left out of politics. They can only rant on about various ancient stories from the sacred books, and can’t say anything true because their throats are threatened, either by one side or the other.
When the muslim world, and the old christian or orthodox jewish communities come into the light of rational modern thinking, will all these horrors stop. In the meantime, I condemn any killings, and hope that Bashar will make the only serious decision, today, that is to tell his security forces to go home or to their barracks and say he will step down.
I don’t know if it isn’t already too late.
October 4th, 2011, 11:12 am
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