Sanctions Bite; Do Not Attack Syria; The Harasta Attack; The Arab League Delays as Damascus Contemplates Observers
Posted by Joshua on Friday, November 18th, 2011
An Aleppine friend writes:
The mazout (fuel-oil) problem in Aleppo is coming from transportation risks. Trucks are being hit as they travel from Homs and Banias and their mazout is being either stolen or destroyed. Without safe transportation routes, Aleppo is finding it hard to get the needed mazout to be delivered.
Another Aleppine answers:
Yes I heard that the pipes serving Aleppo with fuel have also been sabotaged several times. If true, not sure if it’s act of revenge (for inaction by halabis) or terrorist act planned to pressure halabis economically to rise. The Syrian government has reportedly agreed to allow an Arab League monitoring mission in the country in principle.
Bad news for the Assad government came in droves this week as its isolation grew with the Arab League threat of suspension and growing numbers of dead, including soldiers due to ever bolder and larger attacks from rebels. The sanctions have begun to really bite. Upper class Syrians are beginning to feel the pain for the first time, as everyday commodities begin to go missing in the marketplace. It is not clear whether fuel-oil has dried up because the government is running out of money or because the roads are no longer safe, causing fuel trucks to be vandalized. Growing reports of lawlessness, suggest that the military’s grip is loosening and more and more Syrians are taking up arms. The Syrian National Council continues to advise against the militarization of the opposition, but increasingly Syrians are getting arms and fighting back. There does not seem to be much unity to the opposition or deference to the SNC on the part of local Syrian groups. There have been many whispered projections that the regime will fall within months and is near a tipping point of cascading failures, but one must take such predictions with a grain of salt. Many people predicted the fall of the regime by the end of Ramadan. All the same, the pace of bad news for the government has certainly been quickening.
US policy makers seem to be at cross purposes and arguing against each other. When Russia claimed that Syria is slipping into civil war, State Department spokesman, Mark Toner denied it. Hilary Clinton then contradicted Toner to agreed with the Russian assessment. Why did Toner deny tsi vehemently that Syria is moving toward civil war? The US wants Russia to condemn Assad in the UN. Its narrative is that unarmed Syrian protesters are being killed by the bad regime – therefore, the bad regime must go. Russia seeks to contradict this narrative with the civil war argument. It insists that foreign powers should stay out of Syria’s civil war and refuses to go along with a UN condemnation in order to ensure this. Russia insists that foreign meddling and proxy fighting in Syria will only make matters worse. Clinton probably hadn’t been briefed on Toner’s policy statement. Most likely she was simply repeating what her analysts are telling her – Syria is slipping toward civil war.
DJ Clinton Says ‘There Could Be A Civil War’ In Syria
2011-11-18
WASHINGTON (AFP)–U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned Friday of the possibility of a civil war in Syria that either is directed or influenced by Syrian army defectors. “I think there could be a civil war with a very determined and well-armed and eventually well-financed opposition that is, if not directed by, certainly influenced by defectors from the army,” Clinton told NBC.
DJ US Disagrees With Russia View Of Syrian Opposition
2011-11-17 19:49:15.600 GMT
WASHINGTON (AFP)–The U.S. on Thursday disagreed with Russia’s assessment that attacks by renegade Syrian troops risked plunging Syria into civil war, blaming the regime in Damascus for the violence. “We think that’s an incorrect assessment,” U.S. State Department deputy spokesman Mark Toner told reporters after Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov made the assessment. “If it (Russia) characterizes it as a civil war, we view that it is very much the (President Bashar al-) Assad regime carrying out a campaign of violence, intimidation and repression against innocent protesters,” Toner said. “We don’t view it as a civil war,” he said when asked again if he disagreed with Lavrov, who was reacting to Wednesday’s attack by Syrian army defectors known as the Free Syrian Army on a military intelligence base outside Damascus…..
Clinton added bluntly, “Assad’s going to be gone, it’s just a question of time.” ..In an interview with CBS News chief White House correspondent Norah O’Donnell today,
Nour Malas investigates the conflicting stories about the reputed Harasta attack of the Free Syrian Army
Arab League Delays Discipline Against Syria
By MATT BRADLEY in Rabat, Morocco, and NOUR MALAS in Dubai for Wall Street Journal
…..Wednesday also saw mounting violence from opposition supporters, with the dissident Free Syrian Army launching what it appeared to be its closest operation to central Damascus, the capital, and announcing it was creating a transitional military council to oust Mr. Assad.
Though reports of the incident vary—as do activist accounts of the size and strength of the dissident army itself—the attack on an air-force intelligence headquarters in Harasta, a suburb just outside the capital, is a defiant strike against one of the fiercest of Syria’s many security arms.
“The air-force intelligence bears the largest part of resentment and anger that activists have for the regime,” said Omar Idlibi, a spokesperson for the Local Coordination Committees, and a member of the Syrian National Council, an opposition group. “It has led the way in quelling the uprising and also recently focused on trying to crush the Free Syrian Army.”
Mr. Idlibi said the intelligence agency had as many as 300 soldiers in detention, some of them defected officers and others who were suspected of sympathizing with the protest movement.
By the committees’ account, a battalion from the Free Syrian Army attacked the building at 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday, in three separate groups, with rocket-propelled grenades and gunfire, burning it to the ground.
A defected soldier who is part of the dissident army group—but wasn’t involved in the Harasta attack—said the operation was launched after 70 soldiers from that air-force unit had defected and started fighting security guards. Backed by the dissident batallion, they shot RPGs and fired heavy machine guns, killing soldiers and burning down the building, said the soldier. Syria’s government didn’t report the incident on state media.
Other activist groups, meanwhile, gave different accounts. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the building was attacked, but not burned down.
Louay Hussein, a dissident writer in Damascus, said diplomats in the capital “went to the area and didn’t see signs of a major battle.”
The varying reports from Syria, where information on the uprising provided largely by activist accounts and video footage can’t be verified independently, highlight a growing rift among activists, with some accusing others of playing up both the regime’s violence and their own dissident army’s capabilities.
“The desire for international intervention that some have is perhaps leading them to exaggerate some news sometimes to increase the sense of urgency and pressure,” Mr. Hussein said.
Twenty people were killed by security forces during protests on Wednesday, the Local Coordination Committees said.
Analysts said that even if the Free Syrian Army’s recent increase in operations was overstated, it is symbolically significant. With the dissident army’s growing boldness, and rising casualties among Syria’s military and security forces, “the situation is in serious danger of spiraling beyond the regime’s control,” IHS Global Insight said in a note on Wednesday.
The Free Syrian Army’s statement Wednesday that it would create a council appears to reflect a push to organize defected soldiers across provinces in Syria. “We will be uniting all the provinces and coordinating between batallions so we can finally overthrow this regime,” the defected soldier said by telephone from an area bordering Lebanon. The group was also working with the Syrian National Council, the opposition body, on a framework for logistical support.
“There are thousands more who will defect,” the dissident soldier said, “but there’s no support and no weapons.”
—Inti Landauro and Nadya Masidlover in Paris contributed to this article.
Do not attack Syria
BY AARON DAVID MILLER, 19 November 2011, The New York Times
The Arab League suspends Syrian membership; the king of Jordan calls for Bashar al-Assad’s departure; Turkey appears ready for more aggressive anti-Assad measures; defectors from the Syrian Army are attacking regime targets. And all the while the regime continues killing its people with impunity.
Now is the time for America to step up and lead a NATO military intervention to topple the Syrian regime?
No. It Isn’t. Military intervention now will not work. Do not look to Libya for lessons on how to overthrow this dictator. If anything, the Libyan model is a cautionary tale, and potentially a whole lot of trouble if the lesson is ignored.
As painful as it is to watch unarmed civilians killed, sometimes discretion – at least for America, and at least for now – really is the better part of valor.
Libya isn’t Syria. But it was low-hanging fruit – at least from the perspective of outside intervention. A big empty place roughly the size of Alaska with a long coastline, lacking sophisticated air assets or air defenses, and run by a regime of thugs and clowns, Muammar el-Qaddafi’s Libya offered a reasonable prospect for NATO military success.
It still took eight messy, bloody months to topple Qaddafi. Indeed, there were moments when even the champions of intervention in the Obama administration wondered whether it would work.
Intervention by committee, backed by unorganized rebels, was never going to be easy. But we Americans were wise to resist pressures to finish the job more quickly by taking the direct lead. It was important to involve the Europeans and the Arabs – it’s their neighborhood, after all – and to let the Libyans gain the legitimacy of their own liberation (albeit with a huge NATO assist).
The Assad regime is rotten fruit, but it’s not at all clear whether it’s ready to fall. Unlike Libya, where the opposition was divided, but at least held control of parts of the country, the Syrian opposition is inchoate, and lacks even a rudimentary armed component. It is stunningly vulnerable; it does not control parts of the country from which it can operate or where it can be assisted.
The opposition would like to create such sanctuaries, but there’s no sense that it can do this yet, and the regime is determined to stop it. In Rastan, a key town along a central road to the Syrian-Turkish border, the regime sent in hundreds of tanks to do precisely that.
Then there’s the problem of assembling an international coalition. Yes, the world is outraged and Syria is under sanctions and isolated. But the prospects of mobilizing the United Nations Security Council to sanction a NATO intervention are nill. The Russians and the Chinese are dead set against it; the French, British and Americans are squeamish, and for good reason.
Plus Syria still has friends in the region. None that can save it, to be sure, but some who would do what they can to complicate an allied intervention, including Iran, Iraq and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Turkey will support tougher rhetoric and sanctions against Assad, but Ankara will not get out in front on any military intervention. The Israelis might be able to help with intelligence, but keeping them at a distance would be critical to any successful intervention in Syria.
The battle for Syria would likely be a long one. The interveners would need a coalition of the truly willing prepared to stick to it, and probably to intercede with boots on the ground.
A coalition of the partially committed would not work. Once military actions began, there would be no turning back. Escalation would be inevitable against a regime that will use every instrument it possesses to survive. There’s no room for encouraging the opposition and then not being prepared to support it.
Last week, the U.S. ambassador to Iraq apologized to the Shia community for the failure of the United States to do more in 1991 after it encouraged Shia opposition to Saddam Hussein. We do not want that to be repeated.
The options on Syria are not happy ones. We can’t stick our heads in the sand, nor can we lose them.
For now, the measures that make sense include tightening sanctions; pushing the United Nations to dispatch human-rights monitors; monitoring the Syrian-Lebanese and Syrian-Turkish borders; and pushing the Arabs and the Turks to start supporting the Syrian opposition with money and clandestine military aid should they want it.
If the time comes to consider military action, politicians and military planners should think it through very carefully. Syria is not Libya; the potential for sectarian violence and even civil war, coupled with the possibility of outside intervention, makes the complexities and rivalries of post-Qaddafi Libya seem mild by comparison.
Inaction by the international community while a brutal regime kills its people has its costs, but so does big-footing by great powers. One thing we know about discretionary, poorly conceived military action is that getting into such conflicts is always a lot easier than getting out.
The devil we knew
BY ITAMAR RABINOVICH
19 November 2011, The New York Times
During the first 25 years of its existence, until Hafez al-Assad came to power in 1970, the Syrian republic was a weak unstable state, an arena in which regional and international rivalries were played out. The first Assad reversed this state of affairs by turning Syria into a comparatively stable and powerful state, a player in regional and international politics.
This was part of the unwritten pact between the regime and Syria’s urban population. Stability, prestige and a leading role in Arab nationalist ‘‘resistance’’ (to the United States and Israel) made up for the regime’s authoritarianism and corruption, and the hegemony of the minority Alawite sect.
The outbreak of the revolt against the regime last March marked the end of this unwritten contract, and pushed Syria back to its pre-1970 state. It is once again an arena of regional and international rivalries, reflecting the changes that are transforming the region’s politics.
The Syrian revolt is, of course, primarily a struggle between the regime — now led by Assad’s son Bashar — and its domestic foes over the nature and character of the Syrian state. But it is equally significant as a war by proxy between Iran and its rivals…..
More recently, however, Saudi Arabia came to the conclusion that defeating Iran on the Syrian stage is the dominant consideration. This conclusion is shared by other Arab states, which explains the shift in the Arab League’s position and the extraordinary steps it has taken against the Assad regime.
It is also a prime example of how ‘‘soft power’’ can be used by countries, like Saudi Arabia and Qatar, that may not be a military match for Tehran.
The roles played by Turkey and the Arab League are also a byproduct of the modest role played by the United States.
In the Libyan crisis, President Obama sought to ‘‘lead from behind.’’ In the Syrian crisis, Washington does not lead at all. Yes, the American ambassador, Robert Ford, played a courageous role; the administration imposed some sanctions, and has used strong words to denounce Assad. But Washington does not have a coherent policy, and seems content to have regional powers in the driver’s seat in this crisis.
Israel is passive as well. In 2005, when George W. Bush wanted to topple Bashar al-Assad, then-prime minister Ariel Sharon cautioned against doing so, using the ‘‘devil we know’’ argument. Assad was Iran’s close ally and Lebanon’s oppressor, a patron of Hamas and an anti-American actor in Iraq, but the alternative to his rule, according to the conventional wisdom at the time, was the Muslim Brotherhood.
This is not Israel’s policy now. After the discovery of Assad’s secret cooperation with North Korea, and given the threats to its national security by Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, Israel came to the conclusion that there is more potential damage in Assad’s survival than in his departure……
There seems to be no real prospect of external military intervention in Syria. But the policies of external actors will have a major impact on the position of the Syrian army and on the middle classes of Damascus and Aleppo that so far have been sitting on the fence.
The United States, France and other powers that traditionally played an important role in the Levant do not need to resort to military action. They have a full arsenal of diplomatic and economic assets that could tilt the current conflict in Syria, put an end to brutal suppression and bloodshed, and help the Arab Spring register another achievement.
From on “intelligence” outfit. I heard that their research came up with 79.51% but they rounded up to 80%
Exclusive Analysis Special Report: Syria Risk Outlook
2011-11-18 www.exclusive-analysis.com
In the three-to-six month outlook, there is an increased likelihood (80%probability) of collapse of Ba’athist rule and civil war. The probable slide into full-scale civil war would make a limited Turkish military intervention more likely, particularly if backed by an Arab League request and token participation. A civil war would likely become a prolonged proxy war, with Iran backing the Alawi sect while Saudi Arabia and Turkey back the Sunni. We assess that only a successful coup against President al-Assad, if followed by the removal of the Ba’ath from power, can prevent the slide into civil war.
EXTRA: Syria says it is studying Arab League ultimatum
2011-11-17 11:35:20.113 GMT
Beirut (dpa)- Syria’s ambassador to the United States, ImadMustafa, said Thursday that Damascus was looking into an Arab League proposal to send monitors to Syria to protect civilians. “We will positively address matters that serve Syria’s interests,” Mustafa told Lebanon-based Al Manar Television. Arab League foreign ministers on Wednesday gave Syria three days to accept Arab monitors and halt its violent crackdown on critics…..
DJ UPDATE: Syria’s Muslim Brotherhood Open To Turkish intervention
2011-11-17
ISTANBUL (AFP)–The leader of Syria’s exiled Muslim Brotherhood said Thursday that his compatriots would accept Turkish “intervention” in the country to resolve months of bloody unrest. “The Syrian people would accept intervention coming from Turkey, rather than from the West, if its goal was to protect the people,” Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohammad Riad Shakfa told a press conference…..
Robert Fisk: Assad will only go if his own tanks turn against him by Robert Fisk
Predictions of Syrian leader’s imminent demise are hopelessly optimistic…..
Syria Runs Short of Cash on Assad Spending
By Massoud A. Derhally – Nov 16, 2011
President Bashar al-Assad is paying Syrians, via subsidies and higher government salaries, to stay loyal to his government as it clamps down on an eight-month uprising. He may not be able to afford that policy for long.
A month after the unrest began, Assad dismissed a Cabinet that had been tasked with curbing government outlays, raising taxes and making the economy more competitive. The new administration increased subsidies on energy and other products. Civil service pay was raised by 30 percent. Syria has spent $3 billion from a $5 billion rainy-day fund defending the pound this year, central bank Governor Adib Mayaleh says.
Opening the purse-strings hasn’t stopped the protests, and their suppression by security forces, at a cost of thousands of lives, has left Syria increasingly isolated. The Arab League has suspended Syria amid calls for Assad to step down, and Turkey — a neighbor and key trade partner — is threatening commercial sanctions to add to those already imposed by the U.S. and European Union. In that environment, Assad’s bid to buy support may backfire as the money runs out and the economy shrinks, alienating supporters among Syria’s business community.
“They’re spending more money and getting less income,” said Chris Phillips, an analyst at the Economist Intelligence Unit in London. “All of this is exacerbated by sanctions, and allies like the Persian Gulf countries are not providing any financial assistance, as they would have in the past. This position is economically unsustainable.”
Shrinking Economy
Syria’s $60 billion economy, which expanded 5.5 percent in 2010, may shrink 2 percent this year, according to the International Monetary Fund, or at least 5 percent according to the Institute of International Finance. The government expects growth of 1 percent, Finance Minister Mohammad Al-Jleilati said in September.
The Damascus Securities Exchange Index has slumped 52 percent in dollar terms this year, compared with drops of 20 percent and 15 percent on the benchmarks of neighboring Lebanon and Jordan. The pound has slid 6 percent to about 50 per dollar.
Assad’s government plans to spend 1.33 trillion Syrian pounds ($27 billion) in 2012, an increase of 59 percent, according to the official Syrian Arab News Agency. The budget includes 386 billion pounds for energy and other subsidies and for financing social and agricultural aid funds, SANA said.
Syria is already running a deficit of 6.7 percent of GDP this year, almost double the 2010 figure, according to the IIF.
‘Pressure on Pound’A wider gap will “increase inflationary pressures and the pressure on the pound,” said Nabil Sukkar, a former World Bank official who now runs the independent Syrian Consulting Bureau for Development and Investment in Damascus. The government should “effect across-the-board cuts in current expenditures while increasing investment spending to boost the economy.”
That’s similar to the strategy Assad was pursuing before the start of the revolt, inspired by uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt. Syria was seeking external investment too.
Then-deputy premier Abdallah Dardari, visiting France in September last year, said he was seeking bids to build power plants and a new terminal at Damascus airport. A planned auction for a mobile phone license was abandoned this year after unrest spread and companies including Abu Dhabi-based Etisalat Telecommunications Corp. and Turkey’s Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri AS pulled out.
Turkey, which has turned against former ally Assad, may cut power supplies to Syria after its embassies and consulates were attacked by government supporters this week, Energy Minister Taner Yildiz said Nov. 15. Further trade sanctions from Turkey could tighten the squeeze on Syria. The northern neighbor bought about 16 percent of Syria’s $2.8 billion of exports last year and supplied 14 percent of its imports, according to data from Sukkar and Turkey’s official statistics agency.
Sunni ElitesSyria’s economy was strengthened by Assad’s moves toward liberalization before this year, and it’s “not about to collapse,” Sukkar said. Those measures also won support for Assad from business leaders among the Sunni Muslim community, who haven’t abandoned him yet, he said. Assad’s family and many key security officials come from the minority Alawite faith, affiliated to Shiite Islam, while Sunnis make up about two- thirds of the population.
Still, there’s a risk those Sunni elites could turn against Assad if the economy deteriorates, Sukkar and Phillips said. While such groups probably wouldn’t join street protests, they may “consider moves against the regime behind the scenes,” Phillips said.
At the central bank, Mayaleh said that the pound is stable and he hasn’t depleted the country’s $18 billion of foreign currency reserves. Instead, Mayaleh said in an interview last month, he spent money from a fund set aside for a “black day.” Contingencies included a potential yearlong war with Israel in 2012, one person familiar with the fund’s planning said on condition of anonymity.
Assad’s ‘Failure’The government’s worsening finances, with the increase in subsidies and salaries coupled with a 40 percent drop in tax revenue, will make it hard to maintain the stability of the pound, according to two Syrian bankers, who spoke on condition of anonymity out of fear of reprisal.
That would amount to a vicious circle for Assad, said Joshua Landis, a Syria specialist who heads the Center for Middle East Studies at the University of Oklahoma in Norman.
“The failure of the Assad regime to provide for its people was a major spark for this revolution to begin with,” he said. “Now it’s only going to become worse.”
Globe Mail [Reg]: Only two powers can stop Syria’s brutality
2011-11-17
Syria is now at grave risk of descending into a prolonged civil war of attrition. The Arab League, most Arab states and Turkey have rightly denounced the violence against peaceful protests by many of the Syrian people, but their indignation may not …
Call for David Cameron to Lead Action Against Over Syria
2011-11-16 23:06:04.570 GMT
Nov. 16 (Telegraph) — David Cameron has been urged by at least one Arab state to lead a diplomatic offensive against Syria, after successfully cooperating with regional powers to oust Col Gaddafi, The Daily Telegraph has learned. Britain has been contacted directly and encouraged to act as a “team captain” to coordinate discussion of more robust actionagainst President Bashar al-Assad, and to plan for what isregarded as his inevitable departure.
“The West needs to lead and the international communityneeds to talk about what to do when the dam bursts in Syria,” said a senior Arab diplomatic source, adding that Syria’s neighbours held too many different views to coordinate effectively. “Leaving it all up to us you are going to get a lot of shenanigans. If you need a team captain on this you have got to go to the West,” the source added. The request to Downing Street came as Syrian military defectors attacked Damascus for the first time, striking an air force intelligence compound in a suburb of the capital with automatic rifles and rocket-propelled grenades. A spokesman for the rebel Free Syrian Army claimed an administrative building was damaged in the pre-dawn attack.
The 22-member Arab League meanwhile on Wednesday night confirmed a motion to suspend Syria, in what was a bitter rebuke for a nation that regards itself as a bastion of Arab nationalism. The organisation gave the Syrian regime three days to halt violence against its people or face economic sanctions, Qatar’s prime minister, Hamad bin Jassim al-Thani, said. “We cannot accept that people are being killed in the waythey are now,” said Sheikh Hamad. “We are moving to stop the flow of blood.”
Syrian Protesters Roll Out New iPhone Apps – Slashdot
2011-11-16
“Protesters in Syria, dealing with a strict media blackout, have rolled out new iPhone and iPad apps to share news, stories, and even jokes. Amid a brutal crackdown, rebels are fighting back on their iPhones. The Arab Spring’s newest weapon keeps …
Dr. ʿAbdulbasit Sayda, member of the Executive Committee of the Syrian National Council:
»There is no agreement between the Syrian National Council and the Turkish government«
KURDWATCH, November 18, 2011—Dr. ʿAbdulbasit Sayda (b. 1956, doctorate in philosophy, married, four children) has been living in exile in Sweden since 1994. In 2003 his book »The Kurdish Question in Syria« was published. In a conversation with KURDWATCH ʿAbdulbasit Sayda spoke about the work of the Syrian National Council, an oppositional coalition that was founded in Istanbul on October 2, 2011.
KurdWatch: Can you tell us about the beginnings of the Syrian National Council and Kurdish involvement in it?
Dr. ʿAbdulbasit Sayda: Before the founding of the Syrian National Council, there were several Syrian oppositional conferences abroad. Everyone hoped that these conferences would help the Syrian revolution succeed. Unfortunately this was not the case. On the plus side, however, Syrians got to know each other at these conferences. Prior to this, this was not the case. Thus, for example, the people from al-Qamishli did not know the people from Dar?a and vice versa. But we were not satisfied with this outcome. In order to achieve better results, we, twenty-five Syrian academics and experts from all over the world, met in August in Istanbul. We became convinced that we should establish a Syrian National Council. At the time this was still a dream. We decided to make contact with all oppositional groups in order to convince them of the idea of the Syrian National Council. I myself had the task of contacting the Kurds. My goal was to reach all Kurdish parties and groups. I spoke with some personally. Others I contacted via friends and email. The Kurdish Union Party in Syria (Yekîtî) and the Kurdish Freedom Party in Syria (Azadî) were the only Kurdish parties that responded positively. Other parties declined to become involved in the Syrian National Council, and still others didn’t respond at all. The Kurdish youth groups also responded positively. Then the Kurdish Future Movement, representing the parties outside of the Kurdish party bloc that later took part in the Kurdish Patriotic Conference, welcomed our plan as well; they became a member of the National Council.
KurdWatch: How strongly are the Kurds represented in the National Council?
Dr. ʿAbdulbasit Sayda: There are a total of 190 seats. The General Secretariat is composed of twenty-six members, seven of whom are members of the Executive Committee. Aside from me, there are three other Kurds in the General Secretariat. One of them is the common representative of the Azadî and Yekîtî. The Kurdish Future Movement also has a representative. An additional seat is not yet occupied. We are working so that the Kurdish revolutionary youth groups will also receive a seat in this body.
KurdWatch: That means that you sit on the National Council as a representative of the Kurds?
Dr. ʿAbdulbasit Sayda: Yes.
KurdWatch: There are claims from people affiliated with the Kurdish parties that you became part of the National Council by way of the Muslim Brotherhood…..
Enterprise Blog: AEI Elsewhere—Obama’s Syrian failure, it’s all your fault, and more, 2011-11-18
By John R. Bolton
The U.S. has the wrong president for a Syrian intervention. “Obama’s Syrian failure”
Comments (483)
Muhammad said:
The regime finally takes the bait and tries to stage support demos on Friday under the slogan “the mosques are ours”. The numbers are pretty small. Pictures from SANA speaks for themselves.
http://www.sana.sy/ara/2/2011/11/18/382416.htm
I bet all those attending are either mukhabarat or shabiha.
This settles the argument about “support from millions” with regime demos staged during the working days of the week and made mainly by government employees and school students.
November 18th, 2011, 5:06 pm
Amir in Tel Aviv said:
Syria is not “slipping into a civil war”. Syria is in state of civil war.
“…
James Fearon, a scholar of civil wars at Stanford University, defines a civil war as “a violent conflict within a country fought by organized groups that aim to take power at the center or in a region, or to change government policies”.[1] Ann Hironaka further specifies that one side of a civil war is the state.[3] The intensity at which a civil disturbance becomes a civil war is contested by academics. Some political scientists define a civil war as having more than 1000 casualties,[1] while others further specify that at least 100 must come from each side.[5] The Correlates of War, a dataset widely used by scholars of conflict, classifies civil wars as having over 1000 war-related casualties per year of conflict”.
http://en.wikipedia.org
.
November 18th, 2011, 5:18 pm
SYRIAN HAMSTER said:
WHERE IS NAJATI TAYYARA, He did not call for anyone’s murder
Ok, this time I am ahead of the Fans
خاص قاسيون/ تم مساء اليوم الجمعة 18 تشرين الثاني إطلاق سراح الشخصية السورية البارزة بسام القاضي الذي بين في تصريح هاتفي لـ”قاسيون” أن توقيفه الذي استمر 48 ساعة تقريباً لم يأت على خلفية مواقفه السياسية أبداً، وإنما جاء على خلفية “موضوع أمني حساس” فضل القاضي عدم ذكره مبيّناً أنه اقتنع بحقيقة أهمية وحساسية “موضوع التوقيف” بمجرد اطلاعه عليه داخل مقر الجهاز الأمني.
كما أكد القاضي لـ”قاسيون” أنه تلقى معاملة حسنةً جداً خلال مدة التوقيف، وأنه لم يتعرض لأية إزعاجات تذكر، وأشار إلى أن التوقيف جرى في ساعات الصباح الأولى من فجر الخميس، حيث اقتيد بشكل لائق من منزله.
وكان أُعلن في دمشق يوم الخميس عن اختفاء القاضي في ظروف غامضة، كما كانت اللجنة الوطنية لوحدة الشيوعيين السوريين قد طالبت على لسان ناطق رسمي بإطلاق سراحه فوراً، معتبرةً أن اعتقاله “موجه ضد كل العقلاء في المعارضة الذين يطالبون بوقف العنف وإطلاق الحوار والبدء بالإصلاحات الجذرية، والذين لهم موقف لا لبس فيه ضد التدخل الخارجي”.
You now judge if he is a ….. or not
November 18th, 2011, 5:59 pm
Observer said:
Diesel is cheap in Syria and is being smuggled across to other countries. It is scarce because of this first reason. The second is that the armored personnel carriers and tanks use diesel fuel as well apparently. If the reports of hitting these trucks is true then there is an element of either lawlessness or of an insurrection.
The regime has stopped paying its dues. There is a scarcity of dollars and the pound has fallen in value. If exports were available then we would have an advantage but we do not have any significant exports per se at this time and hard currency is not flowing in but mainly out.
The continued repression and demonstrations has shown that the harsh measures are not working.
There are reports of non Syrians mainly Iranian and or Iraqis coming in to help with the repression. I am not sure if it is true but if it is the case then the regime is having difficulty insuring the loyalty of the troops and or perhaps they are exhausted.
Again and again I repeat reforms mean that there were mistakes. The president admitted that in 2005 and in 2006 and again recently when he spoke of mistakes being made with the dealings of the challenges facing Syria and yet there is no accountability. No one seems to be punished. He would not consider resigning or demoting his entourage.
If the armed gangs exist really how come the country’s famed security and armed forces have failed so miserably in detecting them and defeating them?
This regime is a farce and unfortunately the comments on this blog are also a farce of childish tit for tat and cut and paste for feeling good about the regime.
This regime is finished and again the only outcome for this dictatorship is to be like Zimbabwe or North Korea. However, there is a tunnel near Sirte where some could go and hide as well.
November 18th, 2011, 6:04 pm
Areal said:
Returning From Turkish Camps, Saytouf Narrates How False News Were Fabricated
SUMMARY
We used boards ( 4-meter long and 380-cm height tow boards of Flex type, one diurnal and the other nocturnal )
A photo of previous demonstrations with people carrying banners were put on the board.
We erased what was written on the banners using a paint thinner material and then re-write other terms to appear as if it is another demonstration and shoot that to be sent and broadcast via the internet and satellite channels
FULL VERSION http://www.sana.sy/eng/337/2011/11/18/382509.htm
Returning From Turkish Camps, Saytouf Narrates How False News Were Fabricated
DAMASCUS, SANA _ The 33-year-old Ahmad Ali Saytouf narrated the scheme to which he was exposed when he was at the Turkish camps and how the false news and lies were fabricated against Syria.
Saytouf, who decided to return to Syria, works at advertisement field, left al-Raml al-Janoubi, in Lattakia, with others to Turkey.
“When we got to the Turkish checkpoint, I met a large number of gunmen in a tent inside Syrian territories on the border with Turkey who pick us up to the Turkish camps by cars and buses,” Saytouf said.
He added that they were treated well at the beginning, but shortly later they took them out of the camps, cut off the electricity and obliged them to watch TV screens broadcast what they claimed the Syrian security forces torturing those who were arrested to intimidate whoever thinks of returning to Syria.
” Whoever thinks of returning to Syria was brought to Ein al-Beida region, then handed over to the gunmen’s tent on the border as a part of the intimidation process which ends in Turkey and starts at the gunmen’s tent through broadcasting fabricated allegations that Syria wasn’t safe,” Saytouf said.
He affirmed that the camps were as a prison of electrified fences and guarded by gunmen using live ammunition.
Saytouf, who was named as a member of the camps’ media committee, explained mechanism of fabricating demonstrations and events which hadn’t taken place using a 4-meter long and 380-cm height tow boards of Flex type, one diurnal and the other nocturnal.
“Those boards were used in fabricating events where a photo of previous demonstrations with people carrying banners were put on the board. We erase what was written on the banners using a paint thinner material and then re-write other terms to appear as if it is another demonstration and shoot that to be sent and broadcast via the internet and satellite channels,” Saytouf said.
He added that the work of the media committee was to fabricate unreal events and protests.
He described how they were taking half-circle scene from one of the screens and adjust it to make the protests seem as they were happening live, then ‘Tarek Abdul-Hak ‘ takes the microphone and says ‘Live from al- Khalidiah in Homs’ or ‘al- Fou’a in Idleb’. Then the photages were sent to al-Jazeera and the YouTube.
“Head of the media committee was ‘Jameel Sayib’, he had a Café net in Antalya, he used to organize the so-called ‘coordinators boards’ before a disagreement happened between Sayib and the committee because Sayib was stealing the funds which were coming from Lebanese and Saudi delegations,” he added.
He said the committee was organizing protests in Turkey and then send them to media channels alleging they happened in Syria, adding that they took into consideration the nature of the places, adding “If the landscape was green, we say the protest happened in Idleb. We organized protests in Turkish coastal places and broadcast them alleging they took place in Tartous.
“Many Turkish figures, including Turkish PM Erdogan with other figures, visited the camp and asked us to refute the news on the rape cases, but we couldn’t because the raped women were pregnant at that time.” He said, adding that “I saw several raped women taken outside the camp before the Syrian medical delegation arrived, they said these women are going out to help men in the cotton farms.
“After I saw and inspected all those tragedies, I contacted the Syrian security forces and told them I want to benefit from President Bashar al-Assad’s last amnesty decision to all people involved in the events but not in killing people. I regret what I did,” He said.
He concluded that when he said he wants to go back to Syria, he was in pursuit by some sides because he has lots of information, adding that he flee through Hair-Jamous area to Idleb before Syrian security forces found him and took him to his town.
COMMENTS
No wonder why the “free” press journalists were never allowed to enter these Turkish camps.
November 18th, 2011, 6:17 pm
zoo said:
Cameron of Arabia, Sarkozy of Damascus
Published: 18 November, 2011, 08:39
Edited: 18 November, 2011, 12:20
http://rt.com/news/uk-france-diplomatic-assault-579/
The UK is reportedly being urged by Jordan’s king to lead a “diplomatic drive” to remove the Assad regime in Damascus. France, a key partner in the campaign to kill the Gaddafi regime, is also on the list of would-be captains of an anti-Assad push.
“The West needs to lead and the international community needs to talk about what to do when the dam bursts in Syria,” senior Arab diplomatic sources told British media – a sign that no peaceful solution is expected to what Russian FM Lavrov says is now a civil war in Syria.
The news emerged following the talks between British PM David Cameron and the Jordanian King, the first Arab leader to publicly call for Syrian President to step down.
London and Paris were behind a draft UN Security Council resolution, which would have condemned Assad for the bloody crackdown on the opposition in Syria. Russia and China said the proposal was one-sided and failed to mention increasingly deadly violence by the anti-Assad opposition, and vetoed the text.
Russia fears it is an overreaction that could pave the way for a military intervention.
“We suggest that in order to put the Arab League initiative in place all countries concerned with a peaceful outcome of developments in Syria should demand not only from the Syrian authorities, but also from the opposition that they stop their violence,” Sergey Lavrov stressed. “The ongoing attacks on government buildings in Syria look like a civil war.”
The opposition in Syria has now militarized, making them much easier to support and adding more weight to any international threats.
Recently the Syrian Free Army, a Sunni opposition paramilitary organization claiming 15,000 members and the main driving force behind the growing opposition movement, claimed to have attacked a Syrian Army military base in one of the bloodiest days of unrest to date.
The Syrian government blames extremist bandit groups armed with weapons smuggled in by foreign government agents of whipping up the bloodshed and derailing efforts to begin political reforms pledged by Assad.
The European Union has issued several rounds of sanctions against Damascus in a bid to force it stop its crackdown on the opposition. But this has done little to stop the bloodshed which has cost at least 3,500 lives.
Russia and China are still appealing for dialogue as the only way to end what they call two-way violence – they are desperate to avoid another Libya-style intervention.
But that chance may be fading with the wheels already in motion for a coordinated attack.
“The desire of the Western powers for regime change [in Syria] is clearly strong and we should learn the lessons of Libya, where thousands of civilians died of the NATO bombing,” believes Lindsay German from Stop the War coalition. “A NATO bombing or any other military intervention in Syria will have even more serious consequences because of the regional set-up and the whole question of Iran and the question of Israel.”
With Britain already primed, this could be the last-ditch attempt at conventional diplomacy.
“They are in a position that they have to take some action,” believes David Hartwell, senior Middle East analyst at IHS Jane’s. “They extended the deadline [for Assad] and [have] given another three days, perhaps trying to give Assad as much room as possible and give him opportunity to fulfill his promises.”
But the patience of Syria’s other neighbors and crucial regional brokers are now waning too, adding to the growing concern the rhetoric will soon bubble over as the Arab League has already suspended Syria’s membership.
Assad now has until Saturday to convince the Arab League he is halting crackdowns on protesters, while radical armed opposition grows against him, lest he face more isolation and sanctions.
At the moment the diplomatic offensive on Syria is verbal and no military activity has been mentioned. But a British/French-led offensive was key to the operation in Libya, where military intervention followed similar diplomatic choreography.
November 18th, 2011, 6:19 pm
Mango said:
http://arabic.rt.com/news_all_news/news/572006
صحفي أمريكي: النظام السوري يتعرض لمؤامرة والجامعة تسعى لتكرار سيناريو ليبيا
أعرب الصحفي الأمريكي وين ماديسون عن اعتقاده أن النظام السوري يتعرض لمؤامرة خارجية، لكنه شدد في لقاء مع “روسيا اليوم” في 18 نوفمبر/تشرين الثاني أنه لا يبرر القتل.
وقال ماديسون إن سورية ضحية لتآمر اقليمي من قبل السعودية لأن دمشق تتحالف مع إيران، وإن أوباما بعقيدته الجديدة يحاول زيادة العقوبات والضغوط ، وزعزعة الاستقرار من أجل خلق أجواء مناسبة للتدخل والاطاحة بالأنظمة. وقال” إن الجامعة باتت امتدادا للناتو ليس أكثر”، وتحاول تكرار ما فعلته مع ليبيا، وأعرب عن اعتقاده أن الناتو بات قريبا من ضرب سورية لكنه أكد أن الأخيرة يمكن أن تشعل المنطقة، كما أن الضربة ستخلق فوضى في لبنان ومناطق الأكراد وربما تصل آثارها إلى القوقاز ولهذا وقفت روسيا والصين ضد قرار ادانة سورية في مجلس الأمن.
November 18th, 2011, 6:19 pm
Shami said:
Your Aleppine friend must be a shabeeh or corrupt and hypocrite menhebekji.
November 18th, 2011, 6:24 pm
irritated said:
Observer #4
“This regime is a farce and unfortunately the comments on this blog are also a farce of childish tit for tat and cut and paste for feeling good about the regime. ”
Including yours…
November 18th, 2011, 6:25 pm
Areal said:
4. Observer said:
Diesel is cheap in Syria and is being smuggled across to other countries. It is scarce because of this first reason
…..
the comments on this blog are also a farce of childish tit for tat and cut and paste
….
REALITY
It is not a new fact , diesel has been cheaper ( less tax ) for years in Syria.
Diesel is being produced in Syrian refineries from Syrian crude.
Not cutting and pasting just thinking !!
November 18th, 2011, 6:26 pm
irritated said:
Shami #8
“Your Aleppine friend must be a shabeeh or corrupt and hypocrite menhebekji.”
Of course he is, what else could he be to say disturbing things like that.
November 18th, 2011, 6:31 pm
Some guy no longer in damascus said:
There are reports of a Russian naval presence near Syrian shores, can anyone confirm or dispute this?
November 18th, 2011, 6:37 pm
Mango said:
http://arabic.rt.com/news_all_news_world/news/571993
الخارجية الروسية: الولايات المتحدة تنوي إنشاء درع صاروخية في الخليج العربي
قال سيرغي ريابكوف نائب وزير الخارجية الروسي في حديث أدلى به يوم 18 نوفمبر/تشرين الثاني لوكالة “نوفوستي” الروسية للانباء ان الولايات المتحدة تنوي تطوير منظومة الدرع الصاروخية في شتى انحاء العالم والخليج العربي ضمنا.
وأضاف قائلا:” فيما يتعلق بتفاصيل الدرع الصاروخية فان البرنامج الامريكي يحمل طابعا عالميا. ولم يخفي الامريكيون ابدا ان الامر لن يكتفي بنشر بعض مكوناتها في اوروبا فقط. كما انه لن يكتفي بالتعاون مع دول الناتو، علما ان الولايات المتحدة لديها حلفاء في شمال شرق آسيا التي تطور التعاون معها. ومن المفترض ان تتطور منظومات الدرع الصاروخية للولايات المتحدة في غيرها من مناطق العالم ، بما في ذلك الشرق الاوسط ومنطقة الخليج العربي.
ومضى ريابكوف قائلا :” لا تريد روسيا بناء علاقاتها مع الولايات المتحدة، او اي بلد آخر، انطلاقا من منطق المواجهة او وفقا لقواعد اللعبة القديمة مع نتيجة الصفر. ان ذلك امر محكوم عليه بالفشل وغير فعال. لدينا تساؤلات نوجهها الى الولايات المتحدة بشأن وجودها في بعض المناطق، بما فيها منطقة وسط آسيا، حيث يقال لنا لدى انشاء نقاط استناد هناك ان ذلك امر مؤقت، ثم يقال ان موعد القضاء على تلك النقاط قد يتغير. ومن المعروف ان الامر المؤقت غالبا ما يتحول الى امر اكثر دائمية. وقد علمتنا التجربة انه يصعب التصديق بأقوال الشركاء الامريكيين”. وبحسب قول ريابكوف فان هذا الامر يؤخذ بالحسبان لدى وضع الخطط العسكرية او اية خطط اخرى. واضاف قائلا:” يؤخذ هذا الامر ايضا لدى بناء علاقاتنا مع الولايات المتحدة بشكل عام”. ولفت ريابكوف الى ان حجج الامريكيين تتغير دوما فيما يتعلق بالهدف من إنشاء المنظومة والجهة التي تستهدفها”. وقال:” لنلق نظرة مثلا على وجود او عدم وجود تهديدات صاروخية. وبالطبع نعرف ان هناك اطلاقات للصواريخ في كوريا الشمالية وإيران، لكن ذلك لا يعني انشاء قدرات صاروخية بوسعها ضرب اهداف على مسافات بعيدة. ولكي يقول بلد ما انه يمتلك مثل هذه القدرات يجب ان يمر بطريق طويل جدا. وخاصة على خلفية الظروف التي تواجهها كل من كوريا الشمالية وايران اللتين فرض عليهما مجلس الامن وبعض الدول عقوبات شديدة، مما قلص الى حد كبير امكاناتهما في الاستحواذ على تكنولوجيات حساسة”.
واشار ريابكوف الى ان التعنت في عدم تقديم ضمانات ملزمة قانونيا لعدم استهداف روسيا من قبل الدرع الصاروخية التابعة للولايات المتحدة والناتو يعرقل تطوير التعاون.
واعاد نائب وزير الخارجية الروسي الى الاذهان ان رئيسي الولايات المتحدة وروسيا أوكلا خلال انعقاد قمة هونولولو فريقيهما لمواصلة العمل على إيجاد احتمالات لإثبات المواقف المتفق عليها من الدرع الصاروخية على الورق. ويعتبرهذا التكليف دفعة بالنسبة الى الخبراء ليتخذوا مواقف اكثر ديناميكية ويفكروا أسرع ويبدعوا في حل هذه المشكلة.
هذا وقد اتفقت روسيا والناتو في قمة لشبونه في نوفمبر/تشرين الثاني عام 2010 على التعاون في مشروع الدرع الصاروخية الاوروبية، ولكن المفاوضات دخلت في طريق مسدود، بسبب رفض الولايات المتحدة تقديم ضمانات قانونية حول عدم استهداف قوى الردع الروسية من قبل الدرع الصاروخية الامريكية، التي ستنشر في اوروبا، وهي تعتبر “الاساس” لتنفيذ مشروع الدرع الصاروخية الاوروبية.
وكان الجانب الروسي قد اعلن مرارا انه لا يفهم لحد الآن الدور الذي تعطيه الولايات المتحدة اياه في الدرع الصاروخية الاوروبية، علما ان روسيا لا ترضى بلعب دور المراقب فيها.
وكانت الولايات المتحدة تعتزم في عهد ادارة جورج بوش الابن السابقة، نشر صواريخ اعتراض في بولندا، ورادار من منظومة الدرع في تشيكيا. ووجدت موسكو هذا خطرا يهدد قدراتها الاستراتيجية بصورة مباشرة. وقررت ادارة الرئيس الامريكي باراك اوباما الحالية تأجيل هذه المخططات، محدثة تغييرا في استراتيجية الدرع الصاروخية، ولكنها لم تتخل عنها بصورة نهائية، مما اثار ايضا رد فعل سلبي لدى روسيا.
المصدر: وكالة “نوفوستي” الروسية للانباء.
November 18th, 2011, 6:42 pm
Areal said:
3. SYRIAN HAMSTER said:
WHERE IS NAJATI TAYYARA, He did not call for anyone’s murder
FICTION
Yet another Gay Girl in Damascus .
REALITY
SANA correspondent in Hama quoted an official source as saying that Turki Jihad al-Othman and Mostafa Akkoush were martyred and an officer was seriously injured in a blast of an explosive device in al-Qussour neighborhood in the central governorate of Hama which has traffic density.
COMMENT
Yet another brave operation of the glorious Free Syrian Army protecting peaceful unarmed protesters.
November 18th, 2011, 6:46 pm
Areal said:
Another wishful thinking Aleppine Friend ( Sheila ) several months ago told us that Aleppo was boiling under the surface !!
https://www.joshualandis.com/blog/?p=11181&cp=all
Now without mazoot , Aleppo is completely frozen to the core ?
November 18th, 2011, 7:01 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
Irritated
This proved you wrong, they were not the protesters who you suspect snatched Bassam AlKadi, as I said it was the security forces of your God regime,
He was treated well and released , probably with bags of money for him and for you guys who quote Bassam Al Kadi here on SC, don’t worry you will get paid.
If the Mazut trucks were stolen or interrupted by the opposition it would have been big news, most likely Syria did not pay their part to the oil companies.
The regime news media did not mentioned the attack on Harasta, because it is embarassing to them, but many confirmed it.
Tommorrow we will find out if Syria accepted AL terms or not.
Syria is not in civil war yet,but getting close to full blown civil war.
November 18th, 2011, 7:16 pm
Ghufran said:
غياث غياث مطر
http://the-syrian.com/archives/53729
يوسف الاحمد
أشارت تقارير إعلامية إلى أن مجلس جامعة الدول العربية طالب الحكومة السورية بسحب مندوبها الدائم لدى الجامعة، السفير يوسف أحمد، بسبب ما أسمته “عبارات نابية وغير دبلوماسية” صدرت منه في اجتماع المجلس الذي اتخذ فيه قرار تعليق مشاركة وفد سورية في أنشطة الجامعة، فيما تواردت أنباء عن أن أسرة السفير غادرت القاهرة متوجهة إلى دمشق خلال الساعات القليلة الماضية، فيما لم يصدر أي تصريح رسمي سوري حول الأمر.
November 18th, 2011, 7:22 pm
Hans said:
Russia is not going to allow the USA to take over Syria, if it looses Syria Putin may have a war erupt on the Syrian sole.
It is clear that USA using all their propaganda with lies, fabrication technique to show that Syria is in a civil war, if the tactics that the terrorists destroy the national properties and assets.
Abduct, slaughter the civilians then blame it on the regime which is what happening at the current time, then the regime has to revert to using the force against these killers.
it is not far from what happened in the 80’s same scenario just different timing. where the Radicals were killing innocent people who are not even connected to the regime but they were the Syrian assets at all level to make the regime weak.
it is clear that the situation is becoming more difficult for the Syrians but in spite of that the regime in spite of its brutality in the past still enjoys wide support within the population even the Sunnis in major cities who don’t want to see Syria circling in the American circle.
People are dinning out, having parties and not living in shelters yet.
Only the NATO is what going to make them go down into shelters, the regime prove without doubt that the terrorists are the one who are killing civilians more than the regime at the current time; orders were given not to shoot at unarmed civilians and it has been followed for months
The regime has to defend the population against such armed attacks, in addition that Syrians never trust, or believe the Americans, or america intention because they have seen what bad deals america has done in the world just the nearby Iraq or Libya.
Syrians understand well just like the Russians understand that the conspiracy is bigger than just Bashar Alassad.
if it was just Bashar, Russia would have given Bashar an asylum and the problem is over by now!!
it is a domination issue, the USA wants Syria to be controlled by the USA even if Alqaida is ruling Syria.
every regime in the middle east is a puppet to the Americans, regardless what is said for public consumption but when the regime time is over and the USA decide it is time to replace the faces then the Zionists who rule America don’t back down at any cost ( including destroying the country) remember Iraq, Libya, Lebanon,Egypt etc…
The Arabs are traitors by nature, they lie, flip on their words very easy and have no manhood when it comes to international politics, it is clear that they are the dummies USA is using them like women sex toys, used for pleasures than replaced with a new ones.
As once Ghadaffi told the arab leaders their time is coming one after another in one of the summit, and the opposition leaders who are trying to climb to power in Syria are going to be replaced in the future and their destiny is no better than Saddam or Ghadafi, or at best a drone will find them.
The Russians have their own game and it crashes against the american one therefore, if Russia backs down, that’s a massive loss for Putin which he won’t allow. the Russian naval ships have been patrolling the Syrian coast for months, it come only on the news recently but it is well known that the Americans didn’t like it when Putin sent these ships months ago to patrol the Syrian sea coast against an Israeli or for that matter a Turkish or American attack. it was brought up between Bama the Mamma and Putin in the G20.
Syria is paying the price for the fight of the superpowers on its land and the end is to be continued.
November 18th, 2011, 7:23 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
There was a very important meeting today in Paris, include turkish french,german british,american and two arab countries, this remind me of Laylatu al Qadr for the syrian regime,Clinton said Bashar days are few.
November 18th, 2011, 7:59 pm
Tara said:
Another attempt of the Syrian regime to maneuver the situation and use deception. The regime is asking for a smaller delegation to limit their ability to monitor the situation on the ground. Perhaps the regime is thinking a smaller delegation can be dined and wined in the trendy places in old Damascus so they deceivingly think “Syria is fine”.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-11-19/syrian-protesters-killed-on-arab-deadline-eve/3681688/?site=melbourne
…..
Official sources in Damascus say the government has accepted a visit by an Arab League delegation but it has asked for a much smaller one than the 500 observers originally proposed.
A smaller mission would have a very limited ability to monitor a conflict that sees daily clashes between protesters and the security forces in several towns and cities.
November 18th, 2011, 8:07 pm
Tara said:
Some countries especially in South America may stand with the Syrian regime as an infantile attempt to express anti-western sentiment at the expense of Syrian blood. It would be interesting to see who votes “nay” in the General Assembly.
http://english.ruvr.ru/2011/11/18/60609942.html
On Thursday, Germany, France and Britain submitted a new draft resolution on Syria to the UN, a document that calls for the condemnation of human rights abuses in this Western Asian country. Signaling their support for the resolution were the United States, Japan, Morocco, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Libya and Qatar.
This time the West decided to use the UN General Assembly’s mechanism. On October 4, Russia and China vetoed a UN Security Council resolution which was tabled by Western countries in September and which condemned government crackdown on the Syrian opposition. Moscow and Beijing have repeatedly warned against slapping new sanctions on Syria which they said might further exacerbate the situation. It seems that the West has taken into consideration these warnings because the new draft resolution was circulated to the UN General Assembly’s human rights committee, which typically issues non-binding resolutions.
……
November 18th, 2011, 8:19 pm
bronco said:
Tara #20
Do you mean that Syria made that request and the AL gladly accepted it? Sounds very strange to me.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/french-fm-says-time-has-come-to-strengthen-sanctions-against-syria/2011/11/18/gIQALy4OXN_story.html
By Associated Press, Updated: Friday, November 18, 2:38 PM
“The original league proposal had been for a 500-member observer mission but the number has dropped to 40, said Ibrahim el-Zaafarani, an Egyptian member of the Arab Medical Union who is expected to be part of the team for Syria. He said he was not clear on why or on whose behest the number was reduced.”
My Note: Is Ibrahim al Zaafarani the same who resigned from the Moslem Botherhood and founder of the El Nahda party?
“Al-Nahda expects to notify the authorities of its formation within 10 days, according to its founder Ibrahim El-Zaafarani, a senior member of the Brotherhood who resigned from the organisation two months ago. El-Zaafarani, who is also secretary-general of the Doctors’ Syndicate in Alexandria, was a leading member of the MB’s reformist wing. Many reformers are now working outside the Brotherhood, having left it to form their own parties.”
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2011/1054/eg5.htm
November 18th, 2011, 8:38 pm
bronco said:
MajedAlKhaldoon #19
The syrians who should decide, don’t you think?
Why doesn’t the Arab League organize a referendum in Syria to ask the syrians if they want Bashar al Assad to stay or not instead of imposing an illegitimate decision on all Syrians?
November 18th, 2011, 8:50 pm
zoo said:
The opposition about ‘observers’ : too little, too late
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/19/world/middleeast/france-and-turkey-call-for-more-pressure-on-syria.html
‘Asked whether France would support military action by Turkey, including the entrance of forces to establish a kind of buffer zone as the opposition has proposed at various times, Mr. Juppé answered that any military action, no matter by whom, would have to be approved by the United Nations.
Such a development, however, would appear extremely unlikely.
Eight months into the uprising, the Syrian opposition is too fractured and diffuse to offer a unified position on what the international community should do.
“The Arab League has offered us huge support, and we will never forget that,” said an activist named Ayman, 25, from Al Qaboun, a town on the northern outskirts of Damascus. “We believe that Arab states and Turkey are very close to figuring out how to help us.”
Some dissidents said that the league’s latest offer to send monitors was too little, too late and that the government would find a way to foil their work. “
November 18th, 2011, 8:57 pm
Tara said:
Bronco
It also sounds strange that some people are already identified to be part of the delegation. Who is in charge of the selection process? I certainly hope that the AL does not agree to reducing the delegation to just 40 observers.
—————————
The Russian public opinion is changing. Soon enough Bashar will have no one, absolutely no one.
http://en.ria.ru/analysis/20111118/168826955.html
22:53 18/11/2011
Yelena Suponina* for RIA Novosti
On Friday, Western countries will introduce a new draft resolution in the UN Security Council denouncing the Syrian authorities for violently suppressing public protests. They are urgently preparing the text, having received the support of Arab nations. The majority of Arab leaders no longer believe that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad will be able to hold on to power. It is becoming increasingly clear that we are witnessing regime change in Syria.
Three days will not save al-Assad
The new draft resolution comes just two days after the Arab League presented the Syrian leader with an ultimatum. The Arab League adopted its appeal to al-Assad at a ministerial meeting in Morocco’s capital Rabat on November 16. In the beginning of the meeting, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said that “the Syrian regime has failed to meet its commitments to end violence and will dearly pay for this.”
However, despite growing mistrust of the Syrian president, Arab League ministers decided to give him another three days to restore peace in the country. The deadline is Saturday night. All shooting must end before this deadline. In addition, the Syrian authorities must sign a protocol allowing Arab League observers to enter the country in the next few days.
Time is running out. However, this ultimatum does not really sound like a last chance. Obviously, neither the Arabs nor the Turks believe that their mediation will be successful. Rather they are preparing for even greater upheavals in Syria. The ultimatum is a mere formality. It seems that meeting participants were more interested in buying time for themselves to think, not for al-Assad.
It is hard to believe that stability will return to Syria when this deadline expires. Moreover, the end to violence depends not only on the president and his entourage but also on the opposition, which is aware that foreign support is growing. Now that the regime is weakening, the opposition has no reason to agree to talks. New demonstrations may be held in Syria on Friday.
Arabs and Turks to join sanctions
Western diplomats are drafting a new Security Council resolution in close cooperation with the Arabs and Turks without waiting for the Syrian president’s reply. They want the vote to take place on November 22 and no longer believe that peaceful resolution is possible. The number of victims in the 8-month Syrian conflict is approaching 4,000.
Attempts to isolate the Syrian regime continue. If deliberations of the draft resolution are dragged out due to the resistance of Russia or China, unilateral measures to stifle the regime will continue. Europe and America have already imposed new sanctions on Syria.
Turkey is cancelling arms and energy contracts with its neighbor. The 22-member Arab League suspended Syria’s membership on November 16 and is working on plans for an economic embargo.
Russia calls for pressure on the opposition
Moscow is critical of these plans, and has criticized the Europeans, Americans, Turks and Arabs for their unabashed support of regime change in Syria. Veniamin Popov, director of the MGIMO Center for the Partnership of Civilizations and former ambassador to a number of Arab countries, told me that “this road may lead to a civil war in Syria.”
Popov believes it was a mistake to suspend Syria’s membership in the Arab League: “It would make more sense for the Arabs to support Russia’s efforts to reconcile the opposing sides in Syria, but to do this they should bring pressure to bear not only on the authorities but also on the opposition.”
Russia’s official position is the same. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Thursday: “It is necessary to put an end to violence in Syria, no matter who is committing it. It is not only government agencies that are responsible. More and more weapons are being smuggled into Syria from neighboring countries.”
Lavrov believes the civil war is imminent in Syria. On November 16, Syrian army defectors attacked a counterintelligence complex on the edge of Damascus, killing six officers and leaving dozens wounded. The Syrian Free Army claimed responsibility for the attack. On Thursday, its militants shelled offices of the ruling Ba’ath party around the country.
Turkey is considering the possibility of deploying troops in Syria to create a buffer zone in the country’s north if the situation deteriorates. The Muslim Brotherhood, the largest opposition group, announced on Thursday that “the Syrian people would react more calmly to an intervention by Turkey rather than by the West, if its actions are aimed at protecting civilians in Syria.”
* Yelena Suponina is a Middle East scholar and The Moscow News political commentator.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s and may not necessarily represent those of RIA Novosti.
November 18th, 2011, 8:59 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
Bronco
How do you think AL will or can do in Syria referendum like the one you suggested.
November 18th, 2011, 9:18 pm
bronco said:
Tara #25
I agree, 40 looks like a ridiculous number if they are supposed to be observers and ‘protect’ the civilians.
It looks like the AL has no time to get 500 people and they send 40 then maybe later more, who knows. The whole process is messy and unclear.
The only tools the Western countries have are sanctions and condemnations. Curiously NO western embassy has closed and except France and the US and the GCC, all ambassadors are still in Damascus.
The Opposition is fractured and erratic are this is making the whole situation absurd.
November 18th, 2011, 9:19 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
There is no way that AL can reduce the number to 40,they have to go to 16 cities, each city has 7-10 places, they have to finish their work in three days,minimum is 300-400 person
November 18th, 2011, 9:23 pm
ann said:
France: any Syria intervention must be UN-backed – 18 November 2011
French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said on Friday he opposed any unilateral intervention in Syria and any such move should be mandated by the United Nations.
http://www.worldbulletin.net/?aType=haber&ArticleID=81803
French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said on Friday he opposed any unilateral intervention in Syria and any such move should be mandated by the United Nations.
Juppe, who was speaking at a news conference in Ankara alongside Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, also said he doubted whether Syria would respond positively to an Arab League peace plan proposal.
France, Britain and Germany plan to ask the U.N. General Assembly’s human rights committee to approve a resolution condemning the violence in Syria, before putting the non-binding measure to a vote in an Assembly plenary session.
November 18th, 2011, 9:24 pm
Bronco said:
MajedalKhaldoon
A referendum will accept or reject the legitimacy of Bashar Al Assad as the leader of all Syrians.
Now, no one knows how many syrians really want him to stay and how many want him to go. The referendum will answer that question which is the key to solving the situation in a legal way.
Yet, I think the AL would have too much difficulties to have Syria accept to do it.
November 18th, 2011, 9:24 pm
bronco said:
MajedAlKhaldoon
This is what Ibrahim Al Zaafarani said and it was reported in several newspapers.
I agree, 40 sounds absurd for so many places to visit.
November 18th, 2011, 9:27 pm
Zoo said:
Syrian refugee camps to move from Hatay to Kilis
Friday, November 18, 2011
ANKARA – Hürriyet Daily News
Turkey is planning to move the Syrian refugee camps from Hatay to Kilis as part of a plan to gather these camps at one location, diplomatic sources said. The primary aim of the relocation is to keep the refugees under control and disallow them from crossing into Syria. The tents will be replaced by temporary housing, sources said, adding that the removal will be completed in a few months.
November 18th, 2011, 9:32 pm
Tara said:
Bronco
Referendum is a great idea but you need to make sure it is carried freely without coercion and counted accurately. These conditions can not be met in a police state like Syria.
November 18th, 2011, 9:34 pm
Tara said:
Plus sadly, the AL countries have no real life experience in running a referendum.
November 18th, 2011, 9:40 pm
Tara said:
Dissident: A tiny push will end al-Assad regime
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=tiny-push-will-suffice-to-topple-assad-says-regime-opponent-2011-11-18
Friday, November 18, 2011
Barçın Yinanç
ISTANBUL – Hürriyet Daily News
People in the Baath party are waiting for another vessel to come along to jump from the regime ship, says a member of the opposition. There will come a time when the regime will fall with a tiny push, according to Khaled Khoja, who is a member of Syrian National Council, which is seeking for international recognition.
The second meeting with Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu was tantamount to moral recognition of the Syrian National Council, says its member Khaled Khoja (R), speaking in his personal office in Istanbul. DAILY NEWS photos, Hasan ALTINIŞIK
Q: What makes you say the Syrian National Council (SNC) represents nearly 80 percent of the Syrians, which is a very ambitious claim?
A: The gist of the SNC was actually a gathering of diaspora opposition who were seeking ways to support the demonstrators on the streets and had no claim to representation. But when the regime attempted to establish an alternative opposition group, the street forced the outside groups to assume responsibility. So we take our legitimacy from the street.
Q: What is the street? How can you judge their support from here?
A: There have been three consecutive Friday events when banners saying “SNC is our representative” were carried. There are three groups in Syria representing the streets and all three of them support us and have their representatives in the SNC, whose names are not disclosed obviously. The Muslim Brotherhood, Kurds and Christians also are represented in the SNC.
Q: The opposition meetings took place in Turkey. What was Turkey’s role during the whole process?
A: Actually Turkey did not really have a warm approach to the first congress in Istanbul.
Q: But even the fact that it let the congress happen is important.
A: But we did not ask for permission. Actually it was not really like a meeting of the opposition. It happened rather like a brain-storming by intellectuals. It was organized by Turkish NGOs. But opposition figures got to know each other in that meeting. When the regime sent a group to sabotage our meeting in Antalya, Turkish authorities said to them, go hold your own meeting in another hotel. They said this is a democratic country, people can hold meetings. It is then that we realized a change in attitude, and we said if we hold a congress the government won’t object.
Q: So Turkey was not behind this process.
A: No it was not at all. Its position was, “We neither say come here nor do we say go away.” But we also insisted for the meetings to take place in Turkey. Most of the participants have Syrian passports; there are no visa requirements for Syrians. We had visa problems with France, we tried but couldn’t organize it there. It is easy to come to Turkey from abroad. It is a secure country. At one stage there were discussions to go to Cairo. But some of our friends were attacked by Assad supporters in Cairo. We have easy access to media. Our friends from Paris were surprised as there were 20 cameras at our meeting. We need to be heard by the international media, which is present in Turkey. So there was not a better alternative.
Q: What now are your relations with Turkish government?
After the establishment of SNC we started to communicate at the level of Prime Ministry’s advisors and Turkey started to monitor the SNC. We then had our first meeting with Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu. The second meeting was like a moral recognition. Turkey has been looking for a solution through persuasion with minimum loss of life. Turkey was never focused on military intervention. We know from the Libyan experience, Turkey never wants Muslims to kill other Muslims, it will never give weapons. We were also told so by the Libyans when we went there. They said: “Turkey helped us a lot, but it gave only financial help. It did not give one single bullet.” But Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Turkey would not stand silent if there are mass atrocities. The Arab League’s call for the protection of civilians is very important. So I believe Turkey will work for the implementation of sanctions. But if the regime continues to escalate violence, then I believe the next step will be a process leading to the establishment of a no-fly-zone and/or safe zones on the Turkish and Syrian border.
Q: So you believe Turkey will look to that positively?
A: The conditions of the Arab League are very clear. With the decision it took, the whole region has entered a very historic process. What is important from now on is to secure a consistent process.
Q: But how will this take place?
A: We are against military intervention, the type we have seen in Libya. What is very important are the streets in Syria. It is very important that they maintain their unity despite provocation from the regime. The NSC did not close its doors to anybody. We keep giving satisfactory messages to even the supporters of the regime. The regime stands on three pillars: the army, the Baath party and the regime’s financial supporters. Defections have started in the army. The people from the Baath party are waiting for another ship to come along to jump out from the ship they are on. Businessmen started to transfer their money from Syria. The regime is weakening from the inside and there will come a time it will just fall down with even a tiny push. It may take between six months and a year.
Q: But there are also important communities like minorities who continue to support the regime because they fear reprisals. There are fears of civil war.
A: But there have not been ethnic clashes since the beginning of the events. If there had been, for instance Sunnis attacking Nusayri villages, believe me the regime would have made them public. We also have Nusayri supporters. There have never been clashes between Muslims and Christians or between Nusayris and Sunnis.
Q: How about the massacres in Hama and Homs.
A: But they were not seen as sectarian clashes. They were seen as the regime’s effort to make the Nusayri part of these clashes so that the regime would share the same fate.
Q: How then will the transition process be if the regime falls?
A: Our red line is that we are against the revolution taking up arms. We are against ethnic civil war. When the regime falls, this will mean that the current regime of fear, based on the intelligence agency and the Assad family that controls it, will fall, while all other state officials will remain in their position. The SNC will abolish itself once the regime falls.
Q: Some fear radical Islamists and extreme Arab nationalists will replace the current regime.
A: This is being said for all Islamic countries. It was said of the Justice and Development Party (AKP). It was said after the revolution in Tunisia. Islamists movements became more pragmatic and less ideological. We saw this in the Turkish model. Islamic movements focused on providing services, not on ideology. It is their biggest success and other Islamic movements need to get adopted to the global culture and to the thoughts of younger generations.
Q: What is your evaluation of the Syrian Free Army?
A: These are soldiers who flee the army saying their mission is to protect civilians, not to kill them. But the clashes are mostly directed at those fleeing and them shooting back. But they cannot do much when their ammunition runs out. They stand more of a chance if there is a no-fly zone or safe zones. This will also increase the fleeing. But we do not advise the Syrian Free Army to launch attacks right now because it will complicate the situation and lead to internal conflicts.
Khaled Khoja was born in Damascus to a family with Turkish roots. He was interred in Syrian prisons in 1979 when his father provided financial support to the Muslim Brotherhood when uprisings started in Aleppo. He fled Syria in 1982 for Turkey, where he built a career as a doctor. Facing capital punishment, he has not returned to Syria since.
Following the sart of unrest in Syria in March, he became the head of the Turkey committee of the Damascus Declaration. The Damascus Declaration in 2005 was a historic statement of unity by opposition figures criticizing the regime as being authoritarian and calling for reform. Since then he has been participating in the meetings of the opposition groups, becoming a member of Syrian National Council.
November 18th, 2011, 9:48 pm
jad said:
FREE NAJATI TAYYARA AND EVERY INNOCENT SYRIAN
November 18th, 2011, 9:51 pm
jad said:
SH, Thank you for putting the news of Bassam release before me 🙂 here are the details:
بيان من بسام القاضي حول اعتقاله لمدة 48 ساعة
بداية أشكر من قلبي جميع الذين واللواتي عبروا عن تضامن أو قلق حول “اختفائي” المفاجئ، وخاصة جميع من عمل من أجل الإنهاء السريع لهذا الأمر.
ما حدث أن دورية من المخابرات العامة (أمن الدولة) داهمت بيتي في تمام الساعة الثانية فجر يوم الخميس 2011/11/17، وبعد أن دخلوا قام أحدهم بالتعريف عن نفسه مظهرا بطاقته الأمنية، ومن ثم بدوؤا بتفتيش “هستيري” للبيت، وقلبوا عاليه سافله، وأحدهم لم يخف شيئا من همجيته حين بدأ يرمي الأشياء في الهواء، ويرمي الكؤوس على الأرض ضاحكا “يبدو أن صناعتها جيدة، لم تنكسر”!
وطوال مدة التفتيش كان “رئيس الدورية” على ما يبدو يعيد طرح السؤال حول ما قدموا من أجله، (وأتحفظ عن ذكره لاعتقادي أن الحفاظ على سريته هو أمر مفيد فعلا لأمن البلد، بغض النظر عن أنني كنت ضحيته المؤقتة. طبعا لا أستطيع أن أكون متأكدا 100% من أن هذا حقيقي، لكن كل المؤشرات عندي تدل على أنه كذلك).
وبقيت هذه “العملية” لما يتقارب الساعة، ثم جاءهم ضابط، واقتدت إلى سيارات كانت واقفة بقرب البيت، ومن ثم إلى فرع المخابرات المعني.
في قبو الفرع المعني كان التعامل معي عاديا بدون أية مشكلة من أي نوع. لا عنف ولا كلام بذيء. ولم يسألني أحد شيئا إلا بعد مرور نحو 24 ساعة، حين التقاني أحد الضباط وشرح أسباب اعتقالي، واعتذر عن السلوك الفظ الذي مارسته الدورية في البيت، وانقطع الحديث بسبب متابعته (الضابط المعني) للإشكاليات الأمنية في البلد. (وقد اتصل الضابط نفسه بعد إخلاء سبيلي ليطلب مني “زيارته” في الفرع لاستكمال الحديث اليوم، السبت 2011/11/19، الساعة 7 مساء).
وفي مساء اليوم نفسه، الجمعة، تم إخلاء سبيلي دون أية تعقيدات.
بالنسبة لي، من الواضح أن ما جرى لم يكن يتعلق بمواقفي السياسية التي عبرت عنها علنا، ولم يكن في جميع الكلمات التي طرحت أثناء تفتيش البيت، أو خلال الحديث مع الضابط المذكور، أية إشارة من أي نوع إلى مواقفي، لا رفضا ولا قبولا.
وهذا لا يغير من حقيقة أن هذا الاعتقال، كأي اعتقال آخر، ما يزال خارج القانون بعد أن رفعت حال الطوارئ، ولم يعد من حق أحد اقتحام بيت بدون إذن من النائب العام. كما أن تفتيش البيوت بوجود الإذن من النائب العام يجب أن يكون دائما، وتحت أي ظرف، خاضعا لقواعد احترام حرمة المساكن وخصوصية كل إنسان.
ومن جديد، لن يؤثر هذا الاعتقال السريع على أي من مواقفي المعلنة. فما زلت أرفض بشدة أي تدخل أجنبي في شؤون سورية، وأعد من يدعو إليه خائنا يدعو إلى احتلال بلده باسم الحرية. كما ما زلت أرفض إجرام النظام وأدينه، خاصة اعتقال المدنيين ممن لم يحملوا سلاحا ولا ارتبطوا بجهات خارجية تدعو لاحتلال سورية.
فسورية المدنية الديمقراطية والمستقلة، والتي يحظى فيه كل إنسان بحقوق المواطنة كاملة على قدم المساواة بغض النظر عن جنسه ولونه ودينه وقوميته، هي سورية التي نريدها لنا جميعا، لا سورية الغارقة في غياهب ظلمات القمع والديكتاتورية، ولا سورية المستباحة بالاحتلال وأذنابه.
بسام القاضي، دمشق في 2011/11/19
http://www.bassam-alkadi.com/content/view/655/44/
November 18th, 2011, 9:54 pm
Afram said:
Muslims!!!
“Why does carnage follow your religion wherever it goes?”
somalia-sudan-iraq-chechnia-pakistan-afghan-gaza-kosovo-east timor-indonesia-yeman-//soon egypt+lybia+tunisia+syriaaaaaaaaa
I mean,if you want to destroy a civilized country,very simple…just make,it religon Islammmmmm.it,s a slam dunk for it to fall in ruins
religon of peace?my foot that is!
November 18th, 2011, 10:01 pm
jad said:
SNK,
The funny/crazy religious leader, Arour, is on fire again, this time he is threatening to cut the tong of anybody who declare the refusal of the military intervention and he will do it himself:
العرعور: من لا يريد تدخل عسكري بسوريا بدي قص لسانه
http://youtu.be/v7VwB8N5aQE
November 18th, 2011, 10:04 pm
bronco said:
Tara
An interesting interview but the program after Bashar sound very fuzzy:
“When the regime falls, this will mean that the current regime of fear, based on the intelligence agency and the Assad family that controls it, will fall, while all other state officials will remain in their position.”
He only wants to remove the Assad family and the intelligence apparatus and all the state officials to stay? Does he mean keep the Baath Party, the army commanders etc..? It sounds very strange. Obviously they have no idea what it will be, they have no serious political transition plan.
November 18th, 2011, 10:12 pm
ann said:
Church groups condemn US-NATO Plot against Syria – 2011-11-17
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=27728
The National Progressive Front on Wednesday condemned the Arab League resolution to suspend Syria participation in its meetings, describing the move as undermining the AL principles and violating its conventions.
“It is not the first time Syria confronts big challenge, but this time, it is the most dangerous because it was cooked in the Zionist, US and western kitchens,” the Front said in a statement.
The statement considered that the foreign intervention which some Arabs seek for, aims at enabling the hegemony projects in the region to establish the so-called the new Middle East Project in the interests of the US and Israel.
The Front saw that what is going on now is a big conspiracy against Syria and its pan-Arab role, but this conspiracy is doomed fail because of the people’s awareness and their support to the Syrian leadership.
In turn, Syrian community in Chile denounced the Arab League decision against Syria, voicing support to the reform process under the leadership of President Bashar al-Assad.
In a statement issued Tuesday, the Syrian community in Chile stressed its categorical rejection of all attempts aimed at “undermining Syria, the beating heart of the Arab Nation”.
The Syrian community in Chile called on the Arab countries which agreed to the unfair resolution to get rid of their dependency on neo-colonialist countries.
Also the Syrian community in the Czech Republic condemned Wednesday the Arab League decision against Syria, reiterating their support of the comprehensive reform process under the leadership of President Bashar al-Assad.
The Syrian community warned of the dangers of such decision on the unity, security and stability of the homeland as it paves the way for foreign interference in the internal affairs of Syria, stressing that the Arab League has become a tool for western powers to carry out their plots at international forums.
For his part and in an interview to the Syrian TV on Wednesday, Archbishop of the Sebaste Roman Orthodox Church, Atallah Hanna, stressed the sinister conspiracy hatched against Syria targets its principled and supportive stances towards the Palestinian Cause.
“When Syria is targeted, Palestine is targeted and when Damascus is targeted it is as if Jerusalem is targeted,” said Archbishop Hanna criticizing the Arab League (AL) decision on suspending Syria’s membership in the AL.
He described the League’s treatment of Syria as “unwise” because Syria plays a key role in the AL as it is “the beating heart of Arabism”.
“Syria is supposed to remain in the Arab League. The Arab Initiative is supposed to go on and there should have been an Arab contribution to resolve the problem in Syria,” the Archbishop added.
He called on the AL to shoulder its responsibilities and correct its mistake against Syria through restoring the seat back to Syria, “instead of conspiring against it” because Syria is one of the founder states of the AL and has played a pioneer role in activating the joint Arab action.
“In order to reach the modern Syria, everyone should stand by the Syrian leadership and people,” he added.
He also called upon the Arab countries to stand by Syria for foiling the conspiracy against Syria and ending the crisis it is going through.
In another interview with the Syrian TV, Russian and Arab researchers and analysts expressed rejection of the Arab League decisions against Syria, dismissing them as a “misstep”.
Top researcher at the Institute of Oriental Studies in Moscow Boris Dolgov said the Arab League decision has been taken under the pressure of NATO, Western countries and Israel which seek to destroy Syria.
Dolgov said that the Russian and Chinese stances on Syria can prevent foreign military intervention in Syria, adding that the Russian and Chinese veto poses an obstacle to this intervention.
Khaled al-Ani, member of the Russian Committee for Supporting the Syrian People said Syria is the ”spearhead” in the Arab struggle against the Zionist expansionism and imperialism, adding that Syria is an independent country and has always kept it doors open to the Arabs.
Maxim Shevchenko, member of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation, reminded in a press conference that Syria has hosted more than 2 million displaced Iraqis in the wake of the US invasion of Iraq and supports the Lebanese and Palestinian resistance.
He warned of grave consequences in case Syria is destabilized, affirming that Russia won’t allow foreign intervention in Syria.
November 18th, 2011, 10:13 pm
bronco said:
#34 Tara
“Plus sadly, the AL countries have no real life experience in running a referendum.”
Unfortunately…
November 18th, 2011, 10:16 pm
newfolder said:
the preeminent Egyptian journalist Hamdi Kandeel speaks out against all the Syrian media lies and misinformation about him, and attacks the regime and shows his support for the people
November 18th, 2011, 10:23 pm
jad said:
اتجاهات الأزمة السورية
الياس فرحات
احدث قرار مجلس جامعة الدول العربية على المستوى الوزاري في 12 تشرين الثاني صدمة قوية في سوريا ولدى كل المتتبعين للشأن السوري والمتأثرين به وخصوصاً بند تعليق عضوية سوريا في الجامعة وإمهالها مدة اربعة ايام لتلتزم بما اعتبرته مقررات المجلس، وهو ما اعتبر بمثابة حرب سياسية عربية على سوريا. طرحت تساؤلات عديدة عن الاتجاهات التي تسلكها الأزمة السورية وأين يكون المقصد النهائي لمسارها. جرياً على عادة الاستقطاب الحاد في النظرة الى الازمات العربية خرجت اصوات متضادة في الرأي, فريق المعارضة يعتبر ان نهاية النظام السوري بدأت فعلا، وأن قراراً عربياً ودولياً قد اتخذ بإسقاطه، وأن لا مجال ان ينجو هذه المرة، فقد ضاق عليه الخناق والعقوبات الاقتصادية قادمة والمقاطعة السياسية العربية باتت محسومة، وخيار التدخل العسكري وضع على الطاولة وأن البحث يجري، إما باعتماد المثل الليبي، او المثل اليوغوسلافي، وفي النهاية يجري القضاء على النظام ومحاكمة أركانه.
في المقابل يضع فريق النظام مقررات مجلس الجامعة في إطار مؤامرة اميركية لإسقاط النظام واستبداله بآخر يتوافق مع سياساتها في المنطقة، وهي التي تضمنتها إملاءات كولين باول عام 2003 التي رفضتها سوريا في حينه ولن توافق عليها اليوم، وتالياً لن تنصاع الى هذه الضغوط، وستواجه اي تدخل خارجي بدعم شعبي كبير، وستنجح وتعود اقوى مما كانت عليه. بين هذين الفريقين ضاعت الاصلاحات المطلوبة وندر الحديث عنها، رغم ان النظام باشر بإعداد التعديلات الدستورية وإصدار قوانين سياسية هي قوانين الأحزاب والانتخاب والاعلام. الفريق المعارض لا يثق بالنظام ولا بالاصلاحات ولا يعلق على القوانين المقترحة ويطلب إسقاط هذا النظام واستبداله بآخر لم يوضح في ادبياته السياسية شكله وملامحه الدستورية، ما خلا الحديث العام عن الديموقراطية. ميدانياً يتهم فريق المعارضة النظام بإطلاق النارعلى المتظاهرين السلميين وقتلهم ويتحدث عن شبيحة النظام، ويقصد بهم عناصر الأجهزة الأمنية، فيما يتحدث فريق النظام عن اصلاحات جدية تقابل بالتجاهل وأجندات خارجية تنفذها المعارضة، وعن عصابات مسلحة تهاجم المواطنين والجيش وقوات حفظ النظام، ويتحدث ايضا عن اكثر من 1300 قتيل وآلاف الجرحى من القوى العسكرية والأمنية، بالإضافة الى اعمال تفجير خطوط سكك الحديد وقطع الطرقات.
لقد تضاءل الأمل بتحقيق تسوية بين الفريقين ووصل النزاع الى طريق مسدود وبتنا امام صدام منتظر بين فريقين: المعارضة وحلفاؤها الولايات المتحدة واوروبا ومعظم الدول العربية، وخصوصا مجلس التعاون الخليجي وتركيا, والنظام وحلفاؤه إيران وحركات المقاومة. رغم الفيتو الثنائي الروسي الصيني في مجلس الامن لصالح سوريا، لا تظهر روسيا ولا الصين كحليف لسوريا، مثلما يظهر حلفاء المعارضة الدوليون والعرب، فهما تظهران الدعوة الى الحوار وتخفيان الدعم. وينطبق الامر نفسه على الهند وأندونيسيا والبرازيل وأميركا اللاتينية وجنوب افريقيا، التي تميل جميعها الى جانب النظام ضمن حدود معينة.
اذا تركنا مواقف الفريقين وحججهما جانباً وابتعدنا عن الاتهامات والاتهامات المضادة وادّعاءات التمثيل الشعبي والادّعاءات المقابلة التي تزخر بها وسائل الاعلام, وخطاب المعارضة بقرب سقوط النظام وخطاب انصار النظام بقرب انتهاء الازمة، وألقينا نظرة على واقع الازمة وتوازن القوى المتنازعة، نتوصل الى جملة استنتاجات اهمها:
– لأول مرة منذ انتهاء الحرب الباردة يشهد العالم مثل هذا الاصطفاف ولو كان غير منتظم تماماً, لأن النزاعات الواقعة في فترة ما بعد تلك الحرب كانت بمجملها شبه محسومة النتائج وأبرزها حرب الولايات المتحدة على يوغوسلافيا ثم على افغانستان ثم على العراق وحروب فرنسية صغيرة في غرب افريقيا وحرب روسيا الداخلية في الشيشان وحربها على جورجيا، وأخيراً حرب حلف الأطلسي على ليبيا. حققت جميع هذه الحروب اهدافها المرسومة فأسقطت انظمة وغيرت الجغرافيا وساقت قيادات الى العدالة وقتلت بعضاً آخر. وحدها حرب اسرائيل على لبنان عام 2006 فشلت في تحقيق اهدافها، مما حدا بإسرائيل الى إجراء مراجعة شاملة لتنظيمها العسكري والتكتيك المعتمد في استعمال الاسلحة والقتال.
– يبدو ان احتمال التدخل العسكري للناتو صعب وقريب من المستحيل لأن الغطاء الدولي غير متوافر، فقد اعلنت روسيا انها لن تقبل بتكرار المثل الليبي حيث تجاوزت قوات الاطلسي حدود مهمة حماية المدنيين الى قصف مدمر وقاتل. يتحدث بعض فريق المعارضة عن احتمالات اخرى، وهي نشوب نزاع مسلح بين سوريا وتركيا يؤدي الى تدخل حلف الأطلسي دعماً لأحد أعضائه. إن تداعيات هذا السيناريو هو تحول حرب الاطلسي على سوريا الى مواجهة اقليمية شاملة تصل الى إسرائيل ولبنان (حزب الله) وإيران والخليج، وهذه المواجهة لا يبدو ان احدا من القوى الكبرى يرضى بها خصوصا في ظل الازمات المالية والاقتصادية التي تجتاح اوروبا والولايات المتحدة, وتعذر تحقيق نصر مشابه للحروب المشار اليها آنفاً, والخوف من إغلاق مضيق هرمز لفترة طويلة وتأثيره على اسعار النفط وتدفقه الى الاسواق العالمية، الأمر الذي يؤدي الى تفاقم الازمة المالية.
– يتحدث بعض المعارضة عن حرب تحرير او حرب ثورية يشنها ثوار سوريون ضد القوات العسكرية والامنية، وإلحاق خسائر بصفوفها من اجل إنهاكها والسيطرة على المدن وإسقاط النظام. من المفترض ان تنطلق المجموعات المسلحة من الدول المجاورة وهي لبنان والاردن والعراق وتركيا بدعم عناصر في الداخل. نجحت المعارضة جزئياً في إنشاء مخيم للمبعدين في تركيا يمكن ان يشكل قاعدة لانطلاق الهجمات ضد الداخل السوري، لكن لم يعرف بعد حقيقة الموقف التركي ومدى استعداد تركيا للخوض في هذا الخيار والدخول في حرب استنزاف تشمل تفجير المسألة الكردية وتبعاتها على استقرار تركيا واقتصادها. لكن المعارضة لم تنجح بإنشاء مخيم او ملاذ في لبنان وما زال موضوع إنشاء المخيم نقطة خلاف سياسية كبيرة في لبنان. اما في الاردن فلا يبدو ان هناك تجمعات معارضة قريبة من الحدود، كما ان السياسة الاردنية تحاذر الدخول في مثل هذه الحرب مع سوريا لاعتبارات عديدة، ابرزها المصالح الاقتصادية والخوف من وقف تدفق المياه السورية وتقييد مرور الشاحنات عبر الاردن. اما الحدود العراقية فهي تخضع للعشائر المنتشرة على جانبي الحدود. فشلت المعارضة في انشاء مناطق مشابهة لبنغازي في محاذاة المناطق الحدودية، والاماكن المرشحة كانت جسر الشغور وتلكلخ ودرعا والبوكمال، التي شددت القوى الامنية السورية قبضتها عليها. على الساحل لم تحقق المعارضة اي ثغرة على الساحل السوري تمكنها من الاتصال مع الخارج واستقدام السلاح بعدما اجهضت السلطة محاولة في بانياس.لا تبدو حظوظ هذا الخيار مرتفعة خصوصا في ظل حديث المعارضة عن تظاهرات سلمية اعتمدته اساساً في استجلاب التأييد وصعوبة تشكيل جبهة مسلحة مماثلة للكونترا التي انتهت الى فشل ذريع في اميركا الوسطى.
– شن حرب ناعمة تقوم بها قوى خارجية ضد سوريا سلاحها الاقتصاد والمال والاعلام والسياسة ومسرحها جامعة الدول العربية والاتحاد الاوروبي والولايات المتحدة، حيث اتخذت بعض القرارات وينتظر اتخاذ قرارات جديدة. هذه الحرب خطيرة جداً وتأثيرها النفسي كبير، في ظل اختلال توازن القوى في الاعلام والمال والسياسة لمصلحة المعارضة. تجتمع المعارضة السورية بمعظم اطيافها مع الدول الداعمة وأبرزها الدول العربية والولايات المتحدة واوروبا لتشكل جبهة سياسية قوية في مقابل شبه استفراد للنظام الذي لم يكتمل عمقه العراقي الايراني بعد, كما لم يتضح المدى الذي يصل اليه التأييد الروسي والصيني، بالإضافة الى التعاطف الهندي والافريقي والاميركي اللاتيني. وهنا يبرز عامل الوقت الذي يبدو انه يعمل لمصلحة النظام. كلما صمد النظام في هذه الحرب وتعود الشعب على التأثيرات الصعبة، وخصوصا الاقتصادية والاعلامية, ارتفع احتمال كسبه للحرب. صحيح ان سوريا لا يترتب عليها ديون خارجية، وهذه نقطة لمصلحة النظام, لكن لا يجوز الاستهانة بالحرب الاقتصادية التي اعلنتها جامعة الدول العربية على سوريا وتوسيع الولايات المتحدة والاتحاد الاوروبي القيود الاقتصادية والمصرفية عليها (منع الاتحاد الاوروبي بث قناة الدنيا في أجوائه مما يشير الى ضراوة هذه الحرب ويطرح تساءلات عن الديموقراطية الموعودة في ظل صمت مطبق لمنظمات المجتمع الدولي المعنية بالحريات). ومن مظاهر الحرب السياسية المرتقبة اعترافات بالمجلس الوطني من قبل عدد من الدول وتسليط الاضواء الاعلامية على اعضائه وتأمين لقاءات عربية ودولية لهم وإقفال سفارات سورية في الخارج. ولا ننسى ان المحكمة الخاصة بلبنان تخبئ مستورها وهو قرار اتهامي في جرائم محاولة اغتيال النائب مروان حماده واغتيال سمير قصير وجورج حاوي بعدما تنازل القضاء اللبناني مؤخرا عن صلاحياته بالنظر فيها (بشكل مخالف للمادة 20 من الدستور اللبناني) ويخشى ان تكشف هذا المستور في وقت حرج على سوريا وعلى لبنان.
– لم تكتمل عناصر الاصطفاف الدولي في هذه الحرب, اذ ان الولايات المتحدة ليست في وضع يشبه عام 2003 عندما غزت العراق من دون قرار دولي. انها اليوم تحتاج الى قرار من مجلس الامن قبل اي تحرك عسكري، وينطبق الامر نفسه على الاتحاد الاوروبي. كما ان الولايات المتحدة ليست بوارد تصعيد الخلاف مع روسيا الى درجة حرب باردة جديدة اذ ان هناك حدودا للتصعيد لا يمكنها تجاوزها.اما عناصر الاصطفاف الاقليمي فانهاغير مكتملة وخصوصا فيما يتعلق بتركيا وايران. اذا كانت تركيا الداعم الاقليمي الاول للمعارضة وايران الداعم الاقليمي الاول للنظام فإن الدولتين اللتين تشكل كل منهما دولة – أمة خلافاً للدول العربية, تتمتعان ببراغماتية سياسية تحكم علاقتهما، خصوصا مع ارتفاع التبادل التجاري بينهما الى 15 مليار دولار. إن اي توافق تركي ايراني مفاجئ حول سوريا قد يؤدي الى تسوية سريعة جدا للازمة نظرا للتاثير الاقليمي لكل منهما.
– يراهن البعض على حرب طائفية ومذهبية تمزق سوريا ويأخذ من الاحداث التي ورد انها وقعت في منطقة حمص دليلا, بالاضافة الى الهتافات والشتائم في التظاهرات وعلى مواقع التواصل الاجتماعي. مهما حصلت حوادث طائفية مؤسفة ومهما جرى من تحريض يبقى هناك عامل مانع لنشوب حرب طائفية على صعيد البلاد وهو العامل الجغرافي. في لبنان اشتدت الحرب الطائفية مع رسم خطوط تماس بين المتقاتلين حسب الطائفة، وهذا متعذر في سوريا, من الصعب ان تجد في سوريا شياح – عين الرمانة كما كانت الحال في لبنان. ثم ان سوريا ليس لها تاريخ حروب اهلية مثل لبنان الذي بدأت الحروب الطائفية فيه عام 1840وما زالت.
ما خلا الهجوم على باب توما عام 1860 والذي اثبتت التحقيقات في حينه انه من تدبير العثمانيين وأوقف المهاجمون وعوقبوا, لم تعرف سوريا قتالا طائفيا وبقيت خزانا آمناً لعدد كبير من الطوائف. اما المثل العراقي فهو صعب التحقيق الا عندما تنهار مؤسسات الدولة وبالأخص العسكرية والأمنية كما حصل عند اجتياح العراق، وهذا احتمال يخضع لنتيجة المواجهة الراهنة غير مضمونة الحصول ولا النتائج.
تشير الملاحظات اعلاه ان هناك حدودا دولية واقليمية للتصعيد في الازمة السورية ولا يمكن ان تفلت الامور من عقالها. بعد 8 اشهر على بدء الازمة اثبتت مؤسسات النظام تماسكها بشكل لافت للنظر وبالتحديد المؤسسات السياسية والادارية والدبلوماسية والقضائية والعسكرية والامنية ولم تسجل اي حالة انشقاق. وما حكي عن تمرد بعض العسكريين لا يرقى الى درجة الانشقاق.
لا مجال للحرب المفتوحة والتسوية تبدو حتمية وتحتاج ظروف إنضاجها الى وعي الفرقاء، وخصوصا المعارضة التي تعيش حالة من الزهو غير الواقعي، وتحتاج ايضا الى قناعتهم بأن الحرب الناعمة القائمة لن تحقق اهدافهم وأن التسوية والحوار مع النظام هو خيارهم الاخير الذي اذا جاء باكراً حققوا نتائج جيدة واذا تأخر قد لا يحققون سوى القليل. ان الاستحقاقات القادمة، وابرزها الانسحاب الاميركي من العراق مطلع عام 2012، والتوافق التركي الايراني سوف تتصدر الاعتبارات اللازمة لحصول تسوية في وقت غير بعيد. هل تكون نتيجة هذه الاحداث تسوية محكومة ام نشهد تطورات مثل نموذج يوغوسلافيا عام 1999 ونموذج ليبيا عام 2011 ام نموذج حرب تموز 2006 في لبنان؟
http://www.assafir.com/Article.aspx?EditionId=2007&ChannelId=47553&ArticleId=1849&Author=%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%B3%20%D9%81%D8%B1%D8%AD%D8%A7%D8%AA
November 18th, 2011, 10:27 pm
newfolder said:
#38 yeah sure, because Adolf Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot and Kim Il Sung were all Mulsims ya Ibn Al Sharmoota.
November 18th, 2011, 10:28 pm
Mina said:
Would Jordan king and his elderly mates in the Gulf be in a hurry for pressuring on Asad and on Egypt because Egypt has recently introduced in its electoral law things that are inspired by the Baath such as the obligation to reserve some seats in the parliament for the “workers”? I think this was one of the revendication of one of the earliest protest, last December, in Jordan.
http://www.thedailynewsegypt.com/egypt-elections-2011/elections-101-egypts-new-electoral-system-explained.html
November 18th, 2011, 10:35 pm
Tara said:
Bronco
The program after Bashar he is proposing although not clearly spelled out sounds similar to Spain’s transition to democracy after the death of Franco. No?
Why not? Remove the Assad’s family, abolish the 17 security apparatus, preserve the army as long as it stays neutral and does not interfere with politics, preserve the Baath and makes it one of many, and work slowly but surely towards democracy.
November 18th, 2011, 10:36 pm
jad said:
سوريا تطالب بـ«تعريب» بعثة المراقبين و«احترام سيادة الدولة» تصاعد التحذير من «الحرب الأهلية» يسبق انتهاء المهلة العربية
أصبح مصطلح «الحرب الاهلية» السورية شائع الاستخدام بين مختلف العواصم، ما بين الترغيب والترهيب، والنفي والتأكيد. تداولته واشنطن وأنقرة وباريس وطهران، أمس، غداة التحذير الذي أطلقته موسكو للاشارة الى احتمالات انزلاق الوضع الامني المتأزم الى «حرب أهلية» بين السوريين، بعدما تصاعدت العمليات العسكرية التي يشنها مسلحون ضد القوات الأمنية والمراكز الحكومية، وتزايد التقارير حول جرائم قتل وخطف طائفية. وبينما يفترض ان تنتهي اليوم «المهلة» التي حددتها الجامعة العربية للرد على المبادرة العربية حول الازمة السورية، طلبت دمشق من الأمين العام للجامعة نبيل العربي تعديلات على مشروع البروتوكول المتعلق بمركز ومهام المراقبين الذين تنوي الجامعة إرسالهم إلى سوريا، مشترطة أن يكون المراقبون من جنسيات عربية فقط، وألا تتعدى مهمتهم سيادة الدولة السورية.
وقال العربي، في بيان، إنه تلقى رسالة من وزير الخارجية السوري وليد المعلم أول من أمس تضمنت «تعديلات على مشروع البروتوكول بشأن المركز القانوني ومهام بعثة مراقبي جامعة الدول العربية إلى سوريا» الذي أقره مجلس الجامعة على المستوى الوزاري في 16 تشرين الثاني. وأضاف ان «هذه التعديلات هي محل دراسة الآن».
وكان وزراء الخارجية العرب قد هددوا، خلال اجتماع في الرباط الأربعاء الماضي، بفرض عقوبات اقتصادية على النظام السوري ما لم يوقع خلال ثلاثة أيام بروتوكولا يحدد «الإطار القانوني والتنظيمي» لبعثة المراقبين العرب التي ستُرسل إلى سوريا لحماية المدنيين.
وقال مصدر دبلوماسي لـ«بي بي سي» إن سوريا ردت على ورقة الجامعة العربية بورقة معدلة «تحافظ على روح النص وطبيعة المهمة وتحفظ في الوقت نفسه سيادة سوريا». وأوضح أن «الجانب السوري مستعد للتوقيع فورا على الورقة المعدلة التي تطالب بدرجة أكبر من التنسيق مع الحكومة السورية».
وأضاف المصدر أن «سوريا أبدت استعدادا لاستقبال بعثة من الجامعة العربية، ومن ضمنها مراقبون إذا اتُّفق على التعديلات التي طلبتها دمشق»، موضحا أنه «يجري حاليا العمل على بعض التفاصيل»، لكنه أشار إلى أن ذلك لا يهدف إلى «عرقلة مهمة» الوفد.
وقال مصدر لـ«السفير» إن سوريا اشترطت أن يكون المراقبون من جنسيات عربية فقط، وألا تتعدى مهمة المراقبين سيادة الدولة السورية. ولم يكن واضحا من تصريحات المصدر إن كانت دمشق تحفظت على أحد نصوص البروتوكول التي تحمل السلطات السورية مسؤولية حماية المراقبين، وذلك في ظل تعرض القوات العسكرية والأمنية السورية للكمائن والقتل.
كلينتون
واعتبرت وزيرة الخارجية الأميركية هيلاري كلينتون، في مقابلة مع شبكة «ان بي سي»، أن اندلاع «حرب أهلية» في سوريا أمر ممكن، في وقت أخذ «معارضون يردون على قمع النظام السوري باستخدام السلاح».
وقالت «أعتقد انه يمكن أن تندلع حرب أهلية إذا وجدت معارضة لديها تصميم كبير ومسلحة جيداً وتتمتع بتمويل كبير». وأضافت أن هذا العمل المسلح «إذا لم يتول قيادته المنشقون عن الجيش فسيؤثرون فيه بالتأكيد. إننا نراه ولا نوافق على ذلك، لأننا نؤيد التظاهرات السلمية والمعارضة غير العنيفة». وحرصت على القول إن «نظام (الرئيس بشار) الأسد هو الذي دفع الشعب من خلال العنف الذي يمارسه منذ أشهر الى حمل السلاح ضده».
ويتناقض تقويم كلينتون مع رفض المتحدث باسم وزارتها مارك تونر، أول من أمس، التحذير الذي أعلنه وزير الخارجية الروسي سيرغي لافروف من أن هجمات المعارضين على المباني الحكومية تشبه «حربا أهلية».
وقال تونر امس ان واشنطن لا ترى أي إشارات حول ان الحكومة السورية ستحترم اقتراح الجامعة العربية. وأضاف «لقد خسروا كل مصداقية، ولهذا نعتقد انه يجب على الأسد التنحي والسماح بعملية انتقال ديموقراطية».
بوتين
وانتقد رئيس الحكومة الروسية فلاديمير بوتين، بعد اجتماع مع نظيره الفرنسي فرانسوا فييون في موسكو، باريس لتدخلها في شؤون الدول الأخرى، مكررا تحذير موسكو من أي تدخل عسكري في سوريا.
وعما اذا كانت روسيا ستدعم الدعوات للأسد بالتنحي أو قرارا دوليا بإدانته، قال بوتين «نحن على استعداد للعمل مع المجتمع الدولي لكننا ندعو إلى توخي الحذر وضبط النفس»، مضيفا «هذا هو موقفنا» إزاء سوريا. وأضاف «نرى أنه من الضروري عدم استخدام القوة على الإطلاق في حل مسائل من هذا النوع».
ومن جانبه، كان تصريح فييون أشد لهجة ضد دمشق، قائلا «نعتبر ان الوضع يتردى أكثر فأكثر، والاسد صمّ أذنيه بمواجهة الدعوات من جانب الاسرة الدولية ولم يفِ بوعود الاصلاح وما زالت أعمال القتل مستمرة». وتابع «نعتقد انه لا غنى عن زيادة الضغوط الدولية، وتقدمنا بمسودة قرار أمام الامم المتحدة نأمل ان تجد دعما واسعا قدر الامكان».
إيران
وحذرت طهران من ان قرار الجامعة العربية تعليق عضوية سوريا هو «خطأ تاريخي» وسيؤدي الى حرب أهلية في هذا البلد.
ونقلت وكالة «الأناضول» عن رئيس اللجنة البرلمانية الايرانية للشؤون الخارجية علاء الدين بروجردي قوله، في مؤتمر صحافي في السفارة الايرانية في أنقرة، ان «النهج الذي سلكته الجامعة العربية يهدف الى إلحاق هزيمة بسوريا من الداخل والتسبب بحرب أهلية».
وأضاف «كان ذلك خطأ تاريخيا بتعليق عضوية سوريا في الجامعة العربية». واعتبر ان «الحل الافضل لوضع حد للاضطرابات التي تشهدها سوريا راهنا، يكمن في أن يواصل الرئيس بشار الاسد الاصلاحات».
جوبيه وداود أوغلو
وأعلن وزير الخارجية الفرنسي آلان جوبيه، خلال مؤتمر صحافي مع نظيره التركي احمد داود اوغلو في أنقرة، أن «الوقت حان لتشديد العقوبات على النظام السوري الذي لم يستجب للمطالب». (تفاصيل صفحة 13)
وأبدى جوبيه تشاؤمه إزاء إمكان أن يحترم النظام السوري المهلة التي حددتها الجامعة العربية لوضع حد لأعمال «العنف». وأكد أن «نشوب حرب أهلية سيكون كارثيا»، ودعا المعارضة السورية إلى تفادي «اللجوء إلى التمرد المسلح». وكرر أن فرنسا تعارض «أي تدخل أحادي الجانب» في سوريا، وان مثل هذا التدخل إذا حصل يجب أن يتم في إطار تفويض من مجلس الأمن الدولي.
وحذر داود اوغلو، من ان «المنشقين عن الجيش السوري بدأوا بالتحرك في الفترة الاخيرة ولذلك هناك مخاطر بالانزلاق الى حرب أهلية». وأضاف «انه حتى الآن من الصعب التحدث عن حرب أهلية، لأنه في هذه الحالة هناك جانبان يتحاربان. بينما في الوضع الحالي غالبية السكان يتعرضون لهجمات من قوات الامن. لكن هناك دائما خطر أن يتحول ذلك الى حرب أهلية».
وعما إذا كانت تركيا تعتزم إقامة منطقة عازلة أو فرض منطقة حظر جوي على حدودها مع سوريا، قال داود اوغلو إن مثل هذا الإجراء ليس مطروحا في الوقت الحالي، إلا انه أضاف انه من الممكن اتخاذ «إجراءات» في المستقبل.
واعتبر المتحدث باسم الخارجية الفرنسية برنار فاليرو ان «الهجوم الذي استهدف مقرا للاستخبارات السورية من قبل عناصر منشقين عن الجيش ليس سوى نتيجة للإصرار الأعمى والوحشي للاسد على قمع شعبه». وأضاف «يجب ألا نتعجب في مثل هذه الظروف من ان نصبح في مواجهة اوضاع من هذا النوع، من هنا الضرورة الملحة لكي يتجند الجميع في المجتمع الدولي لكي يتوقف كل ذلك». وحرض الجنود السوريين على النظام، معتبرا انه «كلما اتسع الانشقاق تضاءلت قبضة القمع».
ويبدو أن باريس أصبحت مقر لقاءات بريطانية وأميركية مع أطراف المعارضة السورية. وينتظر وفد من الخارجية الأميركية وصل باريس أمس، إجراء لقاءات، مع شخصيات لم تحدد بعد من المعارضة السورية. وصباح أمس، وفي مقر السفارة البريطانية في باريس، التقت السفيرة البريطانية السابقة في لبنان فرانسيس غاي، وهي المسؤولة حالياً عن الملف السوري في الخارجية البريطانية، سبع شخصيات من المعارضة السورية، لا يضمون أفراداً من المجلس الوطني، وينتمون إلى هيئة التنسيق للتغيير الوطني والديموقراطي، كحسين كامل، وتيار الدولة كريم تركماني وشخصيات مستقلة كسمير عيطة.
وفي اللقاء الأول من نوعه بين دبلوماسي بريطاني ومعارضين سوريين، عرضت غاي للوفد السوري المعارض اعتراضات مشابهة للاعتراضات الفرنسية على أي تدخل عسكري. وقالت للوفد إن أي تدخل عسكري لن يأتي بحل، وقد يؤدي إلى حرب أهلية لو وقعت فلن تتوقف نيرانها عند الحدود السورية، بحسب ما نسب إلى السفيرة البريطانية السابقة في لبنان.
من جهة اخرى، قال متحدث باسم مجموعة «توتال» النفطية الفرنسية إن السلطات السورية توقفت عن دفع المستحقات المالية للشركة عن أنشطتها لإنتاج النفط. وقال متحدث باسم توتال «لم نعد نتلقى مدفوعات من الحكومة السورية» مضيفا ان الشركة لاحظت انخفاضا طفيفا في انتاج النفط في سوريا.
ميدانيات
وقال مدير المرصد السوري لحقوق الانسان رامي عبد الرحمن «قتل 12 مدنيا، بينهم طفلان، في بلدة الحارة في ريف درعا وريف دمشق وريف حمص وريف حماه». من جهتها، أشارت «لجان التنسيق المحلية» الى «مقتل 17 مدنيا، بينهم اربعة اطفال، في درعا وحماه وريف دمشق وحمص» في «جمعة طرد السفراء».
من جانبهم، نفى مراسلو «سانا» في إدلب وحماه وريف دمشق الأخبار التي بثتها قناة «الجزيرة» حول إطلاق نار على المواطنين، مؤكدين أن «هذه الأخبار عارية من الصحة ولم يحدث أي شيء من هذا القبيل إطلاقا».
ونقلت وكالة الانباء السورية (سانا) عن مصدر رسمي قوله «استشهد عنصران من قوات حفظ النظام، وأصيب ضابط، جراء انفجار عبوة في حي القصور بحماه الذي يشهد كثافة مرورية». وأضافت ان «مجموعة إرهابية مسلحة استهدفت في محافظة دير الزور خطاً لنقل النفط الخام تابعاً للشركة السورية للنفط، ما أدى إلى حدوث انفجار في جزء الخط عند هذه النقطة»، مشيرة الى انه تم اصلاح الخط بعد إطفاء الحريق الذي اندلع فيه.
واشار المرصد الى «اصابة طفل بإطلاق رصاص من حاجز في حي البياضة، وثلاثة أشخاص في حي بابا عمرو في حمص». وتابع ان «قوات الامن أطلقت النار بكثافة لتفريق التظاهرات التي خرجت في مدينة حرستا (ريف دمشق) ما أدى الى اصابة اربعة متظاهرين بجراح». وقال «قطعت الاتصالات الارضية والخلوية عن مدينة معرة النعمان (ريف ادلب) التي خرجت فيها تظاهرة حاشدة، رغم إطلاق رصاص أسفر عن اصابة 17 متظاهرا».
وأشار المرصد الى «إصابة عشرات المتظاهرين ليل الخميس الجمعة برصاص قوات الأمن السورية خلال تفريقها اعتصاما في إحدى بلدات ريف دمشق أحرق خلاله المتظاهرون مخفر البلدة احتجاجا على اعتقال امرأة في تظاهرة مناهضة للنظام».
من جهة ثانية، شهدت عدة ساحات عامة في دمشق تظاهرات شارك فيها الآلاف للتعبير عن تأييدهم للرئيس السوري، حاملين الاعلام السورية وصور الاسد. وأقسم مؤيدو الاسد خلال تظاهراتهم على الخروج في كل يوم جمعة الى الساحات العامة للتعبير عن موقفهم ورددوا «الساحات لنا، الساحات لنا».
وذكرت «سانا» ان «آلاف المواطنين الذين أدوا صلاة الجمعة في الجامع الأموي بدمشق خرجوا في مسيرة تحت عنوان المساجد لنا رفضاً لقرار الجامعة العربية حول سوريا ودعماً للقرار الوطني السيادي المستقل». وأضافت «كما انطلقت عشرات السيارات من محيط جامع الحسن في مسيرة بعد صلاة الجمعة رفضاً للتدخل الخارجي في شؤون سوريا الداخلية وتأييداً لبرنامج الإصلاح».
(«السفير»، سانا، ا ف ب، ا ب، رويترز)
November 18th, 2011, 10:57 pm
Mina said:
Some seem to agree on buying time
“League chief Nabil Elaraby said in a statement he had received a letter from Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem “including amendments to the draft protocol regarding the legal status and duties of the monitoring mission of the Arab League to Syria” agreed by a League ministerial council on Wednesday.”
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/26912/World/Region/Syria-wants-amendments-to-Arab-monitoring-plan.aspx
November 18th, 2011, 11:00 pm
jad said:
Long but very interesting article:
سوريا «الدولة» و«الثورة»: الحقيقة بنصفين
إلى أين من هنا؟ وأي غد لسوريا؟ سؤالان يجيب عنهما الموالون للنظام، كما المعارضون، بثقة وتصميم كاملين. المعارضة جوابها جاهز: سقوط النظام حتمي، ومن دون تدخل خارجي، إنها مسألة وقت. وثقة الموالين ليست أقل: صمودنا حتمي. وليست هذه المرة الأولى التي نواجه فيها العالم
جان عزيز
في أزقّة الشام العتيقة، تحت أول مطر تشرين، بين طاولات المقاهي الساهرة على أخبار البلاد، تتكشف كل الروايات. «الدولة» هنا، و«الثورة» هنا. «الشبيحة» و«الدبيحة»، بحسب الاتهامين المتبادلين. «الرسميون» من كلا الطرفين. هنا تفك عقد الألسن، يحكى المحظور والممنوع والأكثر خطورة. هنا تسمع كل الحقيقة، بنصفيها، تلك التي لا يقولها أي كان، في أي مكان آخر… وحدها البسمة الشامية سمة مشتركة بين وجوه الموالين والمعارضين. تعلو قسماتهم التعبة. ما تبقى يفرقهم. العيون هنا ثابتة محدقة. هناك متنقلة هاربة. نبرة الكلام: عالية محتدّة لدى أهل «الدولة». خفيضة عند ناس «الثورة». واثقة على بقاء عند الأولين. واثقة على رجاء لدى الآخرين. لكن الأخطر التقاء الطرفين في آخر الكلام، عند عبارة واحدة: سنقاتل حتى النهاية.
ثورة أم مؤامرة؟
أولى إشكاليات الصراع المفهومي: ها هي أسباب الأحداث الراهنة في سوريا؟ المعارضون جوابهم جاهز: إنها ثورة الخبز والحرية والكرامة. الموالون جوابهم جاهز أيضاً: إنها المؤامرة القديمة جداً، على سوريا والمنطقة وفلسطين والعروبة والممانعة والحداثة، في آن معاً.
لكن اللافت أن لكل من الطرفين حججه. بمعزل عن المواقف الإطلاقية، يقدم المعارضون بيناتهم عبر قراءتهم لكرونولوجيا الأحداث: ماذا حصل في درعا، شرارة «الثورة»؟ مسألة أولاد، انتهت بشبه مذبحة. أي مسؤول حوكم؟ هل رأيتم واحداً سيق أمام قاض أو وجد خلف قضبان؟ هكذا ثارت درعا. الأمر نفسه في كل المناطق الأخرى. في حمص بدأت التجمعات الشعبية ضد المحافظ، إياد الغزال. والأسباب معروفة: الفساد، صرف النفوذ، عدم تلبية مصالح الناس… فكان الجواب الأول أن الغزال هو الابن المدلل لنظام، لا يمكن مسّه. لتنتهي التطورات الحمصية الى إعفاء المحافظ من منصبه، لكن متى؟ يصير الصوت أكثر همساً: بعدما تبين أن أنفاقاً تحت الأرض، وحتى مستشفى ميدانياً تحت الأرض، وتسهيلات عسكرية كاملة تحت الأرض، أقامها المسلحون، تحت غطاء تراخيص من المحافظ لمنشآت مدنية. وكل ذلك بسبب الفساد والقدرة على استخدامه.
القصة نفسها في منطقة «الجزيرة». ظل كل شيء هادئاً، حتى بعد اندلاع الأحداث في أكثر من منطقة. ذات عشية كانت شاحنة صغيرة تعود من حمص الى «الدير». لم تنتبه للتوقف عند حاجز عسكري. أطلقت النار وسقط ضحيتان. وصل الخبر الى الأهل والعشيرة. تمت اتصالات وطوق الموضوع، وصار تفهم لقدرية الحادث. لكن عند وصول الجثمانين ليلاً، قرر أحد «المسؤولين» هناك أن يتم دفنهما ليلاً. أبلغ الأهالي أنه ممنوع عليهم انتظار الصباح. في اليوم التالي أفاقت المنطقة على الخبر. اعتبر الأمر إهانة لعادات قبلية. فبدأت المشاكل…
ولا تنتهي أخبار المعارضين عن حوادث كتلك، ليخلصوا الى السؤال: اين المؤامرة في أخطاء كهذه؟ اين واشنطن وتل أبيب والرجعية والاستعمار في تجاوزات، جعلت المخيلات الجماعية تنبش من مكبوتاتها صوراً قديمة، وأحقاداً؟
يعترف المعارضون من جهتهم بداية بالأخطاء والتجاوزات، لا بل يقولون إنهم يعرفون أكثر منها. لكن هل هذا ما جعل هذه الحروب الصغيرة تتفلت عبر طول سوريا وعرضها؟ منذ اللحظة الأولى لوصوله الى الحكم، وبشار الأسد يطبق الإصلاح تلو الإصلاح. «ربيع دمشق» سنة 2001، وأده عبد الحليم خدام بالذات، من تحول اليوم رمزاً من رموز الثورة. حتى بعد اندلاع الأحداث، أعلن الأسد إقرار خمسة قوانين إصلاحية جذرية. مَن مِن المعارضين يتحدث عنها؟ من ناقشها أو حاور بشأنها أو طالب بأجندات زمنية لتطبيقها؟ الجواب الوحيد عندهم: رفض الحوار وإسقاط الدولة. هذا كلام ليس بجديد علينا. سمعناه في كانون الأول 2002، يوم جاءنا تيودور قطوف، كمفرزة سباقة لكولن باول في زيارته الشهيرة بعد فترة. وقطوف، كصاحب بعض أصل عربي، حاول أن يعطينا انطباع مصارحته لنا. قال بوضوح: لماذا تتمسكون بكل تلك الأثقال؟ «حماس» ضدكم. إنها «إخوان»، وتأتمر بعواصم مناوئة لكم. اتركوها تربحوا بشكل مزدوج. الأمر نفسه بالنسبة الى حزب الله. في النهاية، ستجدون أنفسكم في صراع مع النفوذ الإيراني عبره. تخلوا عنه… الى آخر المعزوفة. كان جوابنا: فلسطين والجولان والقضايا العربية المحقة والمطالب المشروعة… فبدأت الحرب. هي نفسها سنة 2005 عبر لبنان، وهي نفسها اليوم عبر سوريا مباشرة.
إنها المؤامرة. لا وجود فيها لثورة وحداثة وتغيير. الذين يحيّون العرعور في الأزقة هم دعاة الليبرالية؟ أم الذين جاءوا بالفتاوى الأصولية لسبي نساء بعض الأحياء باتوا رواد الحداثة؟ أم الملكيات الوراثية هي نماذج الديموقراطية؟ أم قواعد سيلي وأنجرليك وسنتكوم، صارت حصون القضية الفلسطينية؟ لن نسمح لأحد بتضليلنا. نعرف حقيقة المواجهة، وسنخوضها حتى النهاية.
للمرة الأولى ربما، يكتشف السامر في مقاهي الشام هذه الشفافية في مقاربة المحرمات السابقة. تريد أن تسمع حقيقة الأمر حول الواقع الطائفي والمذهبي؟ فاسمع إذن. يقول المعارضون إن «نظام الدولة» هنا كان أقلوياً، تمييزياً علوياً منذ أربعين عاماً. ينبش المعارضون أسماء أعضاء اللجنة العسكرية الشهيرة لحزب البعث في الستينات. يروون لك مصائر بعضهم. ويستدلون بكل اسم على منطقة وجماعة ومذهب وقطاع من قطاعات «الثورة» الراهنة. يحاولون رسم خريطة الثورة بتداعيات الحقد المذهبي الدفين، حيال نظام طال صموده. قبل أن يربطوا الكلام الاستذكاري غير الصالح للنشر، بالواقع الراهن، مذهبياً أيضاً: أما سمعنا ذلك الكفر منذ فترة يصرخ في ساحة المسجد: لا إله إلا… هل تعتقد أن ثمة سنياً واحداً في سوريا يقبل هذا الكلام؟ هل حوسب المسؤول عنه؟ هل عوقب أم كوفئ؟ ثم قصف المساجد، والحرب في الساحل الغربي، كان ثمة من يحاول التمهيد لخريطة جديدة. هناك سفح متكامل يضرب، من حدود سوريا الجنوبية مع لبنان حتى حدودها مع تركيا. هل هناك من يتوهم أن بإمكانه الانكفاء؟ هل نسوا أنهم محصورون في الجبال، وأن الساحل معنا؟ فضلاً عن كل ظروف المنطقة وموازينها الجديدة؟
يبتسم الموالون بحدة أكثر حيال هذا الكلام. أي واقع مذهبي يتكلمون عنه؟ تعال نفتح الأوراق كلها: بشار الأسد هو من ألغى كل انطباع ــــ لا واقع ــــ عن تمذهب في النظام في سوريا. يا أخي نائبة الرئيس اليوم هي شقيقة أحد الزعماء التاريخيين لحركة «الإخوان المسلمين»، في جناحهم السياسي السلمي. وزير الدفاع مسيحي. رئيس الأركان كذلك. نواب أركانه ثلاثة منهم سنة. حتى الإدارات العامة، تلك التي كانت مغايرة قبل عقود، اثنتان منها اليوم، أساسيتان، يشغلهما ضابطان كبيران من السنة. أكثر من ذلك، الكل يعلم أن في سوريا مناطق إدارية ذات صلاحيات واسعة، هي المحافظات. بدليل ما قالوه لك عن الشكوى من محافظ هنا أو آخر هناك. نعم المحافظون هم فعلياً حكام مناطقهم. فكيف يتوزع المحافظون في سوريا اليوم؟ نتحداهم أن يجيبوك. هناك 14 محافظة سورية. على رأسها محافظ مسيحي واحد، وآخر درزي، ومحافظان علويان فقط، وعشرة محافظين سنة. عن اي مذهبية يتحدثون؟ أكثر من ذلك، هل تعرف لماذا استمرت المعارك اياماً في مدينة الرستن علماً أن المسلحين فيها لم يتعدوا مئتي شخص؟ لأن الرستن، المدينة السنية بامتياز، خزان أركان الجيش السوري وقيادته. اسمع هذا الرقم: هناك نحو 1700 ضابط في مختلف قطعات الجيش من الرستن وحدها. لذلك أخذت القيادة كل وقتها في معالجة الوضع، لأن كل رصاصة قد تطلق على مخرب محتم خلف جدار، ستصيب منزل ضابط في الجيش. 1700 ضابط من تلك المدينة وحدها، فعن أي مذهبية يتكلمون؟
لا بل اسمع أكثر: هناك مشكلة لدينا مع بعض التيارات الأصولية؟ نعم هذا صحيح. وهذا أمر نعترف به كلنا في سوريا. سنة وعلويين ومسيحيين ودروزاً. إنها مشكلة كل البلاد مع تيارات تكفيرية أقلوية، تحاول منذ عقود فرض نفسها ورأيها على أكثرية السوريين الساحقة. تريد دليلاً على ذلك؟ عندما انتفض هؤلاء التكفيريون في حماه للمرة الأولى عامي 64 و65، هل كان ثمة علوي في السلطة في دمشق؟ طبعاً لا. وكان أمين الحافظ هو الرئيس، أو محمد أمين الحافظ بصورة أدق. وثاروا عليه. وهو من ضربهم وحفظ استقرار البلاد. فهل كانت ثورتهم يومها مذهبية؟ أم تكفيرية أصولية؟ وفي المرة الثانية، حين ثاروا ايضاً في حماه، من آزر حافظ الأسد في حفظ الاستقرار والدولة؟ دمشق أولاً. اي عاصمة أمية وأهل أمية. وللذين لا يعرفون التاريخ، عليهم أن يدركوا أن أحداً في التاريخ لم يحكم دمشق. هي دوماً من يحكم حكامها، عبر طبقة اقتصادها وشبكة ازدهارها ومصالحها. ومن لا يتذكر خطاب حافظ الأسد يومها بعد العاصفة، لا يعرف كيف تحكم دمشق، وكيف تأبط الرئيس الراحل بعد إلقائه خطابه ذراع بدر الدين الشلاح، التاجر الدمشقي الأشهر ورئيس غرفة التجارة في دمشق، ليخرجا معاً من القاعة…
هذه هي ثوابت سوريا، وكل الباقي استغلال رخيص وألاعيب إعلامية وخارجية معروفة ومكشوفة.
يحرص المعارضون على تأكيد سلمية حركتهم. كل ما تبقى من نتاج الانشقاقات داخل القوات المسلحة، يقولون ويشددون. فنحن نمثل أكثرية الشعب، والغالبية تؤيدنا، طوعاً، لا لزوم لنا في عمل عنفي، على عكس النظام… يضحك الموالون طويلاً: إنهم مسلحون حتى أسنانهم، وسلاحهم من كل المصادر، ومن كل الأعيرة. هم لا يمثلون شيئاً في الشارع، لذلك كل رهانهم على إثارة فتنة مذهبية، تقود الى حرب أهلية، تصير ذريعة للتدخلات الخارجية.
يتمسك المعارضون بكل قوتهم بالصورة عن «حضارية» ثورتهم. طبعاً تنقصهم أيقونات ثورات تونس أو مصر أو البحرين. لا شعلة بوعزيزي، ولا شهادة خالد سعيد، ولا حتى مدونة توكل كرمان. وفي المقابل، يضنيهم تحول حركتهم الى الدموية بصورة متسارعة. لذلك يشددون على روايات انشقاق الجيش. يروون ما يشبه الأساطير عن مقاومات وبطولات وعصيانات و«ضباط أحرار» و«جيش ثورة»… هناك صواريخ «شلكه» باتت بأيدي «الثوار». من أين تأتي هذه إضافة الى القاذفات والأسلحة المتوسطة؟ كلها من سيناريو البومب أكشن المهرب الينا من مرفأ سوليدير؟ اسلحة كهذه لا تتوافر إلا لدى القوى النظامية، وانتقالها الى أيدي «الثوار» يؤكد حصول الانشقاقات. يقولون لك: لا تنس أن نحو نصف السوريين من أهل القبائل. ثلاث منها فقط تشكل أكثر من ثلث عدد المواطنين. وهؤلاء لم يعودوا في وارد الاستكانة أو الصمت حيال المجازر والفظائع. هذا برهان غليون، ابن عشيرة الفداعسة، يمثل ما يمثل. عندما دعا الى تشكيل المجلس الوطني بعد اجتماع اسطنبول، تحولت المنازل في حمص مراكز اقتراع لانتخاب أعضائه. كان الناس يأتون من مختلف الأحياء والمحلات المحيطة، يدخلون بيتاً عادياً، يصوتون لممثلهم في مجلس السلطة الانتقالية في الخارج، ويخرجون عائدين الى بيوتهم. هيثم المناع يمثل الحالة نفسها في درعا. هؤلاء قامات حقيقية في الشارع والقواعد ووجدانات الناس. ماذا فعلوا معهم بالمقابل؟ شقيق برهان قتل. ابنة شقيقه اعتقلت. وتطول لائحة القمع…
أي تخيلات وتخرصات «جزيرية» تلك؟ يجيبك الموالون. انشقاقات في القوات المسلحة؟ فليصوروا مجموعة معروفة واحدة، آلية واحدة. فحين ينشق ضابط، يذهب مع مجموعته وأسلحته وآلياته ليلتحق بالطرف المعارض. أين هم من ذلك؟ لا صورة، لا اسم، لا رتبة لا هوية لا آلية ولا منشق. تذكرون في لبنان فؤاد عوض، حين انشق عن الجيش وقام بالانقلاب القومي ضد فؤاد شهاب. يومها سار بكتيبة مصفحات من صور الى بيروت. بينما في سوريا لم نر منشقاً يمشي بدراجة هوائية للجيش، من أقصى سوريا الى أقصاها. في المقابل، يصر المخربون على كذبة المنشقين، كي يغطوا أنهم مسلحون، وأنهم مسلحون من قبل جهات خارجية. «جيش سوريا الحر»؟ اي مزحة وكذبة هذه؟ رياض الأسعد قائد ذاك الجيش؟ إسمع هذه الحقائق التي لا يعرفها الآخرون: أولاً هل تعرف أن الأسعد ضابط متقاعد؟ أي أنه عند اندلاع الأحداث لم يكن ضابطاً في الخدمة الفعلية. وقد سرح لعدم تمكنه من حيازة الترقية الى عميد. ثم حتى يوم كان في عداد الجيش السوري، ما كانت مهامه؟ إنه ضابط مهندس. درس الهندسة وهو في الجيش، هنا في كلية في الشام. فأي جيش قتالي يقوده مهندس متقاعد. الهرموش، نعم كان في الخدمة الفعلية، ولذلك تم التعامل معه بشكل مختلف.
لماذا تلك المفارقة؟ في القامشلي والحسكة والدير، حيث المناطق الكردية، حصلت تظاهرات. لم يسقط جريح. لم تطلق رصاصة. لماذا؟ إذا كانت القوى الأمنية الرسمية هي من يطلق النار، فلماذا تطلقها في حمص ولا تفعل في القامشلي؟ لسبب بسيط، هو أن المتظاهرين هنا سلميون غير مسلحين، فيما هناك يندس بينهم مسلحون من جهات أصولية تكفيرية، يطلقون النار على الأمن، لتنفيذ مخطط المؤامرة.
أما تمثيل «قادة» المعارضة، فتلك مزحة. برهان غليون منذ مدة سبقت الأحداث كان يفاوض للعودة الى سوريا. كان ثمة شخص يتحدث عنه هنا، يقول: نأتي به ويكون كما تريدون ولا تعتلوا هم… أما الارتكابات بحق عائلته، فمضللة كلياً. حتى ليس من الفداعسة هو، بل من حمص المدينة نفسها. هذا مثال نموذجي عن مسلسل التضليل والأكاذيب التي تسوَّق، عن كل شخص وواقعة وحادثة.
أي غد لسوريا؟ سؤال يجيب عنه الموالون كما المعارضون بثقة وتصميم كاملين.
المعارضة جوابها جاهز: سقوط النظام حتمي، ومن دون تدخل خارجي، إنها مسألة وقت. شعبنا واع، وقد أثبت طيلة الأشهر الثمانية الماضية حساً وطنياً راقياً. يخبرك المعارضون روايات كثيرة عن تجنبهم الاستدراج الى النزاعات المذهبية، والحروب الداخلية والفتن الأهلية. يجزمون أن ناسهم تحلوا بقدرات على الصمود والتضامن مذهلة: تخطى شعبنا الكثير. في حمص تداعى الناس لجمع أموال ودفعها لأصحاب محلات أُحرقت في فورة غضب مذهبية، عفوية أو مفتعلة. في الأضحى، كان بعض أصحاب الخير يجول على العائلات الفقيرة، يوزع عليها لحوم الأضاحي. كان الناس يردون بموقف واحد: نحن بخير، اذهبوا الى جيراننا، قد يكونون أكثر عوزاً. الغد آت، وشمسه ستكون بهية. بعد مدة سنلتقي مجدداً، وسنضحك معاً على كل ما يحصل الآن، وسنستذكره كمخاض لمستقبل أفضل قد تحقق…
ثقة الموالين ليست أقل: صمودنا حتمي. ليست المرة الأولى التي نواجه فيها العالم. إسمع خطاب حافظ الأسد الذي تبثه شاشاتنا اليوم. لقد ألقاه سنة 1981، كأنه كُتب للتو، كأنه يشخِّص اللحظة الراهنة ويوصِّف المؤامرة الحالية: هجمة الرجعيين والاستعمار والتحريض الإعلامي وتزوير الوقائع. ماذا عن الضغوط التركية؟ ليست المرة الاولى أيضاً. في العام 1998، كان وليد المعلم سفيراً في واشنطن، وكانت العلاقات متوترة. ذات يوم أدلى بتصريح تحدث فيه عن أراضينا المسلوبة، من الجولان الى الاسكندرون. كان مسعود يلماظ رئيساً لوزراء تركيا، انتقل في اليوم التالي الى ما يسمونه هم إقليم «هاتاي»، وأعلن حشد جيشه على حدودنا. يومها رد حافظ الأسد بكلمتين: طيارو سلاح الجو عندنا، مدربون على مهمات لا يعودون منها… وانتهت الأزمة. لدى سوريا أكثر من 300 ألف صاروخ. خمسون ألفاً منها قادرة على ردع أي مغامر. ووحدة الجيش والناس باتت صلبة كالصخر، خصوصاً بعد مقررات القاهرة الأخيرة. لكن ماذا عن العزلة العربية؟ إنها المرة الثالثة التي نواجهها. في قمتي فاس 1982 وعمان 1987، قوبلنا بقرارات الفصل نفسها، وصمدنا، وعبرت العاصفة. لكن هل المقومات الاقتصادية والمعيشية جاهزة لذلك؟ أكثر من جاهزة يقولون. نحن نصدِّر أدوية من نتاجنا تفيض عن حاجات شعبنا. زراعياً، لدينا كفاية شبه تامة. والفضل للأصوليين والمتآمرين أنفسهم. فبعد محاولتهم الفاشلة سنة 1980، بادر بعض الأنظمة العربية الى قطع المساعدات التي أقرها لسوريا مؤتمر الخرطوم. فقررنا الاعتماد على أنفسنا، وجنينا إيجاباً ثمن سلبيتهم، ولا نزال نجني حتى اليوم. تبقى المحروقات؟ لا مشكلة. يتحدثون عن مقاطعة أوروبية وغربية. لكن يكفي أن تخفض لهم الأسعار بضعة سنتات، ليتهافت الشراة في ظل الأزمة المالية والاقتصادية الكبرى في كل الغرب. ها هي إيطاليا كانت السباقة، حين طلبت مهلة ثلاثة أشهر من عدم تطبيق قرارات العقوبات الأوروبية. والمدة ستمدد بالتأكيد، وستلحقها طلبات مهل مماثلة من دول أخرى. قبل أيام وقعت معنا ألمانيا عقداً بـ 305 ملايين يورو لتوسيع محطة الناصرية لتوليد الكهرباء. كل ضغوط العالم لا توازي صمودنا الداخلي، وهذا مضمون ومؤكد ومكرس ويتصلب كل يوم. فكيف بعد انكشاف هجمتهم البربرية، تماماً كما حصل في ساحة العباسيين في دمشق. يوم حاول بعض الأصوليين التسلل من جهة حي جوبر الى منطقة باب توما، لإيقاع مذبحة طائفية ضد المسيحيين. لماذا؟ لا لشيء، إلا إدراكاً منهم لعجزهم، وانتقاماً لفشلهم في فرض الفتنة… سنقاتل حتى آخر رمق، انها حياتنا او موتنا ما يُلعب هنا.
… في العودة من مقاهي الحارات الدمشقية الى الفندق القديم، الحرارة 8 فوق الصفر في الشام. غير أن وجهك ساخن، عروقك تغلي. ثمة نار في دمشق الجميلة تلفح وجنتيك، ويكاد الرماد كله يطير. في زقاق الرسل الأولين، تتذكر الرجاء الأخير، أن يظهر شعاع الروح على كل شاوول يحاول دخول المدينة، عله يهديه، فيُهدي دمشق سلاماً تستحقه.
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/26079
November 18th, 2011, 11:08 pm
Haytham Khoury said:
ناشطو «ثورة حمص» العلويون والمسيحيون جيل يرث معارضة أمضت حياتها في السجون
http://www.daralhayat.com/portalarticlendah/329770
November 18th, 2011, 11:15 pm
jad said:
مراسلون أجانب: 164 قتيلاً مسيحياً في حمص في 3 أشهر
تحدّث مراسلون أجانب زاروا مناطق سورية ساخنة أخيراً عن وقوع عشرات القتلى المسيحيين في الأحداث التي تشهدها سوريا، مشيرين الى أن أوضاعهم «باتت خطيرة»، وهم «مهددون اكثر من غيرهم باعتبارهم الحلقة الأضعف». وقالوا إن المناطق الساخنة باتت تمثل «بيئة حاضنة لمسلحين غير معروفين، لديهم أسلحة متطورة وذخيرة كبيرة جداً»، مشيرين الى «جثث مشوهة يرميها المسلحون في الطرقات».
وعلى هامش مؤتمر المسيحيين المشرقيين الذي يعقد لمدة يومين في بيروت، عقد عدد من مراسلي وكالات الأنباء الأجنبية من ايطاليا وبلجيكا وفرنسا واسبانيا والولايات المتحدة لقاءً في المركز الكاثوليكي للإعلام، تحدثوا خلاله عن نتائج الجولة التي قاموا بها الى مناطق في سوريا، شملت: دمشق، ريف دمشق، معرة النعمان، حمص، حماه، القصير وبانياس، للاطلاع على الأوضاع عموماً، وأوضاع المسيحيين على نحو خاص. وشارك في اللقاء رئيس المركز الكاثوليكي الأب ايلي ماضي، ومدير المركز الخوري عبده ابو كسم، والأم أغنس مريم الصليب، التي رافقت الوفد في جولته.
بداية، تحدث ماضي فأشار الى أن «مبادرة الصحافيين جاءت لتقصي الحقائق، وكي تطلع وسائل الإعلام العالمية على الحقيقة»، مشدداً على أن «الكنيسة تدعو الإعلام الى نقل الحقائق دون أي تشويه»، مؤكداً أن «هؤلاء الصحافيين زاروا المناطق الأشد سخونة في سوريا، واطلعوا بالتفاصيل على الوضع الميداني، وعلى انعكاسه على الوجود المسيحي في سوريا، ولكي يكون الإعلام موضوعياً أرادوا أن يعلنوا ما شاهدوه».
وأشارت أغنس مريم الصليب الى أن وسائل الإعلام «تنقل منذ ثمانية اشهر لأحداثاً عن سوريا، ونحن من يعيش فيها نشعر بأنها تدور حولنا لا عندنا، لأن هناك تشويهاً كبيراً لحقيقة ما يجري من مجازر وارتكابات بحق المواطنين. ولأننا كراهبات مطلعون على الوضع المسيحي من حولنا، فإننا نؤكد وقوع 164 قتيلاً من المسيحيين في حمص وحدها، في الأشهر الثلاثة الماضية فقط، مما يعني أن الأوضاع باتت خطيرة، ليس على المسيحيين فقط، بل على الجميع، لكن المسيحيين مهددون اكثر من غيرهم، باعتبارهم الحلقة الأضعف».
وأضافت: «لقد أصررنا، كأول وفد صحافي أجنبي يدخل المناطق الساخنة في سوريا، على نقل الحقائق والدخول في التفاصيل، حيث وقف المسلحون وجهاً لوجه ضد رجال الأمن والجيش لضرب هيبة الدولة في سوريا، وخلق حال من الفوضى والإرباك، التي أدت الى أذية المواطنين على نحو فاضح، لا يليق بأدنى الحقوق الإنسانية، ذلك أن الجثث تستباح وتشوه وترمى في الطرقات من دون أي رحمة». وتابعت: «تجولنا في حمص وفي بلدة قاره وصولاً الى القصير والنهداء وباب عمر، ورأينا جثثاً مشوهة تركها المسلحون يمنة ويسرى، وبات معها الشعب السوري قيد الرهن، وباتت هذه المناطق بيئة حاضنة لمسلحين غير معروفين، لديهم أسلحة متطورة وذخيرة كبيرة جداً».
وختمت: «إن الحصار ادى الى نقص في المواد الأولية، لذلك ندعو المنظمات الدولية الى أن تتطلع الى المدنيين الذين يدفعون يومياً فاتورة الخلاف السياسي القائم في سوريا».
في دردشة مع الصحافيين الأجانب عن أوضاع المسيحيين في سوريا اكدوا أن «حالتهم لا تفهم إلا في إطارها، وأنهم ليسوا وحدهم، بل ضمن الخطر العام الذي يتهدد سوريا»، لكنهم شددوا على أن «الموضوعية تقتضي القول إن مجموعات مسلحة تقف بوجه رجال الأمن في سوريا لإضعاف النظام، وإذا بقي الوضع على حاله من التدهور، فإن المسيحيين سيكونون الفريق الأضعف والضحية».
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/26078
November 18th, 2011, 11:22 pm
Revlon said:
522. SYRIAN HAMSTER, from previous SC post
خاص قاسيون/ تم مساء اليوم الجمعة 18 تشرين الثاني إطلاق سراح الشخصية السورية البارزة بسام القاضي))
الذي بين في تصريح هاتفي لـ”قاسيون” أن توقيفه الذي استمر 48 ساعة تقريباً لم يأت على خلفية مواقفه السياسية أبداً، وإنما جاء على خلفية “موضوع أمني حساس” فضل القاضي عدم ذكره مبيّناً أنه اقتنع بحقيقة أهمية وحساسية “موضوع التوقيف” بمجرد اطلاعه عليه داخل مقر الجهاز الأمني.
كما أكد القاضي لـ”قاسيون” أنه تلقى معاملة حسنةً جداً خلال مدة التوقيف، وأنه لم يتعرض لأية إزعاجات تذكر، ((وأشار إلى أن التوقيف جرى في ساعات الصباح الأولى من فجر الخميس، حيث اقتيد بشكل لائق من منزله
Let me see!
Ahuman rights activist who:
– speaks like a thug,
– thinks like a thug,
– and enjoys the respect and protection of thugs
ummmmmmmmmmmm: Humbug!
November 18th, 2011, 11:27 pm
jad said:
Haytham, you may need to read this:
ناشطون ميدانيون: الثورة السورية في خطر والتسلح ضرورة لنجاحها
قالوا لـ «الشرق الأوسط»: لولا السلاح الآتي من لبنان لما بقيت الثورة في حمص طرابلس (شمال لبنان): سوسن الأبطح
الحدود اللبنانية – السورية هي الأخطر اليوم على النظام السوري، فمنها يتسرب السلاح والناشطون الذين يتنقلون بين البلدين، بعكس الحدود التركية التي بات نقل السلاح عبرها صعبا، وكذلك الحدود العراقية التي صارت شبه ممنوعة على المعارضين. هذا ما شرحه ناشطون سوريون ميدانيون لـ«الشرق الأوسط»، حيث قال أحدهم بأنه «يدخل إلى سوريا بين الحين والآخر ثم يعود إلى لبنان». وقال الناشط الميداني الذي رفض الكشف عن اسمه «إن الأمر ليس سهلا لكن بالرشوة كل شيء يصبح ممكنا بما في ذلك دخول مدن سورية محاصرة». ويضيف الناشط: «صحيح أن التعاون بين الأجهزة الأمنية اللبنانية والجيش السوري هو على أعلى مستوياته، لكن الحدود بين البلدين وعرة ومملوءة بالأشجار ومتداخلة بحيث إن ضبطها بالكامل يقارب المستحيل، على عكس الحدود السورية الصحراوية مع العراق، المكشوفة والعارية التي باتت خطرة على الثوار».
وأعرب الناشطون السوريون الميدانيون الذين التقيناهم عن فرحهم الشديد بقرارات جامعة الدول العربية الحازمة. ويقولون بأن أعضاءها «شربوا أخيرا حليب السباع، وبدأوا يسيرون في الطريق الصحيح».
لكن ناشطا ميدانيا تمكن من الذهاب إلى حمص وإدلب وصولا إلى القامشلي وعاد إلى لبنان مؤخرا يعلق بالقول: «الثورة السورية في خطر، وليس بمستبعد أن يتمكن النظام من قمعها في حال لم يؤخذ قرار دولي بتسليح الثوار». ويشرح الناشط الذي جال في أكثر من محافظة والتقى بمعارضين للتنسيق معهم: «يمكنني القول: إن النظام تمكن بالفعل من قمع الثوار في دير الزور وحتى درعا وحماه في ما الحسكة هادئة بالكامل. هؤلاء بشر، وليسوا ملائكة، حين ينزل 10 آلاف شخص إلى الشارع ويطلق عليهم الأمن النار بالرشاشات بشكل عشوائي، فهؤلاء سيعودون إلى بيوتهم، ولن يتمكنوا من الصمود». ويضيف الناشط «تتركز حرارة الثورة الآن بشكل جدي في 3 أماكن فقط، هي حمص حيث تدور معارك مسلحة حقيقية بين الثوار والنظام، بسبب قرب حمص من الحدود اللبنانية، وتمكن الثوار من تهريب السلاح. وهذا سر صمود حمص. وريف دمشق الذي يمكن نقل السلاح إليه من لبنان، وريف إدلب حيث ينقل بعض السلاح من تركيا، لكنه قليل نسبيا». ويضيف الناشط: «ما عدا ذلك، ما تسمعون عنه هو تحركات محدودة يقوم بها بعض الثوار بين الحين والآخر، لكن النظام يمسك بالفعل برقاب الناس حيث يشح السلاح، ويحكم قبضته، ومن يقول بأن جذوة الثورة لا تزال كما كانت يكذب على نفسه وعلى الناس».
ورغم أن بعض المعارضين المقيمين في لبنان الذين سألناهم، يعترفون بخمود جذوة الثورة في محافظات كانت مشتعلة سابقا مثل دير الزور ومدينة حماه، لكنهم يقللون من أهمية الأمر، معتبرين أنها «نار تحت رماد، وأن الثوار يعدون أنفسهم لجولات مقبلة ستكون أشرس».
هذا لا يطمئن الناشط الذي عاين الميدان بأم العين ويقول: إن الثوار الذين نسق معهم خلال جولته السورية «لا يرون مخرجا لحياتهم دون قرار بتسليحهم، فخسارة الثورة تعني موتهم المحقق أو في أحسن الأحوال اعتقالهم وتعذيبهم، لأن النظام لن يسامح من عمل ضده، كما أنهم غير متفائلين بتحقيق نصر على (أرمادا) مسلحة وهم عزل أو أشبه». ويضيف: «كل من يرفض التسليح هو خائن وموال للنظام، لأننا لا نرى أي مخرج ممكن غير هذا، ومن يرفض تسليحنا فليخبرنا عن البديل».
يشرح النشطاء الذين خبروا الميدان أن الحدود التركية أغلقت عمليا في وجوههم رغم كل ما يقال سياسيا عن الموقف التركي المتشدد والغاضب من نظام بشار الأسد. فسوريا هددت بتسليح «حزب العمال الكردستاني» في تركيا في حال سلحت تركيا المعارضين السوريين أو تساهلت في تهريب السلاح إليهم، وهو ما جعل أي تهريب للسلاح من تركيا أمرا شديد الصعوبة في الوقت الراهن. فالنظام في تركيا لا يريد أن يتورط مع 15 مليون كردي موجودين على أرضه، وهو يعمل ألف حساب قبل أن يقوم بأي خطوة عملية، لمساعدة الثوار. ويشرح أحدهم «نحن نعرف جيدا لبنان ومناطقه وقراه، وهو امتدادنا العربي والجغرافي، ونتحدث لغة الناس، في ما المناطق التركية نجهلها ونجهل لغة أهلها». أما الحدود العراقية فيصفونها بأنها «معادية» لهم، ويعتبرون النظام العراقي حليفا للنظام السوري. ويشرح أحد المعارضين أنه «بعد تشديد الحصار العربي والدولي على النظام، صار تحركه محصورا بريا باتجاه العراق وصولا إلى إيران شرقا، وباتجاه لبنان وحلفائه من حزب الله غربا. وبالتالي ليس للمعارضين سوى المنفذ اللبناني، رغم كل التضييق الذي يمارس على المعارضة، وحالات الاعتقال». وحين نشكك في وجود اعتقالات لعدم وجود إثباتات على ذلك. يخرج لنا أحد المعارضين الناشطين بطاقة بيضاء مختومة من الأمن العام اللبناني ويقول: «لقد كنت موقوفا لمدة أسبوع، صحيح أنني لم أضرب لكنني شتمت وأهنت، ووضعت في مكان لا يليق حتى بالحيوانات، وتم التحقيق معي، ولما لم يصلوا إلى شيء، أفرجوا عني على أن أغادر الأراضي اللبنانية خلال 48 ساعة».
وبالفعل فإن البطاقة رسمية ومختومة وموقعة من ضابط مسؤول، تعطي الناشط مدة يومين فقط لمغادرة لبنان. لكن المعارض السوري يقول بأنه يقوم باتصالات مع جهات لبنانية لحل مشكلته، ولا يزال خارجا عن القانون في الوقت الراهن.
لا ينكر الناشطون الميدانيون، الذين يعتبر مجرد ذكر أسمائهم هو تهديد مباشر لهم، أن أموالا تصل للمعارضة لشراء السلاح، لكنها تبرعات فردية ولا تزال غير كافية. والمشكلة الأساسية التي يواجهها الثوار، كما شرحوا لنا، حتى حين تتوفر جهة مثل المجلس الانتقالي الليبي مستعدة لتوفير السلاح لهم، فإنها تحتاج لمسار واضح، ولجهة محددة بمقدورها التعامل معها، وهي لا يمكن أن تكون إلا المجلس الوطني السوري. و«معضلتنا الآن، أن المجلس الوطني لم يعترف به بعد، ولم يتخذ موقفا مع تسليح الثوار». يعرب الناشطون الميدانيون عن حزنهم «لأن أموالا يتم التبرع بها لتسليحهم، تذهب نهبا، وتضيع لأنها تصل إلى أيدي وصوليين وانتهازيين. بهذا المعنى فإن من يتبرع ليس متأكدا من أن أمواله ستذهب للتسليح، والثوار تتم سرقة أموالهم قبل وصولها إليهم».
وحين نسأل: لكن ما هي الوسيلة لدخول الأسلحة التي تطالبون بها إلى سوريا ما دامت كل الحدود شبه مغلقة أمامكم؟ عندها لا يتردد الثوار الناشطون ميدانيا في القول: «الآن لا توجد غير الحدود اللبنانية، إلا إذا حدثت تطورات من نوع آخر».
ويختم أحدهم: «في المرحلة الأولى كنا نريد أن نثبت للعالم أننا ثوار مخلصون ولسنا عملاء مدسوسين. في المرحلة الثانية كانت مهمتنا أن نؤكد بأن ثورتنا سلمية، أما الآن في هذه المرحلة فنريد أن نقنع الجميع بأن السلمية لم تعد ممكنة مع هذا النظام، وعلى برهان غليون أن يقتنع بذلك وأن لا يرضخ للضغوطات التي تمارس عليه».
http://aawsat.com/details.asp?section=4&article=650202&issueno=12042
November 18th, 2011, 11:28 pm
Majed97 said:
Syria needs mediation, not a push into all-out civil war
By suspending a country in crisis, the Arab League is giving Assad’s regime fewer peaceful ways out of a dangerous corner
Jonathan Steele
guardian.co.uk, Thursday 17 November 2011 17.00 EST
Article history
Syria is on the verge of civil war and the Arab League foolishly appears to have decided to egg it on. The spectre is ugly, as Qatar and Saudi Arabia, the hawks of the Gulf, are joined by the normally restrained King Abdullah of Jordan in taking sides with opponents of Syria’s Assad regime.
Where common sense dictates that Arab governments should seek to mediate between the regime and its opponents, they have chosen instead to humiliate Syria’s rulers by suspending them from the Arab League.
It is no accident that the minority of Arab League members who declined to go along with that decision includes Algeria, Lebanon and Iraq. They are the three Arab countries that have experienced massive sectarian violence and the horrors of civil war themselves. Lebanon and Iraq, in particular, have a direct interest in preventing all-out bloodshed in Syria. They rightly fear the huge influx of refugees that would pour across their borders if their neighbour collapses into civil war.
That war has already begun. The image of a regime shooting down unarmed protesters, which was true in March and April this year, has become out of date. The so-called Free Syrian Army no longer hides the fact that it is fighting and killing government forces and police, and operating from safe havens outside Syria’s borders. If it gathers strength, the incipient civil war would take on an even more overt sectarian turn with the danger of pogroms against rival communities.
Moderate Sunnis in Syria are worried by the increasing militancy of the Muslim Brotherhood and the Salafis who have taken the upper hand in opposition ranks. The large pro-regime demonstrations in Damascus and Aleppo over the past week cannot simply be written off as crowds who were intimidated or threatened with loss of jobs if they did not turn out.
Meanwhile, Syria’s large Christian minority cowers in alarm, fearing to share the fate of Iraqi Christians who were forced to flee when sectarian killing heightened the significance of every citizen’s religious identity and began to overwhelm non-Muslims too. In northern Syria the Kurds are also nervous about the future. In spite of the regime’s long-standing refusal to accept their national rights, most fear the Muslim Brotherhood more.
The Assad regime has made mistake after mistake. Stunned by the first protests this spring, it turned too quickly to force. It blocked international media access and censored its own press and TV, thereby leaving the field free for rumour, exaggeration and the distortions of random footage uploaded on to YouTube. Its offers of dialogue with the opposition were hesitant and seemed insincere. The attacks on Arab embassies in Damascus in recent days were stupid.
As a result, the situation has become increasingly polarised. The regime denounces the externally based opposition, the Syrian National Council which came into existence last month, as a puppet of foreign governments. For its part the council refuses to talk to the regime, insisting that Assad must go. It has started to call for a no-fly zone and foreign intervention on the Libyan model, both of which are a further incitement to civil war. The internal opposition has not gone so far but may be pushed in that direction if the situation continues to sharpen.
The need now is for international mediation before it is too late, with an agenda for a democratic transition that would include guarantees of status and protection for all minorities, including the Alawites from whom the ruling elite comes. The risk of a vengeful takeover by the Sunni majority is too great.
To demand the Assad family’s departure is counter-productive unless an amnesty is offered. Why would they want to cede power peacefully when faced with the precedents of Mubarak (trial and imprisonment) and Gaddafi (lynching)? At least the international criminal court has not come into the act, which would make the crisis even worse.
There were signs at the Arab League meeting in Rabat on Wednesday that the organisation may be having second thoughts about its hasty suspension of Syria last Saturday. The decision was unconstitutional because only a summit of Arab leaders can call for a member’s suspension, and the demand must be unanimous. Now the League has delayed implementing it. It has given Syria three days to accept civilian and military monitors to check the situation.
If that were to become a serious effort at mediation, so much the better. The best model is the agreement that ended Lebanon’s civil war, reached after talks in Taif in Saudi Arabia in 1989. Although it was negotiated by the various Lebanese parties and interest groups, Saudi sponsorship and support were important.
Whether Saudi Arabia can play a similar role today is doubtful. Eagerly backed by the Obama administration, the monarchy seems bent on an anti-Iranian mission in which toppling Syria’s Shia-led regime is seen as a proxy strike against Tehran. The Saudis and Americans are working closely with the Sunni forces of Saad Hariri in Beirut, who are still smarting from their loss of control of the Lebanese government this spring.
Turkey tried mediating this summer, but its effort was treated by the Assad regime as duplicitous because Turkey was simultaneously helping the Syrian opposition to organise in Istanbul. Torn between a desire for good relations with its neighbour Iran as well as with Arab Sunni regimes, Turkey has gone over fully to the anti-Assad side. US pressure and Washington’s renewed willingness to turn a blind eye to Turkish military incursions against Kurdish guerrilla bases in northern Iraq may have played a role.
In theory the UN could mediate, but its efforts to broker an end to Libya’s civil war had no support from western members of the security council. With their anti-Assad, no-amnesty stance they seem just as unwilling to seek peace in Syria. Russia alone has had the wisdom to support dialogue and give a strong message to that effect when Syrian oppositionists visited Moscow.
The Arab League could yet appoint a group of eminent independent Arabs to listen to all sides in the Syrian crisis and seek a “new Taif”. The team would have to include Shia as well as Sunni members. But first the Arab League needs to reject the anti-Iranian hysteria that the US, Israel and the Saudis are stirring up along the Gulf. The abyss of all-out civil war in Syria is far more real. And it is very close.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/nov/17/syria-mediation-arab-league-assad
November 18th, 2011, 11:33 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
While the teams that will go inside Syria as observers preferably be Arabic,Syria must not object to the presence of Aljazeera and Al Arabyieh team to go there,The presence of some foreign tean,such as people from the Guardian ,reuter and similar people they should be allowed to accompany the observers.
The number ,there is no way possible to be less than 500.
Respecting the state sovereinty,is good but here we are in a vague territory,freedom of the team is of utmost importance,they should be allowed to make sudden undeclared trips,and the state of Syria must be responsible for safety of everyone, and they should have no problem in getting out of Syria, the team has to have a leader and press secretary,cameras should have no restriction.extension of their stay should be guaranteed
November 18th, 2011, 11:36 pm
jad said:
The terrorists armed militia in Syria are using civilians as human shields between them and the Syrian Army which explains the high number of casualties in the last couple weeks, the same clip was linked earlier today on SC:
مسلحون باللباس العسكري يستخدمون الناس كدروع بشرية
http://youtu.be/b_a473LutCs
November 18th, 2011, 11:42 pm
N.Z. said:
Are we on the brink of a civil war?
Re we truly
Who are the beneficiaries?
Who are the losers?
How can we collectively avoid a long and bloody civil war?
These are questions, if we answer them wholeheartedly, given the situation we are in today, vis-a-vis, the aspiration of all Syrians and the way the regime dealt with the situation from day one till now.
November 19th, 2011, 12:53 am
jad said:
Are we on the brink of a civil war?
Yes
Who are the beneficiaries?
Those who hate Syria
Who are the losers?
All of us, Syrians.
How can we collectively avoid a long and bloody civil war?
By changing this criminal regime without destroying our country
November 19th, 2011, 1:31 am
jad said:
الجامعة العربيّة تقتحم سوريا
أسعد أبو خليل
“إنّ حجم المؤامرة كبير جدّاً وأخطارها تتعدّى حدود النظام المستبدّ، وكلّهم أنظمة مُستبدّة. مات القذّافي بعد تعذيبه واغتصابه من قبل عصابات الناتو الديموقراطيّة، لكن ليبيا ليست بخير، وخطر السيطرة الأجنبيّة وخطر العصابات الإسلاميّة الظلاميّة لا يزال ماثلاً. النظام السوري لا يستحقّ الدفاع عنه أبداً. إنّه يعاني نفاقاً وقمعاً وازدواجيّة وانغلاقاً وجبناً، ومن عنصريّة تفوح من إعلامه المبتذل الذي يختزن العنصريّة المشرقيّة نحو أهلنا في الخليج: تعبير «العربان» يرد على كلّ شفة في شاشات النظام. اكتشف فجأة أنّ قطر غير ديموقراطيّة وأنّ لتركيّا طموحات عثمانيّة. وهو لا يزال يتملّق النظام السعودي، بالرغم من قيادة السعوديّة للمؤامرة الجارية إقليميّاً بالنيابة عن الراعي الأكبر. ينقل سامي كليب في «السفير» ما يأتي: «تلك الرسالة «الحميمة» التي بعث بها الرئيس الأسد الى الأمير نايف بن عبد العزيز بعد تولّيه منصب ولاية العهد في السعودية مؤكداً له فيها عمق التقدير لشخصه ودوره في حل المشاكل الإقليمية». والنظام اكتشف لتوّه أنّ الجولان محتلّ، وهو لا يملك أي خطة لتحريره، باستثناء ضخّ الممجوج من الشعر.
إنّ حق الشعب السوري في التحرّر من الظلم لا نقاش فيه، لكن حجم التدخّل الخارجي في الموضوع السوري ـــــ وقد ساهم المجلس الوطني السوري في زيادة حجمه ـــــ يحوّر وجهة الانتفاضة السوريّة الشعبيّة. قد يكون المجلس نجح (مع رعاته الخارجيّين) في الاستيلاء على الانتفاضة السوريّة، خلال ضح شعارات التدخّل الخارجي بتلاوين مختلفة. الموضوع السوري في بعده الخارجي (عربيّاً ودوليّاً) لا علاقة له البتّة بحريّة الشعب السوري. تعلم ذلك عندما تشاهد اهتمام محطة العنصريّة والطائفيّة والصهيونيّة، الـ«إم.تي.في»، بتطوّرات الوضع السوري، وعندما تبعث المحطة المذكورة بمندوب لتفقّد وضع اللاجئين السوريّين في لبنان. تعلم أنّ ذلك لا علاقة له بقضايا الشعب السوري. تعلم أنّ مجلس التعاون الخليجي يُجمع على قمع، لا على حريّة، الشعوب في أي مكان في العالم. عندما تشاهد وفداً من عتاة العنصريّين في 14 آذار يتفقّدون لاجئين سوريّين في وادي خالد تعلم أنّ القضيّة ليست ما يُعلن. وعندما يستيقظ وليد جنبلاط، الذي تحالف مع النظام السوري في أوحش حقباته وأكثرها دمويّة، على حق الشعب السوري في الحريّة ـــــ فيما هو يستجدي الملك السعودي كي يسمح له بجلسة طأطأة ـــــ تعلم أنّ وراء سوريا ما وراءها، وأنّ الرجل انخرط في فصل تآمر صهيوني جديد. وعندما ينطق الملك الأردني المحاصر بغضب شعبه بآراء في احترام حريّة الشعب السوري، تتبيّن ورود أوامر جديدة من مربّيه.
لم يكن لهذه الجامعة العربيّة دور. جامعة ولدت هرمة ولم تزدها السنوات إلا شيخوخة. براميل النفط تقود العالم العربي. يريد أبواق أمراء آل سعود وآل ثاني أن يقنعونا بأنّ مجلس التعاون الخليجي لا يمثّل كل الدول العربيّة، بل يمثّل الرأي العام العربي. عبد الرحمن الراشد (كاتب في جريدة الأمير سلمان ومدير محطة صهر الملك فهد) يذكر في مقالاته عبارة «الأنظمة القمعيّة»، وهو يعني النظامين السوري والليبي البائد فقط. كاتب آخر في جريدة الأمير خالد بن سلطان يعود بالتاريخ القهقرى ليقول إنّ الأنظمة الشخبوطيّة هي الإجماع العربي منذ سنوات عبد الناصر الذي عكّر الصفو العربي «الليبرالي النفطي». الجامعة توحي أنّها تساهم في تعزيز انتفاضة الشعب السوري، فيما هي تستولي على الانتفاضة لتقودها في غير وجهتها الحقيقيّة والشعبيّة. إنّ الانتفاضات لم تثمر بعد: والدور القطري في تونس يوحي إصراراً على سرقة مآثر ثوّار تونس. الشعب السوري يعاني القمع والحصار والخداع، فيما يجول ممثّلون للمجلس الوطني السوري (مُنتقين بعناية من قبل الإخوان) في عواصم دول لم تأبه لمعاناة الشعب السوري يوماً.
ماذا تقول لشعب مُنتفض؟ هل تقول له أن يتوقّف في ما يمكن أن يؤدّي التوقّف إلى إطالة أمد نظام متسلّط؟ هل تعترف لشعب منتفض بأنّ انتفاضته سُرقت منه وأنّ ما يعدّه الإخوان وحلفاؤهم الداخليّون والخارجيّون لا يبشّر بالخير؟ هل تساهم في دعم نظام لا يستحق البقاء؟ كيف تقول لمن يظنّ أنّه منخرط في ثورة أنّها ليست ثورة؟ تستطيع أن تستشهد بالمثال المصري وأن تشير إلى تربّع الطنطاوي. لكن الاستكانة لا تجوز. دخلنا في «لحظة الحماسة» الجماهيرية ولا يجوز الخروج منها. الثورة المضادة لا تريد الفوضى. الفوضى قد تصبح حاجة ضروريّة مؤقّتة للعبور إلى ما بعد الثورة المضادة. التاريخ لا يتوقّف، لكنّه قد يتراجع.”
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/26049
November 19th, 2011, 1:50 am
Juergen said:
@Hans
“The Arabs are traitors by nature, they lie, flip on their words very easy and have no manhood when it comes to international politics, it is clear that they are the dummies USA is using them like women sex toys, used for pleasures than replaced with a new ones.”
What piece of ethnology is this? By a third Reich author? Please be so kind and preselect your comments by common sense and without such racism. I hope I got through to you, sometimes I feel you live in your own world filled with conspiracies.
November 19th, 2011, 2:06 am
Juergen said:
Bassam Alkadi has returned safe to his family late last night, he is in good health. No information yet what has happend to him.
November 19th, 2011, 2:08 am
Revlon said:
A post card to Mr. Ghalioun, from Homs revolution activists:
((The Shabeeha are the sectarians and who are kidnapping women, not us!
Open your eyes wide))
http://www.facebook.com/Youth.Syria.Freedom#!/photo.php?fbid=262027863845605&set=a.192608334120892.44082.192423634139362&type=1&theater
November 19th, 2011, 3:07 am
Revlon said:
Obaida Nahas of the SNC
– Ghalioun’s account of sectarian killings and kidnappings in Homs was personal and does not represent the offciial position of the SNC.
– Ghalioun’s account does not reflect the true picture on the ground. All civilian killings and kdnappings are done by the regime.
End of quote
17 11 2011 حصاد اليوم الجزيرة العقيد رياض الاسعد شريف شحادة عبيدة نحاس+أخبار سورية
__________________________________________________________________
There is one professional and responsible way out of the mess that Mr Ghalioun has plunged himself and the reputation of the revolution into: Clarification and apology to the revolution activists in Homs!
Every statement the SNC’s presdident or executive comittee are and should be understood as offcial positions and policies of the SNC, and representative of the interests of their constituency; the rebvolution.
Instead of writing opinion pieces on his blog, The SNC president has the previlage and obligation to regularly address his constituency and look them in the eye.
A weekly address by SNC president to the revolution need to be adopted as a matter of policy.
November 19th, 2011, 4:58 am
bronco said:
Revlon #64
Like everybody else, except the regime, everybody is confused and just utters anything to feel good. Just look at the contradictory statements from the US, from the AL, from Turkey: they are all completely lost, obviously not finding a way to get out of the stalemate.
November 19th, 2011, 7:40 am
majedkhaldoun said:
Syria wants to change the delegate conditions
1- Not to visit hospital, if true this is not acceptabale, they must be able to visit hospitals and see and talk to patients.
2- Visit prisons… this is a must do,AL says ALL political prisoners must be released and immidiately,the delay by the regime is not acceptable.
3- security forces to accompany the team,… it is O.K. but prompt response,and the security forces has no right to deny any visit anywhere.
4- not to meet and talk to people…. this will be refused by AL.
5- limit the team size….No
6- delay decision….Not acceptable.
7- give more time for for approval….No
8- Not to meet with intelligent forces….O.K.
9- Not to meet with soldiers….NO,it should be allowed,those whose pictures were shown by some videos torturing people should be allowed.
10- check the observers from security point….This has to be quick,No Israeli or american should be allowed, reputable people should be sent,lawyers human right activists,physicians,and the team must include both sexes.
November 19th, 2011, 7:50 am
Observer said:
Here is an account of a meeting with the president with the responses in bold and this is from Walls blogpost.
It is truly amazing and a glimpse of the mental state of the regime:
I do believe that this should be a SC post in and of itself for the discussion of the mental state of any absolutist rule.
It is interesting that in my opinion the basic element of the discussion is the lack of basic justice and the pretzel arguments used to justify the situation
Here it is
Read it carefully
ه ..
by Houssam Arian on Friday, November 18, 2011 at 3:03pm
From FB
Note: Bold emphasis on answers is added by OTW
في البداية أود أن أشير إلى رفضي نشر الجانب المأساوي من النقاش سابقاً, وقد تم نشر ماصرحت به عبر الهاتف لجريدة السفير بجملة واحدة مفادها أننا ذهبنا لطرح الحلول لا إستجرار مطالبنا الشخصية ومع ذلك فقد كان جزء من الحاضرين يحملون مطالباً شخصية ..
كما أود أن أسخط جملة “ماهي مطالبكم” حيث كانت تتردد على لسان كل مسؤول نصادفه وفي وقت سابق عبر إذاعة صوت الشباب أيضاً, وكأننا ذهبنا للتسول ..
في الـخامس من أيار لسنة 2011 وعبر إتصال هاتفي من الإتحاد الوطني لطلبة سورية أبلغت بأنه تم طرح إسمي مع مجموعة من شباب سورية من مختلف المدن السورية, لمقابلة الرئيس الأسد للبحث في الشؤون العامة واللقاء بعد يومين أي بتاريخ 7/5/2011, قبلت وسافرت إلى دمشق ..
في القصر الجمهوري هناك كان اللقاء, دخلنا جميعاً 14 شاباً وبعد الترحيب والتعارف بدأت الجلسة, فضلت أن أكون آخر الطارحين للمشاكل والحلول لكي لا أسرق فكرة أحدهم عن طريق الصدفة, لكن هنا سأسرد لكم بعض مما أذهلني بطريقة الردود أو التعامل المنتظر ..
يجب تفعيل دور حزب البعث لأنه خلال العقود الماضية, المواطن السوري لم يلمس أهمية الحزب القائد في الدولة ..
هذه الإجابة كانت من الرئيس الأسد على مداخلة لفتاة أتت من حمص حين طرحت فكرة إلغاء المادة الثامنة من الدستور بأسرع وقت ممكن لكي لاندخل في سجالات جديدة, والسماح للمعارضة بحرية التعبير, وتأسيس الأحزاب المعارضة لحزب البعث ..
خدمة العلم بمفهومها الحالي هي خدمة للوطن وحتى لو كان الطبيب يقف عند الحواجز العسكرية ويحارب فهو بذلك يخدم وطنه ..
جواب مختصر تلقاه أحد الأعضاء المشاركين معنا وكان آتياً من القامشلي, حين طرح فكرة تحويل مفهوم خدمة العلم إلى خدمة الوطن بوضع الإختصاص المناسب في المكان المناسب عبر إرسال المهندسين على سبيل المثال للمشاركة في المشاريع التابعة للحكومة وإرسال الأساتذة للتدريس في القرى, بهذه الطريقة الدولة تحقق فائدتين الأولى منهم هي تحقيق تغطية للمدارس في كافة الأراضي السورية, والثانية هي توفير مبالغ لابأس بها ويمكن الإستفادة منها في تحسين مستوى المدارس عمرانياً في بعض المناطق ..
– وصل الدور لشاب قدم من الحسكة حين أدلى بمداخلة بسيطة, وهي توقف الأمن عن الضرب والقتل وإن كان هدفه الإعتقال فليعتقل وليحقق لكن بشكل محترم ..
الرد كان, نحن نسعى لتدريب رجال شرطة مختصين في التعامل مع المتظاهرين وسيباشرون عملهم خلال أشهر قليلة ..
كان ذلك أهم ماتم طرحه, حسب وجهة نظري أنذاك قبل أن أتوجه بثلاث نقاط للرئيس الأسد أولها كانت ..
طالما أن رواية الحكومة صادقة ولاتحمل أي نوع من الأكاذيب والتلفيق, إذاً فلندع الإعلام يدخل إلى سوريا وليرى بأم عينيه مايدور على أرضنا ولتثبت الحكومة السورية أنها أصدق منهم ..
جائني الرد, نحن لسنا بحاجة للإعلام الخارجي لسببين, أولهم أن وكالات الأنباء العالمية لديها مراسلين في شتى أنحاء العالم, عدا سورية .. فلذلك يبنغي عليهم أخذ أخبارهم من إعلامنا نحن ونحن من سيعطيهم الأنباء الواقعة على أرضنا, أضف إلى ذلك أن إعلامنا على طول السنين الماضية لم تسمح الفرصة لكي يبرز عالمياً واليوم هاهو يغتنم الفرصة لزيادة خبرته في هذا المجال …
مداخلتي الثانية :
الشعوب العربية بغالبيتها تميل للناحية العاطفية, ومع أن هذه الصفة هي من الصفاة الحسنة لكنها قد تكون نقمة على البعض الآخر إذا لم يتم التعامل معها بشكل جاد, لذلك أرى أنه ينبغي على رجال الأمن الإبتعاد عن الإعتقال العشوائي والتعامل مع المعتقلين بشكل حضاري وإنساني ..
الرد:
نحن عاطفيون فعلاً, لكن حتى نتغلب على كل ماذكرت يجب علينا أولاً وأخيراً متابعة الإعلام الصادق والمتواجد على الأرض ومن هنا نستطيع أن نحدد إلى أين ينبغي أن تسير عاطفتنا..
وكما أجبت أحد أصدقائك هنا, نعم نحن نعد كوادر مدربة على التعامل مع المتظاهرين بكل أدب وإحترام ..
القيادة والحكمة والقضاء لديكم, لماذا لم نرى حتى اليوم محاكمة للمتوطرين في سفك دماء السوريين كعاطف نجيب على سبيل المثال..
أجل عاطف نجيب متورط “مع طأطأة للرأس” لكن لم يرفع أي شخص دعوى في المحكمة عليه ليتم محاكمته, أضف إلى ذلك هو إبن خالتي وصرلي 22 سنة ماشفته ..!!
هنا أنا لم أستطع أن أتاملك أعصابي قبل أن أقاطعه قائلاً, لكن في الأمس فقط تم إعتقال عدد من أصدقائي في مظاهرة لم يكونوا مشاركين فيها بالأصل لكن الإعتقال العشوائي طالهم, وعندما ذهبنا للمطالبة بهم وعن طريق محامي, أتانا الرد التالي “أنت ضد مين بدك توكل محامي” ..؟!
هنا طلب مني أن أعطيه أسماء المعتقلين من أصدقائي, لكن بقي لدي سؤال مبهم, مامصير باقي المعتقلين حتى هذه اللحظة ..؟!
أكمل حديثه مع المجموعة قائلاً “مبارح 19 واحد بسيف الدولة وكلهم عاطلين العمل” قاطعته من جديد, من بين ال19 شخص هنالك خمسة أطباء وهم اللذين تحدثت عنهم, بالإضافة لذلك الإعتقالات في تلك الليلة تجاوزت المئتين معتقل
..
ثم تابعت
ماذا بالنسبة لقانون التظاهر الذي لم يطبق بعد..؟
لا نحن لايهمنا من يتظاهر, لكن مايهمنا أمره هو من يصور ومن يرسل المقاطع للإعلام الخارجي ..
بعد لحظات
دخل علينا الحارس الشخصي ليبلغنا بإنتهاء الوقت المحدد ..
وقبل مغادرتنا, طلب الرئيس الأسد متطوعاً في لقائنا على قناة الدنيا لكي يدلي على الهواء مباشرة مادار بيننا في اللقاء, لم يجبه أحد من بين الحاضرين ..
صمت الجميع لبرهة, وقاطع الصامتين هو بعبارة “لهالدرجة” ..؟؟
أجبنا سويةً, أنا ومن في جانبي .. وأكتر كمان ..
One more thing, once again no one had any meaningful or argumentative response to my comment earlier.
November 19th, 2011, 7:51 am
louai said:
Dear REVLON
((The Shabeeha are the sectarians and who are kidnapping women, not us!
Open your eyes wide))
how come all the kidnaped women are Alawites or christians? how come all the kidnaped and killed are not Sunni?
don’t you worry about Ghalion , he knows everything but he also knows how to speak to the media.
November 19th, 2011, 7:52 am
Observer said:
Here is an account of one of the Ghadafi’s sex slaves in today’s Le Monde.
I wonder what we will discover about similar atrocities in other countries with “dear leaders”
http://www.lemonde.fr/libye/article/2011/11/15/esclave-sexuelle-de-kadhafi_1603932_1496980.html#ens_id=1481986
November 19th, 2011, 8:02 am
irritated said:
#66 Majedalkhadoon
It is impossible that the cornered Syrian government would make such ridiculous conditions. I wonder where did you get them from? they seem like just rumours to discredit both the AL and the Syrian government.
Yet, none of ‘conditions’ mention the decrease of observers from 500 to 40 that the media announced.
It looks like a hoax.
November 19th, 2011, 8:02 am
Amir in Tel Aviv said:
We don’t need AL fancy observers.
We already have better, local observers.
We have the unbelievably brave Syrian YouTubers, who shoot videos, with an incredible amount of personal risk, and (only god knows how) upload them on the web for every one to see.
If not those determined YouTubers, the only source of information available for us, would have been SANA.
So let me thank them and acknowledge their outstanding work and effort, of documenting the reality on the ground in Syria, with every video begins with a piece of paper, stating the place and date, for taking this personal risk, for being creative, determined, bold, original and most of all, patriotic.
Thank you Syrian YouTubers!
.
November 19th, 2011, 8:14 am
zoo said:
Attacks on the army and retaliation
“The attacks on the town of Shezar in the central province of Hama and the restive Jabal al-Zawiya region near the Turkish border … …came two days after an army force in the nearby area of Wadi al-Deif came under attack by army defectors, a clash that lasted four hours and left an unknown number of casualties among troops loyal to Assad, said an activist said.
The activist, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter, said troops fired from heavy machine guns mounted on armored personnel carriers on the attackers.”
http://news.yahoo.com/syrian-troops-attack-despite-arab-peace-plan-101630726.html
By BASSEM MROUE | AP –
November 19th, 2011, 8:35 am
Afram said:
@45. newfolder
you were BRED in a toilet
November 19th, 2011, 8:41 am
zoo said:
Jordan Starts to Shake
Nicolas Pelham
http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2011/dec/08/jordan-starts-shake/?pagination=false
To measure the sturdiness of King Abdullah of Jordan against the tide of upheaval sweeping the Arab world, go to Tafila, an impoverished town tucked into a sandy bowl encircled by the Moabite Mountains 110 miles south of the royal seat of Amman. Outside the courthouse where four youths recently awaited trial on charges of cursing the king, a crime punishable in this hitherto deferential kingdom by up to three years in jail, one hundred protesters continue cussing the king, until the order comes from on high to let the four go.
Such protests are growing in intensity and geographic reach, degrading the royal stature with every chant. Last season’s innuendo against his courtiers and queen has become this season’s naked repudiation of the King. In September, demonstrators chanted S-S-S, a deliberately ambiguous call for both the regime’s islah, Arabic for reform, and isqat, overthrow. The protesters outside Tafila’s courthouse dispense with such niceties, spicing the crude one-liners with which Egypt’s revolutionaries toppled Hosni Mubarak with cheeky Bedouin rhyming couplets: “O Abdullah son of Hussein/Qadaffi’s a goner, whither your reign?”
{…}
November 19th, 2011, 8:50 am
Tara said:
Syria launches attack ahead of deadline
http://www.iol.co.za:80/news/world/syria-launches-attack-ahead-of-deadline-1.1181979
November 19 2011 at 03:10pm
REUTERS
A Syrian living in Turkey shouts slogans as they protest against the government of Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad after Friday prayers in front of the Syrian consulate.
Security forces raided a town in central Syria on Saturday after pounding it with heavy artillery only hours before a deadline for Damascus to stop its lethal crackdown, opposition activists said.
The latest violence came a day after Syrian forces killed 15 civilians, including two children, while dispersing anti-regime protests in flashpoint cities across the country, according to an updated toll from activists.
“Soldiers entered the town of Shayzar in the Hama region after bombing it with heavy artillery. They then began searches,” said an opposition umbrella group, the Local Coordination Committees.
In a new toll from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, 15 civilians died on Friday, up from an earlier figure of 12.
The government of President Bashar al-Assad has yet to officially respond to Arab League demands that Syria end its bloody suppression of a popular uprising.
Syria has been told by its Arab peers to stop the lethal repression against protesters by 2200 GMT on Saturday or risk sanctions, and the Arab League has already suspended it from the 22-member bloc.
The pan-Arab organisation was expected to issue a statement later on Saturday. – Sapa-AFP
November 19th, 2011, 9:07 am
Tara said:
Justice has been served in Libya….and appears to be traveling to Damascus soon.
al-Islam, Gaddafi’s son, arrested, Libyan commander says
Simon Denyer/THE WASHINGTON POST – TRIPOLI, Libya –
By Ayman al-Kekly and Alice Fordham, Saturday, November 19, 7:35 AM
TRIPOLI— Saif al-Islam, the favored son of former Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi, was arrested on the border with Niger while his supporters were trying to smuggle him out of the country, a Libyan commander said Saturday.
Othman Maigeta, a brigade commander, confirmed that the once high-profile member of the ruling family was detained and taken to the mountain city of Zintan. The city is home to one of the largest groups of fighters that swept across the west of the country, ultimately toppling the regime in August.
The announcement by Maigeta, made at a news conference at the Radisson hotel in the Libyan capital, was greeted with celebratory gunfire, singing and dancing.
Scenes of joy broke out in the streets as the news was announced on Libyan television, and people hung out of the windows of their cars, honking horns, flashing lights and flying the red, black and green revolutionary tricolor. Cries of “Allahu Akbar” filled the air as crowds hugged each other and wept.
Moammar Gaddafi was captured outside his hometown of Sirte last month, but was immediately killed in a mob attack. He was later buried quietly in the desert.
Saif al-Islam, the eldest son of Moammar Gaddafi and his second wife, was a prominent international spokesman for the regime. He was educated in London and portrayed himself as a reforming force.
But he became a leading force of the Gaddafi regime’s struggle for survival and is wanted for trial by the International Criminal Court, which has been negotiating with people who claimed to his representatives about his possible surrender.
Rebels from Zintan have maintained their status as a fighting force and control parts of Tripoli, as well as patrolling areas in the south of the country. Commanders said that the arrest was made in Obari, in the desert, 400 miles south of Tripoli.
Rumors had been circulating for weeks about the whereabouts of the man who was poised to take over from his father in ruling Libya, and who was both politically influential and widely reviled.
Fighting last week near the Western town of Zawiya intensified after word spread that Saif al-Islam was hiding in a residential neighborhood on the outskirts of Tripoli.
Al-Kekly is a special correspondent, Fordham reported from Beirut.
November 19th, 2011, 9:22 am
Juergen said:
@observer #67
Do you have any english translation? I tried to read it, and it seemed to be an interesting article.
Regards
November 19th, 2011, 9:46 am
majedkhaldoun said:
I hope Saif get fair try, the libyan goverment has to show civility.justice and fairness.
November 19th, 2011, 9:49 am
majedkhaldoun said:
This is what I like about Islam
http://www.islamreligion.com/articles/376/
November 19th, 2011, 9:59 am
N.Z. said:
After reading, observer post #67, the first thing that occurred to me, that this mafia will “sell their mothers” to stay. But why?
What is their mission. Are they so ideologically driven by Baath?
A patriotic leader will resign, change or do something different to save the people and the country.
This man changed nothing. NOTHING. He is cornering the people and waiting for a civil war to take shape and spread. It is his only ticket to continue his mission, it will not happen.
A civil war, like Lebanon, will not materialize, we do not have hyphenated names, the only hyphen when introducing ourselves is Arab-Syrian.
Their mission is to destroy the country and the people. They will not succeed. In a decade with the right people in power, we can become “country”. Singaporian did it, why not Syrians?
What we can rest assure, that with the regime’s mentality and the family controlling all aspects of our lives and the country, nothing will improve, rather, it is deteriorating for the past 50 years, from father through son.
So either we remain living in fear with this regime and their web of lies, or, we liberate ourselves from their iron grip and spread our wings. In the latter their is hope, and hope combined with determination is the only way forward.
A revolution is the answer. If not physically, mentally and spiritually. Let us renew ourselves, here and now.
We all have one thing in common. Our love for Syria. Let us make it a reality. We do not want to love our country the same way the Lebanese love theirs. We want to unite and rebuild without anger or revenge. These two will destroy us all. Our aim is to change, to take ownership of our future. We’ve been robbed from our dignity for so long, time has come to share our sources and resources. They lied a lot, killed a lot, humiliate and destroyed a lot. Enough of one family, one dictator, enough living in fear, enough ya Bashar, erhal!
Our present is grim, this is a fact. We want change to build our future collectively, for all Syrians and not for the Assad family.
November 19th, 2011, 10:00 am
Hans said:
The retards who keep repeating and uttering their lies, fabricated, untrue comments here with the purpose of only forcing their corrupt mental ideology into the mind of the Syrian people and disguising themselves under a fake veil of peace, democracy and freedom we know better the truth as Syrian people.
Too bad the regime is not doing enough so fast finish the terrorists, thugs, innocent killers in Syria.
it is not a statement about hate, but if the terrorists are given the decree by the mentally corrupts shiekhs to kill innocent then the Syrian army should finish them and send them to hell even if they are going to find virgins there.
mercenaries are fighting in Syrian to kill Syrians and some people here want democracy to rule in Syria.. Syria is going into the same era after independence where the CIA staged the coup at that time to weaken Syria and have it as a toy in the winds of the superpowers all at the expense of the innocent Syrian people.
it seems killing innocent in Syria an easy task for the armed terrorists just based on the sect.
it is well known that Syrian people are civil society until you bring mentally challenged religious radicals championing the revolution disguising as peaceful lambs, that’s the disaster Syrian slipping into.
I am being accused here of harboring a conspiracy theory which I don’t need to prove but what can’t be denied that killing the innocent people in Syria by the killers machine of opposition prove their intention and their true face.
In late Germany, the German will never destroy national assets or kill their own people, if you kill your own countrymen then you are no better than the brutal regime. The only caveat here that the USA is allowing the killing given it is helpful to its interest.
November 19th, 2011, 10:14 am
newfolder said:
leaked video of Assad’s terrorist dogs fire an RPG into Qusair Homs
November 19th, 2011, 10:15 am
zoo said:
Translated from L’Orient Le Jour 19 november 2011
For Syria, the great test before the beginning of 2012 …
By Scarlett HADDAD | Saturday, November 19, 2011
According to a figure of the majority, whatever the fate of the Syrian regime, the present Lebanese opposition will anyway loose. If the regime of Bashar al-Assad falls, there will be chaos with the emergence of the Muslim Brotherhood, whose worst enemies are the bourgeois Sunnis in Syria and then Lebanon, and if it continues, the opposition has little chance to return to power in Lebanon.
If this pattern is a bit simplistic and concise, but it gives an idea of the weight of the Syrian crisis in Lebanon. The situation in Syria has become the dividing line between the two rival camps in Lebanon, and whatever they say, both are eagerly awaiting the outcome of the standoff playing in this country to define their new plan campaign. The majority makes frequent statements that are are suppose to reassure on an eventual victory of the Syrian regime and the opposition repeats to anyone who will listen that this regime is bound to fall. In between, the president and prime minister try not to take a stand one way or the other not to disturb either the Syrian regime or the international community. Uncomfortable position if any, which earned them heavy fire from both sides, the opposition and the “hardliners” of the majority.
But for now, the government holds up, despite the alarmist statements of the Future Movement, there is no indication that he is about to leave. Especially as he carefully avoids to adopt important decisions that could jeopardize the fragile balance today. Making just the minimum to stay alive and wait, this seems to be its watchword, while the president spends most of its energy avoiding controversy and other sensitive topics.
It would be in this spirit that the prime minister postpones constantly examining the issue of funding of the STL in the Cabinet. Since the international community tacitly left him more time, why rush things instead of waiting for the developments in Syria? If the plan fails, the hardliners of the majority will be weakened, otherwise there will be time to take positions sharply against the financing of the STL …
According to sources the majority, the new deadline for Syria is the beginning of 2012. If the Assad regime hold until then, he would have passed the hardest part and international pressure would then decrease in intensity for many reasons. The most important step is the completion the U.S. withdrawal from Iraq, a departure that looks more and more a strategic defeat and will allow Iran to end up almost on the border with Syria via Iraq, where the Islamic Republic continues to increase its influence. Other reasons are related to the entry of the United States in a pre-election period that prevents them from making important decisions abroad. This theory is disputed by scholars who believe that even if U.S. President and politicians are entering a pre-election period, the institutions that decide the country’s foreign policy, they continue to function. But this does not prevent these same experts to assert that from the first quarter of 2012, the world should have other priorities that Syria, especially with the growing economic crisis in the euro area and the rest of the world.
In the coming weeks, the Syrian regime is going to suffer the maximum pressure either to make it fall, or, at least, to push Iran to negotiate with the U.S. arrangements in Iraq and possibly elsewhere. But according to most sources, there is very little risk that the system falls for the following reasons: the Russian and Chinese double veto protects it from a resolution at the Security Council calling for new sanctions against him or authorizing a military action, and the equation established by the Secretary General of Hezbollah in his last speech, announcing a regional war in case of attack against Syria, protects it from military action of Turkey. Moreover, Turkish leaders have said they could take a military action in Syria and create “the famous buffer zone” as a basis for the opposition, in a repeat of the scenario of Benghazi, only in three cases: if the Security Council on their request, if NATO requests them, or if there is a direct threat against the security of Turkey. But for now, none of the three scenarios is in sight, while the Syrian regime still holds the power, and with the violence it attributes to “deserters of the Syrian army,” the cards are uncovered and its position is less uncomfortable. Having foiled the plan to create a first bastion of opposition in Deraa then Banias , Jisr el-Choughour, in Hama , and now in Homs the regime continues more or less to control the situation. But it faces increasing pressure from the Arab League, especially after the show of strength that took place during the last meeting in Cairo, when the commission adopted the Syrian track in the presence of Saudi Minister of AE, who is not a member of the commission, decisions of a rare severity towards the Syrian regime.
The game is not over and the daily violence continues to take its toll. And at this stage, it is still difficult to predict the future.
November 19th, 2011, 10:32 am
mjabali said:
Syria is going to a HELL. Homs today is like Beirut in 1977: people are kidnapped according to their religion and killed (most likely by cutting their heads, or a bullet to the head with the hands tied).
The tragedy is there is no one who is able to control this mess and chaos anymore, in my humble opinion. Now it is reaching a full on clash, which means more kidnapping and death to the ordinary man and woman and ordinary soldier from both sides. Here, as the case in most conflicts, minorities from all directions are going to suffer big times. (Minorities in our case are Christians, Ismailis, Druz, Alawis, Sunni secularists, Cross religions marriages, plus ethnic minorities: Kurds, Amrenians…etc) In Brief, Syria is going to be fragmented and borders are going to change no matter what unless we get a savior, which I doubt seeing all of the players in this game.
There is no material change on the ground in Syria and these calls for a halt in the violence are worthless and carries no weight, of course no one is listening: al-Assad keeps sending his armored tools and the opposition is learning slowly how to blow some of those for him: at the end Syrian Soldiers are KILLING Syrian Soldiers.
The participants in this mayhem, and who are doing it for varying reasons, are RESPONSIBLE for this bloody circus.
It is a circus because we have people like Hamad of Qatar for example who deposed his old father (another failure in American foreign policy) on the pretext that the old father allowed “communist” and “infidel” magazine to appear in Qatar (al-Naqed by Raja’ al-Naqqash…and others)…teaching us about democracy. Really, Mr Hamad should watch where he is taking his little country and what effect his Wahabi thinking and agenda is taking the Middle East. And does he really know what is democracy before he even talk about it? Where is democracy in his country? Is it his Sunni agenda that is moving him or what? His love for human rights!!!!!
The plans are drawn by people who does not care about the bloodshed that is happening in Syria. they seem to have personal agendas, and these agendas are getting translated with the blood of Syrians from all walks of life.
Why do we Syrians have to take the brunt of the Sunni Agenda of Hamad of Qatar and that of the Saudi establishment, or the Islamist party of Erdugan, or the whims of the hypocrite French, or the lost Americans?
Hamad and co. are wolves no matter what they tried to wear to mask their intentions. They want to fight the Mullahs of Iran. Syria is this proxy war at this moment; but; isn’t it a matter of time when this fire is going to spread beyond control and see other era of bloodshed in the Middle East.
Syria is becoming a place for these dictators to settle their religious wars.
This is a Sunnis vs Shia/Alawi war and it is materializing day after day. This is going to lead to the partition of Syria into new forms.
Syria is going to Hell ladies and gents and with it the whole area is going down in flames too so brace yourselves unless these CLOWNS recognize the chaos they started.
CHANGE SHOULD COME THROUGH SYRIAN POLITICAL PARTIES AND ELECTION ON TOP OF A MODERN LAW THAT RECOGNIZES THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF EVERY SYRIAN CITIZEN.
November 19th, 2011, 10:34 am
majedkhaldoun said:
Syria response to the AL proposal plan is
1-Stalling tactic
2-Refusing the plan
More and more Syria is cornered.
Comment # 81 is outrageous,despicable and criminal.
November 19th, 2011, 10:37 am
jna said:
67. Observersaid:
Here is an account of a meeting with the president with the responses in bold and this is from Walls blogpost.
It is truly amazing and a glimpse of the mental state of the regime:
Observer, a question for clarification……is this a hearsay account by the narrator or is it an account from a transcript. A hearsay account I would take with a grain of salt as the narrator appears to be opposition minded.
November 19th, 2011, 10:42 am
irritated said:
#78. majedkhaldoun
“I hope Saif get fair try, the libyan goverment has to show civility.justice and fairness.”
Seif El Eslam will probably be killed without trial as he knows too much about Sarkozy, the CIA, Cameron etc.. bribes and dirty business with Libya.
November 19th, 2011, 10:42 am
sheila said:
Dear Juergen,
This is my modest attempt at translating the post. It is by no means perfect, but close enough. Enjoy the madness:
This is what Bashar Alassad said during his meeting with us:
by Houssam Arian on Friday, November 18, 2011 at 3:03pm
First, I would like to point out that I refused to publish the disastrous aspect of our debate earlier. What I said, was published by Alsafir Newspaper in one sentence that boils down to this: We went to propose solutions, not to ask for personal favors, despite that, some of the people present did have personal favors to ask. I would also like to say that I resent the question: “what are your demands?” that we heard over and over from every regime representative that we met and earlier over the broadcast of “the students’ voice”. It felt like we were there on a begging mission.
On May 5, 2011 and through a phone call that I received from the Student union of Syrian students, I was informed that my name came up along with a group of other Syrian youth from all over Syria, to attend a meeting with the president Alassad to discuss the current situation. I was also told that the meeting will take place in two days, i.e. on May 7, 2011. I accepted and traveled to Damascus to attend the meeting at the presidential palace. We all went in. A group of 14 young men and women. After they welcomed us and we introduced ourselves, the meeting started. I chose to be the last to ask any questions about problems and solutions, hoping not to steal anybody else’s ideas without realizing it. Here is what amazed me in terms of the answers that we received:
We have to activate the role of the Baath party, because in the last few decades, the Syrian citizens did not feel the importance of the ruling party in the government.
This was the president’s answer to a young woman who came from Homs, when she asked about the proposed idea to cancel article 8 of the constitution with the utmost speed, so that we avoid arguments and allow the opposition free speech and permit the establishment of parties opposed to the Baath party.
Military service, in its current condition is in fact national service. Even if you thought of a doctor manning a check point and fighting. In doing so, he is in fact serving his nation.
This was the answer that one of the participants from Qamishli received, when he suggested that we should transform the concept of military service into national service. This will allow us to use the young conscripts in their fields of expertise, like sending engineers to participate in government projects or sending teachers to teach in underserved areas. This will achieve two objectives: first, is covering all the schools in Syria and second, is saving a good amount of money that can be used to improve the schools infrastructure in some areas.
It was the turn of a guy from Hasakeh, who had a simple request: can we stop the beatings and killings by the intelligence services. If they are trying to arrest someone, why don’t they do it with a little respect?
The answer was that we are working on training police forces specializing in dealing with demonstrations. They will start their work within the next few months.
I believe that these were the most important questions asked before it was my turn and I asked three questions:
The first was that since the government account of what is happening in Syria is the truth and not lies and fabrications, why don’t we allow the press to come to Syria and see what is going on to prove once and for all that the Syrian government is telling the truth.
The answer was that we do not need the outside press for two reasons: first, because press agencies have reporters all over the world except in Syria, this is why they need to get their news from our Syrian press and we will give them the truth about what is happening on our soil, second, our press throughout these past years never had the chance to shine on the world stage. Today it is taking advantage of this opportunity to increase its expertise in this field.
My second question was: Arabs in general tend to lean to the emotional side. This characteristic is a good one, but can prove detrimental if it is not dealt with properly. This is why I suggest that the intelligence services avoid random arrests and treat detainees in a humane and civilized manner.
The answer was that yes, we are emotional, and to overcome what you talked about, we should first and foremost, follow the truthful press on this earth. this will help guide us on where to go with our emotions. I have also answered your friend that we are working on training the police to deal with the demonstrators with respect.
My third question was: since you have the leadership, the wisdom and the judicial system, why haven’t we seen till this day any trial for those who are complicit and guilty of killing Syrians like Atef Najeeb?
The answer was with a lowered head: yes, Atef Najeeb is complicit, but no one filed a law suit against him. In addition, he is my first cousin and I have not seen him in 22 years.
Here I could not control myself and dared to interrupt him to point out that only yesterday a few of my friends were arrested during a demonstration that they were not even participating in. When we went to try to get them out through the judicial system, we were told: who are you going to sew? Here he asked me to give him the names of my detained friends, but I had one more question: what is the fate of the other detainees? He continued addressing the group saying:
yesterday there were 19 people arrested in Seif Aldowleh, all of whom are hobos.
I interrupted him again to say: of the 19 that you just mentioned, 5 are doctors. In addition, the arrests that night exceeded 200. Then I continued: and how about the new demonstration law?
His answer was: we do not care who is demonstrating, rather who is documenting the event and sending it to the foreign press.
After a few seconds, his personal guard came in to tell us that our time was up. Before we left, the president asked if one of us would volunteer to appear on Aldunya news channel live, to talk about our meeting with him. He received no answer from anyone of us. Everyone was quiet for a little while, when he interjected: has it reached that level? The answer came from me and the person next to me simultaneously: and a lot more.
November 19th, 2011, 10:58 am
bronco said:
# 84. mjabali
While strong, defiant and respected under the Assad, Syria is now showing its internal weaknesses and its divisions that have been hidden by the authoritarian regime.
If the Assad falls, Syria will be exposed to its demons without anyone able to control them. It will resemble Iraq after the war, but without the US presence to help them move into a new system or Libya but without the EU to help them go through their transition.
Of course Syria does not have lucrative energy ressource, who will bother help?
Therefore Syria will be left with the whims of AL, polluted by countries who don’t even have a democracy to talk about it.
One wonder if it not worthwhile to give another chance to the Baath party and the government to reform and gradually make the move without the help of anyone.
November 19th, 2011, 10:58 am
Tara said:
Hans
“Too bad the regime is not doing enough so fast finish the terrorists, thugs, innocent killers in Syria.”
You are not being accused of harboring a conspiracy theory. You are being accused of wanting to kill. You want to kill the demonstrators who you like to cal terrorists to justify their killing and make it acceptable. Your desire of finishing them off is because you want Bashar to stay in power for ever. This is coming from your brainwashed fear of what may happen to your sect in case Sunnis come to power. You are apparently suppressing in your conscious the very well known fact that the regime is the one who is killing the innocents. When minorities drown in self-deception and disillusion, they lose their relevance and will not be able to effect any change. I encourage minorities to change course in order to have a strong voice in the new government of Syria that is coming soon.
November 19th, 2011, 11:01 am
irritated said:
Sheila #88
This is a translation of a hearsay. Please provide instead the original transcript of the interview, otherwise it is worthless.
It sounds suspiciously biased. Who is Houssam Arian?
November 19th, 2011, 11:04 am
Revlon said:
Large defections in Hama city and Qsair town in Homs Governorate.
http://www.facebook.com/UgaritNEWS
Ugarit News | أوغاريت الإخبارية
أوغاريت || حماة :: انفجار قوي جدا يهز المنطقة حول السجن المركزي وإطلاق نار كثيف جدا مازال مستمرا حتى الآن والمعلومات الأولية تتحدث عن وجود انشقاقات في المنطقة
about a minute ago
Ugarit News | أوغاريت الإخبارية
أوغاريت || القصير حمص ::هروب جميع المجندين المتواجدين على أغلب حواجز القصير والآن قوات الاحتلال لا تتواجد إلا في المشفى الوطني الذي اتخذته قوات الاحتلال مقرا للعمليات العسكرية ..
9 minutes ago
November 19th, 2011, 11:04 am
irritated said:
Revlon
“Large defections in Hama city and Qsair town in Homs Governorate.”
Could it be withdrawals according to the AL request ?
November 19th, 2011, 11:09 am
Tara said:
Bronco
“Of course Syria does not have lucrative energy ressource, who will bother help?”
Agree. Absolutely no one could care less. Therefore, it is imperative that minorities change course NOW to effect changes that will enforce secularism and equal rights. I am afraid that their continued support of an inevitably losing regime would marginalize them foe a while during the transition after the fall of Bashar and his security apparatus.
November 19th, 2011, 11:11 am
majedkhaldoun said:
NO
This is not Sunni aganst Shiite,it is not Sunni against Druze
This is majority against Assadist.
The stubborness of this sectarian regime is to blame,if Bashar care about syrian he would leave right away.please put the blame on the correct party.
Some(large percentage) christians are betting on the wrong side,they are making huge mistake,they used to talk about democracy, now they abandoned their previous talk.
Those who love Syria,not Assad, should call on Assad to leave right away.
November 19th, 2011, 11:13 am
irritated said:
Majedalkhadoon
Will Seif El Islam be used to rally the Qaddafi supporters toward the hardline islamists supported by Saudi Arabia and Qatar?
He could have his revenge on the European countries and save his skin by making Libya a second extreme islam Saudi Arabia.
Libya will not deliver him to the ICC, that’s for sure
November 19th, 2011, 11:21 am
Juergen said:
@ Sheila
Thank you very much for your translation… otherwise i would have been lost in translation so to speak!
Enjoy the madness- i like that! I guess one can only understand such brainwashing and dictatorships if you live under one, there are quite a lot of similarities.
November 19th, 2011, 11:24 am
Hans said:
Obviously, there are people who responding to my comment with very closed mind as its their typical view of life.
If anyone reads my comment carefully can come to a conclusion that my only concern is the innocent Syrian people being killed on daily basis
and the direction Syria as a country is heading to as a weak, fragile state similar to immediate post independence era.
therefore, crying foul and being the wolf in a face of a lamb doesn’t disguise the identity of what is going on the ground, we know the brutality of the regime over the last five decades which doesn’t justify replacing it with another similar one, look at Libya and others, it is descending into chaos, Syria can’t afford. BTW Tara i admire your spoken voice especially when you stood up to the uncivil remarks of KT that’s what we need to see from the opposition as a ground base of the new Syria.
November 19th, 2011, 11:28 am
Revlon said:
93. Dear irritated:
((Revlon
“Large defections in Hama city and Qsair town in Homs Governorate.”
Could it be withdrawals according to the AL request ?))
No it could not!
First, the regime has not signed the agreement concerning the obervors yet.
Second, in Hama the incident was associated with large explosion and exchange of shooting, typical of all reported instances of defection.
Third, in Qsair, armored units are still in the national hospital, which is a civil one! That does not look like compliance with AL demands, does it?
Cheers!
November 19th, 2011, 11:30 am
bronco said:
Tara #94
Minorities have no power whatsoever to change anything.
The power is in the hands of an organized and resilient group, the regime, and disorganized and aimless small groups of opponents failing to rally more people to their cause and calling reluctant foreign powers to shift the balance. Nothing is coming out of that, except calls for more bloody confrontations and promises.
For me the opposition has lost the chance to change this country in a democracy. Their divisions, contradictions, personal hatred have played against their original aim of reforming the country.
It is not the stubborness of the regime that is to blame, it was expected, but the inability of a group to work together and offer a viable and coherent alternative.
The Syrian Army, called by the AL, stopped Lebanon’s civil war. Whose army will the AL call this time to stop the civil war in Syria ?
November 19th, 2011, 11:35 am
Revlon said:
Ugarit News | أوغاريت الإخبارية
عماد الدين الرشيد
ناشط في التيار الإسلامي المستقل
أوغاريت || التيار الإسلامي المستقل ورؤيته لنهاية عنف النظام
The Independant Islamic Movement: Scanarios for endign the regime’s violence
Imadeddin Rashid
Activist
http://www.facebook.com/UgaritNEWS
19/11/2011
كثر الحديث والسؤال عن المخرج الذي يراه التيار الإسلامي المستقل لإنهاء العنف الشديد الذي أوصل النظام الفاسد سورية إليه، وفي إزاء ذلك نبين أن تصور التيار الإسلامي المستقل لهذه القضية يقوم على ما يأتي:
– لقد تبين بما لا يدع مجالاً للشك أن النظام ماضٍ في سوق السوريين نحو حمام من الدماء، وأن من عدته في ذلك إثارة النعرات الطائفية والجهوية، وتشكيل مليشيات من الشبيحة تثير الحقد الاجتماعي في المجتمع السوري، بالإضافة إلى توجهه نحو عسكرة الثورة باستفزاز السكان من خلال التفنن في القتل بدم بارد، فضلاً عن قيام عملائه بنشر الأسلحة في متناول المدنيين، وعلى ذلك فلا يبعد أن يستثير إلى العسكرة، وذلك من خلال ترك مستودعات السلاح والذخيرة متاحة بين يدي المتظاهرين.
– إن عسكرة الثورة تعني نهايتها؛ لأن التفوق العسكري هو في يد النظام الذي يملك الطائرة والمدفع والدبابة والصاروخ وميليشيات القتل، ناهيك عن امتلاك النظام –إن حصلت العسكرة- ذريعة الدفاع عن المدنيين وحمايتهم من المسلحين، وستخسر الثورة تعاطف الصامتين من السوريين، وستخسر أيضاً الموقف الدولي، كما أن أهم شيء في ذلك أن تسليح المدنيين لا يحسم الأمر مع النظام، وربما يتحول السلاح الذي في أيدي المدنيين إلى مشكلة جديدة تظهر آثارها بعد الثورة، نجحت أو أخفقت –لاقدر الله-.
– لقد أثبتت الأيام الأولى من الثورة أن النظام اختار الحسم الأمني والعسكري خياراً لا محيد له عنه، ومع مرور الزمن تزداد هذه الحقيقة وضوحاً لازدياد افتراس النظام وتوحشه، الأمر الذي يتطلب العمل على حماية المدنيين. كما أثبتت الأشهر الثمانية من عمر الثورة أن النظام لن يرحل ليترك للسوريين بناء دولتهم المدنية التعددية العادلة والآمنة، ونحن بهذا حيال احتمالات عدة:
أولها عسكرة الثورة وهذا الخيار لا نرى جدواه لما أوضحنا سابقاً.
ثانيها التدخل العربي أو الإسلامي، وذلك عبر قوات ردع عربية أو إسلامية، تماماً كما حدث في السبعينيات من القرن الماضي حين دخلت قوات الردع العربية لبنان إبان الحرب الطائفية فيها، وهنا يمكن القول إن هذا يعدُّ خياراً جيداً ومفضلاً، إلا أنه فيما يبدو غير متاح؛ فالنظام العربي قد تصدع بعد كامب ديفيد وانقسم على نفسه، وتفككت الدول العربية. والحالة الإسلامية أكثر هشاشة من الحالة العربية.
ثالثها التدخل الأجنبي، وهو خيار وإن كان حاسماً لرحيل النظام إلا أنه سيكلف الكثير من جوانب عدة: منها أن القوات الأجنبية إذا دخلت بطلب من السوريين هروباً من ويلات النظام وآلته العسكرية المدمرة وشبيحته، فإنها لن تخرج إلا متى تريد، والحالة الأفغانية والعراقية خير شاهد. ومنها أن لهذا التدخل ثمناً سياسياً غالياً قد يرهن سورية لقرار خارجي مدة طويلة، ولاسيما أن الموارد السورية ليست مغرية.
رابعها تدخل الجيش السوري، فالجيش السوري هو القادر على حسم الموقف لصالح الثورة، ولاسيما إذا تذكرنا دور الجيشين المصري والتونسي في دعم الثورة هناك. ولكن أمام هذا الخيار مشكلة سيطرة النظام على الجيش من خلال ترتيبه على نحو طائفي، ليخدم النظام لا الوطن، وليحمي الفساد من غير أن يلتفت إلى تحرير الأجزاء المحتلة من سورية. وعلى الرغم من ذلك فقد تصدعت بنية الجيش وظهرت فيه الانشقاقات حتى شكل حماة الديار ما يعرف بالجيش السوري الحر، الذي رفض الانصياع لحماة النظام، وفي الآونة الأخيرة ازدادت عمليات التحرر من قبضة حماة النظام، إلى أن صار هؤلاء قادرين على حماية المدنيين، وربما على إحداث النكاية في القوات الموالية للنظام.
– وفي حيال الخيارات السابقة يرى التيار الإسلامي المستقل أن الخيار الرابع هو أقرب الخيارات للحدوث وأقلها ثمناً، وعليه فلا بد من دعم الجيش السوري الحر وتمكينه من قيادة الحسم العسكري، فقد أقسم الجنود السوريون تحت العلم على حماية الوطن والمواطنين، وقيام هؤلاء الجنود الأحرار برفض الامتثال للأوامر الصادرة عن القيادات العسكرية المتورطة في دماء الشعب واجب يشكرون على أدائه، وقيامهم بمواجهة تلك القيادات عمل وطني يتطلبه حماية المدنيين.
– ولتحقيق هذا الأمر لابد من توافر عنصرين،
أولهما: رقعة جغرافية تؤمن الحماية للجيش الحر لتزداد الانشقاقات، وهذا يتوقف على تأمين منطقة عازلة.
والثاني: حماية من القصف الجوي، والوصول إلى ذلك يكون بتأمين منطقة حظر جوي. وعلى كل الأحوال لابد من توفير متطلبات تقوية الجيش الحر وتعزيز دوره في حماية المدنيين وثورتهم.
– ولابد من التأكيد على حقيقة أن ما يقوم به الجيش الحر ما هو إلا داعم لفعل المتظاهرين السلميين، وليس بديلاً عنه، إذ لابد من أن يكون التظاهر السلمي هو الحاضن الاجتماعي لثورة الحرية والكرامة في سورية، فقد أثبتت الشهور الثمانية من عمر الثورة أن سلمية الثورة كانت أمضى سلاح أنهك النظام وأحرجه أمام العالم، ومن هنا فإن التيار الإسلامي المستقل يؤكد التزامه بسلمية التظاهر الشعبي، ورفضه تسليح المدنيين وإقحامهم في أعمال الجيش الحر، اللهم إلا ما يدخل في سياق استدعاء جنود الاحتياط، فالجيش الحر له صلاحيات الجيش السوري، بل هو الجيش؛ لأنه يدافع عن الشعب، والجزء الذي مع النظام هم الخارجون على الشرعية.
كما يحيي التيار الإسلامي المستقل المتظاهرين السلميين على التزامهم بالنهج الوطني، وعدم الانجرار نحو الطائفية التي يحرض عليها النظام في سلوكه وإعلامه وانتهاكاته المتكررة لمقدسات السوريين، وادعاءاته وجود عمليات خطف طائفي، ليروج أن المتظاهرين ينطلقون من بعد طائفي، فيرمي غيره بعيوبه وما هو متورط فيه. وما أكثر الشواهد الاستفزازية في سلوك النظام، وعلى رأسها الاعتماد على مليشيات طائفية يغلفها بقشرة رقيقة لا تستر وجهها القبيح، ويؤسف أن تتورط بعض دول الجوار بمثل هذه العمليات.
لقد أخفق النظام في اتهام ثورة الحرية والكرامة بالتسليح والعسكرة، وها هو الآن يشيع اتهامها كذباً بالطائفية، وينشر ادعاءات الخطف الطائفي؛ ليصرف النظر عن جرائمه ويعلق خطاياه على مشجب الشعب.
وفي هذه المناسبة بقدر ما يؤكد التيار الإسلامي المستقل دعوته المتظاهرين إلى نبذ الطائفية ويشكرهم على التزامهم بذلك، فإنه يدعو قوى المعارضة إلى التنبه وعدم الوقوع في أفخاخ النظام وإشاعاته حول وجود خطف طائفي صادر عن المتظاهرين، فالأولى التثبت من وقوع هذه الحوادث قبل تقديم بيانات الاستنكار مجاناً للنظام. وما ينبغي أن تسهم المعارضة في خلط الأوراق، ولا أن تكون سيفاً في صدر الثوار، وهذا لا يمنع من التنبيه إلى الأخطاء واستنكار ما يستحق الاستنكار، ولكن بعد التأكد، وليس لمجرد فبركات إعلامية.
حفظ الله سورية من كل مكروه، وأكرمها بالحرية والتخلص من الاستبداد.
See Translation
30 minutes ago
November 19th, 2011, 11:41 am
ann said:
Syrian army, Lebanese civilians exchange fire on border – Nov 19, 2011
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Local-News/2011/Nov-19/154608-syrian-army-lebanese-civilians-exchange-fire-on-border.ashx
BEIRUT: Syrian army personnel and Lebanese civilians exchanged fire along the border in Bekaa, north Lebanon Saturday following a smuggling attempt across the border into Syria.
Security sources told The Daily Star that the shooters from the Lebanese side were members of the Al Hajj Hasan Family.
It is not clear what was being smuggled across the border at the time. Both sides used automatic weapons in the exchange.
There were no reports of injuries on the Lebanese side, but injuries on the Syrian side could not be verified.
November 19th, 2011, 11:47 am
irritated said:
MajedAlKhaldoon
Re: Sef Al Eslam
There is a lot of questions that leads me to believe that Seif Al Eslam gave himself up under a secret deal that he will not be delivered to the ICC and will be used to neutralize the Qaddafi supporters and rally them to the new government of Libya.
That would be a clever move.
What was he doing on the border Niger-Libya? He was safe in Niger.
November 19th, 2011, 11:49 am
jad said:
Bronco,
I agree with you on #100,
“It is not the stubborness of the regime that is to blame, it was expected, but the inability of a group to work together and offer a viable and coherent alternative.”
On top of that the West and the goat princes are trying their best to complicate the situation even further using every way possible to destroy Syria.
Both the Master (Turkey) and the salve (MB) take back their ‘war’ scenario today after the creating of a buffer military zone by the Syrian army at the border and the news of the Russian navy coming to Syria:
أردوغان: لا نية لنا للتدخل بشؤون دول اخرى لكن سفك الدماء يقلقنا
أكد رئيس الحكومة التركية رجب طيّب أردوغان أن “تركيا لا تنوي التدخل بأي مسائل داخلية لدول أخرى”، لافتا إلى أن “بلاده تأمل أن يحل الهدوء في سوريا لصالح السلام والإستقرار في المنطقة”.
وشدد إردوغان في كلمة له “المؤتمر العالمي التركي للمقاولين” في اسطنبول، حسبما نقلت وكالة أنباء الاناضول، على أن “أنقرة على عكس بعض الدول الأخرى التي تهتم فقط بآبار النفط، تقلق بشأن سفك الدماء في بغداد والقدس وغزة وبنغازي وطرابلس وسرت”.
وأشار إلى أننا “أخبرنا المجتمع الدولي خلال السنوات التسع الأخيرة أنه لا ينبغي إستعداء سوريا، لكن في الوقت نفسه تلقينا عهوداً من الإدارة السورية بإصلاحات، وللأسف لم تحافظ الإدارة السورية على وعودها”.
وأمل إردوغان أن “تحقق سوريا الهدوء الداخلي من أجل صالح السلام والإستقرار الإقليمي”، مشددا على أنه “علينا أن نكافح رهاب الأجانب والتمييز العرقي بقلب موحّد”.
and the slaves:
جماعة “الاخوان المسلمين” تلحس كلامها: نرفض تدخلاً عسكرياً تركياً في سورية
القاهرة ..
قالت جماعة “الاخوان المسلمين ” جناح سورية انها لا تقبل بتدخل عسكري تركي لـ”حماية المدنيين” في سورية.
وكان المراقب العام لجماعة “الإخوان المسلمين” في سورية محمد رياض شقفة قد اعلن الخميس الماضي، قبول الشعب السوري بتدخل تركي وليس غربي لحماية المدنيين السوريين.
وأكد فاروق طيفور، نائب المراقب العام للإخوان المسلمين والناطق باسمهم في “المجلس الوطني” السوري في تصريحات لصحيفة “الشرق الأوسط” اللندنية الصادرة اليوم السبت: “ما قاله شقفة حول القبول بتدخل تركي أتى في سياق الكلام عن التدخل الدولي لحل الأزمة السورية، ولفت خلالها إلى أننا نسعى إلى أن يكون الحل عربيا، لكن إذا لم يتوقف النظام السوري عن ما سماه “القتل” فلن يكون عندها لدينا مانع من تدخل وحظر جوي تركي من دون أن يعني ذلك تدخلا عسكريا”.
وعن رأي “المجلس الوطني” في هذا الاقتراح، قال: “تفاهمنا مع المجلس الوطني لا يزال ينطلق من مبدأ أساسي وهو حماية المدنيين بالدرجة الأولى مع العلم بأنه وفي ظل الحراك الدولي المستمر حول البحث عن إطار السيناريوهات المحتملة التي يمكن اللجوء إليها لإسقاط الأسد قد يكون هذا الخيار أحد السيناريوهات المطروحة لكن بالتأكيد ذلك لن يتم من دون غطاء عربي ودولي يقضي بتكليف تركيا أو أي جهة معينة تولي هذه المهمة”.
وعما يقوله البعض من أن أي تدخل تركي سيشكل تمهيدا لتدخل دولي، قال طيفور: “قد يكون الأمر كذلك، لكن بهدف البحث عن طرق وأساليب مختلفة لإيقاف “القتل” في سوريا، لكن الوقت لم يحن بعد للتكلم عن تدخل عسكري”.
ونفي طيفور ان يكون “الاخوان” قد طلبوا من تركيا فرض منطقة حظر جوي على طول حدوده في الجانب السوري لحماية المدنيين.
من جهته، أكد عضو الأمانة العامة في “المجلس الوطني” السوري وائل ورزا للصحيفة أن قيادة الإخوان المسلمين اكدت ان اقتراح شفقة، حول طلب التدخل التركي في الأزمة السورية يرتبط فقط بطلب الحماية الدولية للمدنيين .
وأضاف ” أكدوا لنا أن هذا الاقتراح ليس مطالبة بتدخل عسكري منفرد إنما تدخل تركي تحت مظلة الجامعة العربية لحماية المدنيين” وهذا ما أكده لنا أيضا وزير الخارجية التركي احمد داوود اوغلو .
شام برس
November 19th, 2011, 11:50 am
ann said:
Recent Arrests of Armed Gangs in Syria – November 19, 2011
http://www.plenglish.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=451643&Itemid=1
Damascus, November 19 (Prensa Latina) Security forces arrested another group of 10 terrorists in Idleb, while three policemen were wounded in an attack in Daraa and two others died when a bomb exploded in Hama, local media reported on Saturday.
In recent days, especially in the southern province of Idleb, the authorities have fought back the gangs armed and financed from abroad, and also including mercenaries.
A group of 10 was caught on Friday in an abandoned basement of Maaret al-Numan in the northern part of Idleb, and authorities seized weapons, ammunition, explosives and motorcycles, SANA news agency reported Saturday.
On Friday, the national TV reported that security forces captured a terrorist bastion in Kafr Rome, west of Maaret al-Numan, where 57 were arrested alive and a large quantity of weapons and sophisticated communications equipment was seized.
The government officials have complained that their country is the target of a plot in which regional nations, including those bordering the country, conspire with Western powers to encourage domestic violence by Islamic extremist sectors and generate instability.
According to European intelligence agencies quoted by Fars and Cham Press news agencies, military bases in countries like Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey train mercenaries to infiltrate them into Syria.
November 19th, 2011, 11:50 am
majedkhaldoun said:
Bronco said
“It is not the stubborness of the regime that is to blame”
This is a mentality of dictators, condescending,uncompromising,full of mendacity
You are against foreign intervention, yes indeed, you were for foreign intervention against Iraq, Your God Hafez blessed,supported american troops to invade Iraq, he shook hands with american then,and send troops to support the american to invade Iraq.
Hafez sent troops to lebanon in 1995.
And you dare to criticize foreign intervention now,were you blind or deaf in 1991?
November 19th, 2011, 11:51 am
Juergen said:
@ Tara
Hans is a “lost soul” so to speak, he is to my knowledge german too, and wanders from one blog to the other to leave his weiry statements. He was quite active on Libya as i´recall, and always at scene when it comes to a US superpower NATO conspiracy. I think he has never set a foot on libyan or syrian soil, but he enjoys desperados like Muammar and Baschar, for being nonconformist to the “NATO powers” or the new world order.
I think that there are quite a few outside who have this wishful thinking that only hard measures and steadfulness would cure the world from liberals.
November 19th, 2011, 11:52 am
ann said:
Libya no blueprint for missions in Syria, Iran: MacKay – Nov. 19 2011
http://montreal.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20111119/mackay-libya-mission-blueprint-comment-111119/20111119/?hub=MontrealHome
HALIFAX — Defence Minister Peter MacKay says the international mission in Libya cannot be used as a blueprint for potential interventions in countries such as Syria or Iran.
MacKay made the comments during a panel discussion today at the Halifax International Security Forum.
Speaking to an audience of security and defence experts, MacKay says there was a “moral obligation” to intervene in Libya.
But he says the decision to launch similar missions in other countries cannot be made lightly because the potential fallout is too dangerous.
November 19th, 2011, 11:57 am
Haytham Khoury said:
صباحك حمصي
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=240711539325841&set=p.240711539325841&type=1&ref=nf
November 19th, 2011, 11:57 am
jad said:
Ann,
Those innocent Lebanese ‘civilians’ where trying to smuggle heavy weapons:
بيروت.. رصدت مصادر أمنية متابعة على الحدود اللبنانية مع سورية محاولات لتهريب أسلحة جديدة الى الأراضي السورية، وكشفت في هذا الصدد لصحيفة البناء انه جرى ضبط محاولات لتهريب أسلحة ثقيلة الى جانب أسلحة أخرى من أنواع مختلفة خفيفة. وأوضحت المصادر أن وراء هذه المحاولات الجهات نفسها التي عملت في الفترة السابقة على تهريب السلاح الى سورية.
November 19th, 2011, 11:59 am
irritated said:
Majedal Khaleddoom
Your knowledge of history is fuzzy or you enjoy distorted it or your hatred blinds you.
“Syria send troops to support the american to invade Iraq.?? ”
– Syria never invaded Iraq, it was to push back the Iraqis after they invaded Kuwait. The allies including Syria withdrew from Iraq. It was done with agreement of all the Arab countries
– Syria send troops to Lebanon AT THE REQUEST OF THE ARAB LEAGUE
Foreign intervention in Iraq: millions of dead and displaced.
You want this for Syria.. Go ahead call the Pentagon! I doubt they will answer you, Syria has no oil.
November 19th, 2011, 12:06 pm
N.Z. said:
“disguising themselves under a fake veil of peace, democracy and freedom we know better the truth as Syrian people.
Too bad the regime is not doing enough so fast finish the terrorists, thugs, innocent killers in Syria.”
Hans, if you were born under the Baath banner, I am sure “human dignity” is just another slogan for you. “Stand on one’s dignity” insist on being treated with due respect.
It is not fair, for anyone, to accuse you of conspiracy, this is what autocratic regimes instill in their subjects: Oh! the world is after all of us, an excuse to rule and abuse. I belonged to your group. No longer.
Radicals, are in every country, religion and sect, all over the world. This fictitious card has to be replaced, it is no longer effective, specially in Syria.
Yes, Syrians are civilized, and will continue to be so. We will all come out of this stronger and as united as we have always been.
November 19th, 2011, 12:08 pm
ann said:
Syria under mounting pressure – Nov 19, 2011
http://english.ruvr.ru/2011/11/19/60689138.html
Despite the sanctions imposed by the EU and the demands put forward by the Arab League, Syria remains the scene of an increasingly violent confrontation between the government and the opposition.
Russia is trying to avert Libya-style outside intervention in Syria, called for under the pretext of protecting the opposition followers.
The Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has called for a coordinated international effort to persuade the Syrian sides to start talks:
“We are asking all nations interested in peace in Syria to urge the Syrian government and the opposition to halt violent attacks against each other. Such calls must come from all sides, including the Arab League and the states that shelter opposition fugitives from Syria.”
Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and other Arab countries that supply the Syrian rebels with arms must immediately stop doing this.
Sunday is the Arab League’s deadline for the Syrian leadership to halt anti-opposition violence or face further sanctions against it. Seemingly unanimous, this Arab position is in fact anything but. Let’s hear about this from the Russian analyst Dr Sergei Demidenko:
“The remarkable initiative by the Arab League is hiding duplicity exercised, for instance, by Saudi Arabia and Qatar. By insisting that President Bashar Assad must go, they encourage opposition radicals in Syria.”
The head of the outlawed Syrian branch of the Moslem Brotherhood organization Muhammed Riyad al-Shakf explains how this encouragement works:
“Fortunately, hardly anyone in Syria wants NATO or the US to step in. At the same time, if no political solution to the Syrian confrontation is found, many would welcome intervention by Arab states or Turkey. I believe the Bashar regime will fall before January.”
Dr Vladimir Sotnikov of the Russian Academy of Sciences believes the regime’s intransingence plays into the hands of radical opposition groups, including those based outside Syria:
“Assad still has some time to make concessions and accept reforms. Unfortunately, at present, he is only paying lip service to them. In reality, he continues attempts to resolve his country’s crisis by force. Russia urges him to find other ways of dealing with his opponents.”
Russia also calls attention to the role the opposition has played in the Syrian bloodshed.. On Monday, 70 people died during violent demonstrations. On Wednesday, a group of renegade soldiers attacked the headquarters of military intelligence near Damascus, leaving another 6 people dead. Several tanks were also destroyed. On the same day, a rebel group calling itself the Syrian Liberation Army announced the creation of a shadow administration working to unseat and replace Assad. Its members are former soldiers, often seen in the streets trying to persuade other servicemen to defect to the opposition side.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said at the time that Syria was on the brink of a civil war. The US Department of State disagreed, but confirmed plans to turn on heat on the Assad regime. Observers believed this was a threat to impose EU-style sanctions on Syria. The latter already include a freeze on credit, aid and the bank accounts of 18 Syrian Generals. These Generals are also subject to an entry ban to the EU.
Morocco and France have recalled their Ambassadors from Damascus. The French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe has spoken about plans to ask the UN Security Council to sanction international military intervention in Syria.
Russia and China remain determined to veto any intervention motion. They say they would not be happy to see another Libya in the Arab world.
November 19th, 2011, 12:08 pm
Ghufran said:
انا يا عصفورة الشجن مثل عينيك بلا وطن
بى كما الطفل تسرقه اول الليل يد الوسن
واغتراب بى وبى فرح كارْتحال البحر بالسفن
انا لا ارضٌ ولا سكنٌ انا عيناك هما سكنى
راجع من صوب اغنية يا زمان ضاع فى الزمن
صوتها يبكى فاحمله بين زهر الصمت والوهن
من حدود الانس يا حلما زارنى طيراعلى غصن
أىُّ وهم عشت انت به كنت فى البال ولم تكن
November 19th, 2011, 12:09 pm
Ghufran said:
متعب بعروبتي
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%A7%20%D9%8A%D8%A7%20%D8%B5%D8%AF%D9%8A%D9%82%D8%A9%20%D9%85%D8%AA%D8%B9%D8%A8%20%D8%A8%D8%B9%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%A8%D8%AA%D9%8A&source=web&cd=3&ved=0CD4QtwIwAg&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DTGt9_DS1lXs&ei=fePHTqjDEouftweY1PnHCw&usg=AFQjCNECTphjj5MfPCKeFJiQBzOxCVlpLg
November 19th, 2011, 12:15 pm
Tara said:
Bronco
Sorry, I don’t share this pessimistic view of Syria future. If anything, this revolution unmasked the great courage, creativity, and intellect of the Syrian people. To tell you the truth, having left Syria at age 21, I was never impressed with the Syrian people as much as I am now. I am humbled and in total awe in front of their collective power. The opposition achieved in few months what is unimaginable having come from a politically-deprived state for 40 years.
The point I am trying to make is that I wish more involvement of the minorities with the current opposition. I am certain that it is a matter of time before the fall of the House of Assad. I am expecting it within 6 months, not more. If more minorities involved with the opposition, the transition can be peaceful, gradual and successful. The road to democracy is long. You can’t just wake up one day to find yourself living in a utopia of democracy all of the sudden just because the House of Assad fell overnight. It is handwork and long struggle and requires the collective intellect and participation of all fabrics of the Syrian society. That is why I find it critical that no one component marginalizes itself because of its miscalculation. Minorities’ support of Assad is emotional one and should become realistic as the balance of power is gradually changing against the regime.
If you to have a crystal ball telling you that Assad will fall in 2 months, wouldn’t you want to have a voice in life after Besho? You may want to preserve the army, the Baath party, the government institutions and built on them to slowly transform them into effective democratic ones. Minorities won’t be able to negotiate or effect change if it is marginalized during the transition.
November 19th, 2011, 12:26 pm
ann said:
British foreign secretary to meet Syrian rebel leaders – 2011-11-19
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-11/19/c_131257388.htm
LONDON, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) — The British Foreign Office said that Foreign Secretary William Hague will meet Syrian rebel leaders in London on Monday.
Hague’s meeting with leaders of the Syrian National Council and the National Co-ordination Committee for Democratic Change comes at a time when Britain is ratcheting up pressure on the Syrian government.
“We have been having regular contacts with a variety of figures in the Syrian opposition for several months. We are now intensifying these,” a Foreign Office spokeswoman said.
Hague has appointed Frances Guy, a former ambassador to Lebanon, as an envoy to deal with the exiled Syrian opposition.
Advisers for Prime Minister David Cameron will also meet the Syrian rebel leaders in Downing Street.
Anti-government protests broke out in mid-March in Syria, and have resulted in some 3,500 deaths so far, according to UN estimates.
International pressure on the Syrian government has been stepped up these days, mainly from the United States, its European allies and the Arab countries.
At a meeting in Morocco’s capital of Rabat on Wednesday, the Arab League formally suspended Syria’s membership, and gave President Bashar al-Assad’s government three days to implement a peace plan brokered by the bloc to halt the violence and allow in observers from the organization. Otherwise, Syria would face economic sanctions.
November 19th, 2011, 12:41 pm
ann said:
Oil pipeline blasted in eastern Syria: report – 2011-11-19
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-11/19/c_131256373.htm
DAMASCUS, Nov. 18 (Xinhua) — An oil pipeline was blasted Friday in Syria’s eastern province of Deir al-Zour, the private Sham FM reported.
The blast took place at al-Kharatta site, about 5 km south of Deir al-Zour, the report said, disclosing no further details on the incident.
Several attacks have been carried out against gas and oil pipelines in different areas across Syria over the past eight months of protests. Syria accused armed terrorist groups of being behind the attacks.
Syria’s oil sector has been hit hard during the months-old unrest. Earlier in September, the European Union banned oil imports from Syria as a response to the alleged regime’s crackdown against protesters.
Syria’s Minister of Oil Sufian Allaw told Xinhua during a recent interview that Syria has reduced its oil production from 380,000 barrels per day to 280,000 after the recent U.S. and European sanctions on its energy sector, one of the country’s few lifelines.
The European countries and the United States have worked on economic sanctions, aiming at pushing the Syrian citizens to take tougher positions against the regime, since the very beginning of the events in Syria, and the Arab countries have recently followed the lead in a bid to further isolate the Syrian regime and cripple the Syrian economy.
Oil trade contribute to 28 percent of annual revenue of Syria. About 95 percent of the Syrian exported oil goes to Europe.
November 19th, 2011, 12:44 pm
ann said:
Putin says Russia’s position on Syria to be prudent – 2011-11-18
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-11/18/c_131256351.htm
MOSCOW, Nov. 18 (Xinhua) — Russia’s position on the Syria issue in the U.N. Security Council will be restrained and prudent, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said Friday.
“We are ready to work with the international community but we are calling for restraint and prudence towards the Syria issue. This will also be our position on the issue,” Putin said after talks with French Prime Minister Francois Fillon.
Putin said that Russia would continue cooperating with the international community on the issue and stressed that Moscow also believed “peoples of this or that country must be given an opportunity to decide their fate themselves.”
Meanwhile, Putin said that Moscow has been analyzing situations in the Arab countries.
“If one wants to change something abruptly in Syria, it is very sensitive for us, it (Syria) is close to our borders,” he said.
The prime minister also reiterated Russia’s principal position that the use of force in such situations could be counter-productive.
Fillion admitted that Moscow and Paris have had some discrepancies over the Syria issue but insisted that France did not mean military intervention to that country.
On Thursday, Russia welcomes the Arab League’s decision to send observers to Syria and urges the country’s relevant parties to start negotiations seeking a peaceful settlement of its crisis.
November 19th, 2011, 12:48 pm
jad said:
As’ad collection for today
Syrian Ikhwan opposition
Yesterday, comrade Amer was making a good point. He said that people in the West and East, and even some progressives we know, are all enthusiastic about support for the Syrian National Council without knowing anything whatsoever (or bnoob in Syrian accent) about their political blueprint for Syria. Does anyone really know what kind of government or political system they are proposing? And please spare me the mambo jumbo about “dawlah madaniyyah” (civil state) because it carries no meaning whatsoever. Even the Bin Ladenite militias in the streets of Tripoli don’t mind “civil state”. Does any of them tell us what kind of relationship will the new state have with religion? And which religion? And how do they ties to Saudi Arabia and Qatar affect their politics and foreign policy? And they rightly mock and criticize the lousy Syrian regime for leaving the Golan under Israeli occupation, but what is their plan for the liberation of the Golan? For this reason, I don’t get how any one (progressive or liberal) can ever support such a lousy deliberately deceptive bunch.
Posted by As’ad AbuKhalil
Syrian regime strategic plan
The worst analysis of international affairs you can read in Syrian regime newspapers and you may watch on regime TV stations. Yesterday, Syrian ambassador in Lebanon revealed Syrian regime secret plan: he said that the economic crisis will be bringing the US down. OK.
Posted by As’ad AbuKhalil
Banners in English
Whether in Iran or in Syria, i hate when I see protesters holding banners in English. Why? Who are you talking to in the first place? Which is your audience? Your people or NATO?
Posted by As’ad AbuKhalil
You want me to support this (non)Revolution? Fat chance
This picture was published in Al-Quds Al-`Arabi from a demonstration in Homs yesterday. It reads: Thanks to King `Abdullah bin Husayn [of Jordan]: That is how we have known you, o sons of Hashim”. It carries the signature of Revolution Council in the Goverorate of Homs, i.e. it is an official signature of the leadership of the lousy non-Revolution. You really expect me to support such a movement? It is not a revolution when it expresses support for the lousy potentate of Jordan. One Syrian told me on Twitter yesterday: but they only did that because he called on Bashshar to resign. I told him: so why not make banners for Israeli leaders and pay tribute to Sons of Netanyahu as well. This has become a legitimate and popular uprising that has been stolen by a religious reactionary movement that is beholden to oil interests in the region. I don’t have to wait to see what kind of a lousy government they have in mind. This is a movement that find Saudi repression to be an exemplary form of government. It is not that I don’t support this Ikhwan led movement: I call for strong opposition against it, just as I call for opposition to the lousy regime.
Posted by As’ad AbuKhalil
Mr. Riyad Shaqfah (or Riyad Piece)
This [dude] {that is unfair, he is using my line about the makeup dude, I guess all of the MBssss are dudessss} is of course the leader of the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood. There are reports I have received from Syrians (including some in the secular opposition) that while he led the rebellion in Hamah in 1982, he was engaged in sectarian killings. Of course, when we raise the worry that sectarian killing may occur we speak from experience: the lousy Ikhwan did engage in sectarian killings in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The regime responded with its typical savagery and Rif`at Al-Asad (being promoted now as the democratic crusader of Syria in Saudi channels) led the brutal assault on Hamah. So Riyad Shaqfah (or Riyad Piece, to translate his name) said the other day that he calls for Turkish military intervention in Syria. But his deputy told the mouthpiece of Prince Salman and his sons, Ash-Sharq Al-Awsat, that Mr. Riyad Piece did not mean that he wanted Turkish military intervention when he called for…Turkish military intervention. I kid you not.
Posted by As’ad AbuKhalil
November 19th, 2011, 12:51 pm
ann said:
Gov’t forces roundup 140 wanted in northern Syria – 2011-11-19
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-11/19/c_131257683.htm
DAMASCUS, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) — The Syrian authorities on Saturday arrested 140 wanted people in the northern Idlib province, as part of its campaign to bring down those who have attacked official forces, official SANA news agency reported.
The operation was carried out meticulously after raiding a number of terrorist groups’ hideouts in different areas in Idlib, the report said.
Saturday’s arrests came two days after the Syrian authorities’ capture of 57 people in the same province, which has emerged as a hub of armed resistance against the government forces.
Earlier this month, the Syrian interior ministry called on those who carried, sold or distributed weapons but did not commit homicides to turn themselves in within a week to receive amnesty. The government also released two batches of prisoners in November – – the second batch including 1,180 prisoners who were not involved in murder cases.
The Syrian government has been accusing the armed groups of acting out a foreign conspiracy to foment anarchy in the country and to topple the administration of President Bashar al-Assad.
Syria has been wrecked by an eight-month-old unrest that has claimed the lives of hundreds of civilians and army personnel.
November 19th, 2011, 12:51 pm
Observer said:
here is the translation and again it is from Walls “heetan”
his is what Bashar Alassad said during his meeting with us:
by Houssam Arian on Friday, November 18, 2011 at 3:03pm
First, I would like to point out that I refused to publish the disastrous aspect of our debate earlier. What I said, was published by Alsafir Newspaper in one sentence that boils down to this: We went to propose solutions, not to ask for personal favors, despite that, some of the people present did have personal favors to ask. I would also like to say that I resent the question: “what are your demands?” that we heard over and over from every regime representative that we met and earlier over the broadcast of “the students’ voice”. It felt like we were there on a begging mission.
On May 5, 2011 and through a phone call that I received from the Student union of Syrian students, I was informed that my name came up along with a group of other Syrian youth from all over Syria, to attend a meeting with the president Alassad to discuss the current situation. I was also told that the meeting will take place in two days, i.e. on May 7, 2011. I accepted and traveled to Damascus to attend the meeting at the presidential palace. We all went in. A group of 14 young men and women. After they welcomed us and we introduced ourselves, the meeting started. I chose to be the last to ask any questions about problems and solutions, hoping not to steal anybody else’s ideas without realizing it. Here is what amazed me in terms of the answers that we received:
We have to activate the role of the Baath party, because in the last few decades, the Syrian citizens did not feel the importance of the ruling party in the government.
This was the president’s answer to a young woman who came from Homs, when she asked about the proposed idea to cancel article 8 of the constitution with the utmost speed, so that we avoid arguments and allow the opposition free speech and permit the establishment of parties opposed to the Baath party.
Military service, in its current condition is in fact national service. Even if you thought of a doctor manning a check point and fighting. In doing so, he is in fact serving his nation.
This was the answer that one of the participants from Qamishli received, when he suggested that we should transform the concept of military service into national service. This will allow us to use the young conscripts in their fields of expertise, like sending engineers to participate in government projects or sending teachers to teach in underserved areas. This will achieve two objectives: first, is covering all the schools in Syria and second, is saving a good amount of money that can be used to improve the schools infrastructure in some areas.
It was the turn of a guy from Hasakeh, who had a simple request: can we stop the beatings and killings by the intelligence services. If they are trying to arrest someone, why don’t they do it with a little respect?
The answer was that we are working on training police forces specializing in dealing with demonstrations. They will start their work within the next few months.
I believe that these were the most important questions asked before it was my turn and I asked three questions: The first was that since the government account of what is happening in Syria is the truth and not lies and fabrications, why don’t we allow the press to come to Syria and see what is going on to prove once and for all that the Syrian government is telling the truth.
The answer was that we do not need the outside press for two reasons: first, because press agencies have reporters all over the world except in Syria, this is why they need to get their news from our Syrian press and we will give them the truth about what is happening on our soil, second, our press throughout these past years never had the chance to shine on the world stage. Today it is taking advantage of this opportunity to increase its expertise in this field.
My second question was: Arabs in general tend to lean to the emotional side. This characteristic is a good one, but can prove detrimental if it is not dealt with properly. This is why I suggest that the intelligence services avoid random arrests and treat detainees in a humane and civilized manner.
The answer was that yes, we are emotional, and to overcome what you talked about, we should first and foremost, follow the truthful press on ground. this will help guide us on where to go with our emotions. I have also answered your friend that we are working on training the police to deal with the demonstrators with respect.
My third question was: since you have the leadership, the wisdom and the judicial system, why haven’t we seen till this day any trial for those who are complicit and guilty of killing Syrians like Atef Najeeb?
The answer was with a lowered head: yes, Atef Najeeb is complicit, but no one filed a law suit against him. In addition, he is my first cousin and I have not seen him in 22 years.
Then, I could not control myself and dared to interrupt him to point out that only yesterday a few of my friends were arrested during a demonstration that they were not even participating in. When we went to try to get them out through the judicial system, we were told: who are you going to sew? Here he asked me to give him the names of my detained friends, but I had one more question: what is the fate of the other detainees? He continued addressing the group saying:
yesterday there were 19 people arrested in Seif Aldowleh, all of whom are hobos.
I interrupted him again to say: of the 19 that you just mentioned, 5 are doctors. In addition, the arrests that night exceeded 200. Then I continued: and how about the new demonstration law?
His answer was: we do not care who is demonstrating, rather who is documenting the event and sending it to the foreign press.
After a few seconds, his personal guard came in to tell us that our time was up. Before we left, the president asked if one of us would volunteer to appear on Aldunya news channel live, to talk about our meeting with him. He received no answer from anyone of us. Everyone was quiet for a little while, when he interjected:
has it reached that level?
The answer came from me and the person next to me simultaneously: and a lot more.
November 19th, 2011, 12:54 pm
ann said:
11 killed after armed men attack bus in Syria’s Homs – 2011-11-19
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-11/19/c_131257677.htm
DAMASCUS, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) — A total of 11 people were killed and another five injured after armed groups opened fire at a bus carrying civilians and army personnel in the central Homs province, the Syria-News website quoted police sources as saying.
The gunmen have escaped the scene after showering the bus with bullets, said the report.
Homs, Syria’s third largest city and home to about 800,000 people, is deemed as the center of the unrest in the country as protests are being staged there on a daily basis and its resilient residents show unrelenting determination to stick to their demands which have amounted to toppling the Syrian government.
Protests in Homs have even turned violent and deadly, and have claimed the lives of a number of civilians and security agents and policemen in revenge-related killings.
Syria has charged that some countries are behind the eight- months-old unrest in the country and even fund what it called armed terrorist groups it blames for killing hundreds of policemen and military personnel across the country.
At least 3,500 people have been killed since the unrest began, the United Nations said in a new statement published recently.
Meanwhile, the Lebanese al-Manar TV cited what it called ” unofficial sources” as saying that the Syrian army has started the deployment along the northern borders and at a depth of 20 kilometers with Turkey in an operation titled “Break the illusion. ”
Broad-based Syrian opposition has recently called on Turkey to impose a buffer zone along the border with Syria to be used as a launching-pad of operation against the administration of President Bashar al-Assad.
On Friday, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu warned that if the crackdown continues in Syria, there will be new measures to undertake.
The Arab League (AL) issued on Wednesday in Rabat of Morocco a draft deal to send an Arab mission of 500 observers to monitor the situation in Syria from the ground and gave Syrian government three days to sign the agreement after the AL suspended Syria’s membership in the pan-Arab body.
Syria, however, suggested amendments to the draft protocol regarding the legal status and the duties of the AL mission of observers.
AL Secretary General Nabil al-Arabi said on Friday that the proposed amendments “are now under study.”
November 19th, 2011, 12:55 pm
Syrian Nationalist Party said:
104. JADSAID:
Bronco,
I agree with you on #100,
“It is not the stubborness of the regime that is to blame, it was expected, but the inability of a group to work together and offer a viable and coherent alternative.”
On top of that the West and the goat princes are trying their best to complicate the situation even further using every way possible to destroy Syria…………
Yes, that above sum it up, but from now on the “expected” stubbornness of the regime is what will be the only fault in this ongoing stalemate. The opposition proved incapable and inapt in anything but threatening minorities and slitting throats. Syria’s enemies, each, after accomplishing own goals, plans and working diligently for own interests. One can take note that even Abdullah and Morocco ruler already made many concessions to the public and they are not even teetering on the verge of Civil War, but Assad done nothing other than working the Baathist math formulas, which goes something like this 2+2+2×8+4=0
November 19th, 2011, 12:58 pm
ann said:
Syria thanks India for non-interference stand in solving crisis
2011-11-19
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-11/19/c_131257579.htm
NEW DELHI, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) — Syria has thanked India for adopting a non-inteference stand to solve the on-going crisis in the Middle East country, reported local daily The Pioneer Saturday.
One day after India and Russia strongly asked all the actors in Syria to immediately end violence, Syrian Ambassador to India Riad Abbas told the newspaper on Friday that New Delhi’s position of non-interference was the only way forward to end the crisis in his country.
Abbas also accused the United States of asking the armed groups not to surrender their weapons which is a direct intervention, said the newspaper.
“We highly appreciate India’s stand in regards of non- interference in the internal affairs of my country. This is the principal stand of India that should be taken by all countries around the world, so people can solve their problem amicably,” said the ambassador.
The ambassador also said his country had been committed to the Arab initiative, since there should have been an Arab solution to the crisis. But the Arab League has been used by vested interest countries so Syria will solve its problems on its own.
The Arab League has asked Syria to end violence immediately or face sanctions.
November 19th, 2011, 1:00 pm
ann said:
Thousands of Syrians rally in support of Assad – 2011-11-19
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-11/19/c_131256390.htm
DAMASCUS, Nov. 18 (Xinhua) — Thousands of Syrians thronged a main Syrian square on Friday to express support to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and to express discontent with the Arab League’s decision to suspend Syria’s membership.
After Friday’s noon prayers, thousands went out of the Umayyad Mosque in the old city of Damascus on a rally titled “The Mosques Are Ours.” The participants crossed al-Hamidiyeh market toward Saba’ Bahrat Square chanting slogans against foreign interference in Syria’s internal affairs.
A convoy of cars also set off from al-Hassan Mosque in al-Midan neighborhood on a rally meant to show solidarity with the process of reforms announced by President Bashar al-Assad.
In the coastal city of Latakia, Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) said thousands of citizens voluntarily gathered near Haroun roundabout condemning the AL decision against Syria.
In addition to the pro-regime rallies, opposition protests also erupted in northern and central Syria, according to Sham FM radio.
Friday’s rallies came amid confirmation by Secretary General of the Arab League (AL), Nabil al-Arabi, that he had received a letter from Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem that included amendments to the draft protocol regarding the legal status and the duties of the AL mission of observers to be sent soon to Syria.
Al-Arabi’s announcement came in a statement Friday in which he said that the proposed amendments are now under study.
Also Friday, Imams and preachers at some mosques in Syria expressed their rejection and condemnation of the Arab League’s halt of Syria’s membership, saying the decision is linked to foreign agendas seeking for interference in the Syrian internal affairs, according to SANA.
Delivering sermons at the Friday prayers, the imams described the decision as “a violation of the principles of the joint Arab action and of the Arab League Charter regarding the non- interference in the internal affairs of the Arab countries and the respect of national sovereignty.”
November 19th, 2011, 1:05 pm
N.Z. said:
How can we avoid both:
1. foreign intervention.
2. “Syrian Soldiers KILLING Syrian Soldiers.”
Keeping in mind the two sides:
a) illegitimate ruling family and the stubbornness of Bashar.
b) legitimate demand of the protesters and the increasingly defection of the noble Syrian army personnel with their arms.
How can we act as concerned citizens. The longer the crisis linger, foreign intervention will be more likely, the bloodier and heavier the number of victims will rise.
Keeping in mind, that the full responsibility lies on the shoulder of the half-man, Bashar Assad.
Let us do some brainstorming. Accusations will not solve the problem, rather, narrowing the gap between us will.
November 19th, 2011, 1:10 pm
bronco said:
Tara #116
“You may want to preserve the army, the Baath party, the government institutions and built on them to slowly transform them into effective democratic ones. ”
Sorry Tara, your problem is that you think that Bashar and his family make the regime. That’s an illusion. The regime exists without them. It is a complex web of allegeances that is much beyond the Assads.
The Turkish sponsored Opposition want a total upheaval, the same way it happened in Iraq. They want to destroy everything about the regime for fear it will revive again. They will want to destroy the Baath party, cleanup the army, change the institutions to fit the agenda of their sponsors, change the foreign policy to respond to their sponsors etc.. It is a revolution they want, not a simple ‘gradual’ change.
A ‘gradual’ and peaceful change is only thinkable under the same “repented” and ‘pressured’ regime. Any other way would be through a violent coup with its long term consequences of destruction and chaos.
November 19th, 2011, 1:23 pm
ann said:
Clashes in Cairo as riot police clear protestors – 2011-11-19
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-11/19/c_131257680.htm
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/photo/2011-11/19/c_131257565.htm
CAIRO, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) — Egypt’s military police clashed with protestors in downtown Cairo’s Tahrir Square on Saturday as tear gas was used to disperse the crowds, one day after a protest here to demand the early transfer of power to civilian rule.
Military police cleared the square where a small group of protestors had stayed and attempted to hold a sit-in on Saturday morning. Then at around midday, protestors gathered again in the square. They threw stones to military police who then used tear gas to disperse them.
Some protestors climbed onto a police truck and smashed its windows with sticks and stones. On Saturday afternoon, hundreds of protestors were still at the square. Others fled randomly as police fired tear gas at them.
Seven policemen were injured during the clashes. Five rioters were arrested, state media reported.
On Friday, tens of thousands of protestors rallied at the Tahrir Square to protest a constitution principle charter and the military rule.
November 19th, 2011, 1:27 pm
irritated said:
#121 Observer
This was already posted and reposted by the ubiquitous SHEILA #88
For me it’s a fake. Who is Houssam Arian?
November 19th, 2011, 1:29 pm
ann said:
“Head-on confrontation with Egypt inevitable”: Israeli lawmaker
2011-11-15
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-11/15/c_131248844.htm
JERUSALEM, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) — Israel should begin preparing for a confrontation with Egypt, Binyamin Ben-Eliezer, an Israeli Labor lawmaker, said Monday.
“The latest developments in Egypt indicate that on the axis of time, Israel will find itself in an all-out confrontation with Egypt, which is why we should start preparing for one,” the Yedioth Ahronoth daily quoted Ben-Eliezer as saying during a meeting of the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee ( FADC).
Officials who attended the meeting said the grim forecast was particularly troubling considering that it was made by Ben-Eliezer, one of Israel’s oldest-serving politicians and a former close associate of the ousted Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak.
Ben-Eliezer elaborated on his assessment that Israel and Egypt are headed on a sure collision course, telling Yedioth Ahronoth that “we are in the midst of a storm or an earthquake… It is already clear that the Muslim Brotherhood will, for the first time in history, win at least a third of the seats in (Egypt’s) parliament (in the upcoming elections). Islamization is replacing extreme nationalism.”
The Israeli-Egyptian ties have grown tense since the overthrow of Mubarak in February, with top Israeli political and security officials voicing concerns over the future of the 1979 peace treaty between the two countries.
Those concerns came to a head seven months later, when hundreds of demonstrators stormed the Israeli embassy in Cairo, forcing the emergency evacuation of the diplomatic staff and their families.
Ben-Eliezer, who retired from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) with the rank of brigadier general, has held several ministerial posts since entering politics in the mid 1980s and is well known for his dovish positions. In 1994, he became the first Israeli minister to meet then-chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization, Yasser Arafat.
Earlier this year, just weeks prior to the outbreak of the Egyptian protests, Ben-Eliezer accompanied Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to a meeting with Mubarak at the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, where the two leaders discussed ways to reignite the stalled peace process.
With the Egyptian presidential elections expected to take place next year, Ben-Eliezer on Monday underscored that “no one can guarantee how the regime that is going to be elected will look like.”
On Tuesday, IDF chief Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz said the Israeli military is adjusting its deployment along the southern border with Egypt in accordance with the increasing instability of the Sinai Peninsula.
Speaking at a briefing to the FADC, Gantz said that the international Jihad and Gaza-based militant groups are ” establishing many infrastructures of hostile militant activity in Sinai in violation of Egyptian sovereignty,” according to Israel Radio.
“The border with Egypt has changed from a border that requires coping with infiltrators to one that is supposed to be prepared for dealing with terrorism,” he said.
Gantz said he had instructed the construction of a 230- kilometer-long border fence with Egypt, 70 kilometer of which have already been built. The project was started earlier this year and will be completed by the end of 2012.
November 19th, 2011, 1:30 pm
ann said:
Syria sanctions: US, allies focusing on Lebanon – November 19, 2011
http://www.yalibnan.com/2011/11/19/syria-sanctions-us-allies-focusing-on-lebanon/
The U.S. and its allies are shifting their efforts to constrict Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s few remaining financial lifelines, focusing on ties to Lebanon banks as they increasingly voice confidence that economic malaise will ultimately force the Assad regime from power.
Syria’s economy will contract by as much as 8% this year, some independent economists project, due to cuts in oil exports and the collapse of the tourism industry amid Mr. Assad’s eight-month military crackdown on dissent.
Syrians say business in the capital, Damascus, is suffering and residents from the second-largest city, Aleppo, have reported shortages of gasoline, diesel and .
The Treasury and its partners in Europe and the Middle East are focusing on more than a dozen Lebanese banks that hold branches in Damascus.
When Daniel Glaser, the U.S. Treasury assistant secretary for terrorist financing, visited Beirut earlier this month he gave a stark warning that Lebanese banks risk being blacklisted if they are seen as helping Syrian banks evade sanctions, a more direct message than the one Glaser issued to the media at the time in which he said Lebanon must work to avoid attempts by Syria to use its financial sector as a means to evade sanctions.
November 19th, 2011, 1:50 pm
Dale Andersen said:
Memo To: MAJEDKHALDOUN
RE: “…I hope Saif gets a fair trial…”
Why? Why should he get a fair trial?
http://playwrighter.blogspot.com/2011/04/arab-news-fox-news-style.html
November 19th, 2011, 2:17 pm
Mina said:
Abu l-Mafhumiyya of the day is… Abdel Moneim Said, a veteran from Mubarak’s inner circle, member of his party and director of the French version of the al Ahram governmental paper. The guy was so sure of his benefactor, back in January (read: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/28/world/middleeast/28mubarak.html). He is among the people which are know to have received a salary that could reach 100,000 dollars a month, and the guy still writes in the newspapers? No shame?
What to do with Syria
“Arab consensus might force a global rejection of the rogue regime”
Abdel Moneim Said , Friday 18 Nov 2011
Syria is too important to be left to Bashar Al-Assad to do as he pleases there. The people of Syria are our brothers and they cannot be abandoned at the mercy of a brutal ruthless regime. I was never optimistic about the Arab League (AL) initiative because “revolutionary” regimes, or those that claim to be, view negotiations and initiatives as tools to serve their interests in all phases. They do not view them as a forum to air differences or a middle ground solution to polar opposites, but instead as an opportunity to win new territory or avoid losing ground that is about to be lost. Accordingly, accepting the Arab initiative was only a manoeuvre to recover some legitimacy after most of it had dissipated, and to buy some time to thwart the revolution or weaken it in preparation for its slaughter.
http://english.ahram.org.eg/~/NewsContentP/4/26893/Opinion/What-to-do-with-Syria.aspx
November 19th, 2011, 2:22 pm
Dale Andersen said:
Memo To: ANN
RE: “…When Daniel Glaser, the U.S. Treasury assistant secretary for terrorist financing, visited Beirut he warned that Lebanese banks risk being blacklisted if they helped Syrian banks evade sanctions…”
He didn’t need to warn the Lebanese. Ever since the Hariri murder, all patriotic Lebanese want nothing to do with Besho. Except, of course, for his Syrian collaborators and thugs and toadies in Hizbollah…
http://playwrighter.blogspot.com/2011/04/arab-news-fox-news-style.html
November 19th, 2011, 2:23 pm
jad said:
Hi Irritated
“Who is Houssam Arian?”
مين سمير؟ 🙂
November 19th, 2011, 2:41 pm
jad said:
What a mess in Homs, more than 300 Syrians kidnapped from the minorities that the sectarian liar is threatening. Is this the democracy that any Syrian want, even when Ghalyoun rightly wrote his message the other day he rejected these terrorist moves and today his team are discrediting him for that, those who commit these sectarian crimes are criminals and terrorists not a freaking ‘angles’ and they are the ones leading Syria to hell..
تقرير قناة المنار من قلب حمص الجريحة 19 11 2011
http://youtu.be/0y82A1Ut7x4
استشهاد 11 شخص بينهم عسكريين وجرح 3 آخرين في هجوم لـ”مسلحين” على حافلة شرقي حمص
كشف مصدر في شرطة حمص لسيريانيوز، عن استشهاد 11 شخص بينهم عسكريين، وإصابة 3آخرين، صباح يوم السبت، في هجوم قام به “مسلحون” على حافلة، تقل ركاب بالقرب من منطقة المشرفة شرقي مدينة حمص، كانت متوجهة من منطقة مخرم إلى حمص.
وقال المصدر إن “المسلحين قاموا بالهجوم بالأسلحة الرشاشة، على الحافلة التي كانت تقل ركاب من بينهم عسكريين وموظفين، ما أدى إلى استشهاد 11 شخص، وجرح 3 آخرين، كما لاذ المسلحون بالفرار”.
http://syria-news.com/readnews.php?sy_seq=140184
November 19th, 2011, 2:54 pm
ann said:
Mother Agnes Merriam al-Saleeb: Nameless Gunmen Possessing Advanced Firearms Terrorize Citizens and Security in Syria
19-11-2011
http://www.syriaonline.sy/details.php?t=syria&id=2456
Mother Agnes Merriam al-Saleeb, head of the Catholic Media Center team which visited Syria and witnessed the reality of the situation on the ground, said on Friday that there is great distortion of the truth about what is happening in Syria, indicating to the terrorist acts committed by armed groups against citizens and security forces in Syria.
In a press conference, Mother Agnes pointed out that the Catholic Media Center and the accompanying journalists were the first media delegation that visited the hotspots and hospitals and witnessed what was being inflicted upon the security forces and the army, and thus the delegation is determined to relaying the facts and going into details about how gunmen confronted security forces and the army to undermine the state’s dignity and create a state of chaos and confusion, leading to harming citizens in a blatant manner unfitting of human rights, with bodies being desecrated, mutilated and discarded in the streets without mercy.
During the press conference, which was attended by Italian, Belgian, French, Spanish and US journalists who visited Syria, Mother Agnes said that the delegation toured Homs, Qara, al-Qasir, al-Nahda’a and Baba Amro and saw mutilated bodies left behind by gunmen who were holding the Syrian people hostage, creating a nurturing environment for nameless gunmen possessing advanced firearms and ammo who vandalized and terrorized citizens and security forces.
She pointed out that the Center has a list of the names of the actual victims who were murdered, butchered and dismembered for no discernible reason, adding that the images of those victims were used later in media setup claiming that security forces killed them.
Mother Agnes said that the Center has more than 800 names of murder victims, 372 of them murdered in October alone, all of them security forces, pointing out to the “prophetic” observatory called the Syrian Human Rights Observatory that posts daily numbers of deceased people without giving a single name, adding that the Center called the Observatory and requested the names of the deceased, which it failed to deliver to this moment.
She pointed out that some mass media sources are causing people to make horrible mistake, which is unacceptable, noting that the press statutes have become mere ink on paper, with press reporting things that don’t exist in reality and trying to depict Syria as having two components, with the first side being the villains who are the army, security forces and the so-called “shabiha”, and the other side being the protestors who are depicted as being peaceful as lambs and demanding freedom, democracy and human rights.
For his part, head of the Catholic Media Center, Father Eli Madi, said that the journalists’ initiative aimed at fact-finding and informing world media of the truth, calling on the media to relay the facts without distortion.
In turn, journalists from Italian, Belgian, French, Spanish and US news agencies and independent journalists from Lebanon, Algeria and France stressed that objectivity requires acknowledging the fact that there are armed groups attacking the Syrian security forces in order to weaken the regime.
Webster Griffin Tarpley from the Grove Institute in Washington demanded that the BBC, CNN al-Jazeera cease broadcasting lies, saying that he and other journalists visited Homs, Banyas, Tartous and other cities and didn’t see the army killing the people; rather there were armed, hooded groups and sniper killing the army.
For his part, Marc George from the French newspaper Le Libre said that the journalists visited Homs and Banyas and talked to injured soldiers and saw the bodies of the martyrs, affirming that what they witnessed had nothing to do to what was proclaimed by the media, and that the demonstrations were pro-government and not against it.
George stressed that the only martyrs they saw were soldiers, not civilians, and that the al-Jazeera, al-Arabiya and BBC speak as it they’re reciting a lesson that has no relation to the truth.
November 19th, 2011, 3:08 pm
jad said:
HNN شبكة أخبار حمص
محافظ حمص السيد غسان عبد العال على هواء شام اف ام :
– مادتي المازوت والغاز في مدينة حمص متوفرة وكافية لكن الصعوبة في توفير حرية وامن الآليات لنقل هذين المادتين إلى أحياء حمص وتم تخصيص صهاريج لنقل هذخ المواد مع تامين الحماية لهم .
– كنا نمتلك في حمص 150 صهريج لنقل الماوزت والآن بسبب الأوضاع يتحرك 58 صهريج بسبب الأوضاع الأمنية في حمص وذلك سبب قلة في توفير المادة للمواطنين .
– الحالة الطبيعية سترجع إلى حمص بغضون 10 أيام .
– قمنا بتشكيل لجان ومخاتير للأحياء من أجل توفير هذه المواد مع تأمين الحماية لهم لكن هذا لا يضمن العدالة في التوزيع لذلك نقوم بمراقبتهم .
– بسؤال عن توفر المازوت وخاصة في مدارس منطقة فيروزة يقول : همالك صعوبة في توصيل هذه المواد إلى تلك المنطقة بسبب الأوضاع فنحن نبعث لكن في بعض الأحيان يسرق على الطرقات من قبل جماعات مسلحة أما بالنسبة للمنطقة الشرقية والغربية من حمص فنحاول تأمين المواد لكن المشكلة أنه يتم تهريبها .
بسؤال عن ارتفاع سعر جرة الغاز إلى ألف ليرة في حمص يقول : هذا الحكي مبالغ به ولكن لأ انكر أنه هناك ارتفاع بسعرها نتيجة استغلال ال
– بالنسبة لموضوع الكهرباء : قام الارهابيين المسلحين بتفجير اربع محولات في حمص وهم قرب المدينة الجامعية وعشيرة والبياضة وهذا ادى إلى انقطاع التيار الكهربائي بشكل متقطع عن بعض المناطق وهنالك اشخاص لاتراعي هذا الضغط فتحمل الشبكة أكثر من طاقتها باستخدامهم لاجهزة تستهلك بشكل كبير .
– بالنسبة لانتشار القمامة بشوارع حمص : لدينا 7 عمال نظافة قتلوا في شوارع حمص وهذا ادى إلى الشعور بالخوف من بعضهم لكننا تحايلنا بطريقة او بأخرى على هذا الوضع بطريقتنا الخاصة وقمنا بحل الموضوع .
بسؤال عن تقييم السلم الأهلي في حمص : نتيجة معرفتي بالكثير من الاشخاص ومن جميع اطياف الشعب الحمصي لا أرى أنه هنالك مشكلة وبالرغم من أن الكثير من العائلات في حمص قد فقدت أبنائها بطرق متعددة خطف او قتل ومنهم لا يعرف لحد الآن شيء عن ابناءه مما ادى إلى حالة من الأحتقان لكن هذا لم يؤثر على التعامل والشكل العام للمجتمع الحمصي بجميع اطيافه وهذا ما افشل المخططات التي يحاول بثها بين صفوفنا المسلحين والمؤامؤات الخارجية .
November 19th, 2011, 3:11 pm
Haytham Khoury said:
Dear All:
First, regarding Ghaioun’s about what is happening in Homs, It was done upon my request. Majed knows about that, because I told the people of OTW blog that I was going to do so.
For this reason, anybody has objection about it can address it to me.
Simply, we can’t hide our head in the sand. The opposition responsibility in preventing a war is equal to the regime’s one.
Second, we started an initiative to increase public awareness as yo what is happening in Homs.
November 19th, 2011, 3:14 pm
Mango said:
الى من سأل عن هذا الموضوع
Mass-media: the Russian fighting ships will get up at coast of Syria
Syrian news sites inform that in the near future at coast of Syria the fighting ships of the Russian Federation will be deployed.
“It is a question of that area of Mediterranean sea where the Russian ships come only when the situation becomes the extremely dangerous and demands the strategic decision”, – is told in messages.
According to the Syrian agencies, the given step accurately reflects a position of Moscow which intends not to admit that concerning Syria the West has crossed “red line”.
The day before head Sergey Lavrov has declared the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia: “We observe, external players how much hasty try to force confrontation increase in Syria, probably, because of desire to dramatize this situation in media space to receive additional arguments, to prove intervention in the Syrian affairs”. He also has added that in words all reject presence of the plan of carrying out of military operation to Syria, but all the same such plan obviously exists.
November 19th, 2011, 3:15 pm
Norman said:
Bronco, @ 127,
I agree totally with you , that is exactly my take, some people think that president Assad rules Syria, in reality, it is the Baath party and the army and after what happened to the Iraqi Baath and army, The Syrian Baath party and the army are sticking together and will fight back , what they believed that this uprising is not for reform, became obvious with time as the goal is to destroy Syria, in Iraq the American army stopped that civil war, In Lebanon the Syrian army stopped that war, In Syria the Syrian army is determent to stop the civil war as it has no other choice but to protect the people from each other, That is part of the rule that the Syrian army is expected to do, and as long as the AL and the other countries do not force the opposition to stop the militery campaign and come to the negotiation table, they can all go to hell, in my book, our families are there and they need protection from the army, so yes we want the army in every city otherwise the people will protect themselves,
November 19th, 2011, 3:17 pm
Haytham Khoury said:
للتوقيع بيان ادانة عمليات خطف وقتل للمدنيين في حمص
نحن الموقعون أدناه ومن كافة الطوائف والملل والمذاهب والمشارب السياسية ندين ماجرى في حمص من عمليات قتل وخطف وتنكيل بحق المدنيين من الطائفتين السنية والعلوية وندين اي عمل عنفي ضد اي مواطن سوري مدني اعزل سواء كان مع الثورة أو مع النظام طالما لم يقم باي عمل عنفي يستوجب الدفاع عن النفس.
كما ونتبرأ من كل عمليات الخطف والتهديد التي تستهدف اهلنا في حمص سواء كانوا مع النظام أم ضده, سنة وعلويين.. مسيحيين ومسلمين
كما نطالب النظام السوري بإيقاف آلته القمعية والعسكرية وحله الامني العقيم بحق المتظاهرين السلميين ووقف تجييشه الاعلامي والطائفي والكف عن استخدام المدنيين لقمع المظاهرات السلمية والزج بهم في معارك تضمن بقائه في الحكم ولو احرق البلد وعرض نسيجه للخطر.
كما نطالب اهالي الاحياء التي تعتبر في معظمها موالية رفض الاشاعات التي يطلقها النظام ورفض ارسال ابنائهم ليساندوا الامن في معركته الوهمية ضد اخوتهم السوريين وليتذكر اهلنا في هذه الاحياء ان الفقر والظلم وقع علينا جميعا والاعتقال والقتل شملنا جميعا وان كان موقفهم السياسي مع النظام فأقل الايمان والوطنية أن يرفضوا ان يقوم مدنيون بأعمال التشبيح تحت اسماء متعددة (حزبيون بعثيون لجان شعبية(
ونطالب المجلس الوطني والتنسيقيات والثوار او من يعتبر نفسه متضامنا مع الثورة بالتبرؤ من عمليات قتل وخطف المدنيين وادانتها.
ونطالب الجميع بعدم التعرض لاي مدني لمجرد أنه من طائفة معينة أو من حي معين أو نتيجة موقفه السياسي ونطالب مشايخ ورجال الدين ووجهاء حمص من جميع الطوائف بتحريم الدم السوري وان يساهموا في حقن الدم السوري
November 19th, 2011, 3:17 pm
ann said:
Turkish papers highlight contingency plans for Syria – November 19, 2011
http://www.39online.com/news/local/sns-rt-us-turkey-syriatre7ai0wm-20111119,0,2065048.story
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Turkish newspapers said on Saturday Ankara had contingency plans to create no-fly or buffer zones to protect civilians in neighboring Syria from security forces there if the bloodshed worsens.
Turkey opposes unilateral steps or intervention aimed at “regime change” in Syria, the reports said, but it has not ruled out the possibility of more extensive military action if security forces began committing large-scale massacres.
The reports, based on a briefing by Turkish officials to selected journalists, came on the day of an Arab League deadline for President Bashar al-Assad’s government to end its repression of anti-government unrest and comply with a peace plan.
“It’s almost certain that Bashar al-Assad’s regime is going down, all the assessments are made based on this assumption. Foreign Ministry sources say that the sooner the regime goes down, the better for Turkey,” columnist Sedat Ergin wrote in Hurriyet newspaper.
“It is out of the question that Turkey carries out a military intervention to change the regime. However, it takes a flexible stance on opposition groups running activities in Turkey.”
Several thousand Syrians have fled to Turkey in the wake of the repression launched after pro-democracy protests erupted in March. Among them were soldiers who say they deserted rather than shoot their own people, and are now part of the armed resistance against Assad’s forces.
Turkey, along with other powers, fear that if Syria slips into civil war it would ignite sectarian and ethnic conflict that could spread elsewhere in the region.
Ruled by the Assad family for more than 40 years, Syria’s power circle is based around the Baath party and members of the minority Alawite sect to which the Assad family belong.
The Radikal newspaper’s columnist Murat Yetkin quoted one of the Turkish officials saying: “We believe that with each day that passes under the Assad regime, the threat to stability increases. We believe stability in Syria and in the region will only be possible again under a democratic government.”
The Arab League, and non-Arab Turkey, have threatened economic sanctions unless bloodshed stops. And Turkish officials told the journalists they expected Assad’s government to implode under popular pressure.
BUFFER ZONE
Turkey wants to avoid a massive influx of people across the border, having been inundated by 500,000 people from Iraq during the 1991 Gulf War.
Radikal’s Yetkin said the Turkish military could establish a buffer zone if the Syrian army advanced on a city, like Aleppo, close to the Turkish border.
Columnist Asli Aydintasbas of Milliyet newspaper wrote: “Foreign ministry sources added that Turkey could set up a no-fly buffer zone within Syria if Syrians fleeing the army create a mass wave of migration to Turkey.
“A more extensive military intervention could come on the table only if Syrian regime starts a large-scale massacre in a big city such as Aleppo or Damascus,” Aydintasbas added.
“Ankara could take a role in a military intervention against Syria only with the international community and following a U.N. Security Council decision.”
Having once cultivated Assad’s friendship, Turkey turned sharply critical during the eight-month-old uprising, as Damascus repeatedly ignored advice to end the violence and make reforms demanded by the people.
Attacks on their diplomatic missions in Damascus last weekend, prompted non-Arab Turkey and Arab governments to escalate pressure on Assad.
Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday Syria was responsible for the breakdown in the relationship.
“Unfortunately, the Syrian regime was reluctant and insincere in carrying out reforms it had promised to. Furthermore, they wanted to quash the opposition through inhumane methods, by shedding blood,” he told a business forum.
“If there’s a policy change, it’s not Turkey’s but Syria’s change of policy. Syria has not kept the promises it made, neither to the Arab League nor the world,” he said. “Its actions have not been sincere and trustworthy.”
November 19th, 2011, 3:23 pm
jad said:
Haytham:
“نحن الموقعون أدناه ومن كافة الطوائف والملل والمذاهب والمشارب السياسية ندين ماجرى في حمص من عمليات قتل وخطف وتنكيل بحق المدنيين من الطائفتين السنية والعلوية”
How about your own people, the Syrian Christians, who are kidnapped and killed, 174 of them in Homs so far, aren’t they part of the Syrian fabric any more to be mentioned in this sectarian call?
Who write such a disgusting language in a public Syrian-oriented statement?
My advise is to stay away from your radical MB friends they are polluting your thoughts.
November 19th, 2011, 3:27 pm
Haytham Khoury said:
Jad #144:
You know that the Christians are in my heart. The wording does not mean that we forgot them.
November 19th, 2011, 3:52 pm
N.Z. said:
Dear Haytham,
Example of sectarian language, is spelled like this, how about your own people, “Syrian Christians”, or, stay away from your radical MB friends?
The language on this blog is so telling of the person behind the comment. It saddens me to read such divisiveness. It is the people with such minds that I fear, in the New Syria.
Haytham, to me you are a Syrian, first and foremost. Religion and religiosity is not for display, your inclusiveness is what stands out.
November 19th, 2011, 3:55 pm
jna said:
134. Dale Andersensaid:
Except, of course, for his Syrian collaborators and thugs and toadies in Hizbollah…
Sure, Dale, your IDF friends should have killed them all, except they couldn’t pull it off and had to beat it out of Lebanon, twice. Too bad. Now we’ll see how you guys do against the Syrian nationalists.
November 19th, 2011, 4:27 pm
sheila said:
Dear Jad,
This might come as a surprise to you, but it seems that Haytham’s “own people” are all the Syrian people, regardless of religion, ethnicity, social status or wealth.
November 19th, 2011, 4:33 pm
Haytham Khoury said:
Thank you NZ and Sheila.
Indeed, all the Syrian people are my people. No matter to which religion they belong. I hope one day we will stop talking about the people’s religion in Syria, we will focus that they are Syrian above all.
This is will be my mission in the new Syria.
November 19th, 2011, 4:48 pm
Ghufran said:
There is no way to verify the accuracy of this story but I find it interesting
http://www.alarabiya.net/mob/ar/178094.html
November 19th, 2011, 5:04 pm
Ghufran said:
و العالم العربي يخزن نفطه في خصيتيه و ربك الوهاب
November 19th, 2011, 5:13 pm
Afram said:
EFFFF the jarab [removed by admin] league
today in [removed by admin] egypt
Egyptian Troops Crack Down in Egypt!!!
Tahrir Square strike comes 9 days before elections???
So much for peaceful transitions of power in Egypt, where regime forces brutally cracked down on protesters today.
troops opened fire on thousands of demonstrators in Tahrir Square. Some 500 were wounded with rubber bullets,The fighting erupted after troops moved in to remove tents set up by protesters, following last night’s 50,000-strong rally opposing military rule, the Guardian reports.”We are being hit with showers of US-made tear gas canisters,and I’ve watched with my own eyes at least five people being struck by rubber bullets,” says one protester.
[removed by Alex: warning, next time you wll be banned for one week]
November 19th, 2011, 5:41 pm
Jad said:
Dear Sheila,
Since when Syrians addressing each other by their religion is so accepted and encouraged? Don’t you think that by doing that so lightly we are actually destroying the core of our Syranism?
Do you really agree with the sectarian language used in the statement that Haytham so proudly post?
November 19th, 2011, 6:10 pm
Norman said:
This is what this uprising is bringing to Syria, we are seeing the tipping of the ice berge in Homs,
——————————————————————————-
November 19, 2011
Sectarian Strife in City Bodes Ill for All of Syria
By ANTHONY SHADID
BEIRUT, Lebanon — A harrowing sectarian war has spread across the Syrian city of Homs this month, with supporters and opponents of the government blamed for beheadings, rival gangs carrying out tit-for-tat kidnappings, minorities fleeing for their native villages, and taxi drivers too fearful of drive-by shootings to ply the streets.
As it descends into sectarian hatred, Homs has emerged as a chilling window on what civil war in Syria could look like, just as some of Syria’s closest allies say the country appears to be heading in that direction. A spokesman for the Syrian opposition last week called the killings and kidnappings on both sides “a perilous threat to the revolution.” An American official called the strife in Homs “reminiscent of the former Yugoslavia,” where the very term “ethnic cleansing” originated in the 1990s.
“Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve seen sectarian attacks on the rise, and really ugly sectarian attacks,” the Obama administration official said in Washington. The longer President Bashar al-Assad “stays in power, what you see in Homs, you’ll see across Syria.”
Since the start of the uprising eight months ago, Homs has emerged as a pivot in the greatest challenge to the 11-year rule of Mr. Assad. Some of the earliest protests erupted there, and defectors soon sought refuge in rebellious neighborhoods. This month, government security forces tried to retake the city, in a bloody crackdown that continues.
Homs, Syria’s third-largest city, has a sectarian mix that mirrors the nation. The majority is Sunni Muslim, with sizable minorities of Christians and Alawites, a heterodox Muslim sect from which Mr. Assad draws much of his top leadership. Though some Alawites support the uprising, and some Sunnis still back the government, both communities have overwhelmingly gathered on opposite sides in the revolt.
Here it is not so much a fight between armed defectors and government security forces, or protesters defying a crackdown. Rather, the struggle in Homs has dragged the communities themselves into a battle that residents fear, even as they accuse the government of trying to incite it as a way to divide and rule the diverse country.
Fear has become so pronounced that, residents say, Alawites wear Christian crosses to avoid being abducted or killed when passing through the most restive Sunni neighborhoods, where garbage has piled up in a sign of the city’s dysfunction.
“It is so sad that we reached this point,” said a Syrian priest who lives in Lebanon but maintains close relations with people in Homs, in particular the Christian community.
In past weeks, Homs was buckling under a relentless crackdown as the government tried to re-impose control over the city. Dozens were killed, but the American official said the Obama administration believed the government withdrew some forces in accordance with an Arab League plan to end the violence. Residents offer a different version. Several said the government had repainted tanks and armored vehicles blue and redeployed them as a police force carrying out the same operations.
“The regime wants to say to the Arab observers that the police are confronting protesters, not the army or security men,” said Abu Hassan, a 40-year-old activist there.
On Friday, Syria tentatively agreed to an Arab League proposal to send more than 500 monitors to oversee the faltering plan, though in a request that could undo the initiative, the secretary general of the Arab League, Nabil el-Araby, said Syria had asked for amendments.
But even as the death toll has dropped in Homs in recent days, the sectarian strife seems to have gathered a relentless momentum that has defied the attempts of both Sunni and Alawite residents to stanch it. One prominent Sunni activist, who spoke only on the condition of anonymity, used the term shabeeha — an Arabic word that refers to government paramilitaries — to describe the situation evolving inside Homs.
“There are shabeeha on both sides now,” he said.
He blamed the government for fomenting the sectarian tension, but added, “I feel disgusted at what’s happening in Syria, and I am afraid of what might happen next.”
Mohammed Saleh is a 54-year-old Alawite in Homs. A communist, he was a political prisoner for 12 years and was released in 2000. In an interview, he said that insurgents stopped a minivan carrying factory employees last Sunday, asked the Christians and Sunnis to leave and then kidnapped 17 Alawites. Enraged, the families of the Alawites went into the streets, randomly kidnapping Sunnis after demanding their identification.
“They know your sect by your family name,” he said.
Families on both sides asked him to mediate, Mr. Saleh said, and after days of negotiations, sometimes through calls to Syrian expatriates, he secured the release of all 36 people kidnapped in the episode at 4 a.m. Friday. He said many were still missing in other kidnappings.
“I’m against the regime,” he said. But, he added: “Now I am being critical of some of the revolutionaries. We are against the regime and we want it to fall, but the revolutionaries need to present a better and more beautiful alternative. And if the opposition is going to be similar to the regime, it’s going to be dangerous.”
Mr. Saleh is not alone in trying to stop the tide. Others, Sunni and Alawite, have joined him in a group in Homs called the Popular Solidarity Committee, which has sought to defuse tension. Fadwa Suleiman, an Alawite actress from Aleppo, visited Homs on Nov. 11 in a gesture of solidarity with protesters in the besieged city.
The violence itself still pales before the government’s crackdown, which the United Nations says has killed more than 3,500 people. But in a dozen interviews with residents in Homs, people spoke of the city’s fabric being torn apart. Paramilitaries on both sides have burned houses and shops, they say. Alawite residents have been forced to flee to their native villages. Kidnappings, many of them random, have accelerated. Numbers are impossible to gauge, but scores have been abducted. Residents say some captives are used as bargaining chips, but not always.
“My cousin was kidnapped, and he was a civilian Alawite,” said a dissident activist from the Alawite neighborhood of Al Zahra in Homs, where locales are often largely segregated by sect. “He was found killed and his head was chopped off.”
The activist, who gave a pseudonym, Abu Ali, said his relatives text message each other with the license plate of the taxis they take. They call each other when they arrive. He said his brother, a taxi driver, no longer dares to take to the streets.
Another Sunni activist in Homs played down the strife, saying Alawites were kidnapped only in retaliation and denying that insurgents had beheaded anyone. Like others, he insisted that the violence was minimal compared with the ferocity of the government’s crackdown.
Christians in Homs seem to have tried to stay neutral, an admittedly difficult task.
“We’d rather emigrate than hold weapons and be part of a civil war,” said a Christian in a telephone interview who gave his name as Hisham and whose mother-in-law had already fled Homs.
He blamed the government for the greatest share of violence. But he accused Sunni insurgents of killing Alawites to drive them from the city’s three predominantly Alawite neighborhoods, where support for Mr. Assad runs strongest.
“There is no room for us, or for the educated Sunnis, in a civil war,” said his wife, who gave her name as Hiyam, also speaking by telephone. “A civil war means emigrating.”
Hwaida Saad and an employee of The New York Times contributed reporting.
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November 19th, 2011, 6:18 pm
Tara said:
A ‘gradual’ and peaceful change is only thinkable under the same “repented” and ‘pressured’ regime.
Your problem Bronco is that you are failing to understand the level of “hatred” and “resentment” an average Syrian citizen feels in regard to the House of Assads and the security apparatus. It is BEYOBD description. Dialogue is just not going to happen with Bashar being the president. If you resign yourself to the fact that Syrians would rather be killed than to “dialogue” with Bashar, then you may be able to think of solutions that avert us from Foreign intervention and/or civil war.
Supporters should resign themselves to the fact that dialogue is not going to happen while Bashar remains in power. Once Bashar is removed and the security apparatus is disintegrated, the opposition will negotiate and dialogues with the rest of the “regime”. I believe that is the official position of the SNC. They refused dialogue with Bashar but agreed to dialogue with people from the regime who have no blood on their hands after his fall.
If Bashar does not step down, demonstrators are going to continue to demonstrate. The FSA will continue with its attempt to defend civilians and will also assume offensive missions. And then it is either a full scale civil war or foreign intervention. And you know what, as I said before, the revolutionists in this case have nothing to lose. They are either dead, arrested, been tortured or very much content with dying for their freedom. Death becomes rather a goal in itself when you have no freedom or dignity to hold onto life for.
November 19th, 2011, 6:27 pm
Jad said:
“the Obama administration official said in Washington. The longer President Bashar al-Assad “stays in power, what you see in Homs, you’ll see across Syria”
Of course, with the support of Obama administration to the terrorists to keep their weapons and to continue the killing instead of trying to encourage oppositions to negotiate for a way out through dialogue, more hatred and sectarian killing will continue.
Madam liar,
‘The FSA will continue with its attempt to defend civilians’
defend!!!!! You mean use as human sheilds
Fuck this democratic world we live in where criminals, radicals or plain stupid people are our only choices while we are still loosing our beloved ones for their own selfish destructive and evil plans.
November 19th, 2011, 6:45 pm
jna said:
154. Normansaid:
This is what this uprising is bringing to Syria, we are seeing the tipping of the ice berge in Homs,
“As it descends into sectarian hatred, Homs has emerged as a chilling window on what civil war in Syria could look like, just as some of Syria’s closest allies say the country appears to be heading in that direction. A spokesman for the Syrian opposition last week called the killings and kidnappings on both sides “a perilous threat to the revolution.” An American official called the strife in Homs “reminiscent of the former Yugoslavia,” where the very term “ethnic cleansing” originated in the 1990s.”
Will the opposition partisans assume the mantel of responsible adults (not revolutionaries deluxe) and work for a way out of this mess? Arab Spring is intoxicating but maybe this is time to sober up.
November 19th, 2011, 7:14 pm
Amir in Tel Aviv said:
50 Israeli women undress in a show of solidarity with the Egyptian blogger
http://www.haaretz.co.il/news/education/1.1570129
.
November 19th, 2011, 7:21 pm
Tara said:
Bashar defiant- Seif al Islam style: same fate?
Syria’s Assad vows to continue crackdown: report
LONDON | Sat Nov 19, 2011 7:50pm EST
(Reuters) – Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was quoted on Saturday as saying he would press on with a crackdown against anti-government unrest in his country despite increased pressure from the Arab League to end it.
“The conflict will continue and the pressure to subjugate Syria will continue,” he told Britain’s Sunday Times newspaper. “However, I assure you that Syria will not bow down and that it will continue to resist the pressure being imposed on it.”
In video footage on the newspaper’s website, Assad said there would be elections in February or March when Syrians would vote for a parliament to create a new constitution and that would include provision for a presidential ballot
“That constitution will set the basis of how to elect a president, if they need a president or don’t need him,” he said. “They have the elections, they can participate in it. The ballot boxes will decide who should be president.”
The Arab League, a powerful political group of Arab states, set a deadline on Saturday for Syria to comply with a peace plan, involving a military pullout from around restive areas, and threatened sanctions if Assad failed to halt the violence.
However, activists from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 12 civilians were killed in raids by government forces on Saturday while two army defectors died when they clashed with the army in Homs, which has become a center of armed revolt against more than 40 years of Assad family rule.
Asked if his forces had been too aggressive, Assad told the newspaper mistakes had been made but these were the fault of individuals, not the state.
“We, as a state, do not have a policy to be cruel with citizens,” he said.
The United Nations says 3,500 people have been killed during the crackdown on the protests which began in March, but Assad disputed this and put the number killed at 619. He told the paper that 800 government forces had been killed.
“DAILY OBSESSION”
“My role as president — this is my daily obsession now — is to know how to stop this bloodshed caused by armed terrorist acts that are hitting some areas,” he said.
Syria has come under growing international pressure to stop the crackdown. Britain, a strong critic of Damascus, said on Friday senior figures including Foreign Secretary William Hague would meet Syrian opposition representatives in London next week.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has expressed fear that Syria could be slipping into civil war but said the international community was reluctant to intervene as it had in Libya.
Assad said the Arab League’s intervention could provide a pretext for Western military action and repeated a past statement that such a move against Syria would create an “earthquake” across the Middle East.
“If they are logical, rational and realistic, they shouldn’t do it because the repercussions are very dire. Military intervention will destabilize the region as a whole, and all countries will be affected,” he told the Sunday Times.
The newspaper said Assad had promised to personally fight and die to resist foreign forces.
Assad also vowed to prevent further attacks by the Free Syrian Army, which opposition sources said had killed or wounded at least 20 security police in an assault on an Air Force Intelligence Complex near Damascus two days ago.
“The only way is to search for the armed people, chase the armed gangs, prevent the entry of arms and weapons from neighboring countries, prevent sabotage and enforce law and order,” he told the paper.
November 19th, 2011, 8:29 pm
Alex said:
I’ll remove the offensive comment when I come back from dinner.
Afram, first warning, next time it will be a ban for one week.
November 19th, 2011, 8:57 pm
Tara said:
The AL deadline to the Syrian regime to end the violence has now expired. Bashar vowed to continue the crackdown on his own people in an interview today with Britain’s Sunday Times newspaper. What is now? Is the AL going to refer the case to the UNSC or just apply economic sanctions and expel the ambassadors or both?
November 19th, 2011, 9:02 pm
Norman said:
Tara,
There is no way that president Assad will resign and leave the Syrian people to your murderous opposition, then it is an all out war and let GOD be the judge,
It is obvious that your opposition intend on destroying Syria and that will not happen while there is one member of the Syrian army and the Baath party
November 19th, 2011, 9:03 pm
Tara said:
Arab League deadline for Syria passes, as 24 more reported killed
There was no official word from the league as to whether it believed Syria had complied with the demands.
A leading opposition coalition, the Local Coordination Committees of Syria, said government security forces killed at least 24 people Saturday, including 10 in the volatile central region of Homs. The casualty figures could not be independently verified.
The government Saturday reported the arrests of 18 “terrorists” in Homs for alleged killings and kidnappings, according to the official SANA news agency.
Authorities also reported a sweep in the northwestern province of Idlib that resulted in 140 arrests in the “hide-outs of terrorist groups.” An opposition activist coalition termed the campaign in Idlib “collective punishment,” saying authorities had cut off fuel, electricity and phone lines to the town of Maaret Naaman.
…..
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-syria-arab-league-20111120,0,1088895.story
November 19th, 2011, 9:22 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
AL will give Bashar till sunday noon to give an answer to their plan,if he refused,most likely economic sanction will follow soon, and along with United nation meeting which will discuss Syrian crisis this week,the UNSC will have to review Syrian crisis,all will not mount to much.
Our real hope is FSA,more defections are anticipated.I understand Druze officers will join shortly,and there will be Alawite officers who might join
November 19th, 2011, 9:28 pm
Ghufran said:
As much as I want Assad and his family to leave,I am opposed to him stepping down now.His departure must be done in an orderly fashion not Libya style. I supported sanctions against regime figures and had no problem seeing the regime receive harsh treatment for what it did to Syrians but it is time to let mediation takes the lead and enforce a plan to end blood shed and allow Syrians to heal and choose their government without foreign pressure and military interference. Some people are unable to see the difference between mediation and blatant interference. NATO and the Goat Princes can not be trusted with Syria’s future,only cool heads in Syria can get us out of this mess.
November 19th, 2011, 9:38 pm
Ghufran said:
I agree that the army must play a major role but not the FSA and not through attacking ordinary Syrians who should not pay for the sins of the regime.
The lack of any serious political initiative by the SNC and others towards the army and the minority population is a huge mistake. Toppling the regime is not enough,the opposition needs a realistic plan to assure and help those who think they will lose it all.
November 19th, 2011, 9:45 pm
Amir in Tel Aviv said:
“…Assad said there would be elections in February or March”.
And I will fly to Mars in April or May.
.
November 19th, 2011, 9:45 pm
Norman said:
Ghufran,
The opposition has no good intention as if they had they would have been clear about election for the parliament at certain time and a presidential election to follow, they want Syria to be headless so they can destroy the army and the Baath party and do to them what the US did to them in Iraq, that will not stand and the opposition should expect an all out war as most the Syrian people are convinced of the opposition plan and are siding with the government,
November 19th, 2011, 9:54 pm
Syrian Nationalist Party said:
“…Assad said there would be elections in February or March”.
Election for whom, the Baathists and those approved opposition, how can SNP form a party in Syria, campaign and run for election? Enough Baathshit math, Syrians need real world math 2+2×2+2=10
November 19th, 2011, 10:10 pm
George Spiropoulos said:
20th November, 2011
By George Spiropoulos, Syrian expatriate
Syria, Turkey & the Arab League, who’s cornering who?
Last March, few days after the beginning of the Syrian unrest, many Syrian expatriates, thinking highly of themselves because they were able to succeed in modern developed countries, thought that the Syrian government would become bankrupt and lose its control over the country in a couple of months. I was not so sure of this assessment and was to be immediately labelled as an anti-revolutionary, even by close long time friends who suddenly became revolutionaries while living abroad since many years. Obviously, it’s easy for one to become a great militant when he / she lives comfortably & safely abroad and holds a second and, sometimes, a third passport!
More than eight months have elapsed since this mess has started and the government does not seem to be nearing any kind of collapse. In contrast, the opposition that has endeavoured to get Damascus & Aleppo’s residents to back it up seems to have failed. It has even lost the popular initiative on the ground in most of the areas where it had enjoyed some support during the past few months. All in all, the most optimistic estimations show that the opposition has never been able to move the masses but rather small groups of people in limited remote geographical areas on weekends, especially after Friday’s prayers. Its inability to move students and workers, the backbone of any successful revolution, was quite clear to any objective observer. Also, with its current inability to move the streets peacefully, it has lately decided to bet on an armed mutiny claiming that arms were, are and will only be used to protect the peaceful protesters; an insult to Syrians’ intelligence. How & why this uprising has faded? The reasons, major & minor, are too many to detail here.
However, the current situation was a natural result of the deep understanding of the Syrian mentality & taboos by the Syrian government and its incredible patience and slow pace diplomacy as opposed to the unbelievable ignorance of these two parameters by all its antagonists. The impatience & misjudgements of the expatriate faction of the Syrian opposition, the Arab League, the US Ambassador to Syria, as well as many other Arab, US & European politicians and diplomats whose mediocrity was quite shocking, led them to make several mistakes that have worked, inside Syria, in favour of the government.
Reaching the last ditch battle, or the fifth set of the tennis match, the Syrian government, strong of its almost complete control of the situation on the ground, knew that the winner would be the one who would commit lesser mistakes or “Unforced Errors”. It kept its calm while all its antagonists chose to use frenzied attacks and acted hastily & nervously thus making a non negligible number of Unforced Errors.
The most damaging mistake was the illegal suspension of Syria’s activities in the Arab League that resulted, two hours later, in massive popular rallies all over Syria in favour of the government calling for Syria’s withdrawal of the Arab League and for the Syrian Army to intensify its crackdown on the opposition’s “terrorists and traitors”. Internationally, it alienated Russia & China against the Arab League thus killing any remaining tiny possibility of getting the Security Council to adopt a resolution against Syria.
Knowing that the GCC countries would most probably reject it, the Syrian government responded by a call for an Arab Summit. The GCC did not see the trap and went ahead with an outright rejection coupled with a refusal to attend the 16th November Arab-Turkish meeting in Rabat should Syria attend it. A “Double Fault” typical of any fifth set that confirmed, in Syrians’ eyes, the hostile attitude of the GCC & Arab League towards Syria.
Realising its mistakes too late, the Arab League came up, along with Turkey, with the 16th November very tough Memorandum of Understanding as a “Take it or Leave it” offer that they hoped Syria would reject nervously thus providing them with some of the initiative that they have lost.
Knowing the impossibility of the application of this last MOU, the Syrian government responded favourably requesting some insignificant amendments that, whether accepted or not, would, most probably, not prevent Syria from accepting it at the end, that is if it hasn’t done so yet.
In order to better assess the current state of Syrian affairs, I have asked myself three questions:
1. What are Turkey’s motives to act as belligerently as it did and is still doing towards the government of its first Middle Eastern Arab ally?
2. What are the GCC motives to take the side of the expatriate opposition against both the Syrian government and the local opposition?
3. What would happen if Syria pulls out of the Arab League?
4. What is stopping Syria from making peace with Israel & what would occur if Syria uses such pull-out, in addition to other parameters to conclude a Just & Durable Israeli-Syrian Peace based on the full return of the Golan Heights? After all, Syria has officially adopted “Peace as a Strategic Choice” since more than twenty years. So, why not now?
As far as Turkey is concerned my assessment was:
A. The double Iranian oil & gas pipeline projected to pass via Iraq & Syria to the Mediterranean would substantially reduce Turkey’s strategic position that is extremely important to its efforts to join the EU even if the Iranians were willing to go ahead with a similar project via Turkey.
B. Turkey, member of NATO and future ground to the new American missiles, wants to prove to all western powers that it could successfully confront all regional powers, including Russia, simultaneously, and carry out any regional mission on behalf of NATO.
It is clear that Turkey’s history and continuous oppression of minorities are far from qualifying it to preach democracy and give lessons in freedom & human rights to other nations. Following the Arab-Turkish Rabat’s meeting, sensing a possible future Turkish regional hegemony, France that vehemently opposes Turkey’s entry in the EU, dispatched Mr, Juppé immediately to Ankara to make clear to the Turks that France opposes any military intervention in Syria without a clear green light from the Security Council.
As for the second question, I would say that, in addition to Iran being the “Evil” of all GCC countries, the energy issue is their main concern.
Iraq’s energy resources are already controlled by the G8 & China, Libya’s energy resources will now be tightly controlled by these nine countries too. Russia & Germany have just inaugurated the Baltic pipeline liaising the two countries directly, Libya’s projected Mediterranean gas pipeline to Europe is under way and the above mentioned pipelines would give Iran access to the Mediterranean too hence further reducing the reliance of the industrialised world on GCC crude & gas.
This development would ensure the continuity of the oil flow to Europe in case of troubles in any GCC country and, therefore, widely open the door to a repetition of the Libyan scenario in Saudi Arabia that was and still is under severe criticism for its human rights and liberties record. Kuwait & Bahrain’s persistent unrest are also major problems that are destabilising the whole Arabian Peninsula where one and only country seems to be run professionally; smoothly and properly that is the United Arab Emirates.
As for Qatar, both the Russian & projected Iranian & Libyan gas pipelines would substantially reduce its importance and, with its current & forecasted totally unreasonable spending policies, it would soon face the ultimate fate of “The Frog that wants to be Fatter than the Ox.” This explains its current support of Islamist Terrorist Groups in both Libya and Syria.
The Syrian government, after playing its “Tom & Jerry” game with the Arab League for some more time with the aim of making it much less popular in Syrians’ eyes, might decide to launch a referendum asking the Syrians whether they agree or not on pulling out from the Arab League. With a strong case backed by the mishandling of the Syrian problem by the Arab League, 70% of the Syrians would vote in favour of such withdrawal. Syria could ask the UN and / or the Jimmy Carter Center to monitor the referendum. The Carter Center has, over the past many years, successfully and impartially, monitored elections and referendums in 37 countries including Lebanon & Venezuela. If such a scenario occurs, the whole World would have no choice but to admit that the current government represents the majority of the Syrian people.
Finally, many factors have been stopping Syria from making a peace deal with Israel but the first & foremost one remains its insistence on a fair settlement of the Palestinian problem.
Considering that Mr. Abbas & Co. pushed by most Arab countries and blessed by most Palestinians, are begging Israel for any kind of peace deal and considering that Hamas & Islamic Jihad seem to have joined Abbas’ strategy and, finally, considering all the recent hostile positions of most Arab states including the Palestinian government towards Syria, why would Syria continue “To be more Royalist than the King’?
The Syrian government could easily build an extremely strong case for making a Just & Durable Israeli-Syrian Peace based on the full return of the Golan Heights and sell it to the Syrians via another internationally monitored referendum thus leaving the Arabs, including the Palestinians, to sort out their problems alone with Israel. Lebanon will be fast to jump on the Syrian train. Several good solutions are already available for the 1.2 million Palestinian refugees in Syria & Lebanon.
As part of the deal, Israel whose Egyptian supplies were, are and will remain continuously vulnerable to sabotage, would probably insist on getting some oil and gas supply from the Iranian pipelines. The Iranians, pragmatic as they have always been, would surely join the deal against a solid insurance policy covering their nuclear sites. Iraq that does not have any territorial issues with Israel will follow suit.
Such outcome is a Win/Win one for Iran, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon & Syria, five countries that could change the face of the Middle East in no time.
Obviously, the Syrian government should seriously work on reforming the country as without real democratic, economic and social reforms, it would not be able to keep the country stable regardless of its successes in foreign policy and Syria’s security. Peace will open the door wide open to such reforms.
Also, for the deal to work, Israelis should work out a reasonable deal with the Palestinians and their Arab sponsors.
Some would find that the above is a “Fantasy”. I think that this is the essence of the current Battle over the Control of the Middle East & North Africa energy resources. The Developed Countries, East & West, want to ensure the stability of their energy resources as they well know that without such stability, they would never be able to re-launch their very weak economies on sound basis.
November 19th, 2011, 10:23 pm
Dale Andersen said:
Memo To: AMIRIO IN THE LAND OF THE SONS OF ABRAHAM
RE: “…“…Assad said there would be elections in February or March…”
Well, he lied. Or maybe you misheard him. Perhaps he has started taking a sexual dysfunction medication and he expected to have an erection in February or March. Erection sounds like election, you know…
November 19th, 2011, 10:26 pm
Majed97 said:
The Qataris, aka AL, and their GCC partners can set as many “deadlines” as they wish. They have no jurisdiction over Syria and cannot do it harm. The tainted media is giving the AL far too much weight, as if the AL has proven records of relevancy. The Syrian matter is really in the hands of Russia and China now. Syria’s fate is far too important to be left in the hands of a bunch of nomadic tribes who have no voice of their own. The AL threats of sanctions on Syria are toothless because Syria’s key trading partners, Lebanon and Iraq, will not go along with them anyway. Furthermore, such sanctions will only strengthen the Iran/Iraq/Syria/Lebanon economic and military alliance.
Syria has many more political and military cards to play. It has yet to unleash its true military might to quell the uprising, as long as diplomacy is an option. Civil war in Syria, if it happens, will not last long because, unlike Iraq and Lebanon, Syria has a strong and coherent military force that is capable quickly and decisively securing the country. Dialogue and gradual reforms are the only way out of this mess.
November 19th, 2011, 11:03 pm
bronco said:
Tara
“If Bashar does not step down, demonstrators are going to continue to demonstrate. The FSA will continue with its attempt to defend civilians and will also assume offensive missions. And then it is either a full scale civil war or foreign intervention.
He won’t step down, get ready for a civil war and goodbye to the Syria you know.
You are blinded by your own hatred. You are still coming back with that same false asumption that all “the syrian” people hate Bashar al Assad. I am sure now that much more hate the opposition, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and its western allies that have encouraged that destructive earthquake in Syria.
I am not arguing, just watch with pride your country desintegrate and be humiliated beyond repair.
November 19th, 2011, 11:19 pm
Dale Andersen said:
Memo To: MAJEDOWSKI97
RE: “…The Arab League members have no jurisdiction over Syria and cannot do it harm…”
Oh yes, they do and yes, they can. Just watch them…
http://playwrighter.blogspot.com/2011/05/hitler-and-arabs-nazis-in-middle-east.html
November 19th, 2011, 11:20 pm
zoo said:
Israel says sees signs of cracks in Assad rule
“Asked about Assad’s possible downfall and Syria’s links to Hezbollah, Barak said: “It will damage these radical axes and they will make them somehow weaker. It will weaken Hezbollah, it will weaken Hamas.
“In this regard, it’s good, but it’s not just for Israel, but I believe it’s good for the Middle East as a whole.”
http://news.yahoo.com/israel-says-sees-signs-cracks-assad-rule-204724551.html
November 19th, 2011, 11:32 pm
Revlon said:
142. Dear Haytham Khoury,
I applaud your good intentions and would like make some comments on you statement as well as provide a personal perspective on the plight of civilians in Homs.
FIRST: Comments related to some points raised in your statement:
للتوقيع بيان ادانة عمليات خطف وقتل للمدنيين في حمص))
نحن الموقعون أدناه ومن كافة الطوائف والملل والمذاهب والمشارب السياسية ندين ماجرى في حمص من عمليات قتل وخطف وتنكيل بحق المدنيين من الطائفتين السنية والعلوية وندين اي عمل عنفي ضد اي مواطن سوري مدني اعزل سواء كان مع الثورة أو مع النظام طالما لم يقم باي عمل عنفي يستوجب الدفاع عن النفس.
Civilians of Alawis communities: this category includes security agents in plain cloths, informants and Shabbeeha.
Unarmed civilian: Alawis, off duty security agents, informants, and shabbeeha fall in this groupcategory
كما ونتبرأ من كل عمليات الخطف والتهديد التي تستهدف اهلنا في حمص سواء كانوا مع النظام أم ضده, سنة وعلويين.. مسيحيين ومسلمين
Retaliatory kidnapping of Alawis have succeeded in releasing Sunni kids.
How would you release a girl from a savage pack of Shabbeeha and the stud waiting in his office in his security branche, Haytham?
By giving him her beter looking sister?
كما نطالب النظام السوري بإيقاف آلته القمعية والعسكرية وحله الامني العقيم بحق المتظاهرين السلميين ووقف تجييشه الاعلامي والطائفي والكف عن استخدام المدنيين لقمع المظاهرات السلمية والزج بهم في معارك تضمن بقائه في الحكم ولو احرق البلد وعرض نسيجه للخطر.
Who are you talking to?
The regime?
Get serious!
كما نطالب اهالي الاحياء التي تعتبر في معظمها موالية رفض الاشاعات التي يطلقها النظام ورفض ارسال ابنائهم ليساندوا الامن في معركته الوهمية ضد اخوتهم السوريين وليتذكر اهلنا في هذه الاحياء ان الفقر والظلم وقع علينا جميعا والاعتقال والقتل شملنا جميعا وان كان موقفهم السياسي مع النظام فأقل الايمان والوطنية أن يرفضوا ان يقوم مدنيون بأعمال التشبيح تحت اسماء متعددة (حزبيون بعثيون لجان شعبية(
Pro-regime Alawis (>99%) in Homs and elsewhere are fighting for their unfairly earned privileges, much like their idol Jr is!
They have the same delusional mindset of invincibility that pocessed the late Quidafi and entourage prior to their fall.
ونطالب المجلس الوطني والتنسيقيات والثوار او من يعتبر نفسه متضامنا مع الثورة بالتبرؤ من عمليات قتل وخطف المدنيين وادانتها.
National council must stick to their founding goal; the support of the revolution. Such can only be achieved by helping to save the activists and demonstrators lives and living.
SNC should have confidence and trust in the constituency that carried them to the helm. As such they should adopt the revolution’s account of such stories.
ونطالب الجميع بعدم التعرض لاي مدني لمجرد أنه من طائفة معينة أو من حي معين أو نتيجة موقفه السياسي ونطالب مشايخ ورجال الدين ووجهاء حمص من جميع الطوائف بتحريم الدم السوري وان يساهموا في حقن الدم ((السوري
This statement is misleading. It presupposes that such practice exists!
It does not!
__________________________________________________________________
PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE ON HOMS
FIRST: Who are the Alawis in Homs?
– Over 99% of the bread winners of Alawis (men and women) in Homs are employed by the regime.
– Most (men and women) work in the army or intelligence forces that are involved 24/7 in the kidnapping, arresting, torturing, and killing of Sunni civilians, as well as defectors and members of the FSA.
– The rest (men and women) hold privileged public sector posts, courtesy of their being Alawis. In return, and to maintain such a privilege they also willingly or grudgingly have become members of the regime paramilitia (Shabbeeha).
This group comprises violent thugs, informants and trumpets of regime media. They partake in daily murder and torture by actively participating in quelling demonstrations, and spread and perpetuate sentiments of fear and sectarianism from their leadership posts of in the public sector.
It follows that 99% of the Alawis in Homs, men, women and children owe their subsistence to their bread winner’s hard work in cracking down on their Sunnis neighbours!
Those are the Alawis civilians that Haytham and Ghalioun have been moved by their plight.
SECOND: The proportion of killed Sunnis, being it of pro-regime Shabbeeha killed by FSA, or demonstrators and activists killed by Alawis and Sunnis Shabbeeha, far out match that of killed Alawis.
So who are the Alawis that have been killed or kidnapped in Homs?
Killed Alawis (men and women) in Homs:
– All Alawis killed in Homs belong to the above mentioned categories (FIRST section).
– All Asad army members, security agents, and Shabbeeha have been killed by FSA units.
– Some of them were in civilian clothes; they were not merely civilians. This group includes secret phalange’s security agents, violent Shabbeeha, informants, and civil servant Sabetha.
Retaliatory Kidnapping of Alawis in Homs (men and women)
– All were kidnapped by the FSA.
– All were done at the behest of Sunnis families whose loved ones were abducted by regime forces.
– All were used as leverage in the attempt to release the kidnapped Sunni civilians, mostly kids.
To all who call for treating incidents of kidnapping with restraint, I pose this question!
Have self-restraint helped the mothers of Maryam Al Husni, the unknown girl of the mutilated body, Tal AlMalluhi, and all other girls and boys who disappeared and continue to disappear in Homs and throughout Syria?
The regime is thinking and acting like a mob.
Self preservation, an undeniable human right dictates dealing with them as such.
FSA heroes who rescued the kidnapped kids and returned them to their families have done the right thing because they:
– Saved kids lives,
– Saved their families from potential, life long agony over their loss,
– Saved our grandchildren and future generations from further aggravation of the emerging, inter-sectarian ill feelings, that they are going to live with.
November 19th, 2011, 11:52 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
Two rockets launched at Baath party center in Damascus..
November 20th, 2011, 12:03 am
zoo said:
Egypt move to a ‘moderate islam’?
Post-revolution concerns
19/11/2011 By Diana Mukkaled
Fatwas have been issued to prohibit voting for someone who does not adopt Islamic Shariaa as the source of the constitution.
Some Salafi parties have reluctantly accepted female candidates on their election lists, in line with the religious phrase that reads “a tolerated evil”.
Female election candidates are using images of their husbands instead of themselves to promote their campaigns.
…
Numerous analysts are absolutely certain that the Islamists will lead the post-revolution era in Egypt.
…
http://www.asharq-e.com/news.asp?section=2&id=27368
November 20th, 2011, 12:03 am
majedkhaldoun said:
Bronco said that Bashar will not step down
You are right here ,he will be arrested and face the same fate as Gaddafi
Tara
You said you think Bashar will be gone in six month, I think we would be happier if he is gone sooner,I like him to go before the end of this year so we can celebrate, I want to visit Syria soon, and I do not want him there .
November 20th, 2011, 12:13 am
Ghufran said:
ونقلت وكالات عن الصنداي تايمز ان الاسد “وعد بالقتال بشكل شخصي والموت لمقاومة القوات الاجنبية”
Most Syrians do not want a foreign occupation or the bombing of their country in the name of protecting civilians,however,the problem from the beginning was the regime and the solution is an orderly regime change not more press interviews. There has to be a way to stop the blood shed and change this regime,and that requires mediation and compromise,those who refuse that are pushing for a national disaster if you believe we are not witnessing one right now.why is Bashar not talking to fellow Syrians instead of giving interviews to foreign press,and why he does not say that elections will be held with the participation of non Syrian monitors and that he is willing to step down if Syrians reject him in a fair and verifiable referendum?
November 20th, 2011, 12:39 am
Ghufran said:
البحرين الثلاثاء
إعتقلت أجهزة الأمن البحرينية فجر اليوم الثلاثاء نائب جمعية المعلمين البحرينية، جليلة السلمان، من منزلها في قرية السهلة في مدينة عيسى.
ونقلت صحيفة الوسط البحرينية عن أهل السلمان قولهم إن الأجهزة الأمنية “حاولت مداهمة المنزل عند الساعة الثالثة والربع من فجر اليوم، وكسر أحد الأبواب المؤدية إلى الصالة، إلا أن والد السلمان، الذي كان يرقد معها في المنزل، تدارك الأمر، وفتح الباب لهم، ومن ثم اعتقلوها، دون وجود أي مذكرة اعتقال، أو توضيح سبب الاعتقال”.
وذكرت الوسط أن محكمة السلامة الوطنية كانت قد حكمت على السلمان بالسجن 3 أعوام، إلا أن محاميها استأنف الحكم، ولم يحن موعده حتى الآن.
وقد شاركت السلمان في الندوة النسائية التي أقامتها دائرة شؤون المرأة بجمعية الوفاق الوطني الإسلامية، مساء الأحد 16 تشرين أول/أكتوبر 2011، تحت عنوان “انتهاكات حقوق المرأة في البحرين”، وشارك في الندوة صحافيات وكوادر طبية وأكاديمية وناشطات، إلى جانب أمهات وأهالي بعض المعتقلات.
وكان للأستاذة السلمان مداخلة اعتبرت من خلالها أن ” قضية المعلمين ميتة في البحرين، لأن كل من تعرض للانتهاك سكت! فما الذي أخرج قضية الأطباء بهذا الشكل في كل العالم ؟ لأنهم تحدثوا .. والمعلمين تعرضوا لإنتهاكات كبيرة وخطيرة، بغير ذنب سوى أنهم قالوا نريد الحرية. ”
ودعت السلمان في مداخلتها قطاع التعليم لكي يظهر ما تعرض له لكل العالم، بعيداً عن الخوف.
نزيهة سعيد صحافية بحرينية اعتقلت وتعرضت لاعتداء بمادة حارقة
وكان للصحافية البحرينية بتول السيّد كلمة في الندوة، ذكرت من خلالها أن الثورة البحرينية “قدّمت أكثر من 40 شهيد بينهم شهيدات وأولهن الشهيدة بهية العرادي التي أطلق الرصاص عليها بشكل مباشر.”
وتناولت السيّد في كلمتها ما تعرضت له النساء في القطاعين الطبي والتعليمي أو المتظاهرات من اعتداءات وتهديدات واعتقالات، وعن الاعلاميات البحرينيات أوضحت الصحافية البحرينية أنهن لم يسلمن من حملات السب والتشتيم والتخوين، لافتة إلى أن الصحافية نزيهة سعيد تم اعتقالها وتعرضت لاعتداء بمادة حارقة على وجهها.
من جانبها، قالت أمين سر جمعية المعلمين البحرينية سناء زين الدين قاموا باعتقالنا في منتصف الليل بواسطة رجال مقنعين وتخريب ممتلكاتنا.. هذا الأمر لا يمت للانسانية بصلة ولا للإسلام.. وكنا نسمع في الليل أصوات الرجال وهم يعذبون.. ويقاسون الآلام.
وأردفت: نحن طالبنا بحقنا ولم نخطئ، وحتى لو أخطئنا هل نستحق كل ما تعرضنا إليها من اعتداءات بحق المرأة؟ موضحة أن ما يمارس اليوم ضد المعلمات في القطاع التعليمي من نقل تعسفي بين المدارس.. أو ارجعاعهن كمعلمات بعد أن كن في وظائف إدارية عليا، وما تتعرض له الطالبات مما يؤثر على مستقبل التعليم وجودته. لا بد ان نكون اقوى من ذلك ونتحمل .. المرأة البحرينية هي صمود واصرار وثبات.
November 20th, 2011, 12:59 am
jad said:
جزء مسرب من مقابلة الرئيس الأسد مع صنداي تايمز20.11.2011
http://youtu.be/qaTbzr6I960
HNN| شـبكة أخـبار حمص
هذا مقطع صوتي تم تسريبه لمقابلة السيد الرئيس الدكتور بشار الأسد مع صحيفة الصنداي تايمز اللندنية تم نشرها فجر الأحد 20-11-2011 و هذه ترجمة لجزء من المقابلة :
سيدي الرئيس:
هل تظن أو تعتقد بأن ردة فعل ضباط الأمن والجيش على المحتجين كانت قاسية أو وعدوانية جداً في بعض الأوقات.
الأسد:
إن صفة ذا قاس أو عدواني مصطلح قابل للجدل، ولكن دعينا نتحدث عن أن الحكومة ليس لديها أية سياسة لكي يعامل رجال الأمن والشرطة المتظاهرين بشكل قاس أو عدواني، لأن كل سياساتنا في العقد السابق بنيت على اساس الدعم شعبي لها، لذلك لا يمكن ان نبني سياسة ضد الشعب. لكن إذا كان هناك أية أحداث ارتكبت من قبل بعض الأفراد في حالات معينة سوف يتم التحقيق بها من قبل لجنة شكلناها منذ عدة اشهر. لكن عندما يكون هناك حالة من عدم الاستقرار سوف يكون هناك احتمال لارتكاب اخطاء ومشاكل في الشارع.
سيدي الرئيس:
لكن عدد الأشخاص الذين قتلو في الأحداث الأخيرة عدد كبير وهذا يعني أن الخيار العسكري أو الأمني لا ينجح، هل هناك طرق اخرى لديكم؟.
الأسد:
عندما نتحدث عن القتل يجب أن تسألي من قتل 800 ضابط من الشرطة والأمن والجيش في الشارع، لذلك نحن لا نتحدث عن تظاهرات سلمية وإنما عن ميليشيات. وعندما يكون هناك ميليشيات سوف يكون هناك قتل، لذلك فإن من واجب الحكومة أن تقاتل هذه المليشيات لحماية المدنيين وتحقيق الاستقرار، وليس أن ندعهم يفعلو ما يحلو لهم ونتحدث عن القتل، وهذا ما نفعله.
سيدي الرئيس:
ماذا تشعر كأب أو كمواطن عندما ترى السوريين يقتلون او يموتون في بلدهم؟
الأسد:
أشعر بالحزن والتعاطف مع عائلاتهم ولكن الشيء المهم ما الذي يمكنني فعله وليس ما الذي يمكنني ان اشعر به، مالذي يمكنني فعله لحمايتهم وحماية السوريين الآخرين من القتل على أيدي المليشيات.
سيدي الرئيس:
مالذي تفعلونه لحماية المدنيين؟
الاسد :
سوف نقوم بمقاتلة هذه المليشيات لمنعهم من الاستمرار في اعمالهم ضد المدنيين وهذا ما نركز عليه الآن. علينا أيقاف تدفق السلاح لهم من عبر الحدود ومنع وصول الأموال لهم.
سيدي الرئيس:
إلى أي مدى سوف تحمون بلدكم، هل سوف تقبلون بالاستقالة والتنازل عن منصب الرئيس إذا استدعى الحفاظ على بلدكم هذا الأمر؟
الأسد:
ليس هناك اية حدود لأي شيء يتطلبه الحفاظ على البلد، ليس على بلدي ان يخدمني ولكن العكس أنا يجب ان اخدمه، فالمشكلة ليست حولي وإنما هي حول سوريا، المشكلة ليست بالرئيس الأن وإنما في استقرار سوريا ووحدة وسوريا. إذا كان بقاء الرئيس سوف يعزز وحدة البلد يجب أن يبقى وإذا كان يقسم البلد يجب أن يرحل هذا هو المبدأ. معظم السوريين موحدين ولكن ما يحدث الآن هو بسبب المليشيات القليلة التي تقتل المدنيين والتدخلات الدولية.
سيدي الرئيس:
ماذا عن القطاع الشعبي الذي يطالب برحيلك ورحيل النظام ايضاً أليس له الحق بالتعبير عن رأيه.
الأسد:
بالتأكيد ولكن عبر الانتخابات، سوف يكون هناك انتخابات برلمانية في شباط القادم، وسوف يكون هناك حكومة جديدة، وسوف يكون هناك دستور جديد وهذا الدستور سوف يحدد اسس انتخاب الرئيس وبالتالي يمكنه الذهاب الى الانتخابات والمشاركة في التعبير عن رأيهم. —
https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=131138963661614
November 20th, 2011, 1:36 am
jad said:
تركيا و«الديسك» السوري
محمد نور الدين
عادت نبرة الخطاب التركي في السياسة الخارجية في الآونة الأخيرة إلى الارتفاع مجددا، علما أنها لم تتراجع لحظة، وإن عرفت فترات صمت أحيانا.
وكلام رئيس الحكومة رجب طيب أردوغان في منتدى الطاقة في اسطنبول حول «عالمية» الأزمة السورية وانتقاده لسياسة الغرب تجاه سوريا وقبله إنذارات وزير الخارجية احمد داود اوغلو عشية المنتدى التركي – العربي في الرباط وأثناءه بتدفيع سوريا «ثمنا باهظا»، يعكس توترا وإحباطا غير مبررين، في وقت أشد ما تحتاج إليه الأزمة السورية والوضع في المنطقة إلى مبادرات عاقلة بعدما وصلت الأمور إلى طريق يبدو مسدوداً.
لقد أخطأت تركيا ودبلوماسيتها عندما مارست سياسة «إحراق المراكب» مع النظام في سوريا، ولم تترك للصلح مطرحا، كما نقول في لبنان. ومع ان هناك الكثير من العرب لديهم دوافع اكبر من الدوافع التركية للخصومة مع النظام السوري، فإن أحدا منهم لم يعلن يوما أنه «لم يعد هناك من كلام نتحدث فيه مع دمشق».
ومع ان في تركيا «عاقلاً» مثل الرئيس عبد الله غول و«ذكياً» مثل احمد داود اوغلو و«زعيماً» مثل رجب طيب اردوغان، فإن أحدا لم يكلف نفسه عناء مراجعة الحسابات والاعتراف بخطأ السلوك الذي كان متبعاً.
مبادرة الجامعة العربية تجاه دمشق، بمعزل عن جديتها أو غاياتها الكامنة، كان الأجدر بتركيا أن تحمل لواء نظيرتها منذ بداية الأحداث. وتركيا التي قالت لا للاحتلال الأميركي في العراق، كان عليها أن تقول أيضا لا لمحاولات هز استقرار التوازنات السياسية والقومية والمذهبية في المنطقة.
لقد بدا واضحا أن المواقف التركية الحادة والمتعجلة منذ بدء الأحداث في سوريا عكست قلة إدراك تركية لطبيعة التركيبة الداخلية السورية وطبيعة التوازنات المحلية على مختلف مستوياتها. كما عكست المواقف التركية أيضا قلة إدراك لطبيعة التوازنات التاريخية والسياسية والمذهبية في المنطقة. وما كلام اردوغان عن «عالمية» الأزمة السورية سوى إدراك متأخر لهذه التوازنات.
غير أن ما يؤسف له ان السيد اردوغان لم يكتف بذلك، بل تحدث بلهجة تحريضية كمن يريد للغرب أن يكرر السيناريو الليبي في سوريا، عندما قال ان العالم ساكت على ما يجري في سوريا لأن لا نفط فيها كما هي الحال في ليبيا.
وهنا نفتح قوسين لنقول إن أنقرة أيضا كانت ترى في ليبيا معمر القذافي بقرة حلوبا. والكل كان شاهدا على الموقف التركي المتعاطف في البداية مع موقف معمر القذافي كرمى للمصالح الاقتصادية التركية الكثيرة في ليبيا (ولا أحد يرفض هذه الاعتبارات في العلاقات الدولية)، والذي كان معارضا بالكامل لتدخل حلف شمال الأطلسي قبل أن تنقلب موازين القوى ويشارك الأتراك في الغزوة الأطلسية ويهرع الأتراك لينالوا قسطاً من الكعكة الليبية فيحيوا أحفاد (!) عمر المختار والناظرين إلى تعدد الزوجات أولوية في النموذج الليبي الجديد.
وبدلا من أن تتساءل أنقرة عن المسؤول عن مقتل أكثر من ستين ألف ليبي وتدمير البلاد، وهي شريكة في هذه المسؤولية، يبادر السيد أردوغان الى تشجيع الغرب على تكرار السيناريو الليبي في سوريا، وما يحمله ذلك من نتائج كارثية، في حين أن الأتراك لا يملون من التكرار من ان انفجار الوضع في سوريا سينعكس على تركيا.
لقد تحوّل الوضع في سوريا بالنسبة لتركيا الى حالة المريض الذي يعاني من مرض الديسك في الظهر. تحوّلت سوريا الى «ديسك» في الظهر التركي. وبدلا من ان تعالج أنقرة مرضها بجلسات علاج فيزيائي عبر تقوية العضلات المحيطة بالظــهر، نراها تســعى إلى علاجه بعمــلية جراحية غير مضمونة النتائج وقد تفــضي بالمريــض إلى التــهلكة من دون أن يعالــج المرض.
ترتفع الآن صيحات الحرب في تركيا. العديد من الكتاب بات يحرّض عليها، ولا يرى بديلا منها، ولا حاجة لذكر الأسماء، لكنها جميعا في الصحف المؤيدة لحزب العدالة والتنمية. كل الأسباب تفضي الى القول ان الحسم العسكري والأمني في ســوريا غير ممكن، لا من قبل النظام ولا من قبل الخارج.
وفي هذه اللحظة بالذات سيكون من الجنون لتركيا أن تبادر إلى أي تحرك عسكري بمفردها، أو بمشاركة آخرين. إن أفضل ما يمكن أن تفعله تركيا في هذه اللحظة، رغم كل الصعوبات بل الاستحالات الموجودة، أن تكون عامل تهدئة وتواصل. وإن فشل الرهانات الناتج من قلة دراية، أو من مؤامرة، أو الاثنين معا، لا يستدعي بالضرورة السير الى الهاوية. يمكن للعقل والذكاء التركيين أن يكونا عاملي لجم للجحيم «العالمي» الذي ستجد تركيا نفسها أيضا، وليس سوريا فقط، تدفع ثمنه باهظا. ليست تركيا بحاجة الى مبضع خشن لحل مشكلتها مع «الديسك السوري». القليل من الذكاء كاف لعلاجه، وبتدليك أياد ناعمة تعج بها.. المسلسلات التركية.
http://www.assafir.com/Article.aspx?EditionId=2007&articleId=1964&ChannelId=47546&Author=%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF+%D9%86%D9%88%D8%B1+%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF%D9%8A%D9%86#.Tsie7ek3lDo.facebook
November 20th, 2011, 1:39 am
jad said:
Ashraf Almoukdad is one of the most radical opposition who never stopped attacking the SNC with his most violent vocal opinion and he is the most vocal supporter for military intervention in Syria is what the AL choose to send to Syria as a member of its team.
If this person is one of the 500 members they are planing to send I wonder who are the rest members background are they going to be Mossads?
By choosing such people to be members, AL already planning to sabotage its mission even before its start, and people get offended when the media call this a ‘conspiracy’.
November 20th, 2011, 1:54 am
SYR.EXPAT said:
163. NORMAN said:
“Tara,
There is no way that president Assad will resign and leave the Syrian people to your murderous opposition, then it is an all out war and let GOD be the judge,
It is obvious that your opposition intend on destroying Syria and that will not happen while there is one member of the Syrian army and the Baath party”
—
Norman shows his true colors as a supporter of the murderous and barbaric Assad mafia. This is the same Norman who supported the killing of thousands of innocent men, women, and children in Hama for the greater good. He, like many of the fascist Syrian regime supporters on this forum, whines about American intervention while living comfortably in the States and paying tax to uncle Sam. He supports the terrorist Syrian regime from afar, but is not willing to go back home and provide his services. There’s a word for these types of people. I’ll let you figure it out.
November 20th, 2011, 3:15 am
NK said:
Ashraf Almoukdad is a closet atheist, he attacks the SNC because he thinks they are too Islamic! but I guess he’s too much anti regime to be accepted, they should send Bassam Al Kadi that way he can report that Syrian security forces are treating the thousands they have in jails (with respect) and they’re holding them for (super secret national security concerns).
November 20th, 2011, 3:20 am
Revlon said:
A leaked official memo shows the institutionalisation of deceit in Asad Syria.
Here is a translation of the document:
From: Naser Abel Aziz, secretary of the Baath branch of Hasakeh
To: The mayor of hasakeh
Dated: 22/10/2011
Text:
All directors, employees, and members of all public sector companies, institutions, and organisations in all villages and towns in Hasakeh need to participate in the public rally to be held on 26/10/2011 in downtown Hasakeh, in support of Asad’s reform program and rejection of external intervention.
End of translation.
http://www.facebook.com/Syria.Revolution.Intelligence#!/photo.php?fbid=251634098228587&set=a.169379359787395.42145.169377413120923&type=1&theater
__________________________________________________________________
Those public rallys are not voluntary.
Attendance sheets is used to persecute or fire those who do not comply.
Those rallies feature the bullied public hereded by Jr bullies, who routed them.
November 20th, 2011, 3:40 am
SYRIAN HAMSTER said:
GEMM-Nasty
Sounds like we are seeing more of Mr. Assad’s foolishness in the past couple of days.
“My role as president — this is my daily obsession now — is to know how to stop this bloodshed caused by armed terrorist acts that are hitting some areas,” he said.
Simple answer: GET OUT and take your murder inc. with you and things will start to calm down.
State Policy
سيدي الرئيس:
هل تظن أو تعتقد بأن ردة فعل ضباط الأمن والجيش على المحتجين كانت قاسية أو وعدوانية جداً في بعض الأوقات.
الأسد:
إن صفة ذا قاس أو عدواني مصطلح قابل للجدل، ولكن دعينا نتحدث عن أن الحكومة ليس لديها أية سياسة لكي يعامل رجال الأمن والشرطة المتظاهرين بشكل قاس أو عدواني، لأن كل سياساتنا في العقد السابق بنيت على اساس الدعم شعبي لها، لذلك لا يمكن ان نبني سياسة ضد الشعب. لكن إذا كان هناك أية أحداث ارتكبت من قبل بعض الأفراد في حالات معينة سوف يتم التحقيق بها من قبل لجنة شكلناها منذ عدة اشهر. لكن عندما يكون هناك حالة من عدم الاستقرار سوف يكون هناك احتمال لارتكاب اخطاء ومشاكل في الشارع.
Someone should call this answer Delusional Detachment… ooops, Someone already did
Whose People
My people were threatened on countless occasions on this site, SNP, SNK, Commando and others vowed publicly to eradicate every single hamster and no one bothered asking me “how about your people”.!!!
Banned
Hateful AFRAM posts on weekends, so… he will be banned until he chooses to post again. genius….
November 20th, 2011, 3:42 am
ann said:
Syrian president warns of ‘dire’ consequences for military intervention
Sun November 20, 2011
http://www.cnn.com/2011/11/20/world/meast/syria-violence/index.html
(CNN) — Syrian President Bashar al-Assad warned that any potential military intervention against his country would lead to “very dire” repercussions and said he is willing to die for his country.
In an interview with The Sunday Times in the United Kingdom, al-Assad said that Syria “will not bow down” despite international threats of economic sanctions over the government’s crackdown on protesters.
He said recent attacks on the Syrian army showed he was facing armed fighters, not peaceful demonstrators.
“The conflict will continue, and the pressure to subjugate Syria will continue,” he told the newspaper. “Syria will not bow down.”
Al-Assad vowed he would personally fight and die to resist foreign forces, according to the Times. He accused the Arab League, which recently suspended Syria’s membership, of helping pave the way for western intervention.
“If they are logical, rational and realistic, they shouldn’t do it because the repercussions are very dire,” he said. “Military intervention will destabilize the region as a whole, and all countries will be affected.
The Syrian president is under increasing pressure to step aside as his government continues an eight-month crackdown on the opposition. The United Nations has said more than 3,500 people have been killed in the violence. The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 24 people were killed on Saturday alone.
Al-Assad disputed reports that thousands of civilians have been killed. His office placed the actual number is 619.
“We, as a state, do not have a policy to be cruel with citizens,” he told the Times. “The important thing is to look for the wrongdoers and hold them responsible for their actions.”
When asked how he felt seeing images of children shot, al-Assad told the Times, “Like any other Syrian, when I see my country’s sons bleeding, of course I feel pain and sorry. Each spilt drop of blood concerns me personally. But my role as president is in deeds, not words and sorrow. My role is to think about the steps I should take to prevent more bloodshed.”
Al-Assad echoed a refrain his regime has said for months — that it is fighting “armed gangs.” He said the solution was to not to pull back troops, but to eliminate the militants he blames for much of the violence.
Protesters in Syria are demanding al-Assad’s ouster and democratic elections. Al-Assad has been in power since 2000. His father, Hafez, ruled Syria for three decades.
In his interview with the Times, al-Assad said he intends to hold elections early next year.
“We’re going to have a new parliament. After that, we’re going to have a new government. We’re going to have a new constitution. That constitution will set the basis of how to elect a president,” he said, adding he would step aside if he lost a presidential election.
November 20th, 2011, 3:44 am
Uzair8 said:
After this RPG attack in Damascus the regime can justify the preesence of heavy security in the city during the visit by AL monitors.
This heavy security may thwart the opportunity for people to come out to protest on mass in Damascus taking advantage of the AL monitors visit.
Just a theory. Could the regime have done this attack for the above reason?
November 20th, 2011, 3:44 am
ann said:
NATO beats the drums of war against Syria and Iran – November 18, 2011
http://rabble.ca/columnists/2011/11/nato-beats-drums-war-against-syria-and-iran
If you thought the $4-trillion Iraq-Afghanistan-Pakistan quagmire, and the loss of standing and credibility that goes with it, would bring the declining West to its senses, well, think again.
Even as I write this, drums of war are beating in Israel and across Natodom to “bomb, bomb, bomb” Iran and Syria, and go “free” them with the drones and the missiles of “regime change.”
With Libya in ruins, and its oil pledged to NATO multinationals, the screws are now tightening on Iran and Syria. The IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) is meeting in Vienna to discuss its latest report on Iran, while Israel openly threatens to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities. And the Arab League (AL) has suspended Syria to force “regime change” in Damascus.
In our “Upside Down” world, as Eduardo Galeano put it, it’s the least of paradoxes that Israel is itself a widely proven though undeclared nuclear power, which has not signed the NPT (Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty), of which Iran is a member. Yet Israel, which just tested a long-range missile capable of carrying atomic warheads, is never questioned on its military nuclear activities.
The U.S. and its NATO allies have invested much over the years, in terms of both overt sanctions and covert operations, to shake Iran’s and Syria’s support for the Lebanese (Shiite) Hezbollah and the Palestinian (Sunni) Hamas. The resistance of Iran and Syria to Western plans has stymied Israel, NATO’s regional cop. Those sustained preparations are now coming to a head.
The empire mobilizes new regional cops
So new “cops” are being mobilized. Saudi Arabia, which recently bought $75-billion worth of arms from the US, has been playing a crucial role in turning the popular, democratic Arab Spring into an Arab Winter — sending troops and tanks to crush the uprising in Bahrain and uphold the British-installed Al-Khalifa dynasty, and supporting pro-Wahhabi Islamist parties in Egypt, Tunisia, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Jordan and Morocco.
Moubarak’s army, a long-term client of the Pentagon (with close to $2-billion-a-year in military aid), is still running Egypt under the old system, blocking popular demand for real “regime change.” Yemen is a republic, not a monarchy, but the regime is solidly in the Saudi (and U.S.) camp. Over more than 30 years in power, Ali Abdallah Saleh has been close to Saddam Hussein’s Iraq and has even flirted with Iran. But he is now a Saudi client, and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has not ostracized him; instead it is helping him to crush the Yemeni popular uprising.
The conservative monarchies of Morocco and Jordan have been invited to join the GCC — which would makes for a pretty huge Gulf! Petty oil emirates of the Gulf, who make up the GCC, are turning into roaring mice. Qatar, run by the British-installed Al-Thani dynasty and known for its Al-Jazeera TV called the “Arab CNN”, also had troops in Libya. It chaired the Arab League meeting in Doha which suspended Syria. The Algerian El Watan daily reported that the Qatari PM, Hamad Bin Jassim al-Thani, openly threatened Algerian FM Mourad Medelci for opposing Syria’s suspension.
Erdogan and the return of the Ottoman empire
The Wall Street Journal reports the U.S. plans to sell thousands of advanced “bunker-buster” bombs and other munitions to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as a way to keep Iran in check. This was announced in the midst of sensational media “leaks” of the confidential IAEA report on Iran. Six months after it normalized relations with Kuwait, Iran arrested two Kuwaiti citizens in Abadan, charged them with possession of spying equipment and accused the oil sheikhdom of espionage.
All these Arab regimes have got their peoples entrapped in a U.S.-run protection racket. Israeli hype over the bugbear of a nuclear Iran has further terrified them, stirring atavistic distrust of the hereditary Persian neighbour. Turkey, another non-Arab neighbour which ruled the Arab world via the Ottoman Empire for 500 years, is also roped-in: as a contract player for the U.S. empire and a member of NATO, its Islamist (Sunni) government has challenged Iran’s and Syria’s pro-Palestinian credentials by making a public show of taking issue with Israel. A grand coalition is in sight for the Great Sunni-Shia War the Israelis and the Neo-Cons have been working so hard and so long to bring about.
Turkish PM Recep Erdogan toured the Arab Spring in the summer as a latter-day Ottoman emperor, hedging about the Libyan war yet fully supportive of the NATO-Africom operation. He lectured the Egyptians and Tunisians on their choice of new regimes, while enhancing the credibility of the U.K.-friendly Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and Al-Nahda movement in Tunisia. Above all, he is host to the Syrian opposition, dominated by Sunni fundamentalists linked to Lebanese anti-Hezbollah Sunnis and which is launching armed operations inside Syria from Turkish and Lebanese soil.
Libya and disaster capitalism at work
In Libya, NATO and Africom successfully turned the Arab Spring to their favour — even though the eight-month war decimated many more civilians than the West falsely accused the Qadhafi régime of killing to justify its so-called “Responsibility to Protect” mission, and even though it destroyed major cities and left vast areas strewn with lethal spent and unexploded bombs and explosives.
This is how Disaster Capitalism, superbly chronicled by Naomi Klein, actually works. Capitalism has perverted the classic Maoist principle that “To build, you must first destroy” to create through wanton destruction “level(led) playing fields” on which neo-liberalism is pasted from the top and from which juicy contracts for reconstruction flow.
All this is great for Western geo-strategy and business, as China, India, Russia, Brazil, Iran, South Africa rise, and as the Euro teeters — while the dollar may be next.
Stockpiles of arms and ammunitions are expended in wars, and also recycled into petro-dollars, to make way for ever increasing production. Obscurantist “allied” monarchies are propped up, and secular republics are toppled by NATO’s self-proclaimed “democracies,” which then allow pro-Saudi Islamists, African client States and tribal warlords to fill the vacuum they generate.
The U.S. empire is seeking to reach out to the limits of Eurasia, and to strengthen its hold on Mid Eastern oil, even if, at home, the Occupy Wall Street movement rises again and again after each brutal repression.
The U.S. chimera hits a Russo-Chinese wall
But this U.S.-Israeli Neo-Con chimera is foundering against the belatedly hard-nosed realism of Russia and China, two of the five veto members in the security council of a very defective United Nations. By abstaining, both countries allowed the U.S., the U.K. and France to pass UNSC resolutions 1970 and 1973 which gave NATO the green light for the massive lynching of Libya.
Now the NATO triad wants a similar mandate against Syria, but Moscow and Beijing are saying no to a Libya-II. Western media inflates the narrative of “unarmed, innocent civilians” being “massacred” on a daily basis by Syria’s army, and the Syrian opposition keeps crying for UN help. Russia and China maintain there are armed opponents and victims on both sides. They want the opposition to come to a negotiated settlement with the Assad government.
Hence the U.S. recourse to the Arab League, and the latter’s quick delivery of Syria’s suspension, which could just be the diplomatic fig leaf NATO needs to go barging into Syria. On the rebound from the death of 241 Marines in a massive bomb attack in Beirut in October 1983, Ronald Reagan ordered the invasion of Grenada, claiming a call for US help had come from the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS)! But then George W. Bush bombed and invaded Iraq in 2003 without any invitation.
Within days of the Arab League suspension of Syria, Western media began writing about armed attacks on Syrian security forces — but kept calling the attackers “army defectors.”
Republican warmongering one-upmanship
Iran’s case is more problematic, though here too widespread skepticism over the IAEA report may not prevent Israel from putting the U.S., NATO and the world before a fait accompli by bombing Iran’s nuclear facilities unilaterally.
Leaks from the confidential report to the Western media stress that Iran has an ongoing secret nuclear weapons programme. Critics retort the document contains no new information and just rehashes old data which led the Bush administration to conclude, in a 2007 NIE (National Intelligence Estimate), that Iran has halted its nuclear weapons programme in 2003. This hysteria follows on the accusation that Iran had conspired with Mexican drug cartels to assassinate the Saudi ambassador to Washington, a charge even former CIA agents dismissed as ludicrous.
The present war propaganda against Iran is a repeat of the war propaganda against Iraq in 2002-2003, said Ron Paul, Republican presidential hopeful, in a recent candidates’ debate.
Rivals Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney vied for the most bellicose posture, saying they’d had enough of Obama’s sanctions on Iran. Gingrich called for “deniable covert operations” like the targeted killing of Irani nuclear scientists, which Iran has accused the U.S. and Israel of already perpetrating — through terrorist attacks, targeted assassinations, and support for the MKO, the Jundullah (Sunni) and the Kurdish PJAK armed groups. Romney outbid him by saying he would pre-emptively bomb Iran’s nuclear facilities to make sure Tehran never has the bomb.
Iraq’s ‘Curveball’ and Iran’s ‘Laptop of Death’
One detail is a throwback to the “Curveball” saga, the story of an Iraqi refugee cab-driver in Germany, Rafid Ahmed Alwan al-Janabi, who claimed in 1999 that he was a chemical engineer in Iraq, making “mobile biological weapons laboratories.” German Intelligence doubted his claims, but the CIA pounced on them and the Bush-Cheney administration used them to build its case for the invasion of Iraq.
The claims were proven false in 2004, and in February 2011, Al-Janabi, for the first time, admitted to The Guardian that he had indeed lied about his story. The CIA had given him the code-name “Curveball”.
In the case of Iran, there is a so-called “Laptop of death,” a computer that U.S. Intelligence has shown to the IAEA in 2005. It is said to contain data on Iran’s nuclear weapons programme, including satellite pictures taken at the Parchin military facility. The Hindu writes about “a steel container that can be used for testing explosives” and “triggering pressure waves that can detonate fissile material.” “It is also claimed that Tehran is building computer models of a missile cone that can carry a nuclear payload,” the paper adds.
Critics fault the IAEA for ‘unprofessionalism’
Iran rejects these claims, calling them “obsolete and repetitive,” and saying it had given “precise responses” in a 117-page document. Ali Asgar Soltaniyeh, Iran’s representative to the IAEA, described the report as “skewed, unprofessional and political,” and accused IAEA boss Yukiya Amano of making a “historical mistake” and “impairing the agency’s credibility.” He also accused the IAEA of refusing to give Iran access to all the data, and especially to the “laptop” in question.
“We don’t know if this ‘Laptop of Death’ is a computer or a DVD nor how trustworthy it is,” says Robert Kelly, a former IAEA inspector who now works for the Stockholm Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Questioned on the Real News Network, he said: “Iran may well have a nuclear weapons program, but this AIEA report contains nothing new that can take us there.” He thought the IAEA had been “careless” in allowing leaks of its report “in the midst of drumbeats of war from Israel” and not “technically correct” enough in its observations. He cited the example of Exploding Bridge Wires (EBW) “which have a widespread use in the oil industry and not exclusively for nuclear weapons.”
Many analysts on Iranian Press TV pointed out that the report was replete with vague conditionals like “can,” “could,” “may,” and that the old WMD concept (Weapons of Mass Destruction) used against Iraq has now become the PWD concept (Potential weapons of Destruction) in the case of Iran.
Neo-cons and the empire’s four-pronged strategy
The neo-con designers of George W. Bush’s “Project for a New American Century” have faded into the background, but their malevolent will to cling to the mountaintop through ruthless lying and destructive bullying continues to operate behind the façade of Barack Hussein Obama, the “Yes, We Can” democrat and Nobel Peace Laureate turned warmonger for the American Empire.
The military push for Iran and Syria, blared openly by Israel with quiet but insistent support from the U.S. and Europe, is part of a four-pronged strategy aimed at strengthening control over the Arab Middle East, deepening involvement in south Asia, militarizing Africa with Africom participation, and reinforcing Western power projection in the Indian Ocean.
The modern deep-water port built by China in the Pakistani city of Gwadar, on the Arabian Sea, with road links for Chinese imports and exports over the Karakoram Mountains, is seen as a threat by the U.S. Empire. As indeed nuclear Pakistan is itself seen as “a threat bigger than Iran,” as explicitly denounced on U.S. webzines and blogs.
This U.S. Empire, with 250,000 servicemen spread over 750 military bases around the world and mega-nuclear-powered fleets of war deployed on all oceans (including the planned deployment of 2500 Marines in Darwin, Northern Australia), and its allies, call themselves the “international community.” Yet, as the vote on the admission of Palestine to UNESCO showed a couple of weeks ago, the 14 No voters make up only 17 per cent of the world population of 7-billion! More significantly, the U.S. Empire operates for the global 1 per cent, and “We Are the 99 per cent, Worldwide”! There’s hope for sanity yet.
November 20th, 2011, 3:53 am
Revlon said:
القبض على مجموعة شبيحة اسدية
Arrest of Asad Shabbeeha
Uploaded by AljizahNews on Nov 19, 2011
These well groomed, camouflage outfitted Asad soldiers and other Shabbeeha were caught by FSA fighters in Tal Rif3at.
They will be properly iterrogated about all of their actions and inaction over the last eight months.
In the meanwhile, Asad has not only failed his Alawi community, he has also failed even the most die hard suppoters of him, the Alawi soldiers and Shabbeeha by failing to protect them from the wrath of the Free Syrian Army.
His bravado talk to the Sunday Times brings dejas vu of the famous Qidaffi’s posturing retoric, whose hollowness was most aptly matched by that of his hideout; the empty, sewer pipe.
November 20th, 2011, 4:05 am
Uzair8 said:
Hezbollah leader clarifies stance on Syria.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=vSuZkTmHsfM#!
???
November 20th, 2011, 4:23 am
SYRIAN HAMSTER said:
Garbage in, Garbage ANN
Our voices have been drowned in garbage like yours for 50 years. Silencing us with garbage bombardment is useless. And no, most of your articles are only treasures to reactionary, useless leftists whose incompetence and double face are among the major reasons for the conditions you rant about.
We are taking liberation movement back from the self proclaimed reactionary lefties, so keep dumping your garbage, it will not work. Liberation will no longer have self proclaimed regents.
November 20th, 2011, 4:28 am
Juergen said:
Hello folks, just wondered if someone could point out where are the headquarters of hisb al Baath in Damascus? Is there a photo in the net of the building, when i enter baath headquaters, the main post office building comes up… LOL
November 20th, 2011, 4:49 am
Revlon said:
AOBJ Phalange of the FSA rocks Damascus center
The FSA unit carried out a daring rocket attack on Baath party center in Mazr3a, Damascus.
حركة سوريا شباب من أجل الحرية Youth Syria For Freedom
20/11/2011
”بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم”
“بيان صادر من الجيش السوري الحر ”
كتيبة ابو عبيدة بني الجراح….
قام ابطال الكتيبة بضرب مبنى حزب البعث بجانب جامع الايمان “حي المزرعة “بدمشق…
والحقوا به ضررا” كبيرا” وإصابة عدد من الشبيحة …
“تحية للابطال الجيش السوري الحر ”
“تحيا سوريا حرة ابية”
By: الجيش السوري الحر بقيادة سيادة العقيد رياض الأسعد.
about an hour ago
November 20th, 2011, 4:53 am
Revlon said:
195. Dear Juergen,
> Go to
http://maps.google.com/
> Write Damascus Syria Mosques
> Zomm in on Mazraa (Arabic, )looking for AlIman Mosque/Embassy of Russia.
The attacked Baath building was in the same block with the above mentioned ones; a double message???
As to the whereabouts of other branches, only Baathists living in Damascus would be able to tell.
All are on the FSA hit list.
November 20th, 2011, 5:08 am
Juergen said:
Thank you Revlon,
I am quite surprised,thats very close to where i used to stay when i am in Damascus.
November 20th, 2011, 5:20 am
OFF THE WALL said:
JUERGEN
Have you visited WALLS, there is a nice dialog going on about the interview posted yesterday by OBSERVER. Reading your posts, especially your reply to HANS, i think it may interest you, even if mildly.
http://7ee6an.wordpress.com/
November 20th, 2011, 5:36 am
Juergen said:
@off the wall
Thank you for pointing out, very interesting articles, and i tried to contact some Aleppo friends to find out more about Houssam Arian.
Cheers
November 20th, 2011, 5:52 am
OFF THE WALL said:
At Last, The Draft Political Program of the SNC
November 20th, 2011, 7:28 am
irritated said:
185 Syr-Extat
“Norman shows his true colors as a supporter of the murderous and barbaric Assad mafia.
And you, the true state of your neurones.
November 20th, 2011, 7:44 am
irritated said:
Uzair8
“Could the regime have done this attack for the above reason?
Of course, come on, it is obvious, such a viciously smart regime.
November 20th, 2011, 7:50 am
irritated said:
#OTW
The SNC transition program:
“The SNC will take responsibility, with the military apparatus, to manage the transitional period and guarantee the security and unity of the country once the regime falls.”
Brilliant! the military apparatus after 8 months of fighting against the opposition, will happily join it. That will be cool.
November 20th, 2011, 7:56 am
irritated said:
200 Jurgen
Please do, we are dying to know who is that famous journalist, Houssam Arian, unknown to Google.
Maybe he can tell also about what happened to Adnan Bakkour. Who remembers his scoopy video of defection?
November 20th, 2011, 8:01 am
zoo said:
There was little sign of the conflict ending Sunday, Reuters reported, with eyewitnesses describing a grenade attack on a building belonging to al-Assad’s Ba’ath Party in Damascus.
The rebel Syrian Free Army has claimed responsibility for the blast, which – if confirmed – would be the first such attack since protests began in March.
The BBC’s correspondent in Beirut, Jim Muir, said there was speculation that the grenade attack could in fact have been carried out by al-Assad’s security forces, in order to justify the government’s assertion that armed terrorists are to blame for the violence.
Thousands of Syrians took part in a rally in support of President al-Assad in Damascus’ al-Hijaz square on Sunday, Chinese news
agency Xinhua reported.
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/111120/bashar-al-assad-syria-will-not-bow-down-interview
November 20th, 2011, 8:13 am
Tara said:
Bronco
“You are blinded by your own hatred.”
I am blinded not. Anyway thank you for denying me the right to hate. Yes, I hate Bashar and he earned it. Ironically, I think this hatred is what defines my humanity. I give myself no credit for saving hundreds of lives. I only give myself credit for hating Bashar and I am proud of it indeed.
I offer no apology for my intense emotion against the crime family. I offer no apology for feeling the pain of the downtrodden and the underdog, for losing sleep every Thursday night worrying about how many will be killed on Friday, for identifying with Hamza al Khateeb’s and Hajer’s mothers, Quahus’s family, Ali Firzat’s wife, and…and…and…
I could’ve said that perhaps “the blindness is all yours” when you refuse to open links showing the regime’s atrocities. I could’ve said that you are blaming the victim. I could’ve said that supporting the regime and justifying the unjustifiable is sort of participation in the crime….passively. I could’ve said that the inability to show emotion when a human being get tortured, stepped on, beaten, raped, degraded is just not human. I could’ve said all of that but I won’t….by choice.
I invite you not to put a sanction on my right for hate. I invite you to perhaps come outside your own self and understand for once where it is coming from.
I am not arguing either.
November 20th, 2011, 8:22 am
zoo said:
Welcome to the ‘peaceful’ Civil War
Sectarian Strife in City Bodes Ill for All of Syria
By ANTHONY SHADID
Published: November 19, 2011
BEIRUT, Lebanon — A harrowing sectarian war has spread across the Syrian city of Homs this month, with supporters and opponents of the government blamed for beheadings, rival gangs carrying out tit-for-tat kidnappings, minorities fleeing for their native villages, and taxi drivers too fearful of drive-by shootings to ply the streets.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/20/world/middleeast/in-homs-syria-sectarian-battles-stir-fears-of-civil-war.html
November 20th, 2011, 8:26 am
Tara said:
Al mou’alim is having a press conference on Aljazeera right now.
November 20th, 2011, 8:34 am
bronco said:
Tara #207
Hate and revenge have always be destructive forces.
I don’t deny you anything.
Go on hate, hate and teach your children to hate and look for revenge too.
For you, it seems to be a very moral value.
Well it is not, in all religions it is a degrading feeling that people have to fight against. Whether it makes a difference for you, I am not sure.
November 20th, 2011, 8:39 am
Uzair8 said:
Do you think this alleged assasination plot targetting the Presidential Palace and arrest of 14 high level officers is a fake story put out by the regime to scare any real potential plotters within the military/security structure?
November 20th, 2011, 8:42 am
Khalid Tlass said:
Watching fat boy’s press conference. Ppl from PressTV , RussiaToday menhebak-friendly channels are trying to many dirty tircks, deliberately stirring up the Israeli issue. Also, female journalists who are veiled are not beng allowed to ask questions.
Fat boy looks very tired and worn out by the way.
November 20th, 2011, 8:52 am
Tara said:
Bronco
Do you not hate Ariel Sharon? Do you struggle fighting your emotion against those who killed children in Gaza. Were you successful loving them? Do you not resent those who committed torture in Abu-ghraib?
November 20th, 2011, 8:55 am
SYRIAN HAMSTER said:
JEURGEN
November 20th, 2011, 9:08 am
irritated said:
UZAIR8
“fake story put out by the regime to scare any real potential plotters within the military/security structure”
Of course it is. This regime is viciously smart, didn’t you know?
November 20th, 2011, 9:11 am
Tara said:
Mou’alim comes from a good family. It is a shame that he finds himself in his current position having to defend the indefensible.
Only pro-regime journalists are allowed in this press conference. This regime will never learn.
November 20th, 2011, 9:12 am
SYRIAN HAMSTER said:
Damn it, Baathists talk way too much and say nothing of substance.
I love regime shabee7a journalists, they ask by stating the answers mainly to show that they are walking the party’s line.
Syria needs big time rehabilitation after the Assads and their thugs are thrown out like the garbage they are.
Now they have an angry Egyptian Baathist, sort of a different type of Angry Arab
November 20th, 2011, 9:22 am
Observer said:
The FM of Syria is giving a press conference.
It is worth watching for in my opinion he is in a desperate situation. From a position insisting that this is an internal affair, he is now taking a position that we should keep it within the Arab framework. From a position indicating that dialogue is internal to a position welcoming all opposition to Damascus and insuring their safety. From a position about absence of civil war to a position praising the Syrian people to avert such a scenario.
As to the attack today he is denying it and a reporter said that she lives near the site where the event occurred and it was a “sound” explosion only. So from a denial to a sound explosion. This is not a press conference but a pep talk. This is now Almoualem but Almoualek talking.
His tone and his voice and his body talk is very telling and he is near death.
November 20th, 2011, 9:22 am
irritated said:
#218 Observer
Certainly more convincing and less demagoogic that Seyyed Ghalioun’s speech
November 20th, 2011, 9:28 am
Tara said:
Hamster
Totally agree. It is a staged press conference. There was not even a SINGLE neutral question, let alone questions that serve the main goal of journalism of finding out the truth instead of spreading propaganda. All questions contained descriptive words or phrases that reiterate the regim’s narrative.
I am wasting my time listening to Waleed. He is saying nothing. Yet I advise the regime of banning Besho from talking to the press and let Mou’alim handles it. Besho comes off so dellusionally detached and rather pretty odd. Mo’alim at least does not come off that weired.
November 20th, 2011, 9:31 am
Khalid Tlass said:
220. Tara said:
“There was not even a SINGLE neutral question”
There was a smart question from BBC Arabic, one which fat boy answred with the usual menhebak rhetoric.
We can never forgive Sunni booqs like him.
November 20th, 2011, 9:34 am
Khalid Tlass said:
Tara, what is your definiton of “good family” ? ( in referenece to Mouallem’s family)
November 20th, 2011, 9:35 am
Tara said:
Khaled
I probably missed it. What was it?
November 20th, 2011, 9:36 am
bronco said:
Tara
Of course I condemn Ariel Sharon’ murders and the killing of innocents but I don’t let personal hatred to blur my judgment.
In politics, there are no morals, just a struggle for power.
November 20th, 2011, 9:42 am
Revlon said:
العقيد : رياض الأسعد – تقديم : عمر خشرم تاريخ البث 2011/11/19
لقاء اليوم – العقيد : رياض الأسعد
http://aljazeera.iyobo.com/fe8CNaA4wXV
This interview was aired yesterday on AlJazeera
It served to introduce Colonel Riad AlAsaad,
Commander of the FSA
President of the Transitional Military Council
He appeared in civilian suit.
He spoke with clear language and clarity of purpose.
He projected civility, assertiveness and good nature.
He spoke about the revolution and revolutionists with affection and pride.
The following is an English summary of the Q/A
On the identity of the members of the FSA.
– All are professionals of the armed forces.
On the types and sources of arms of FSA?
– Light and intermediate.
– Source is strictly within Syria: brought along with defectors, acquired from ambushing Asad units, or bought from black market; interestingly, such sources have included Alawis arms businessmen and smugglers, who are currently part of the regime!
– None of FSA arms come from any non-Syrian sources.
On the strategy of FSA: the protection of civilians
– Ambushing convoys of Shabbeeha and security forces on their way to crackdown.
– Attacking security checkpoints.
– Engaging armoured units enforcing blockade on cities.
On the number of the FSA and rate of defection from Asad army;
– Number of FSA members is >15,000
– Defection is taking place daily.
– Rate and size of defection are on the rise.
– The more and bolder FSA operations the more defections.
– Asad army officers and soldiers wait for the right time to defect, such as attacks on their units by FSA who provide them with fire cover for their protection.
– Defections have been seriously hampered by Asad air force which serves to track and capture many defectors, like happened in Rastan and Baba Amr.
On the Militarization of the Revolution
– WFSA rejects such concept.
– FSA members are professional army members who have the right to defend Syrians as per Oath.
– Our number and armament do not enable us to fight army to an army.
– However, we are able, through our targeted operations cum defections to dismantle the Syrian army from within.
– Our experience from ground operations and from own reconnaissance from Asad security forces have shown us that Asad army is crumbling and their members are utterly demoralised. One clear example is the use of Air force, Artillery and tanks to merely subdue a small unit of the FSA. To us, Baba Amr operation spells the beginning of the end of the Regime.
On the future of FSA operations in the wake of the failure of the AL initiative
– We spontaneously suspended all our operations against Asad forces once the AL initiative was signed, although we knew the regime will not honour the agreement.
– Asad forces instead attacked and shelled Homs city with tanks and shells.
– Asad released 550 prisoners, only to arrest 4000 just in the Reef Dimashq area (Countryside of Damascus).
– Asad forces have managed to repaint Army armoured vehicles in blue to claim that it belonged to police.
– There is a plan for Asad armed forces and security agents armed with light concealable machine guns, to dress in civilian cloths and infiltrate demonstrators and fire at the crowd to create a scene of chaos and perpetuate their claim of armed gangs.
On future plans for acquiring heavy arms.
– None!
– We incite terror in Asad forces with the light weapons we have.
– We draw strength from the bravery of our revolution and from our faith.
– We salute the Syrian people who give us the greatest of inspirations to defeat this regime.
On the way FSA is regarded by Revolutionists
– Their saviour and the future army of Free Syria.
– We are a national, non-ideological army
On the presence of Officers from minorities in FSA
– None so far.
– I have made an overture to Alawi officer friends and I hope they join us. We hope the honourables of the officers from Kurdish, Alawis, Christian and Druze communities join us in the future.
On FSA ties with Turkey
– We thank Turkey and its PM for hosting Syrian refugees.
– Turkey’s contribution to us has been limited to humanitarian aid.
– Unlike in Lebanon refugees feel safe and do not fear getting arrested.
– Turkey has not provided us with a single bullet.
– None of our arms came from Turkey, Lebanon or Jordan; we buy much of it from local market in Syria, including regime merchants in Aalwis Mountains.
On relationship with SNC
– We support the SNC as long as they stick to serving the goals of the revolution.
– We do not need foreign military forces to fight for us
– We call the international community to provide us with political cover, a no fly zone, and arms in order to expediate our operation in ousting Asad and his regime.
– I have met with a delegation from SNC and the meeting was fruitful.
– We have decided to form a coordination assembly mandated with drawing the strategy for future Syria.
End of interview
November 20th, 2011, 9:44 am
SYRIAN HAMSTER said:
Certainly more convincing and less demagoogic that Seyyed Ghalioun’s speech
Wow, stated with gravitas that can only come from irritation….
November 20th, 2011, 9:45 am
Tara said:
Khaled
The family is well raised, polite, ethical, and very respectful.
November 20th, 2011, 9:46 am
zoo said:
Military over mullahs
Control by the generals is safer than Shariah law in Egypt
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/nov/18/military-over-mullahs/
..
There’s no reason to believe an Islamist-dominated Egypt would have a democratic character. Democracy is inimical to Islamism. Those who believe Shariah is a perfect system of human governance bestowed (or imposed) by God have no use for the compromises and shifting policies characteristic of democracy. Banners carried in Friday’s demonstration calling the Koran Egypt’s true constitution are a case in point. Islamists may pay lip service to liberalism by saying that democratic decisions that don’t conflict with Shariah are permitted, but all this means is that people are free to vote to agree with the mullahs. If they disagree, they are free to keep their heretical thoughts to themselves or face punishment. Egyptian liberals who make common cause with the Islamists are what Soviet revolutionary leader Vladimir Lenin called “useful idiots.” In an Islamist regime, theirs would be among the first voices silenced, literally
November 20th, 2011, 9:52 am
irritated said:
Tara
“The family is well raised, polite, ethical, and very respectful.”
And he turned out to be the accomplice to a thug?
Great accomplishment for a ‘good’ family!
November 20th, 2011, 9:55 am
irritated said:
#226 Hamsty
Thanks, that is a very ‘latin’ remark matching well the intellectual and irritating pretense of Professor Seyyed Ghalioun and yours.
November 20th, 2011, 9:57 am
Tara said:
Irritated
It is difficult to judge him. Would be easy to say he should resign but I don’t know if I was in his shoes I would be courageous enough to do so. And also, I don’t know if he has blood on his hands
November 20th, 2011, 10:00 am
Uzair8 said:
Assad must fear possible action from within the military against him.
Perhaps they arrested 14 innocent officers over a non-existent plot in order to convince others that the intelligence is on top of things any plot is risky with a high chance of being uncovered.
November 20th, 2011, 10:04 am
majedkhaldoun said:
Waleed Muallem, admitted that he made several reservations on the protocol sent by AL.
Initially Syria agreed to AL initiative without reservation
here there are contradiction, this reflect dishonesty of the syrian regime when they approved the AL Initiative without reservation.
Waleed was running away from the fact the AL initiative was about the suppresion and oppression that have been used by his regime against the demonstrators,not even once that such killing and arrest and tortures were mentioned.
Bronco, you said hate is a destructive force, so If you hate killing and hate injustice you will have destructive force, you really sound weird and uneducated,do you mean we should not hate killing and injustice? we should not hate torturing children,because hate is destructive force, you are sick indeed.
November 20th, 2011, 10:10 am
Revlon said:
A second daring attack by FSA in the heart of Damascus city, not too far from the Baath party building that was attacked earlier in Mazraa.
The special Forces Unit of MIAS Phalange of the FSA succeeded in facilitating and providing fire power cover for the defection of members of the Political Intelligence Division of Maisat in Damascus
20/11/2011
حركة سوريا شباب من أجل الحرية Youth Syria For Freedom
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
بيان صادر عن الجيش السوري الحر كتيبة معاوية بن أبي سفيان
حصل انشقاق في قسم الأمن السياسي في الميسات وتقدمت سرية المهام الخاصة من كتيبة معاوية بن أبي سفيان أمنت المنشقين وإنضمو إلى الجيش السوري الحر بعد الإشتباك مع عصابات الأسد الموجودة في قسم الأمن السياسي
See Translation
about an hour ago
November 20th, 2011, 10:18 am
bronco said:
Majedalkhaldoonn
“you are sick indeed.”
Yes, from your ‘educated’ remarks
November 20th, 2011, 10:42 am
Norman said:
Russia will not except the request by the opposition for president Assad to leave before talking, the opposition will not talk to president Assad, the Syrian regime and president feel secure by the Russian support and are in a full militery posture, they gave up on compromise with the opposition , they are moving on their reform at their own time, February or March,
Syrian Ex,
I am well know to be supporter of the Baath party and the Syrian army, so you are not saying anything new here.
November 20th, 2011, 10:42 am
Revlon said:
نقلا عن : جهاز إستخبارات الثوره السوريه
ميسر فارس قاسم
كان في تركيا وحضر مؤتمر انطاليا
وتجسس على كل تحركات المعارضة
وعمل مع الجميع ..وتصور مع الجميع
ونزل فيديو أنه متظاهر في تركيا..وما خفي كان أعظم
المهم كلف بالعديد من المهمات ونجح بها
والمهمة الكبيرة كانت ..تسليم حسين هرموش
الآن هو في القاهرة ..بقصد تصيّد المعارضين
وأخبار كثيرة مزعجة جدا غير بعيدة عن النظام ورجاله القتلة
By: A.E.N.N | شبكة أخبار حلب و إدلب.
2 hours ago
ID card of a Sahbbeeh: He facilitated the arrest of Colonel Harmoush
http://www.facebook.com/Youth.Syria.Freedom#!/photo.php?fbid=194039207345494&set=a.121161741299908.29931.121001507982598&type=1&theater
20/11/2011
– Name: Myasser Fares Qasem
– He is authorised to carry a 9mm hand gun, by political intelligence branch of Aleppo.
– He visited Turkey, attended Antalya oppositional conference and spied on all oppositional groups there.
– He even uploaded a video showing himself as anti-regime demonstrator.
– He is currently in Cairo duping opposition members and activists.
End of translation
__________________________________________________________________
He has just made it to the to-do-list of AlHarmoush phalange!
November 20th, 2011, 10:44 am
majedkhaldoun said:
Bronco
You admit that you are sick, so you have destructive force
November 20th, 2011, 10:48 am
irritated said:
#231 Tara
Moallem is very close to Bashar al Assad and he has always condoned and defended all what Bashar has been doing.
So why so many “I don’t know” when it’s about Moallem? Is it because he comes for a “good” family and Bashar Al Assad comes from a ‘bad’ family?
November 20th, 2011, 10:50 am
Revlon said:
A true revolution
Talking to Professor Antoine Courban
Ana Maria Luca, November 2, 2011
http://www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=328707
Professor Antoine Courban’s face lights up when he speaks about the Syrian pro-democracy uprising. “It is fascinating,” he says, especially when looked at in a historical and anthropological light. Courban—a professor of Anatomy and Morphology at Saint Joseph University, who also holds a PhD in the History and Philosophy of Science—has a passion for Middle Eastern history and cultural anthropology. He was a guest speaker at the Lady in the Mountain Gathering in Adma on October 25, when over 600 Lebanese Christian intellectuals, journalists, academics and politicians came up with a statement backing the Arab Spring.
NOW Lebanon sat down with Courban to talk about the importance of the popular uprising in Syria and its cultural origins.
What is happening in the Middle East?
Antoine Courban: What we are witnessing is a change of paradigm. It is a surprising phenomenon coming from the midst of the Sunni culture. One would have expected this uprising to come from the midst of the Shia culture, which has always been more liberal.
Why do you think the Sunnis were the ones to rebel?
Courban: What we are witnessing is amazing. Islam, especially the Sunni sect, can be considered a civil religion. It is like the old Rome religion: there is no Ummah [community] without a Dawlah [state, political order]. The Shia culture sees that from a more communitarian point of view. What is happening today is a new modernity emerging in the middle of Sunni Islam. The other Islam, Shia Islam, underwent another type of revolution in Iran [in 1979], but this revolution was ideological, rooted in mystical perception, and it has led to radicalization of esoterism.
Is the Middle East looking for Western-style democracy?
Courban: What is happening today is not inspired by the West. They are maybe reconciling with the West, but not on Western ground rules or criteria. These uprisings bring with them not Westernization, but a new modernity, different than the European modernity. [In Europe] you have to say you are against God in order to be modern.
[Participants in the Arab Spring] are gathering in the mosques, probably because there is no public space. But why on Fridays? They go to pray, they listen to the imam’s word, and then they go out on the streets. Not to say, “Allahu Akbar!” Not to say, “I will die for the Arab nation.” They desperately say, “The people want…” They are expressing a common will, somehow different from God’s will.
This is a new modernity, where the crowd is a new political actor, in a world of globalization.
This new modernity is happening here, in the Levant. Islam in the Levant has the advantage of being mixed with other cultures. This is the old Eastern Mediterranean, either Ottoman, or Byzantine or Roman.
How is the Arab Spring in Syria different from that in other Arab countries?
Courban: In Syria, there is the radicalization of the conflict between two cultures: the urban culture, the cities, and the rural culture, the Al-badiah. The regime, of rural origin, effectively protects the residents of the city, but on the condition to resign the political life. What is happening in the uprising is the emergence of a political life in the cities, with this type of power.
What else is specific to the uprising in the Levant?
Courban: A third thing about the uprising in the Levant is [the technology] and the use of media, especially in making images. While Islamic culture is rather iconoclastic, the crowd in the uprising uses their bodies as icons. These bodies [depictions of martyrs] that they upload on the Internet are icons.
What makes the Syrian uprising important in your opinion?
Courban: I am looking at the anthropological, symbolical point of view, not at the political one. At this level, something extraordinary is happening. It will be impossible to go back. This is to be read very carefully, because if the Arab Spring is to lead to a certain political order, the new political order will affect the whole eastern Mediterranean. This is why Syria is so important, more than Egypt is. And this political order is crucial for civil peace in Europe.
How might changes in Syria affect Europe?
Courban: Because in Europe Islam is Islamist. Here Islam is not Islamist, and we are in the heart, the birthplace of Islam. Probably a change in this part of the world will be extremely helpful for the Muslims in Europe, who are mainly radicals. After the Arab Spring they might have a cosmopolitan model of another Islam, a modern Islam. It will be very important, not for the dialogue of religions, but for the dialogue of cultures. Through this revolution, Arab Islam will have regained its dignity.
Why do you say Islam has lost its dignity?
Courban: It is a long story of decadence. The regression of Arab culture started in 1258, when the Mongols took over Baghdad, burned its libraries and put an end the Ijtihad, the intellectual effort. Why is the Ijtihad awakening by itself today? Some may say there was an Arab nationalism movement. Arab nationalism was a French idea in order to get rid of the Ottoman rule. It was a transplant, not a product of the local culture. A transplant can either be taken in, or can lead to a catastrophe. The catastrophes were all these authoritarian, [so-called] secular regimes, created in the name of Arab nationalism in the middle of the 20th century. This was extremely wrong. The Arab culture in the Levant was infinitely more liberal in these cities. And now the cities are awakening. They walk in Daraa and they call for Homs and Hama. The echo of this movement moves from one city to another. This is fascinating; there is a network of cities. If you don’t call this revolution, I don’t know what you can call it.
November 20th, 2011, 10:54 am
Tara said:
Irritated
If he is even partially responsible of killing, torture, or subjugation, then he deserves and should end with the same sad fate awaiting Besho. Assad family is murderous one, no doubt about it. A granny traitor who begged the French to stay, a daddy who killed 10,000-30,000 in Hama, a mom who is a ring leader, a brother who is seen shooting protesters, and finally Besho himself who is responsible for 3500 civilians+10000army personnel /security forces, etc…
Let me answer the direct question you were “shy” of asking. No, it is not because he is Sunni I said he is from a good family. It is because I personally know some of his family members. I have nothing but contempt to many corrupt murderous Sunni family from
Damascus. I hope I answered your question.
November 20th, 2011, 11:10 am
Revlon said:
سؤال الطائفية في سوريا و (فدوى سليمان) جواباً
2011-11-20
وائل مرزا
http://www.alarab.qa/details.php?issueId=1436&artid=159739
waelmerza@hotmail.com
«خميس الإضراب العام في مدينة حمص. تتم مداهمة الأحياء في حمص منذ البارحة بحثاً عني، ويتم ضرب الناس للاعتراف عن مكان تواجدي. في حال تم اعتقالي من قِبل الأجهزة الأمنية أو قوى الجيش، هناك احتمال أن يجبروني على الخروج على قناة الدنيا للاعتراف بأني متآمرة على سوريا، كما فعلوا مع الشيخ الشريف البطل أحمد الصياصنة، والضابط البطل حسين هرموش. وفي حال تم إيذائي أو إيذاء أي فرد من أفراد عائلتي وبأي شكل من الأشكال فأنا أُحمّل النظام وأجهزته الأمنية والشّبيحة المسؤولية الكاملة عن ذلك. وأُعلنُ أنني سأستمر في التظاهر والإضراب عن الطعام الذي بدأتهُ أمس الأول لكسر الحصار عن أحياء حمص المحاصرة، ولأُثبت لكل شركائنا في الوطن كذب النظام وادعائه بوجود عصابات مسلحة وسلفيين وإسلاميين متطرفين يريدون قلب الحكم وإبادة الأقليات. وأوصي الشعب السوري العظيم بأن يستمر بنضاله السلمي حتى إسقاط النظام وتحقيق الدولة المدنية الديمقراطية التي يحلم بها كل السوريين. وأدعوهم لتوحيد الصف والوقوف معاً لإسقاط النظام الفاقد للشرعية منذ اللحظة التي عُدّل بها الدستور ليناسب استلام بشار الأسد الحكم في سوريا، لا لشيء إلا لأنه ابن الرئيس السابق.. يا أحرار دمشق. يا أحرار القابون وبرزة والميدان. يا أحرار دوما والقدم والمعضمية وداريا وحرستا وزملكا وعربين. يا أحرار المليحة وركن الدين والزبداني. يا أحرار درعا. يا أحرار بانياس واللاذقية وطرطوس. يا أحرار حماة وحلب وإدلب والبوكمال ودير الزور والرقة والقامشلي والحسكة. أدعوكم جميعاً للإعلان عن العصيان المدني والإضراب عن الطعام في كل الساحات وكل الشوارع، تضامناً مع سجناء السجن المركزي في حمص المضربين عن الطعام، ولفك الحصار عن بابا عمرو المحاصرة منذ أكثر من أسبوع، والتي تتعرض لقصفٍ متواصل بالمدفعية والرشاشات، والتي عُزلت عن العالم، والتي لا يعرف أحد ماذا يحدث في بابا عمرو. بابا عمرو تتعرض لكارثة إنسانية حقيقية. قفوا معها لأن أي حي أو قرية أو مدينة في سوريا ليسوا بمنأى عما يحدث في بابا عمرو.. والسلام كل السلام على سوريا وأهلها».
هذه بعض كلمات النداء الذي وجَّهتهُ الثائرة الحرّة فدوى سليمان إلى أهلها في داخل الوطن منذ بضعة أيام.
تجيب الكلمات المذكورة على كل الأسئلة المتعلقة بموضوع الطائفية في سوريا، وهو موضوعٌ كان النظام ولا يزال يحاول استعماله كورقةٍ قذرة يلعب بها في مواجهة ثورة الشعب عليه. وموقف فدوى الواضح والحاسم من الثورة وأهلها يمثل صفعةً كبرى للنظام تُفسّر الحملة المجنونة التي يقوم بها مُرتزقتهُ بحثاً عنها. فهي بهذا الموقف تضع نفسها حاجزاً عملاقاً في وجهه، وتهدم بفعلها الإنساني الراقي كل دعاويه الكاذبة، وتكاد تسحب منه، بجسدها النحيل وإطلالتها المُهيبة، كل قدرةٍ على الفعل والتأثير في هذا الإطار.
(لِتَكُونُوا شُهَدَاءَ عَلَى النَّاسِ) هكذا يتحدث القرآن الكريم عن بشرٍ يقفون مواقف تاريخية ومفصلية تساهم في الحفاظ على التكريم الذي أعطاه الخالق للإنسان. وفدوى اليوم تشهد بموقفها الصارخ في إنسانيته على كل شخصٍ له صفة رمزية وتضعه أمام مسؤوليته الكبرى. فالكثيرون يرفعون شعارات اللاطائفية ويتحدثون عنها نظرياً، لكن الكلام سهلٌ على الدوام، في حين أن فدوى تساهم اليوم وحدها عملياً، وبدرجة كبيرة جداً، في تقليص مساحة أي احتمالٍ لحروب طائفية أو أهلية يخوّف بها النظام ويشحن في اتجاهها بممارساته.
فحين تقود هذه الحرة بالذات مظاهرات الثوار، وحين تضع نفسها أمام الخطر الذي تتحدث عنه في المقطع، وحين يحدث هذا في مدينة حمص تحديداً، وحين يحتضنها ثوار المدينة الأبطال ويقومون بحمايتها، ندرك حجم النّبل الإنساني الكامن في الصورة بأسرها، وكيف يمكن لهذا النبل أن يكون إجابةً كبرى على سؤال الطائفية في سوريا.
البعض لا يعرف من هي فدوى، ويحزّ في القلب اضطرار المرء للتوضيح بأنها تنتمي للطائفة العلوية الكريمة. فقد سمعنا مع العالم بأسره أنها باتت تشعر بالاشمئزاز من السؤال الذي يوجه إليها بخصوص ذلك الانتماء، ورأينا كيف قالت إنها لا تنتمي لأي طائفة، وإنما تنتمي لسوريا الوطن والشعب والتاريخ والحضارة. لكننا نستميح العذر من الثائرة الحرة في طرح هذه الإشارة، لأن وضوح هذه الحقيقة وتبيانها للشعب السوري وللعالم أمرٌ في غاية الضرورة اليوم، خاصةً في ضوء استماتة النظام لإشعال المسألة الطائفية داخلياً، وفي ظلّ التصريحات الدولية التي تتحدث عن مخاوف في هذا المجال.
قلناها من قبل ونعيدها اليوم: لو أن الثورة السورية كانت طائفية لما أطلق الثوار أسماء على جُمع ثورتهم مثل (جمعة صالح العلي) و (الجمعة العظيمة) و (جمعة أزادي/الحرية) و (جمعة الحرائر) و (جمعة حماة الديار) وغيرها.
يفهم الشعب الثوري الثائر دوافع الشرفاء الذين يخافون على سوريا من أي فتنة طائفية ويقدّرها كل تقدير. ويُدرك، بواقعيته الثورية والحضارية، أن هذه القضية ستكون تحدياً، خاصةً في ظلّ الضرب على وترها من قبل كل من يهمّه فشل الثورة في كل مكان.
لكنه يخاطب هؤلاء الشرفاء قائلا: لا يوجد في العالم وطنٌ يعيش فيه شعبٌ من الملائكة. وفي سوريا أكثر من ثلاثة وعشرين مليون مواطن سيكون منهم أفرادٌ هنا وشريحةٌ هناك يمكن أن يعزفوا على وتر الانقسام والطائفية عن جهلٍ أو عن سابق قصدٍ وتصميم. وسيكون منهم أفرادٌ هنا وشريحةٌ هناك قد يقعون في هذا الفخّ، لأنهم لن يتمكّنوا من مقاومة المكائد السياسية والإعلامية والضغط الأمني الدموي الوحشي الذي يواجهونه من النظام، لكن هؤلاء كانوا وسيبقون الأقلية الهامشية الصغيرة.
والدليل على هذا كلُّ ما قلناه سابقاً. ومعه كلُّ تاريخ سوريا القديم والمعاصر، وأهمُّ من هذا وذاك، ثقةٌ ننتظرها منكم بهذا الشعب وطلائعه الحديثة في كل مجال، وعقدٌ اجتماعي وقانوني وسياسي قادم، لن نرضى جميعاً إلا أن يكون الضامن الأكبر لتجاوز هذه القضية، مرةً واحدةً وإلى الأبد.
وأخيراً، يؤلمنا أن نقول، وبعيداً عن عواطف لا مكان لها في مثل هذا المقام: إن ثمّة إساءة ظنٍ كبيرة تتمثل في ذلك الموقف، وهي إساءة ظنٍ لا تتعلق فقط بإنكار تاريخ سوريا الحضاري الراسخ في التجربة البشرية، ولا بتجارب وحدتها الوطنية في أوقات الفعل الثوري أيام الثورة، وفي زمن الديمقراطية الحقيقية بعد الاستقلال، لكنها أيضاً إساءة ظنٍ بهذا الشعب العظيم، وبكل طلائعه الثقافية والسياسية والفكرية والاجتماعية والاقتصادية الشريفة.
November 20th, 2011, 11:32 am
SYRIAN HAMSTER said:
Regime defenders. This is what you are defending, your Good families should be proud of you.
اقتعلت عيناه وشوه وجهه.. هذا ماحصل لفرزات بعد اعتقاله
بواسطة EDITOR2 – 2011/11/20
نشر فى: أخبار محلية
زمان الوصل
اظهر فيديو وصور بثها نشطاء مدى الوحشية التي تعرض لها الشهيد فرزات الجربان، حيث اقتلعت عينها وشوه وجهه، وعثر على جثة الناشط بالقرب من المشفى الأهلي في القصير، بعد أن تم اعتقاله بالأمس من قبل المخابرات الجوية وهو بصحة جيدة، مما يؤكد تعرضه لعملية إعدام. وعرف جربان بتصويره المقاطع فيديو المظاهرات وبصوته المميز الذي يصف المكان ويحدد تاريخ المقطع. وأثار ماتعرض له الجربان استياء شديدا في الوسط القانوني لدى المنظمات الحقوقية، إذ تأكد اعتقاله من قبل الامن، ووجد بعد ذلك مقتولا ومشوها، مما يقطع أن من قام بهذه الجريمة جهاز من أجهزة النظام، الذي لم يصدر حتى اللحظة بيانا حول ما حصل للناشط، وطالب نشطاء السلطة السورية باصدار البيان لتفسير ماتعرض له الناشط بعد اعتقاله من المخابرات. رابط لفيديو يظهر جثة الشهيد الامن يعتقل ناشط بالامس والاهالي يعثرون على جثته اليوم
November 20th, 2011, 11:37 am
SYRIAN HAMSTER said:
And by the way, pencil-neck fool is responsible for this one as well.
November 20th, 2011, 11:39 am
bronco said:
Revlon #240
Interesting anthropological views of a Christian scholar.
It is true that Shias have a tradition of a revolutionary spirit calling against oppression and in favor of social justice, while Sunnis don’t.
Therefore this is a new and surprising face of the Sunnis, that amazes Dr Courban. He is right but I think it won’t probably last long.
If the Shia grassroot revolution of Iran in 1979 was transformed spontaneously into an authoritarian theocracy, the same will happen to these pseudo revolution alimented by westernized elite taking advantages of the economical hardship and the corruption of the regimes to create a popular uprising.
Sunni conservative forces will not tolerate a lasting state of ‘revolution’ and will quell it.
In Egypt, we see the growing signs of authoritarian regimes ( army and islamist) creeping in to quell any opposition.
The fund-providers of these Sunni revolution are non-democratic authoritarian Sunni regime and they will oppose any attempt to separate religion from state as it happened in Turkey. Therefore with the expected omnipresence of the Sharia in the personal, political, social and cultural aspect of the country laws, the Sunni revolutions will transform themselves into another authoritarian regime ruled by religious or pseudo religious leaders.
If this is the case, the Sunnis revolutions would have been just a sparkle.
November 20th, 2011, 11:40 am
N.Z. said:
Norman,
“I am well know to be supporter of the Baath party and the Syrian army,”
Actually this is a revelation. Out of the closet, only now?
Are you ideological driven or because you believe in the bloody achievements of your party?
Given their conduct for the past 9 months, what makes you declare your support, and precisely now?
No doubt the doctor who disappeared from SC was in your league. I had not even a shadow of doubt then. I respect you today, for non than your honesty.
November 20th, 2011, 11:55 am
Tara said:
Bronco
Let me preemptive my question first by saying that I don’t believe your are a hateful, sectarian, or evil individual. I have nothing but respect for you… Having said that, I sense a resentful sentiment on your part towards Sunni. Am I over reading? Of course, your emotions belong to you and you are free to feel…I am just curious and I apologize in advance as I mean no offense.
November 20th, 2011, 11:57 am
jad said:
اردوغان يتوعد الاسد بالكلام بينما طهران تنقل قواتها الى الحدود التركية – احمد غولير
خاص ” عربي برس ” – اسطنبول
ينشر في نفس الوقت مع ” اودا ” تي في التركي
كتب احمد غولير .
ثارت شهية الاعلام الوثيق الصلة بالاميركيين في تركيا (وبعضه يزعم انه اسلامي اصولي وهو اكثر شيطانية من اعلام اميركا في خدمة اسرائيل في تركيا ) واخذ يردد مزاعم بقرب عودة السلطنة العثمانية الى سابق عهدها على اعتبار ان العالم سيطالبنا قريبا باحتلال سورية. وبعض صحافيي الحزب الحاكم جاهر بالقول بأننا سنحتل سورية خلال ساعتين.
اصوليو تركيا لم يقولوا لنا ما سبب صدفة اعلانهم العثماني هذا ضد سورية وتزامنه مع مزاعم ملأت الإعلام الغربي حول ان الولايات المتحدة الاميركية ستهاجم ايران في وقت تكون فيه القوات التركية قد احتلت سورية !!
من يعلنون هذه الأخبار هم ممن لم يروا حرباً اطلاقاً، وهم يشكلون المجموعة التي تعتقد أن كل شيء سيجري حسناً إذا ما تمسكنا بذيل أمريكا.
.
تعالوا لنقوم بحسبة عاقل
لنفترض أننا دخلنا الأرض السورية، وأن السوريين لم يظهروا أية مقاومة (رغم صواريخ الـ S300 والـ5000 دبابة)
من الواضح ان المناورات الجوية التي تجريها طهران حاليا تحت اسم (ثامن الحجج ) ليس هدفها اخافة مجلس اللويا جيرغا الافغاني من القدرات الايرانية ولا الهدف منه اقلاق راحة مهربي المخدرات بين كابول و اوروبا عبر انقرة و اراضي ايران ، فجمهورية الملالي الايرانية التي تنظر الى سورية على انها الحليف الوحيد الموثوق في العالم لن تتخلى لأميركا ولا لاداتها (رجب اردوغان ) عن هذا الحليف الاستراتيجي الذي تعادل خسارته سقوط طهران في يد قوات احتلال اجنبي وبقاء الاراضي الايرانية خارج العاصمة محررة ، فمن يحمي مواقع ايران الاستراتيجية ليس الدفاعات الجوية الايرانية ولا سلاح الجو الايراني ولا لابسات التشادور الايرانيات المنددات بالاستعمار الاميركي في ايام التظاهر في مدن ايران، ما يخيف اسرائيل ومن خلفها اميركا ويمنعهما من تدمير ايران ومن قلب ” عاليها واطيها ” هو المقاومة العراقية والوجود الاميركي في افغانستان وقدرة ايران على تدمير كل منشآت انتاج النفط في دول الخليج كافة بدءا من السعودية وبالمستعمرة العسكرية الاميركية المعروفة باسم قطر والتي يبلغ عدد الجنود الاميركيين التواجدين فيها اكبر فئة من سكانها القلائل.
لقد اكد تقرير مخابراتي سربته المخابرات العسكرية التركية الى عدد من الصحافيين العلمانيين في انقرة بان تهديدات اردوغان بالتدخل في سورية دفعت ملالي طهران الى القيام بخطوات عملية ضد تركية وقد حشدت ايران بحسب تقرير المخابرات التركية ربع قواتها للدفاع الجوي وثلث عدد دباباتها والآلاف من الصواريخ ارض ارض طويلة المدى التي تنتجها المصانع الايرانية محليا بعشر كلفة الاسلحة التي نشتري نصفها من اميركا ونصنع النصف الثاني محليا في تركيا، و من بينها صواريخ شهاب بانواعها وذاك الحشد العسكري الايراني يبدو واضحا للعيان في مثلث الحدود العراقية التركية الايرانية والذي يبعد عن الحدود السورية ثلاثين كيلومترا فقط ، اي ان ايران لا ترد على كلام سياسيي انقرة بالكلام بل بالفعل العسكري وهي تريد القول بان ترك سورية فريسة للجيش التركي يعني ضياع طهران وسقوط نظامها لان الايرانيين يؤكدون بحسب من التقى البرلماني الايراني الهام ” بروجردي ” اثناء زيارته الاخيرة لتركية ” إن سبب تمنع الغرب عن مهاجمتنا لا يتمثل فقط في قدرتنا على ضرب القوات الاميركية المنتشرة في العراق وفي دول عديدة من حولنا في الخليج الفارسي ولكن العامل الحاسم في ذلك هو خوفهم على اسرائيل التي ستتلقى ولا شك ضربات ساحقة من القوة الصاروخية لحزب الله – لبنان القادر على تدمير تل ابيب بشكل كامل وتهجير سكانها الى اوروبا خلال ايام ، وضرب سورية يعني قطع الاوكسجين عن حزب الله وهذا ما لن تسمح به طهران ابدا لان امنها القومي مرتبط عضويا بأمن سورية ولحظة سقوط النظام السوري ستعني بالنسبة لاسرائيل واميركا لحظة للاعتداء على طهران .
هذا اولا
واما ثانيا فمن الواضح أن روسيا والصين لن تقفا متفرجتين على اقتسام الغرب لسورية فروسيا تخشى من تعاظم قوة تركيا التي يحكمها حزب اسلامي سيمثل نموذجا لمسلمي روسيا وخاصة لجمهوريات القوقاز التي تعاني روسيا اصلا من حركات الانفصال التي تقاتل قواتها فيها (يبلغ عدد مسلمي روسيا عشرات الملايين)
لنفرض أن روسيا والصين لم تدخلا الحرب للدفاع عن سورية واغلب الظن انهما لا تحتاجان لدخولها فلديهما ما يكفي من الوسائل لمساعدة سورية ضد تركية .
تركيا تستخدم الفيول الذي تستجره من روسيا، والبالغ 30 مليار متر مكعب سنوياً، لتوليد الكهرباء.
50% من الطاقة الكهربائية في تركيا تولد باستخدام الفيول.
10 مليار متر مكعب سنوياً تستجر من إيران إضافياً.
وقد نقلت وكالة الأنباء الإيرانية الرسمية تصريحاً عن لاريجاني، وإن توقيت هذا التصريح بعد تصريح كل من أردوغان وغول له مغزى واضح. قال لاريجاني: «الاعتداء على سورية اعتداء على إيران»
إذا قطعت روسيا وإيران الفيول، فإن ” مؤخرات ” الزاعقين بالحرب ستتجمد من البرد.
لا البنوك ستعمل، ولا طائرة ستقوم، ولا حتى البقاليات ستتمكن من العمل.
فوق ذلك ميزاننا التجاري مع روسيا تبلغ 30 مليار دولار.
من السهل أن نكون وكلاء أمريكا ولكن من الصعب القيام بالأعمال التي يطلبها المقاول.
فلنحاول أن نتصور كيف سيكون جو الحرب
هذا الوضع سيؤدي إلى دخول المجلس في حالة شبيهة بحالته عند صدور تذكرة الأول من آذار (التذكرة التي سمح بموجبها البرلمان للجيش التركي باجراء عمليات ضد حزب العمال الكردستاني داخل الأراضي العراقية)
في خضم النقاش حول هل ندخل او لا ندخل الحرب فإن معارضي الحرب سيكونون كثراً حتى ضمن كتلة حزب العدالة والتنمية التي تبلغ 50% من البرلمان.
ستبقى فئة صغيرة من المنتفعين من العلاقات مع أمريكا. ولا أعلم هل ستقوم هذه الفئة بمتابعة الزعيق الداعي للحرب في وسائل الإعلام الموالية لها.
جبهة الممانعة التي ستتشكل ستكون أخطر من قطع روسيا والصين للفيول.
في كل الحروب الهجومية فإن رئيس الدولة المعتدية إما أن يكون محظوظاً فيذهب الى بيته مهزوما في الانتخابات أو أقل حظاً فحكم عليه و يعدم.
هتلر هاجم أوربا وذهب
بوش هاجم العراق وذهب
فانيزيلوس هاجم تركيا، بتحريض الامبرياليين، وذهب
القادة الذين دافعوا عن بلدانهم كمصطفى كمال أتاتورك أضحوا من العظماء
كونوا هادئين يا سادة، كونوا هادئين…
http://arabi-press.com/?page=article&id=11123
November 20th, 2011, 11:59 am
jad said:
“معارضين ومأجورين” يتعرضون بالضرب الوحشي لوفد من فنانين واقتصاديين وشباب أمام مقر الجامعة العربية في القاهرة
قالت وكالة الأنباء الرسمية سانا أن وفداً يضم العشرات من السوريين من مختلف الفعاليات الشبابية والفنية والاقتصادية المسافرين إلى القاهرة للتعبير عن رفض الشعب السوري لقرار الجامعة العربية بحق وطنهم وللتدخل الخارجي في شؤون سورية الداخلية، تعرض للضرب المبرح والوحشي أمام مقر الجامعة العربية بالقاهرة من قبل عدد من معارضة الخارج ومأجورين من قبلهم وتم إسعاف العديد منهم إلى المشافى.
وأشار مراسل سانا في القاهرة إلى أن “عدداً من معارضة الخارج ومأجورين من قبلهم قاموا بالاعتداء الوحشي على أعضاء الوفد السوري الذين أصيبوا بجروح متوسطة وشديدة ونقلوا إلى المشافي”، لافتاً إلى أن الشرطة والأمن المصري والأمن المسؤول عن أمن الجامعة لم يتدخلوا لمنع المعتدين من ضرب الوفد السوري.
وقال الفنان عارف الطويل أنه منذ وصولهم الى مطار القاهرة استقبلهم المعارضون “مجلس اسطنبول” بالشتائم، وأثناء الاحتجاج هاجمنا هؤلاء بالعصي وتعرض الفنان زهير عبد الكريم الى إصابة برأسه كما نقلت فتاة أخرى مصابة الى المشفى.
وأضاف: اطمئنوا الاصابات طفيفة والوضع جيد.
وبين الفنان الطويل أنهم كانوا يحتجون بشكل سلمي مئة بالمئة وانهم قدموا بيان يطالبون فيه الجامعة بإعادة النظر في قراراتها والنظر في مظاهر العنف التي يتعرض لها المدنيين والعسكريين في العديد من المحافظات السورية
وقال المخرج الاردني سامر الخضر ” تعرضنا لجوم ومحاولة خطف من قبل بلطجية سوريين وتعرضت الفنانة السورية لينا حوارنة لحالة اغماء والفنانة تولاي هارون غارقة في دموعها
واضاف: كنا حوالي 50 إلى 100 تقريباً وخرج أكثر من 20 شاب بلطجي سوري وتعرضوا لنا بالضرب والاهانة.
الاعتداء الذي حصل على الوفد السوري تقرير ال NBN
http://youtu.be/SglOlRo2R8s
November 20th, 2011, 12:04 pm
jad said:
Bronco,
Isn’t it strange that we hearing anything from the Syria National Coordinating since they were ‘kidnapped’ to Doha?
What are they doing there? Have you read any news?
November 20th, 2011, 12:20 pm
Ghufran said:
The AL was always toothless and the teeth you see today are imported from NATO and Turkey. The plan from the beginning was to topple the regime. Plan-A was to try diplomatic measures,which was not accepted by the regime,and now it is plan-B where the Syrian file is sent to the UN and Turkey paving the way for more aggressive measures.
يجد السوريون نفسهم الان بين مطرقة النظام و سندان الغرب
باعتراف الجامعه نفسها ليس لديها القوه لتنفيذ اي قرار بخصوص سوريا و ما تفعله الان هو رفع عتب قبل الطلب من الأجانب تاديب النظام السوري
The SNC is not inclusive enough to claim representation off all Syrians and its political program is an infant at best,only NATO and fire power can impose the SNC as an alternative to the regime. Until this council does what it needs to do,becoming more inclusive,it will only serve as a tool to weaken the regime instead of being a true opposition body that can be trusted to replace the regime. Another myth is pretending that all Syrians will suddenly pledge allegiance to a council formed in exile and did very little to prepare for the post Assad era. Without addressing the explosive issue of the army and security forces and the critical subject of minorities,this council will simply manage an upcoming civil war that may go beyond Syria’s borders and can divide Syria along sectarian lines.
November 20th, 2011, 12:21 pm
Haytham Khoury said:
@ Jad# 249
“معارضين ومأجورين””
They are the new Shabihha, This should not be tolerated in the new Syria.
November 20th, 2011, 12:22 pm
Dale Andersen said:
From the CIA/EU/Jew/Saudi/al Qaeda/Salafi Press:
“…Col. As’ad, the leader of the Free Syrian Army, said his group won’t back down as the government decides whether it will comply with the Arab plan. He also said his group will no longer wait for support from Syria’s political opposition, who have advocated nonviolence…”
http://playwrighter.blogspot.com/2011/06/stuck-in-damascus-with-memphis-blues.html
November 20th, 2011, 12:29 pm
jad said:
Bronco, I found some news but the domestic coordinating are not clearly included, the news only mention Kilo:
برعاية الجامعة العربية .. مؤتمر موسع للمعارضة السورية في القاهرة الأسبوع المقبل .. لندن تلتقي المعارضة غداً
القاهرة ..
من المقرر أن تستضيف القاهرة خلال الأسبوع المقبل مؤتمرا برعاية جامعة الدول العربية، يضم أطياف المعارضة السورية كافة، بناء على اتفاق تم في الاجتماع الأخير الذي عقده ممثلو “المجلس الوطني” السوري مع الأمين العام لجامعة الدول العربية نبيل العربي، على أن تصدر عنه رؤية المعارضة الموحدة للمرحلة “الانتقالية” ورؤيتها لسوريا المستقبل ومبادئها الدستورية.
وذكرت صحيفة “الشرق الاوسط” اللندنية ان لجنة تحضيرية منبثقة عن المكتب التنفيذي لـ”المجلس الوطني” تعكف في الوقت الراهن على التحضير لهذا المؤتمر، وتأخذ أمرين على عاتقها، وفق ما علمته الصحيفة من مصادر “المجلس الوطني”، أولهما الاتصال بمختلف مكونات المعارضة السورية، وكان اجتماع عقد أول من أمس بين المعارض السوري البارز ميشال كيلو ورئيس “المجلس الوطني” برهان غليون، وثانيهما وضع مسودتين للورقتين اللتين ستصدران عن المؤتمر (رؤية المعارضة للمرحلة الانتقالية ولسوريا المستقبل)، بالتنسيق مع خبراء وقانونيين، على أن تضع اللجنة غدا العربي في صورة ما توصلت إليه تمهيدا لتحديد موعد المؤتمر الموسع الأسبوع المقبل ومن سيحضره.
وفي هذا الإطار، أوضح عضو الأمانة العامة لـ”المجلس الوطني” أنس العبدة للصحيفة اللندنية أن المؤتمر المنوي عقده “سيحضره ما بين ستين ومائة شخصية، تمثل أطياف المعارضة السورية كلها، إضافة إلى شخصيات وطنية ومستقلة، بحيث نجمع أكبر طيف وطني ممكن من أجل وضع الصياغة النهائية لورقتي العمل، اللتين لا تقتصران على الجانب السياسي فحسب بل تطالان الجوانب الثقافية والفكرية أيضا”.
وتأتي هذه المحاولة لجمع مختلف مكونات المعارضة السورية بعد مرور أكثر من ثمانية أشهر على اندلاع الاحداث في السورية، وبعد بروز تباين في المواقف حول إشكاليات وعناوين عدة على غرار “إسقاط النظام” و””التدخل الدولي” و”عسكرة الثورة” و”الحماية الدولية للمدنيين”.
“أن يأتي هذا المؤتمر متأخرا خير من أن يطول أكثر”، يقول العبدة، الذي يصف “هذه الخطوة بالمهمة جدا، والتي تحمل في طياتها رسالة إلى الداخل السوري بالدرجة الأولى، لتطمين الكتلة السورية الصامتة التي لم تنضم بعد إلى (الثورة) في الشارع السوري” بحسب قوله.
ولا ينكر العبدة أنه “بات من الضروري جدا في الوقت الراهن أن يقدم “المجلس الوطني” هاتين الورقتين، متوجها في آن معا، إلى الداخل السوري وإلى المجتمع العربي والإقليمي، وكذلك المجتمع الدولي، خصوصا بعد تعبير العديد من الدول والجهات عن قلقها حيال رؤية المعارضة للمستقبل ولنظام الحكم وبنيان الدولة”. ويشدد في هذا السياق على أن “المرتكزات الأساسية لسوريا “المستقبل” هي دولة مدنية ديمقراطية تعددية، لا تمييز بين مواطنيها على أي أساس كان، وهي تحترم حقوق الأقليات وتضمن أن تلعب دورا أساسيا في العمل الوطني ضمن مبادئ المواطنة العامة”.
ولدى الحديث عن مكونات المعارضة السورية، يبدو لافتا إصرار العبدة على أن “المعارضة السورية هي جزء من (الثورة وليست الثورة) ، كما أنها ليست من يقود هذه “الثورة”، معربا عن قناعته بأن “الطرفين الأساسيين في القضية السورية اليوم هما النظام و”الثورة”، التي انبثق منها “المجلس الوطني” وهو يجسد اليوم وجهها السياسي. ويضيف لا يدعي “المجلس الوطني” تمثيل المعارضة بكل أطيافها، لكنه في الوقت عينه يمثل (الثورة).
ومن هذه الإشكالية، ينطلق العبدة للإشارة إلى أنه قد يكون “من الأسهل”، في ظل التباين القائم في وجهات النظر بين “المجلس الوطني” وبعض الجهات المعارضة غير الممثلة فيه، أن “نتوحد على رؤية من أن نتوحد في جسم معارض واحد”. ويؤكد أن “الأهم في هذه اللحظة هو أن نتفق على رؤية واحدة تأتي متطابقة مع حراك “الثورة السورية” ميدانيا، بهدف إعطاء هذه الثورة بعدا سياسيا وفكريا وثقافيا، لتنتفي بذلك حجة أنه ليس للثورة وجه سياسي وفكري”.
وانطلاقا مما سبق، يبدو اتفاق كل مكونات المعارضة السورية، على اختلاف وجهات نظرها، على رؤية سياسية موحدة في الأيام القليلة المقبلة بمثابة القاعدة أو الركيزة التي سيتم الانطلاق منها من أجل التوصل إلى ثوابت وقواسم مشتركة تكون المدخل للتوحد في المستقبل، من دون أن يكون لذلك وفق العبدة “أي ارتباط بالتمثيل السياسي”.
Dr. Zibaleh: Russia will change its position if Washington gave the Kremlin some ‘incentives’, because Russia for this idiot is nothing but a beggar:
“رضوان زيادة يتوقع تحولاً في الموقف الروسي..
في موضوع آخر تستكمل واشنطن العمل على الساحة الدولية وخصوصاً في الضغط على الجانب الروسي للتراجع عن دعم النظام السوري , في وقت توقع المعارض السوري رضوان زيادة والعائد لتوه من موسكو تحولاً في الموقف الروسي في حال أعطت واشنطن الكرملين بعض الحوافز. وفي فندق في ضواحي العاصمة الأميركية عقد “المجلس الأميركي السوري” مؤتمراً حضره ممثلون للجالية من مختلف أنحاء الولايات المتحدة، وشارك فيه شخصيات من الإدارة الأميركية وأخرى بارزة في المعارضة السورية.
وتحدثت مديرة مكتب سورية ولبنان في مجلس الأمن القومي الأميركي هاجر حجار عن تصميم الولايات المتحدة العمل لتكثيف الضغط سياسياً واقتصادياً على النظام السوري.
وأشادت المسؤولة الأميركية بالدور التركي ودور الجامعة العربية مؤكدة أن واشنطن تدعم هذه الجهود من دون أن تكون هي في الصدارة، وأكدت أن العمل الديبلوماسي الأميركي مستمر للضغط على روسيا ودفعها للابتعاد عن نظام الرئيس بشار الاسد, وأن الرئيس باراك أوباما بحث هذا الأمر أخيراً مع نظيره الروسي ديمتري ميدفيديف.
وحول موقف روسيا، أكد المعارض السوري وعضو الأمانة العامة في المجلس الوطني السوري رضوان زيادة لصحيفة “الحياة” اللندنية أن اجتماعاته على مدى الأيام الأخيرة في موسكو كانت “جيدة”. وشارك زيادة مع وفد من المجلس في زيارة لروسيا جرى فيها لقاء وزير الخارجية سيرغي لافروف وبعد إصرار الوفد السوري على أن يكون اللقاء على مستوى “الوزراء”.
وقال زيادة أن الاجتماع مع لافروف استمر 90 دقيقة، واستحوذت المبادرة العربية 60 في المئة منه، وحيث أكد لافروف دعم موسكو للمبادرة إنما معارضة تجميد عضوية سورية. أما البند الثاني، فكان في حديث الجانب الروسي عن العصابات المسلحة، وهو ما رد عليه الوفد بالسؤال لماذا هذه “العصابات” لا تستهدف إلا من هم ضد النظام. وشدد الوفد للجانب الروسي التأكيد بأن أي مفاوضات أو محادثات مع النظام حول “المرحلة الانتقالية”
http://www.champress.net/index.php?q=ar/Article/view/106155
November 20th, 2011, 12:33 pm
jad said:
Haytham,
I agree, I linked the news I didn’t write it though, however, isn’t your supporters are the ones who attacked them? You may need to talk to those, it seems that those supporters of yours know one language to use on anybody even the domestic oppositions, great news for the ‘new’ Syria.
November 20th, 2011, 12:38 pm
ann said:
Syrian situation getting more complex amid increased domestic, int’l pressure
2011-11-20
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/indepth/2011-11/20/c_131258879.htm
BEIJING, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) — The Syrian situation is getting more complex as President Bashar al-Assad faces escalating domestic and international pressure to end his administration’s iron-fisted actions on anti-government protesters.
Analysts say international parties should promote peaceful talks instead of violence to avoid civil war in the country.
RUSSIA OPPOSES FAVORING OPPOSITION FORCES
Analysts said Russia had a very clear stand: Wanting dialogue to peacefully resolve the Syrian crisis and opposing external backing for the opposition, especially the provision of weapons.
Russia believes more pressure should be exerted, not only on the Syrian government but also on its opponents, to get the two sides to talk, they say. It has also criticized the Arab League decision to suspend Syria’s membership, but supports its proposal to send 500 observers to Damascus to help implement a peace deal agreed earlier this month.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Thursday that civilians as well as armed people were involved in the peaceful anti-government demonstrations.
The armed people had an entirely different agenda from reform and democracy in Syria, Lavrov said, adding they were continuously receiving weapons from neighboring countries.
If the opposition continued to attack government troops, the country would plunge into a civil war. The two sides must both end their violence and accept suggestions for dialogue, which could be held at the Arab League’s headquarters, Lavrov said.
On Monday, Lavrov accused western countries of encouraging the opposition forces to topple the Syrian government.
UNITED STATES PUSHING FOR REGIME CHANGE
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Friday that a civil war in Syria was possible if the opposition in the West Asian country grew stronger.
“I think there could be a civil war with a very determined and well-armed and eventually well-financed opposition that is, if not directed by, certainly influenced by defectors from the army,” Clinton told the NBC network.
“We’re already seeing that, something that we hate to see because we are in favor of a peaceful protest and non-violent opposition,” she said, blaming Assad for provoking the opposition into “taking up arms.”
Although Clinton stressed the Libya situation was not applicable to Syria, analysts said the comparisons were becoming similar as the Syrian opposition forces, supported by foreign countries, had started to take up arms against the Assad government.
Local media observed that the United States was trying to bring down the Assad government through tougher economic sanctions and increased political pressure, backed by the European Union, Arab countries and Turkey. It was also providing various forms of support to the Syrian opposition forces.
FRANCE HOPES TO INCREASE SANCTIONS ON SYRIA
France on Wednesday announced it had recalled its ambassador in Syria due to security reasons.
According to the French Foreign Ministry, the French consular agencies in Aleppo and Latakia were attacked last weekend, and the French government had lodged strong protest against the Syrian government and summoned the Syrian ambassador to France.
Since the Syrian crisis broke out in March, the French government has repeatedly condemned Syrian authorities. It says it does not support military intervention in Syria but hopes to resolve the crisis through international sanctions.
On Friday, French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said the Syrian regime was not willing to implement a reform program and “now it is too late.” The UN Security Council should increase sanctions on Syria, he said.
Asked about the French attitude toward a Turkish military intervention in Syria, Juppe said, “We are against unilateral intervention. If an intervention is implemented, the decision should be made by the United Nations. This has been France’s opinion all along.”
The foreign minister added that the Syrian opposition should avoid the use of arms to avoid civil war.
SYRIA WELCOMES OBSERVERS FROM ARAB LEAGUE
Analysts sid the Syrian government did not respond to the Arab League’s request to send observers to the country before the deadline because the League was studying modifications suggested by the Syrian side on the Arab observer mission.
The Arab League put forward a plan Wednesday to send 500 observers and gave Syria three days to agree. On Saturday, it suspended Syria’s membership in the pan-Arab body until Assad implemented its deal to end what it said was a crackdown on protestors.
As violence continued in the West Asian country, allowing in foreign observers was in the interest of the Syrian government, observers said.
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem said Monday that his country welcomed any Arab effort to solve the crisis, stressing that Damascus had a strong resolve to implement the Arab League peace plan reached on Nov. 2.
But analysts say the ongoing bloodletting in Syria is far more complicated than an alleged lethal crackdown on protesters by the government, as some media reported.
Former Egyptian ambassador to Syria Mahmoud Shokry said the current security situation in Syria is not under complete control of the government.
The Free Syrian Army, an alleged group of army defectors, has recently carried out attacks against an air intelligence base outside Damascus.
It shows the Syrian government is unlikely to unilaterally stop all military activities in three days as the Arab League requested.
Allowing in observers would help clarify distorted press reports and change the passive and cornered status of the Syrian government. That’s why the Syrian government welcomed the observers, analysts said.
November 20th, 2011, 12:40 pm
N.Z. said:
Thanks Revlon, for sharing.
“The catastrophes were all these authoritarian, [so-called] secular regimes, created in the name of Arab nationalism in the middle of the 20th century.”
The authoritarian puppets in the Arab world -a colonial legacy-, were more successful in transforming their respective geographical area into a colony, governed as such. The spoils were divided between the two, whilst their subjects were deprived.
Turning the population into docile subjects, capable only of idolizing their leader is one of their most impressive achievements.
This revolution will, for once and for all emancipate the Arab world from colonialists and their puppets.
I hope that we can all see with our eyes wide open, but more importantly, to put our biases aside. It is not tit for tat. Its about dignity, freedom and self determination.
We owe it to our children and great grandchildren.
Egypt’s renewed protests, are a clear sign of the level of maturity the street have reached with each passing day. No to the army and no to MBs alliance.
November 20th, 2011, 12:48 pm
ann said:
Thousands chant solidarity with Assad, discontent with AL – 2011-11-20
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-11/20/c_131258727.htm
DAMASCUS, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) — Thousands of Syrians streamed into an old popular square in the capital of Damascus Sunday, as part of many other protagonist rallies that have swept across Syria lately with thousands of people chanting solidarity with embattled President Bashar al-Assad and expressed discontent with the international uproar against his administration.
The staggering crowds’ chants mingled with live national music that echoed across the time-honored al-Hijaz square that dates back to the Othman era.
The flag-waving crowds were chanting in support of Assad and obscenities against the Arab League (AL) that has suspended Syria’ s membership lately citing its failure to abide by an AL peace plan set forward to end the months-long-crisis in Syria.
The crowds hoisted banners one of which read “Syria is fine in your presence,” in reference of President Assad. They also carried the Iranian, and the Lebanese Hezbollah flags along with the Syrian ones.
“We have come here to express rejection to the Arab League because it has nothing to do with Arabism and all of us are with President Bashar al-Assad,” Oscar Fayyad, a university student, told Xinhua.
Another Syrian engineer shared Fayyad’s feelings, saying “we came here voluntarily with our wives and children to show the world that we came here on our own to preserve our country and our president.”
Meanwhile, Syria and Arab League are studying amendments to the draft protocol regarding the legal status and the duties of the AL mission of observers.
The Arab League issued Wednesday in Rabat, Morocco, a draft deal to send an Arab mission of 500 observers to monitor the situation in Syria after it suspended Syria’s membership in the pan-Arab body.
November 20th, 2011, 12:51 pm
jad said:
Zoo #208
Thank you for linking this article Sectarian Strife in City Bodes Ill for All of Syria,it’s very interesting that many news paper now are reporting the grim reality in Syria instead of pure propaganda, about the killing of many Syrians not only by the regime but also by the terrorists ‘angles’ of the uprising, this reality was hidden for too long now and they can’t hide these stories anymore.
November 20th, 2011, 12:56 pm
ann said:
FLASH: FM RULES OUT POSSIBILITY OF “CIVIL WAR” IN SYRIA – 2011-11-20
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-11/20/c_131258877.htm
FM RULES OUT POSSIBILITY OF “CIVIL WAR” IN SYRIA
November 20th, 2011, 12:56 pm
Ghufran said:
قال مراسل بي بي سي في سورية إنه لا آثار للقصف الذي قيل إن مقر حزب البعث الحاكم في دمشق قد تعرض له فجر الأحد.
وقال المراسل إنه تجول في المنطقة المحيطة بالمبنى الواقع في حي المزرعة ولم يشهد سوى عربتين من عربات الشرطة.
وكانت وكالة رويترز للأنباء قد نقلت عن شهود عيان في دمشق قولهم إن قذيفيتن صاروخيتين على الأقل قد أصابتا المبنى.
وأضاف مراسلنا أن السكان قد أكدوا له سماع إطلاق رصاص حوالي الرابعة صباحا، وأن المنطقة مفتوحة أمام حركة المرور.
November 20th, 2011, 12:59 pm
jad said:
Haytham&co.
Read this statement by the Muslim clergy of Homs and compare it with the one you posted yesterday to understand my harsh critiques of the ugly sectarian language of that post:
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
ياأايها الناس إنا خلقناكم من ذكر وانثى وجعلناكم شعوباً وقبائل لتعارفوا إن أكرمكم عند الله أتقاكم صدق الله العظيم
إن الله عز وجل قد كرم الإنسان ورفع قدره وصورّه في أحسن الصور وحرم الإعتداء عليه منذ كان في بطن أمه، ولما جاءت المرآة الغامدية التي ارتكبت جرم الزنا الى النبي (ص) إقامة الحد عليها طلب أن تذهب حتى تضع وليدها لإنه إنسان له قدره عند الله عز وجل وعند البشرية جمعاء وهذا التكريم للإنسان هو لجنس الإنسان بغض النظر عن دينه وعن مذهبه أو طائفته أو انتمائه.
ومن هنا نقول بأنه يحرم على المسلم الإعتداء على النفس البشرية بالقتل أو بالخطف أو الإيذاء تحت أي ظرف من الظروف ونحن علماء الدين حمص ندين ونبرأ إلى الله تعالى ونجرّم كل أعمال الخطف والقتل والإعتداء اللتي تتم على أساس طائفي أو عرقي أو مذهبي ومن فعل شيئا فهو آثم عند الله عز وجل.
وإننا ندعو جميع من تورط في أي عمل من الأعمال السابقة إلى التوبة إلى الله عز وجل وإطلاق من عنده من المخطوفين والإعلان عن مصير المفقودين والإدلاء بأي معلومات عن هذا الموضوع لأهالي الضحايا.
ياأهل حمص الكرام لتبقى حمص العدية مضرب المثل في تعايش اهلها في تجاورهم وتكاتفهم.
قال تعالى: واتقوا يوماً ترجعون فيه الى الله.
صدق الله العظيم.
http://www.shukumaku.com/Content.php?id=36544
November 20th, 2011, 1:02 pm
jad said:
Ann,
Here is the FM full press conference, sorry no translation:
المؤتمر الصحفي للسيد وزير الخارجية وليد المعلم 20 11 2011
http://youtu.be/Q9Poxd9v_Wk
November 20th, 2011, 1:07 pm
jad said:
الأسد أصدر مرسوما بتأليف المجلس الوطني للاعلام
أصدر الرئيس السوري بشار الاسد مرسوما بتأليف المجلس الوطني للاعلام برئاسة طالب قاضي أمين، فؤاد عبد المجيد البلاط نائبا للرئيس، والأعضاء: عادل يازجي، الدكتورة ناديا خوست، حسن محمد يوسف، ناظم بحصاص، محمد قجة، الدكتور فؤاد شربجي، وعبد الفتاح العوض.
November 20th, 2011, 1:14 pm
bronco said:
Jad
I think the SNC is in worse confusion now that the FSA keeps claiming violent attacks on soldiers with certainly civilian collaterals.
The acts of the FSA are viewed with satisfaction by the chaos seekers in the SNC and with panic by the moderate. There are more divisions among them now than a few weeks ago.
Their ‘peaceful’ approach is crumbling and they have to review their short term strategy to continue to look like a viable alternative. Until now Libya only have recognized them but denied them the use of the Embassy. Russia has flushed them. the US gave them a tap on the back with a warning.
The SNC is probably now offering the AL a proposition to recognize them as THE representative Syrian opposition and in exchange they will accept to sit with Bashar Al Assad.
To get out of the stalemate, I think AL (with the pressure of the Goats: Qatar and Saudi Arabia) could be tempted to recognize it, yet Professor Seyyed Burhan Ghalioun is a problem for these islamic authoritarian regimes to accept an organization whose leader rejects Islamism. So the AL is stuck with a dilemma. Either Ghalioun is replaced now by an MB, or the Goats and therefore the AL will posttpone recognizing the SNC.
Yet if an MB takes over the leadership of the SNC , then the Western countries will be more suspicious of the color of the SNC especially after what is going on in Egypt and Libya.
I think heavy tractations are going on in Doha and the AL, pressured by Western country is struggling with the situation.
In the meantime both Bashar al Assad and Waleed Moallem appear in the media, cool and in control.
November 20th, 2011, 1:18 pm
ann said:
AL to hold emergency meeting Thursday on Syria crisis – 2011-11-20
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-11/20/c_131258856.htm
CAIRO, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) — The Arab League (AL) said on Sunday it will hold an emergency meeting of foreign ministers in Cairo on Thursday to discuss the Syrian crisis, Egypt’s state media reported.
A ministerial committee charged with handling the Syrian crisis will hold a meeting on Wednesday to prepare for the ministerial meeting, Deputy AL Secretary General Ahmed bin Helli was quoted saying.
The ministerial commission chaired by Qatar comprises the foreign ministers of Egypt, Oman, Sudan and Algeria in addition to AL chief Nabil al-Arabi.
The call for the urgent meeting came as the Arab League rejected Sunday Syria’s proposed modifications on the mission of a 500-member delegation to visit the country.
The Syrian proposals changed the nature of the mission’s task that aims to solve the Syrian crisis and protect civilians, the Arab League said in a statement.
The AL stressed that it was concerned with tackling the Syrian crisis within the Arab framework by working to end the violence and get the Syrian people aspirations in carrying out political, economic and social reforms.
The AL issued Wednesday in Rabat, Morocco, a draft deal on the Arab mission of 500 observers to Syria and gave the Syrian government three days to sign it after the regional group suspended Syria’s membership.
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem suggested Thursday modifications on the AL’s deal.
November 20th, 2011, 1:21 pm
Mina said:
“Fire in Cairo” (soon in KSA?)
http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/516564
3 killed, 192 wounded during protests Sunday, says Health Ministry
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/27012/Egypt/Politics-/Breaking-News-Ministry-of-Health-One-dead,–injure.aspx
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/27085/Egypt/Politics-/Interior-Ministry-Protesters-attacked-police-with-.aspx
(Saturday)
It must be the way some want to enter the 6th caliphate!
November 20th, 2011, 1:37 pm
Mango said:
for Russian speaking !
November 20th, 2011, 1:38 pm
Khalid Tlass said:
We fully support all armed actions by the FSA, they are the legitimate Military of Syrian Republic. They are tasked with protecting civilaians from terrorist elements, and we support them in all operations as they are necessary to fulfill their mission. Those who call for lame meaningless terms like Silmiyyeh do not know the situation on the ground, those who condemn kidnapings of regime thugs do not know the situation of the ground. 90 % of the anti-regime people WITHIN SYRIA fully support and trust the FSA and its operations, whether they be offensive or defensive in nature. We should all put our weight behind the FSA and support them to the hilt in whatever armed actions they undertake , to hell with people who get afraid of “International Community” or calls of “terrorist”. The regime does not care about International Community, neither do the anti-regime people and the people’s armed forces, the Free Syrian Army.
November 20th, 2011, 1:46 pm
Khalid Tlass said:
We fully support all armed actions by the FSA, they are the legitimate Military of Syrian Republic. They are tasked with protecting civilaians from terrorist elements, and we support them in all operations as they are necessary to fulfill their mission. Those who call for lame meaningless terms like Silmiyyeh do not know the situation on the ground, those who condemn kidnapings of regime thugs do not know the situation of the ground. 90 % of the anti-regime people WITHIN SYRIA fully support and trust the FSA and its operations, whether they be offensive or defensive in nature. We should all put our weight behind the FSA and support them to the hilt in whatever armed actions they undertake , to hell with people who get afraid of “International Community” or calls of “terrorist”. The regime does not care about International Community, neither do the anti-regime people and the people’s armed forces, the Free Syrian Army.
I can only stare at admiration at the unbelievable grit, determination, foresight and level-headedness displayed by Colonel Riyad al As’ad and the FSA General Staff, they thoroughly know what to do and are totally focused on their mission, without getting distracted in the least bit by diplomatic wranglings and “latest news”.
November 20th, 2011, 1:50 pm
Mango said:
The Crisis of European Civilization
Socio-economic and political processes are accelerating in this, the second decade of the 21st century, and they are growing more varied and complex. Disasters have been occurring so rapidly that people often misunderstand their significance and fail to draw the appropriate conclusions. It is evidently in the cards for us to face unexpected twists and turns that few could predict. However, the signs of a serious crisis of Western—or more precisely, European—civilization are becoming quite evident (North America is a special case because of its continuing population growth).
http://journal-neo.com/?q=node/10838
November 20th, 2011, 1:50 pm
Mango said:
http://journal-neo.com/?q=ar/node/10872
19.11.2011
لافروف: اللاعبون الخارجيون يحاولون العمل لزيادة احتدام الوضع في سورية لتبرير التدخل في شؤونها
أعلن وزير الخارجية الروسي سيرغي لافروف أن اللاعبين الخارجيين يحاولون العمل لزيادة احتدام الوضع في سورية لتبرير التدخل في شؤونها.
وقال لافروف بعد اختتام مباحثات أمس في موسكو ضمن أطر المجلس الدائم للتعاون بين روسيا والاتحاد الاوروبي على المستوى الوزاري .. اننا نلاحظ التسرع الذي يحاول به لاعبون خارجيون تصعيد المجابهة في سورية مرجحا أن يكون ذلك ناجما عن الرغبة في إضفاء طابع مأساوي على الوضع في المجال الاعلامي والحصول على ذرائع اضافية لتبرير التدخل في الشؤون السورية مضيفا أن الجميع ينفون ذلك قولا ولكننا نشعر بوجود مخططات من هذا القبيل لدى بعضهم.
وفيما يتعلق بمبادرة جامعة الدول العربية بين لافروف أن روسيا ايدت تلك الجوانب فيها التي تتحدث عن وقف العنف مهما يكن مصدره وإرسال مراقبين من البلدان العربية الى سورية والإسراع ببدء الحوار.
وأشار إلى أن روسيا اقترحت بدورها على البلدان التي تؤثر بهذا النحو أو ذاك أما على الحكومة السورية واما على مختلف مجموعات المعارضة ولاسيما منها الموجودة في فرنسا والولايات المتحدة وتركيا أن نتكلم جميعنا بصوت واحد مع الحكومة ومع جميع مجموعات المعارضة بوجوب وقف العنف على أن يتم تنفيذ ذلك في وقت متزامن وشريطة الا يقوم احد باستفزازات ما وألا يقوم أحد بإبداء ردود فعل غير متناسبة.
وقال لافروف: إنه يجب على الجميع قبول الاقتراح ببدء الحوار مضيفا.. إذا كان بعض ممثلي المعارضة يعلنون بدعم من بعض البلدان الاجنبية انه لا يمكن بدء الحوار إلا بعد رحيل النظام فان مبادرة الجامعة العربية تصبح فاقدة المعنى وعديمة الجدوى.
كما أعلن لافروف بعد مباحثاته في موسكو مع كاثرين آشتون المفوضة العليا للسياسة الخارجية وشؤون الأمن في الاتحاد الاوروبي أن كثيرين من القادة الأجانب لا يتقدمون بأي انذارات الى السلطات عند تسوية الوضع في اليمن بل يعملون على توفير الظروف لتنفيذ خطة المصالحة الوطنية في هذا البلد ولكن من غير المفهوم لماذا لا يتجلى مثل هذا الفهم في مواقف بعض البلدان إزاء سورية والعواقب الجدية التي يمكن ان تنشأ عن تقويضها.
وأشار لافروف إلى أنه يجب على السلطات السورية أن تعمل بصورة أكثر حزما في عملية إصلاح بلادها وتنظيم حوار وطني داخلي مؤكدا أنه لا يجوز القول إنه لا يجري القيام بأي شيء فقد تم تحديث التشريعات حول الأحزاب والانتخابات والادارة المحلية وتم تحديد مواعيد الانتخابات المحلية في كانون الاول القادم والانتخابات العامة في شباط القادم في وقت واحد مع الاصلاح الدستوري فالعملية تسير ولا يجب على المعارضة أن تتجاهل هذه العملية.
لافروف: لا يجوز استخدام القوة لتسوية النزاعات بالشرق الأوسط
وكان لافروف أكد خلال مؤتمر صحفي في موسكو أنه يتوجب على جامعة الدول العربية أن ترصد تنفيذ مطالبها إزاء جميع الأطراف في سورية لوقف العنف مشيراً إلى أنه من المهم البدء بأسرع وقت ممكن بحوار حول التسوية بين جميع الأطراف السورية.
وقال.. إننا نؤيد أن يعمل هؤلاء المراقبون في سورية وأن القيادة السورية أعلنت قبل أيام استعدادها لاستقبال مراقبين من الجامعة وضمان تواجدهم في أي نقطة وأي بلدة سورية ليتمكنوا من رؤية ما يجري بأم أعينهم.
وأكد أنه لا يجوز إطلاقا استخدام القوة لتسوية النزاعات في الشرق الأوسط.
وقال..إن روسيا قلقة حيال تطورات الأوضاع في الشرق الأوسط وشمال إفريقيا وإنها مقتنعة بأن الأعمال الهادفة إلى تدخل خارجي بالقوة وتصعيد المجابهة في بلدان معينة أعمال خطرة وغير مثمرة أبدا.
وأضاف.. إن روسيا تدعو إلى تسوية سياسية سلمية لجميع القضايا عبر استخدام آليات الحوار الوطني والسعي للوفاق الوطني ورفض أي عنف مهما يكن مصدره.
كوساتشوف: بعض الدول تنتهج نهجا خاطئا حول سورية وتستمر في بعث رسائل خاطئة إلى الشعب السوري لدفعه إلى العنف
بدوره قال قسطنطين كوساتشوف رئيس لجنة العلاقات الدولية في مجلس الدوما الروسي إن بعض الدول تنتهج نهجا خاطئا فيما يتعلق بسورية إذ تستمر في بعث رسائل خاطئة إلى الشعب السوري تدفعه فيها إلى العنف والابتعاد عن إقامة الحوار للوصول إلى الحل.
وأضاف كوساتشوف في حديث لقناة روسيا اليوم الناطقة بالإنكليزية إن هذا النوع من الرسائل يولد أوهاما لدى بعض السوريين وهي أنهم يمكن أن يحصلوا على الحرية والديمقراطية من خلال العنف ضد الدولة وليس من خلال الحوار والعملية السياسية.
وأشار كوساتشوف إلى أن النهج الذي تتبعه روسيا والرسائل التي توصلها إلى الشعب السوري مناسبة وصحيحة أكثر.
بيلكو: قرار الجامعة العربية خطيئة كبرى وسورية قادرة على حل مشاكلها
من جهته أكد الكسي بيلكو الباحث السياسي في جامعة موسكو الحكومية أن قرار جامعة الدول العربية بتعليق عضوية سورية فيها هو خطيئة كبرى حيث تجري في سورية عمليات سياسية داخلية معقدة ومن الغباء والضار والمؤسف جدا تطبيق عقوبات عليها في هذه الظروف.
وقال بيلكو في حديث لمراسل سانا في موسكو إن سورية قادرة على حل مشاكلها بنفسها ومحاولات ممارسة ضغوط خارجية عليها وتحريض المعارضة على عدم الانخراط في حوار مع السلطة هي محاولات باطلة لافتا الى انه يجب الإسهام بكل الوسائل في إجراء حوار سوري وطني عام لإنهاء حالة الأزمة التي تمر بها البلاد.
وأكد بيلكو أن سورية كانت على الدوام لاعبا مهما بالنسبة لروسيا في الشرق الأوسط وهي تشغل مكانا مهما في الاستراتيجية الروسية في المنطقة معربا عن ثقته وقناعته بأن موقف روسيا إزاء سورية بما في ذلك موقفها في مجلس الامن الدولي سيبقى ثابتا دون تغيير وأن روسيا لن تذعن لأي ضغوط من جانب الولايات المتحدة والبلدان الأوروبية التي لا تملك أي فرص واقعية للتاثير في روسيا.
وأضاف الباحث الروسي إن المعارضة السورية غير متجانسة فهناك معارضة متطرفة يجري استخدامها من قبل قوى خارجية مشيرا إلى ان المهمة تتقدم حاليا في تحييد هذا الجناح وإجراء حوار مع عناصر المعارضة المستعدة لمثل هذا الحوار مؤكدا أنه من غير المجدي التكلم مع أولئك الذين ينفذون إرادة لاعبين خارجيين.
ماتوزوف: روسيا لن تغير موقفها تجاه سورية
المحلل السياسي الروسي فتسشلاف ماتوزوف أكد أن روسيا تدعو إلى الحوار بين المعارضة والحكومة لإيجاد حل للازمة السورية مشيراً إلى أن التصعيد المسلح من قبل المعارضة في الداخل بدلاً من تبني الحوار والمصالحة مرفوض تماما من قبل المجتمع الدولي وأن أي تشجيع خارجي لإسقاط النظام هو انقلاب وتخريب لأي نظام.
وقال ماتوزوف في حديث تلفزيوني الليلة قبل الماضية ان الموقف الروسي يدعم اقتراحات الجامعة العربية لأنها تدعو المعارضة السورية إلى وقف الأعمال المسلحة واغتيال عناصر الجيش والأمن والمدنيين كما تدعو السلطة إلى وقف العنف.. ولكن عندما تتم دعوة السلطة فقط لوقف الاقتتال وتقوم المعارضة بفتح الجبهة باستخدام الصواريخ المحمولة والرشاشات والهجوم على بعض مراكز السلطة تكون هذه الدعوة الى الحرب وهي مدمرة للجميع كما ستطول تأثيراتها على كامل المنطقة.
وأوضح ماتوزوف أن المعلومات التي وصلت إلى وسائل الإعلام العالمية وليست الروسية تؤكد أنه تم تأسيس لجنة حربية لإسقاط النظام السوري تضم مجلس اسطنبول وتشير إلى دفع الأمور نحو التصعيد وإن اتهام أحد الأطراف وفتح الأبواب لطرف آخر امر غير منطقي.
وشدد ماتوزوف على إن روسيا لن تغير موقفها تجاه سورية رغم محاولة اللوبي اليهودي في روسيا التأثير في ذلك وقال.. إن موقف موسكو هو الموقف الموضوعي الذي ينطلق من مصالح العرب الذين لا يفهمون أين مصالحهم الحقيقية وعليهم النظر إلى ما حدث في ليبيا من فوضى واغتيالات وقتل في طرابلس وما يحدث في اليمن.
وأضاف ماتوزوف.. أن روسيا لا ترفض طلبات الشارع العربي والشارع السوري ولكن ليس على طريقة الثورة المسلحة وهي لن تغير موقفها لأن الدرس الليبي واضح وقد قامت موسكو بنقد ذاتي لموقفها من قرارات مجلس الأمن والرئيس الروسي ديمتري مدفيديف ووزير الخارجية الروسي سيرغي لافروف دعيا إلى عدم تكرار هذا الخطأ.
وأشار ماتوزوف إلى إن الشعب السوري هو من يقرر نظامه وقال.. لقد شاهدنا المسيرات المؤيدة للقيادة السورية التي خرجت إلى الشوارع وأن الأشخاص الذين يظهرون في استديوهات القنوات لا يمثلون الشعب بل هناك أشخاص آخرون يمثلونه.
فومين: رأي الشعب الروسي متطابق مع رأي القيادة الروسية ووزارة الخارجية في التضامن مع سورية والوقوف إلى جانبها
من جهته أكد أوليغ فومين رئيس لجنة التضامن مع الشعبين السوري والليبي أن رأي الشعب الروسي متطابق مع رأي القيادة الروسية ووزارة الخارجية في التضامن مع سورية والوقوف إلى جانبها وإلى جانب القيادة السورية ضد محاولات التدخل الخارجي.
واعتبر فومين في حديث مع قناة روسيا اليوم أن تشجيع الدول الأوروبية المعارضة السورية على رفض الحوار يثير شجب الشعب الروسي باعتبارها تصريحات تصعد الأزمة بدلا من حلها.
وقال فومين إن هناك معلومات عن تزويد المعارضة بالسلاح من بعض القوى الغربية التي تسعى لبسط سيطرتها على المنطقة وإعادة العالم العربي إلى مرحلة كانت الشعوب العربية تناضل فيها ضد الامبريالية.
وأكد فومين أن أعضاء لجنة التضامن مع الشعبين السوري والليبي يعتقدون أن من واجب روسيا دعم سورية ماليا وتقديم السلاح لها من أجل تعزيز قدرتها الدفاعية واللجنة تعمل على تنظيم المهرجانات والتصريحات في وسائل الإعلام والتعامل معها كي تقوم بتغطية موضوعية بعيدا عن التغطيات التي تقوم بها وسائل الإعلام المغرضة.
وأشار فومين إلى أنه لا يمكن تنفيذ الإصلاحات التي يسعى إليها الشعب السوري إلا بالحوار بين القيادة والمعارضة البناءة التي تسعى إلى الإصلاحات ولا تسعى إلى الاستيلاء على السلطة.
ودعا فومين جميع أصدقاء سورية إلى بذل كل الجهود للحيلولة دون تطور الأزمة في سورية باتجاه أي تدخل خارجي على شاكلة ما حصل في ليبيا لافتا إلى أن روسيا تعمل على مواصلة الجهود الدبلوماسية من أجل تسوية الأزمة سلميا.
November 20th, 2011, 1:53 pm
Tara said:
Script writers on Aljazeera are intelligent and funny:
النظام في سوريا يحتاج لانشاء لجنة لاحصاء عدد اللجان التي انشأها لإجراء الإصلاح
————–
From one date to another date, we have to wait..I am getting bored with the AL soap operah and can not wait for the last episode. They should have met today and get it over with. What was the point for the AL to declare an ultimatum on Saturday midnight then meet on Thursday? You set a deadline and meet the same day to take action or inactions. It is getting ridiculous. Strong threatening rhetorics then impotent performance.
November 20th, 2011, 1:59 pm
Habib said:
Is there any doubt that with Bashar gone, Syria will slip into years of civil war and end up with an Islamist government, that is if the fighting ever stops?
Any conter-arguments to this?
November 20th, 2011, 1:59 pm
Mango said:
http://journal-neo.com/?q=ru/node/10854
New front of opposition: the USA-Peoples Republics of China
During the visit which has come to the end on November, 18th to Australia US president Barack Obama declared plans of expansion of military presence АТР at the expense of creation in Australia new military-air base and base of marines. Declared the day before in Honolulu at summit АТЭС of the claim of the USA on preservation of in the lead positions in it most dynamically developing region of the world get real outlines. Becomes clear and the purpose of the last алармистских statements of Washington concerning a growing military power of China.
The American military men will appear in the north of Australia in 2012, and by 2016 there there will be 2500 marines, and also base of distant aircraft and port инфраструктра. The Australian grouping will add a 28-thousand contingent of the USA billeted in South Korea, and 50-thousand grouping in Japan – the largest in region.
Nevertheless, bases in the north of Australia are no more than in 100 km from brisk shipping routes in South East Asia, and also disputable oil fields in the East China Sea for which the Peoples Republics of China, Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei and Taiwan apply. «There, where oil, there Americans, and there where Americans, there their military power», – marks the expert of the FEAST-CENTER Gennady Evstafev.
Beijing has reacted at once. The chairman of the State Council of the Peoples Republic of China Ven Dzjabao has made the statement in which has warned «external forces» against intervention in dispute for oil and islands in South China sea. Level of the prime minister from which these words have sounded, testifies to how much this problem is sensitive for China.
Certainly, the USA should predict similar reaction. In the performance before the Australian members of parliament Obama has noticed that the present decision is not directed on isolation of China. As he said, “the USA will search for possibilities for expansion of cooperation with Beijing, including in the area of development of contacts between military men to promote mutual understanding and to avoid miscalculations”. Nevertheless, Obama’s reconciliatory rhetoric hardly will suit the Peoples Republic of China.
By and large, present expansion of armed forces of the USA in Australia – one of displays of a long-term policy of the USA on restraint of the Peoples Republic of China. And accruing importance of South East Asia in the economic and political plan, Evstafev marks. Besides oil here there are the major trading ways on which passes cargoes on $5 bln. a year.
China as growing force, represents a call to the American domination in region. In long-term prospect growth of confrontational potential between the USA and the Peoples Republic of China in this region, and naturally enough is possible that Washington increases there allied efforts, the expert underlines.
Similar concern express both foreign experts and politicians, believing that similar change of the USA a diplomatic course can have serious consequences for balance of forces of region, comparable with regional «cold war». The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Indonesia Marti Natalegava has declared to journalists: “I would not like to become the witness of that this policy would provoke response, I create
November 20th, 2011, 1:59 pm
Tara said:
Habib @274
Yes. Simple counterargument. We are already in one.
November 20th, 2011, 2:09 pm
SYRIAN HAMSTER said:
ARGUMENT, where ?
@ 274.
Where is the argument so that one can compose either a supportive or a counter argument. What you have there is an assertion that does not even have the basic components of a hypothesis It is no different than the following
Is there any doubt that with Bashar gone, a commentator with the name HABIB will become a drug addict, that if the Assads and their drug trade partners the Berri gang in Aleppo ever stopped their involvement in drug smuggling.
Any conter-arguments to this?
November 20th, 2011, 2:15 pm
Mango said:
http://arabic.rt.com/news_all_news/news/571055/
أتباع هولاكو:
ثوار متطرفون ينبشون قبر والدة القذافي ويحرقون رفاتها
اقدمت مجموعات متطرفة من الثوار الليبيين تنتمي إلى التيار “الجهادي” الموالي لتنظيم “القاعدة” بتدنيس مقابر تابعة لقبيلة القذاذفة في مدينة سرت وهدمها ومن ثم استخراج العظام منها وحرقها.
ونشرت وسائل اعلام جزائرية يوم 6 نوفمبر/تشرين الثاني صورا التقطت بعد نبش قبور آل القذافي في مدينة سرت، أظهرت مجموعة من المتشددين في ليبيا، داخل فناء منزل به قبور لعائلة القذافي، حيث توضح الصور تعرض أربعة قبور للهدم والنبش والتدنيس.
وقد جرى التكتم من طرف مسؤولي المجلس الوطني الانتقالي الليبي وقادة الثوار كون القبور الأربعة تعود لوالدة القذافي عائشة نيران، وعمه، واثنين من أقاربه، كلهم دفنوا في مقبرة عائلية داخل فناء منزل.
وأفادت المعلومات بأن ضريح والدة القذافي كان أكثر القبور تعرضا للتدنيس والاعتداء على حرمته، حيث جرى نبش القبر بعد هدمه، واستخراج الرفاة من الضريح، قبل القيام بحرقها. وتظهر إحدى الصور أشخاصا يحيطون بالقبور بعد نبشها، فيما كتبت على جدار الفناء عبارة “لجنة هدم الأصنام”.
وأشارت التقارير نفسها، الى ان الحادثة تنذر بظهور تيارات “جهادية” في غاية التطرف، تتبنى فكر “الخوارج” و”التكفيريين” وتستبيح المحرمات.
November 20th, 2011, 2:20 pm
N.Z.z said:
That is why ceasing power voluntarily will spare their ancestors and off-springs.
November 20th, 2011, 2:30 pm
irritated said:
#270 Khaled Tlass
Hurray to the FSA! Their preventive offensives are more and more sophisticated: they know how to throw grenades on Baath centers that make no damages!
“Zero problems” grenades imported from Turkey
November 20th, 2011, 2:31 pm
Mina said:
Tides may turn
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/27085/Egypt/Politics-/Interior-Ministry-Protesters-attacked-police-with-.aspx
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/27009/Egypt/Politics-/Ahram-Online-reporter-beaten,-robbed-by-central-se.aspx
November 20th, 2011, 2:33 pm
irritated said:
Mina
A harder phase 2 after an easy phase 1: The Arab winter.
November 20th, 2011, 2:45 pm
SANDRO LOEWE said:
Congraulations to all Assad and status quo supporters. If this is the result of 40 years working hard for the arab cause and for the liberation of arab people, then your regime is a total default and useless.
Unity, Freedom and Socialism. The Baath Party maxima.
Freedom never existed. Socialism was destroyed due to the liberalism reforms of Assad which lead to the rural revolution. Unity is what was only achieved but even Unity has finally destroyed due to the stupidity of the president of Syria.
Once again, my sincere congratulations to all urban decaying assadists.
November 20th, 2011, 2:48 pm
Mango said:
http://journal-neo.com/?q=node/10405
02.11.2011
Turkey and the Turkic Games
The Cooperation Council of Turkic-Speaking States summit that took place in the second half of October focused media attention on the issue of Turkic unity and “Turkic civilization.” And although the summit participants stressed that neither Turkey nor the Turkic world is planning to form a single political unity but rather is focused only on economic integration, we can safely assume that a change in the geopolitical environment could dramatically alter the stance of both Turkey and its “blood brothers” on that issue in the near future.
Especially since the “powers that be” are apparently interested in the issue.
The Turks and the “Arabian religion”
I have written several articles for New Eastern Outlook about Ankara’s Middle East ambitions deriving from the geopolitical changes that occurred this year in the Arab world.
In recent months, Ankara has been more active than ever in the “revolutionary” Middle East. Turkey has been striving to function as the main driver of events everywhere in the region—in Libya, in Syria and even in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Apparently after having now decided that the Arab uprisings will put Islamists in positions of power, the Turks are trying to ride the swelling wave of Islamism in the region by positioning themselves as the main political force in the Greater Middle East.
However, things are not so simple for Ankara there despite the fact that the Arab street puts current Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan virtually on a par with the legendary Saladin. After all, the Arabs (and the Persians) never considered the Ottomans to be their equal. Talk around the dinner table always pictures the Turks as a wild horde feeding on Islam like parasites.
They often quote Prince Trubetskoy, founder of the philosophical and culturological school of Eurasianism. He claimed that since the Turks accepted Islam in its entirety they have given it “no major theologian, philosopher or jurist.”
Hence, they assume that the spirit of Islam has not permeated the hearts of the Turks (the example of Al-Farabi, the great interpreter of Aristotle, who had to become Arabized and actually lived within the Arab tradition, lends even more credence to the idea).
That is a weighty argument on the Arab street, which is Islamizing rapidly. It is especially obvious when we consider the historical precedent set by the encounter of the Turkic tribes with the “creators of Islam” when the Ottoman Empire was being formed, which inspired the Ottoman Turks to dig deeply into their “collective unconscious.”
The result was that the Young Turks on the Unity and Progress organization functioned as vehicles of Pan-Turkism and “neo-paganism,” which was based on Turkic kinship and linguistic affinity and which invoked the pre-Islamic heroic age and led to a perceptible de-Arabization of Turkey.
We can therefore assume that the current interest in the Turkish government and leadership models currently seen in the Arab world will again turn to distrust and alienation very soon.
Ankara perhaps understands that and is simultaneously strengthening its foreign policy towards its blood brothers—the Turkomans.
The struggle for Turan
Taking advantage of Russia’s weakness in the early 1990s, Ankara worked enthusiastically to remake the post-Soviet Turkic world. In declaring Turkey the elder brother of the Turkic states in 1992, Turgut Özal, who was Turkey’s president at the time, proclaimed that the Turkic world would take a dominant position in the Eurasian space “from the Balkans to the Great Wall of China.”
The Agency for Turkic Cooperation and Development was established in Turkey’s Foreign Ministry that same year. It was given responsibility for all aspects of Turkey’s relations with both the Turkic states and the Turkic peoples residing in the former Soviet republics. It established liaison offices and coordinated the activities of Turkish companies with local organizations.
Other Turkic instruments aimed at establishing global Turkic integration under Turkey’s patronage were subsequently set in motion. The key organization was the Turkic Council (somewhat analogous to the League of Arab States), which was formed in 2009 at a summit of the heads of the Turkic-speaking states.
However, whereas the 1990s—especially when Suleyman Demirel was president in mid-decade—were truly the golden age of Turkish foreign policy (the rosy prospects of European integration, the favoritism shown by Washington and the patronage of the Middle East), the situation began changing dramatically at the beginning of this century.
Rising energy prices helped to strengthen the Central Asian states. Now Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan are trying to harness the idea of a Great Turan, and their court historians are arguing strongly that the center of the Turkic world is located on their soil, not somewhere “on the Turkish periphery.”
Incidentally, it is revealing that neither Uzbekistan nor Turkmenistan has joined the Turkic Council.
Thus, Turkey’s dominant role in the Turkic space is in question. Naturally, Turan, where Ankara is not playing first violin, has no need of Turkey. In actual fact, the various Turkic organizations were established originally to support and legitimize Turkey’s position on local issues (mostly having to do with the Kurds and Cyprus).
However, due to potential changes in the region resulting from the Arab spring and the Russian government’s ambitions concerning formation of a Eurasian Union, the idea of a Turkic civilization may yet get a substantial transatlantic boost.
Especially since the first steps in that direction have already been taken.
Modeling a “Turkic civilization”
The title of one of Lev Gumilev’s works, “Ancient Rus and the Great Steppe,” in fact incorporates the main concept of the Eurasian interior—that territory bounded by the Carpathian Basin on one side, the Great Wall of China on the other, and a mountain range to the south. The very fact that this territory is allocated polar opposite eschatological roles (from being part of the Third Rome to Gog and Magog in Ezekiel’s prophecy) means it occupies a special place both in sacred geography and in geopolitical games.
In his paper “The Clash of Civilizations?” Samuel Huntington, director of Harvard University’s John M. Olin Institute for Strategic Studies, very carefully called the Great Steppe a “Turkic Civilization” (it is noteworthy that he refers to Turkey itself as an “internally divided country” whose government draws it toward the West and whose history pulls it to the East).
I should mention that Professor Huntington contradicted himself: religion is his main criterion for defining a civilization, but he made a mistake with the Turkic world because there is no such thing as a Turkic religion. Perhaps he didn’t, however; he may have misspoken on purpose. He created a typical ideology, and his “hype” in intellectual circles deserves a place of honor in public relations textbooks.
In any case, the transatlantic search for a Turkic Civilization is a desire to kill at least three birds with one stone.
First, it is a desire to further manage the Greater Middle East, and that is important in light of the spread of Islamism in the region resulting from the Arab spring.
Second, it is a desire to somehow stall China’s Turanian ambitions (more about that in my article “The Arab Revolutions as an Anti-China Scheme”).
And finally, it is an attempt to organize under Turkey’s auspices a more or less viable, Turkic structure capable of becoming an alternative to Moscow’s Eurasian Union for the Central Asian states.
Nothing much has changed in the world for a half-century. And the Great Turkic Game is once again at the forefront of world geopolitics.
November 20th, 2011, 2:49 pm
zoo said:
Israeli minister: Syria leader out within 1 year
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli defense (Yehud Barak) minister predicts Syrian President Bashar Assad will be out of office within six months to a year.
…
Barak did not say whether he believes Assad would step down voluntarily or be deposed by protesters.
November 20th, 2011, 2:50 pm
Syrian Nationalist Party said:
النظام في سوريا يحتاج لانشاء لجنة لاحصاء عدد اللجان التي انشأها لإجراء الإصلاح
I was just going to make the exact comment after reading about Assad newest reform stride, the creation of Majlis for Publicity and Advertising, what the hell is that for? Can someone elaborate what this Majlis suppose to do!. So far Assad had created few hundred reform committees, having to do with everything thinkable, strictly by Presidential Decrees, so what restrict him from making Presidential Decrees to introduce real, genuine reforms that can get us in the positive and away from this Baathist Zero-Sum games called committee and Majlis that seems to send Syria back few decades by red tapes and Communistic-Baathist specialty of notorious regulations. Syrians fighting for FREEDOM from Security and red tape controls and Assad keeps on adding more of the same, albeit under new name, NEW AND IMPROVED MAJLIS and committee Baathist control scams.
Common man (Mr. President) that is enough, everyone patient is going to run out eventually. Don’t bet too heavy on Russian “NIET” Although it is much appreciated, Putin has been a genuine friend of Syrians, the NWO scam artists who nuked own people on 911 could care less in the end about what the Russian say or not. Time is running out and not in your favor Mr. president, I am sorry, your Baathist math formulas will lead to ZERO no matter how it is calculated. Syrians need positive reforms that moves us forward not backward. Please, use your Presidency and leadership power to take control and pass Presidential Decrees that can cut the rope on Syria’s enemies and their hired help in Turkey and Qatar.
November 20th, 2011, 2:51 pm
SANDRO LOEWE said:
Yesterday I left Syria. Until Thursday Damascus centre as well as international roads surrounding the capital were very still. The city markets and centre residential areas are as usual. But people I talk to, and who previously were totally confident of Assad Iron Regime are beginning to change sides and thinking about the changing future. Bussinessmen are beginning to make their economic plans to the post-Assad era. I think this is very simptomatic.
November 20th, 2011, 3:03 pm
zoo said:
Egypt: Mobarak and his family are gone but the regime is still here
“We were cheated into believing that the revolution was over, we succeeded, we managed to overthrow the Mubarak regime. This was all wrong,” he said. “The Mubarak regime is still in power. It is fighting back. The same corrupt regime is out there, only cheating us, the population and the world, into believing that they are going to start this transition towards democracy, while everything they are doing was to conspire [about staying] in power.”
http://rt.com/news/killing-tahrir-western-ammunition-789/
November 20th, 2011, 3:07 pm
SYRIAN HAMSTER said:
neo-something
owever, things are not so simple for Ankara there despite the fact that the Arab street puts current Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan virtually on a par with the legendary Saladin. After all, the Arabs (and the Persians) never considered the Ottomans to be their equal. Talk around the dinner table always pictures the Turks as a wild horde feeding on Islam like parasites.
Biggest B.S. I read in long time. Many Arabs resent the Turkish occupation, but the this racist crap at the dinner table about them being parasites is probably picked up at racist Russians dinner tables or at racist Persian dinner table. Racist Arabs have other groups to hate. Mr. Vitali seems to be hanging with some racist people and enjoying dinners with them to pick up such crap…He should hang with the good Russians and good Persians not the racist ones.
November 20th, 2011, 3:09 pm
jad said:
المعلومات الأولية تفيد بفشل الهجومين في إحداث خسائر بشرية أو مادية ، و بتمكن الأجهزة الأمنية من توقيف إحدى السيارات المهاجمة في منطقة العدوي
دمشق ، الحقيقة (خاص من: يوسف عبد الله): أكدت مصادر ميدانية لـ”الحقيقة” في دمشق أن الهجومين اللذين نفذا فجر اليوم على فرع دمشق لحزب البعث الحاكم ، و” فرع الميسات” في الأمن السياسي ، لم يسفرا عن خسائر تذكر. ووصفت هذه المصادر الهجومين بأنهما “استعراضيان”، موضحة أن عددا من القنابل اليدوية ألقيت من سيارتين بينما كانتا تمران مسرعتين من أمام فرع حزب البعث الكائن نهاية امتداد”شارع الثورة” في حي المزرعة ( قريبا من جامع الإيمان)، ولم تؤد العملية إلى خسائر تذكر باستثناء تحطم بعض نوافذ المبنى واندلاع حرائق صغيرة في حرم المبنى.هذا في وقت تزامن مع محاولة استهداف فرع الأمن السياسي القريب من ” دوار الميسات” ( إلى يسار الطريق الصاعد إلى حي ركن الدين) . ويعرف هذا الفرع باسم ” فرع الأحزاب المناوئة”. وبحسب مصادر”الحقيقة” ، فإن بعد الفرع عن الشارع الرئيسي ، ووقوعه في شارع فرعي ، دفع المسلحين الذين يستخدمون السيارة إلى إلقاء قنابلهم اليدوية في مدخل الشارع الفرعي بعيدا عن الفرع. ولم يؤد الحادث إلى أية خسائر سواء في الأرواح أو الماديات.
وجاء في رسالة لاحقة لـ”الحقيقة” ، من المصدر نفسه ، أن أجهزة السلطة تمكنت من توقيف إحدى السيارتين اللتين هاجمتا فرع الحزب بينما كانت تفر مسرعة على أوتستراد العدوي ، قبالة وزارة النفط ، واعتقال المسلحين الذين كانوا على متنها ( اثنان أو ثلاثة) !؟
مصادر متابعة في دمشق وصفت الهجومين بأنه فعل “استعراضي” الغاية منه إعلامية صرفة ، حيث أراد المهاجمون دفع دمشق إلى واجهة الإعلام من الزاوية الأمنية ، بالنظر لأنها ظلت بعيدة حتى الآن عن ساحة الحراك الشعبي ، وإيصال رسالة متعددة الاتجاهات تفيد بأن” النظام وأجهزته الأمنية لم يعودا يسيطران أمنيا حتى على قلب العاصمة ، وهو الأسلوب نفسه الذي لجأ إليه الأخوان المسلمون خلال الثمانينيات” . ورجح هؤلاء المراقبون أن تشهد دمشق وحلب ، للسبب نفسه ، حوادث أمنية في مقبل الأيام القريبة ، بما في ذلك اللجوء إلى السيارات المفخخة باعتبارها”الأسلوب الوحيد القادر على توجيه ثلاث رسائل في آن واحد : زعزعة ثقة النظام بنفسه أمنيا ، و دفع الأجهزة الأمنية إلى الصراع فيما بينها على خلفية التقصير والفشل ، و الإيحاء للقطاعات الشعبية في العاصمة بأن قبضة النظام الأمنية بدأت بالارتخاء والشلل ، مما يشجع أهالي العاصمة على الانضمام إلى الحراك الشعبي”. إلا أن أعمالا من هذه النوع قد ترتد على مرتكبيها بنتائج عكسية وتدفع الناس إلى الالتفاف حول السلطة ، بالنظر لأن أعمالا من هذا النوع يمكن أن تدفع بأكثرية الناس إلى تكوين فكرة عما يجري في سورية بأنه”مجرد تمرد لعصابات مسلحة مأجورة من الخارج هدفه التخريب والقتل”!؟
Clip of the area today after the news:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=223686581033075
November 20th, 2011, 3:10 pm
irritated said:
Sandro
“But people I talk to, and who previously were totally confident of Assad Iron Regime are beginning to change sides:
Which side are they turning too: the SNC, the FSA, the NCC,?
November 20th, 2011, 3:23 pm
jad said:
الأخوان المسلمون يتبرأون رسميا من تصريحات مراقبهم العام ونائبه بشأن التدخل التركي في سوريا!؟
مصادر “الحقيقة” في لندن تسخر هذا التبرؤ وتصفه بـ” تشاطر فاضح الغباء” ، وتعزوه إلى تراجع “سيدهم” أردوغان عن فكرة التدخل في سوريا!؟
لندن ، الحقيقة ( خاص): بعد حوالي ثلاثة أيام على إطلاقها ، تنصلت جماعة “الأخوان المسلمين” السورية من تصريحات مراقبها العام رياض الشقفة ونائبه محمد فارق طيفور اللذين كانا أعلنا في مؤتمر صحفي عقداه في استانبول في 17 من الجاري ، ثم في تصريحات لـ”فرانس برس” و ” أسوشييتد برس” خلال اليوم نفسه، ترحيب “الجماعة” بتدخل عسكري تركي في سوريا. وقال بيان رسمي صادر عن “الجماعة” وقعه الناطق الرسمي باسمها زهير سالم وزع مساء أمس “إن ما جاء على لسان فضيلة المراقب العام المهندس محمد رياض الشقفة في المؤتمر الصحفي الذي عقد في اسطنبول صبيحة 17 / 11 / 2011.. حول قبول الشعب السوري بتدخل خارجي تركي كان رأيا شخصيا يعبر عن موقف الأخ المراقب العام الشخصي لم تستشر فيه مؤسسات الجماعة ذات الصلة إذ أن مثل هذا الموقف يحتاج إلى قرار مجلس الشورى الذي أكد في دورته الاستثنائية الأخيرة على تمسكه بسلمية الثورة وتمسكه بثوابت الجماعة ورفضه للطائفية وللتدخل الأجنبي(..)كما أنه لم تستشر فيه – فيما علمت – قيادة الجماعة التي هي المرجعية الثانية للقرارات التنفيذية”. وأضاف البيان”نؤمن دائما أن أخطاء الأفراد يمكن أن تستدرك وتقوم وأن أخطاء الجماعات يمكن أن تتسبب بإهلاك الحرث والنسل. ولن يضير صاحب مقام أن يقال له أخطأت أو تجاوزت فتلك بعض ثقافتنا التي تربينا عليها وقد كانت هذه الكلمات تقال لعمر فيقول ( لا خير فينا إن لم نقبلها ولا خير فيكم إن لم تقولوها..) وما علمنا عن الأخ المراقب العام إلا أنه وقاف عند حدود الله.. ملتزم بأنظمة الجماعة ومؤسساتها”!؟
مصادر متابعة في لندن ، مقربة من أوساط “الجماعة” ، وصفت هذا البيان بأنه ” فضيحة سياسية” ، لا فتة إلى أن بيان التنصل هذا “جاء بعد ساعات قليلة على تصريحات رئيس الوزراء التركي ، رجب طيب أردوغان ، التي أطلقها صباح أمس الأحد في استانبول خلال افتتاحه المؤتمر الدولي للمقاولين الأتراك الذي أعلن خلاله أن تركيا لن تتدخل في الشؤون السورية”. وجاءت تصريحات أردوغان ، التي تميزت بنبرة هادئة ومسالمة بخلاف تصريحاته الحربجية السابقة ، بعد ساعات من إطلاق الجيش السوري عملية ضخمة تحت اسم ” تحطيم الأوهام” شارك في مناقشتها وإعدادها ضباط من هيئة أركان الجيش الإيراني و”الحرس الثوري” وصلوا بشكل غير معلن إلى دمشق يوم السبت. وقضت الخطة ، كما علمت بها “الحقيقة” من مصادر عسكرية ميدانية في ” القرةق 18″ ، بإقامة “منطقة عسكرية” على امتداد الحدود مع تركيا بعمق 20 كم ، ونشر آلاف الدبابات وبطاريات الصواريخ والمدفعية الصاروخية على امتداد المنطقة ، وإخراج بطاريات الصواريخ الاستراتيجية التقليدية و ” البيو ـ كيميائية” من مرابضها في بطون الجبال ووضعها في حالة تأهب بحيث يتاح للأقمار الصناعية الأميركية والأطلسية ملاحظة تحركها وتمكنها بالتالي من “استلام وفهم الرسالة”!
مصادر “الحقيقة” في لندن تابعت حديثها عن تنصل “الجماعة” من تصريحات شقفة وطيفور بالقول” إنها تكشف عن أن الأخوان المسلمين لم يكونوا في أي يوم من الأيام سوى أدوات لقوى إقليمية و / أو دولية يدوزنون خطواتهم وفقا لإيقاع ولاة أمرهم والجهات التي تحركهم”. وتساءلت هذه المصادر بالقول” لم يكن المراقب العام وحده حين أطلق هذه التصريحات ، بل كان إلى جانبه نائبه فاروق طيفور. فهل من المعقول أن يرتكب اثنان من قيادة الجماعة على هذا المستوى خطأ سياسيا قاتلا من هذا العيار لولا أن هناك فعلا اتفاقا في القيادة ومع الجهات التركية على فكرة التدخل؟ وإذا لم يكن الأمر كذلك فعلا ، فهل من المعقول أن تنتظر قيادة الجماعة حوالي ثلاثة أيام على هذه التصريحات لتكتشف أن تصريحات المراقب العام اجتهاد شخصي لم يعد فيه إلى قيادته؟ ولماذا لم تصدر هذا البيان إلا بعد تصريحات أردوغان”؟ وقالت هذه المصادر ” إن ذكاء الجماعة خانها هذه المرة ، مثل مرات كثيرة سابقة، وإذا كان من وصف يليق بتنصلهم هذا، فلن يكون سوى أنه تشاطر فاضح الغباء”!
بعد ساعات من الحشود العسكرية السورية الضخمة على حدوده ، أردوغان يخفف لهجته الحربجية ضد دمشق
November 20th, 2011, 3:23 pm
SANDRO LOEWE said:
291# IRRITATED
They are changing to the REALISTIC side.
November 20th, 2011, 3:30 pm
ann said:
Canada won’t rule out military role in Syria if diplomacy fails
Nov. 20, 2011
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/canada-wont-rule-out-military-role-in-syria-if-diplomacy-fails/article2242729/?utm_medium=Feeds%3A%20RSS%2FAtom&utm_source=Home&utm_content=2242729
Canada is not ruling out joining international military intervention in violence-ridden Syria if sanctions and diplomacy fail but says such a decision by the United Nations is neither imminent nor inevitable.
The Harper government, however, announced Sunday it would keep a patrol frigate in the Mediterranean region until 2013 – a ship that gives Canada an asset to contribute to a naval blockade of Syria should the need ever arise.
The Conservative government said HMCS Vancouver, which helped patrol the waters off Libya, will remain in the region as part of a NATO counter-terrorism effort, Operation Endeavour, until relieved by HMCS Charlottetown in early 2012.
Defence Minister Peter MacKay, who warned this past weekend of the dangers of creating a “world police” force that is tasked with righting wrongs around the world, told journalists Sunday that Ottawa would nevertheless be ready for whatever is asked of it.
He told CTV’s Question Period that Canada’s armed forces are “prepared for all inevitabilities” but said in the case of Syria, there are a “cascading number of [international] sanctions that would have to happen before there would be any type of intervention.”
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s bloody campaign of oppression against his own civilians has killed about 3,500 Syrians, according to a United Nations estimate, but Mr. MacKay said it’s up to the United Nations to try to rein in the Mideast leader now.
Syria, which borders Israel as well as NATO member Turkey, is a potential powder keg in the Mideast region and soldiers loyal to Mr. al-Assad’s are well-armed.
Asked if he would take military intervention against Syria off the table, Canada’s defence minister told Global TV’s The West Block that he would not.
“We, again I would say to you, are very cautious when you get into the projecting of military intervention. But to answer your question, no, I don’t think we should suggest that it’s not an option. It’s not the preferred option, it never is.”
Mr. MacKay told the Halifax International Security Forum this past weekend that the NATO-led airstrikes that helped oust Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi are not a template for actions elsewhere.
Iran is a nuclear threat, Egypt is again in turmoil and Yemen teeters on the brink of collapse, but it was Syria that caused the most squirming at a weekend gathering of top global security officials.
The generals and defence ministers who met at the Halifax forum on the weekend shared many congratulatory slaps on the back for their role in ridding the world of Mr. Gadhafi.
But they worked at every turn to dampen expectations western countries would take similar action to help oust Mr. al-Assad.
Mr. MacKay said “we’re not there yet” when asked whether Western countries might consider intervention.
“It’s a tool that must be used after all other efforts have been tried and exhausted. We should not charge in. The consequences of doing so, the potential fallout is extreme,” Mr. MacKay said.
Lt.-Gen. Charles Bouchard, the Royal Canadian Air Force general who led the NATO mission in Libya, cautioned against applying the Libyan model to Syria.
“Libya should not be a blueprint for the future. Libya is just one more campaign from which we should take lessons,” Lt.-Gen. Bouchard said.
“One is in the Middle East, the other is in North Africa. I don’t want to sound flippant, but the neighbours make a difference,” he added, pointing out the border Syria shares with Turkey is just one factor that seriously complicates matters compared to Libya.
James Appathurai, a top NATO political official, pointed out that just on process the groundwork is far from being laid. The NATO mission in Libya was backed by U.N. Security Council mandate and had broad regional support.
Mr. MacKay signaled his cautious intentions when he posed his own question to a panel of experts: What can the international community do, short of waging war, to hasten the departure of President Assad?
The Syrian uprising causes discomfort among decision makers for good reason, according to Radwan Ziadeh, co-founder of the Syrian Center for Political and Strategic studies. While Middle Eastern regimes like Iran must temper despotic impulses because of the need to sell oil, Syria is far less constrained by diplomatic considerations.
“For years now, Syrian foreign policy has hinged on making trouble with its neighbours,” said Mr. Ziadeh. “Syria depends on unrest among neighbours. If you want to bring stability to Iraq, to Lebanon, to Syria, to Iran, you have to change the Assad regime.”
But the way to do that is far from clear.
Mr. Ziadeh said the West could be honest about the limitations of its power and the double standard it applies in these cases. The West intervened in Libya because the mission was relatively easy. It won’t intervene in Syria because it would be bloody and expensive.
Senator John McCain said he favours recognizing Syria’s transitional council, a move favoured by Mr. Ziadeh and a number of other experts. Sen. McCain also called on Russia and China to join in sanctions.
Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak suggested Mr. Assad’s downfall is well underway and may be complete without much Western help.
“I think that (Assad) went beyond the point of no return, there’s no way he will resume his authority or legitimacy over his people,” Mr. Barak said during an on-stage interview at the forum.
“It’s not a linear process, but now will go on an even steeper slope. People within his armed forces, civil service, start to see the end, how to hedge their personal bets.”
The Saudi king has directly criticized Mr. Assad and Turkey, one of Syria’s biggest trading partners, have steadily increased pressure.
“There is an acceleration toward the end of the regime. The signals are there. It’s good, not just for Israel but the entire Middle East.”
November 20th, 2011, 3:30 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
AL refused Waleed Muallem amendments,they will meet on thursday Syria will not be there , major decisions will be approved,explantions will be included,to satisfy Russia, internationalization of Syrian crisis is next,and major arabic sanctions will be applied,this will be the end of Arab league effort.
November 20th, 2011, 3:35 pm
irritated said:
Hamsty #289
It appears that you repeated the word ‘racist’ 6 times in your six line paragraphs. Repetition is usually a sign of nerve damages or extreme agitation.
I hope it is none of that. Keep being bold!
November 20th, 2011, 3:36 pm
irritated said:
Majedalkhaldoon
“they will meet on thursday”
4 more days, no rush … I wonder who is buying time.
November 20th, 2011, 3:38 pm
Mango said:
http://lawinrussia.ru/node/46484
Syria already in the NATO sight: four scenarios of an attack to Damascus Are prepared
Attack scenarios to Syria:
1) Syrian “opposition” declares about new «mass punishments over peace demonstrators», bombardments and “suppression” and demands to establish over territory of the country «бесполетную a zone». Russia and China refuse to approve this resolution in United Nations Security Council, but the western countries go on this step, having ignored International law as it already did the USA in 2003 when have begun war in Iraq. Further bombardments of the Syrian military purposes and action on the party of “insurgents” under the Libyan scenario.
2) the League of the Arabian States at the next meeting takes out the decision about impossibility of the further abstention from a situation with «punishments over the peace population of Syria» and begins operations against this country, providing a kind picture in the West: well-educated Moslems of the Near east have decided to understand independently with «a tyrannical mode» neighbor in region. Anybody at all does not ask opinion of Russia and China, the NATO at anything – all are happy.
3) Turkey which acts recently as one of the most furious critics of the authorities of Syria, enters the military conflict to this country. For example, it is declared that its military experts or civilians have undergone to treacherous attack from the neighbor (the blessing experience with «freedom Flotilla» already is), therefore now Turkey cannot precisely stand aside from the conflict. Thus, according to the NATO charter, the North Atlantic alliance is obliged by all power to act on protection of the state entering into it. The permission of Russia and China besides is not required.
4) Strain of relations between Syria and Israel, leading to the next arabo-Israeli war. Israel accuses for a long time already Syria of complicity to terrorists and to movement “Hezbollah”, and now the international relation to Basharu Asadu is that that hardly the world community will be strongly indignant because of actions of Israel.
At realization of any of scenarios practically for certain Iran will act on the party of Syria, realizing that then in the future he precisely should be at war with other world alone. Other countries of region should choose, whose party to occupy. Especially difficult this choice can appear in case of an embodiment in life of the fourth scenario since the image of Israel as the enemy of all Arabian world was historically generated.
November 20th, 2011, 3:39 pm
irritated said:
Sandro
“The REALISTIC side”
That’s a smart no-answer they gave you. It sounds that, like everyone else, they have no clue how it is going to end.
November 20th, 2011, 3:49 pm
jna said:
Mohammad Javad Larijani, secretary general of the High Council for Human Rights of Iran, clashed with hosts and other guests on the MSNBC show “Morning Joe.”
Great interview video.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45337442/ns/world_news-mideast_n_africa/#.TskWUFYe8Vc
November 20th, 2011, 3:49 pm
SYRIAN HAMSTER said:
IRRITABLE @ 296
How substantive.
Stay irritated.
November 20th, 2011, 3:51 pm
Amir in Tel Aviv said:
How can you say it is an Islamist revolution, when all you see is singing in demonstrations, Debka dancing in the battled streets, and a great sense of humor that is being expressed in the chanted slogans. All this athwart the groom reality, and in spite of the junta’s brutality.
Islamists don’t sing, don’t dance and are damn serious with no sense of humor.
.
November 20th, 2011, 3:53 pm
mjabali said:
Mr. Bronco Comment #89
Hello and here are few points if you care to discuss:
You said: “While strong, defiant and respected under the Assad, Syria is now showing its internal weaknesses and its divisions that have been hidden by the authoritarian regime.”
I say that al-Assads father and son never dealt with many issues dealing with the composition and weaknesses of the Syrian state. For example, they pretended to be Sunnis and practiced, in public like Sunnis and never dealt the the issue of sectarianism in Syria. They, father and son used the Alawis as soldiers and never dealt with the issues that have been the source of conflict for a thousand years (al-Assads never discussed Ibn Taymiyah’s Fatwa regarding the Alawis for example). Another example is the Kurds; their ethnic language and habits were suppressed for the sake of Arabism. There are many examples, and yes the authoritarian nature of al-Baath did not allow many of the malaise to surface.
You said: “One wonder if it not worthwhile to give another chance to the Baath party and the government to reform and gradually make the move without the help of anyone.”
I say that giving al-Baath another shot at ruling solo is a huge mistake. al-Baath failed so far so why give it another chance? The ballot boxes should be the judge and the jury, al-Baath should get representatives according to how much they get in a FAIR election. al-Baath should not and under any situation be allowed to be the ONLY party in a country that has many ideological trends. The Islamists are taking advantage of this point and are trying to show that they are the ONLY alternative and that is a huge mistake. The SNC did not take into consideration any thing but the interests of the Islamists and to represent the Syrian people things should change and this change should come through voting. Who voted the SNC? Really there are millions of Syrians who could have voted on people to represent them through means like Facebook and so on, but, instead, we had a number of councils that are supposed to represent the Syrian people!
To go back to our main point which is: should al-Baath have another shot on reforming the Syrian quagmire we are going through right now: the answer is simply NO.
Change should come through the FAST establishment of parties and having elections as soon as possible to let the Syrian citizens say what they really want and whom they want to represent them. Let al-Baath run and see how much they would get?
November 20th, 2011, 3:57 pm
NK said:
Enjoy
November 20th, 2011, 4:01 pm
jad said:
القرضاوي: لا تنتخبوا العلمانيين والكفرة بمصر
حظ أول أمس الداعية الإسلامي، يوسف القرضاوي المصريين على عدم التصويت للعلمانيين وغير المسلمين، معتبراً أن التصويت “فريضة شرعية”.
وأشاد بمظاهرة القوى الإسلامية في القاهرة، معتبراً أنه لا يحق للمجلس العسكري المصري فرض وثيقته الدستورية. وقال القرضاوي، في خطبة الجمعة التي ألقاها -حسب موقع إيلاف- من مكان إقامته في قطر، أن “ثورة مصر تدخل في مرحلتها الأساسية، مرحلة الانتخابات التي هي المراد من الثورة”، معرباً عن اعتقاده بأن الإقبال سيكون كبيراً على الانتخابات المقبلة باعتبار أن الناس متأكدة من أنها لن تكون مزورة كسابقاتها.
ورأى أن “التصويت فريضة شرعية وضرورة دنيوية”، ودعا المصريين إلى البحث عن الأحزاب التي تدعو إلى الخير وتبتعد عن الكفريات والحرام، فاشهدوا لمن يعترف بالخير والصدق والإسلام ولا تشهدوا لعلماني ولا للاديني أو لمن لا يقبل بالله رباً، وبالإسلام ديناً، وبمحمد نبياً”. مثمنا مظاهرات الجمعة التي حملت عنوان “مليونية المطلب الوحيد”، التي نظمتها القوى الإسلامية في مصر رفضاً لوثيقة “المبادئ الدستورية” التي طرحها المجلس العسكري.
November 20th, 2011, 4:20 pm
Khalid Tlass said:
FSA is winning, and they are still victorious in Homs :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-mACLbjCcI
This one is for you TARA, you’re going to like this ( Syrian children are growing up a bit too fast, don’t ya think ) –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvqzBpKL6_0&feature=related ( aww so cute)
November 20th, 2011, 4:26 pm
Khalid Tlass said:
Again, I’m very proud to see our children in Homs getting armed, as I said, I’m very proud to see that Syrian Sunnis are finally starting to exist as a heavily armed and militarized community, like the Alawis , Druze and Shia.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvqzBpKL6_0&feature=related
It comforts my heart to see the proliferation of arms in Homs, even among our women and children, the peaceniks and silmiyyahs can go to hell.
November 20th, 2011, 4:31 pm
Amir in Tel Aviv said:
Leave children out of this mess. Let them enjoy their childhood.
.
November 20th, 2011, 4:44 pm
Khalid Tlass said:
@ Amir, DID you watch the video ? The children are doing it spontaneously. Anyway, their childhood has been destroyed in the last 7-8 months.
November 20th, 2011, 4:50 pm
Amir in Tel Aviv said:
Spain: one more Israel’s European friend.
Who said that Israel is isolated?
Spain: No more dhimi European leftist.
Europeans react slowly to reality. But eventually they do.
.
November 20th, 2011, 4:50 pm
Amir in Tel Aviv said:
Tlass,
No child holds AK-47 spontaneously.
.
November 20th, 2011, 4:52 pm
ann said:
A conversation with Syria’s acting envoy to Canada – Nov. 18, 2011
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/a-conversation-with-syrias-acting-envoy-to-canada/article2240698/
For months, the world has watched as the Syrian regime of President Bashar al-Assad has cracked down on protesters, with a death toll of more than 3,000, according to the United Nations. The Arab League has suspended Syria. Rebels attacked a military base Wednesday. Canada has called for Mr. al-Assad to resign, and a Syrian-Canadian group wants the country’s acting ambassador, Bashar Akbik, to be expelled. But Mr. Akbik argues the world is hearing a false version of events, which have been exploited and fomented by foreign powers. He spoke to The Globe and Mail this week. The following is a somewhat abridged version of that conversation.
There’s a report that Syrian defectors from the army have attacked a military base. Is this becoming a civil war?
“No. God forbid civil war. Because if civil war happens, really, it will not be only in Syria. It might start in Syria, but it will engulf the whole area. It will be a disaster in the Middle East. What’s happening in Syria now is that we have a kind of armed insurrection taking place in the country.
“To give you a good view of the situation, we have to go back to the beginning. After what happened in what we now call the Arab Spring … the repercussions arrived in Syria. And people were encouraged to go in peaceful demonstrations, asking for more liberties, against corruption, asking for real democracy in the country, and participating in political life. These were legitimate requests. Unfortunately, we in Syria are not really used to demonstrations, so security forces went to handle these demonstrations, and they handled it very badly. We acknowledged this. President al-Assad acknowledged this. He ordered the arrest of many important figures in Syrian security because they mishandled the demonstrations and that led to many casualties inflicted on the demonstrators, many killed. It was really very unfortunate. President al-Assad went on TV and he said he was sorry for what happened, and that the Syrian government is responsible about the delays in reforms in Syria. The Syrian government was working on the reforms in Syria, and they were going in that direction.”
So how then did this go from that to the state it’s at now?
“I’m starting from the beginning. It’s much different now. There was some delay in the reforms. President al-Assad instantly said that we will start to make rapid reforms and we will issue the decrees that will pave the way for taking Syria into real democracy, liberty, and all of what the people were demonstrating for. He assigned committees to start preparing decrees on elections, about the formation of parties in Syria, for the freedom of the press. He three times issued decrees to let out detainees who were arrested during the demonstrations. General amnesty. Armed people started to infiltrate the demonstrations, and they started to shoot at the police – who at that time had very stringent orders not to shoot at any demonstrators – and to shoot at the demonstrators, so that police would think the demonstrators are shooting at them, and the demonstrators would think that the police were shooting at them. Those gunmen – most of them are criminals – we knew afterward they were offered money and arms from the Islamic Brotherhood movement stationed in Saudi Arabia, some Gulf countries, Lebanon, Iraq, and even Turkey and Jordan.”
So these are not protests by ordinary people now?
“It is protests. I’m telling you how it started from peaceful demonstrations and turned into something else. There are peaceful protests, and when it’s peaceful protests, the police, like anywhere else in the world, the police just stand and watch because they don’t want any riots to happen. When there are no riots, why should they shoot at them, logically?
“Then the demonstrators, who were asking only for reforms … started to say that they wanted to get rid of the regime, and they rejected the reform package. And every time the government did a very good reform decree, they said, ‘It’s too late, this has no meaning under the pressure of security operations.’ And then they started to say, we want to foil the regime. This became the main request. Those armed people started to make more effective operations against the army and security, using, sometimes, medium to heavy weapons. Where are these weapons coming from?”
So is the government going to go ahead with reforms?
“It already did. The government made 14 decrees which we never, in Syria, even dreamed about. … And then [President al-Assad] formed a committee to study amending the constitution. One of the things they said is a must is to cancel item No. 8 from the constitution, which says that the Baath Socialist Party is the leader of the society and the state. Imagine! The Baath party has been leading the country for 50 years now. The government is working in the right direction.”
The images we see of tanks in the streets, isn’t that the government cracking down on protesters?
“We are now facing armed insurrection. It’s no longer peaceful protests in many little towns and villages in Syria. We have people on the streets, mostly Salafists, mostly Islamic fundamentalists, who are run by the Islamic Brotherhood movement in adjacent countries. We have people on the street, also armed, who are working for foreign countries …”
Who?
“Okay, let’s be frank. They are working for the United States, they are working for France, for England. They are like agents. They take support from them, they take money, communications. And they are trying to escalate the situation with the army and security. There are drug smugglers, arms smugglers, there are murderers. It’s chaos in the streets. You cannot say that the people who are fighting against the Syrian army and security are totally Syrian opposition.”
So that’s why the tanks are there?
“The tanks are not inside the city. They stay in the rough terrain, which are normally uninhabited zones. But you have to make a distinction between tanks and armoured vehicles. Armoured vehicles are not tanks and they need this to protect the army.”
The Arab League has suspended Syria. Turkey has suspended some projects. There are efforts by some countries at least to have the United Nations develop sanctions. How do you view that?
“When we say it’s a conspiracy, nobody wants to believe. Western powers, and the United States comes to the fore here, have been fighting Syria for decades. They want to get rid of Syria. These countries have their strategies toward the Middle East. They have their ambitions, they have their greeds in the area. They want to reshape the area into a new Middle East. They want to impose their own thoughts, their own democracy. They want to steal from the people in the area their petroleum, their mineral resources. Syria is always standing in their face …
“They found that now is the best time to try to get rid of the Syrian regime, and say that the Syrian regime is harassing people, and killing, and murdering, and making human-rights issues, so that they would foil the regime.
“The Arab League – do you think that the human-rights situation in most of the Arab countries, especially Gulf countries, is better than Syria? The Arab League is financed by two or three major countries. They want to get rid of Syria. They are under American control and everybody knows that. Add to this that some Arab countries want to get rid of Syria in the context of the Sunni-Shia conflict. Since Syria is an ally of Iran, they don’t like this. They want to isolate Iran.
“Turkey – [a few years ago] our relations were very, very good, economic, political, we even cancelled visas. Last year, Syria imported $2.5-billion in goods from Turkey … Things were going very well. Now, what’s happened is really surprising to us. But in my opinion, the current Turkish government, the Justice and Development party, is originally a Muslim Brotherhood. For a long time, Turkey hosted the leaders of the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood, and they are hosting the conferences of the Syrian opposition. Maybe Turkey has a view that they want to let the Muslim Brothers in Syria take over power and become an extension of Turkey.”
Let me switch to Canada. Canada doesn’t have a deep regional presence. What message have you been getting from Canada?
“Of course, we cannot consider Canada like the U.S, Britain, and France. Canada is a country still known for her good history, her support for human-rights issues, women’s issues, environment, support for United Nations agencies. Canada has never been a colonialist country. And we always, in the past, had good relations. Now what happened, I’m really not sure. I can tell you Syria’s relations with Canada started to degrade from 2006. Canada started to change her policy toward the Arab region and the Middle East. Before, Canada was always in the middle. Of course, you know, our big cause in the Middle East is the Palestinian cause, and Arab-Israeli conflict. Canada was always somewhere in the middle; she would always try to convince both parties to talk together. Then, if we go from 2006, and if you look at Canada’s positions, for example, in the United Nations agencies, she was always closer to Israel and farther from the Arabs. Everybody knows that the Canadian Prime Minister, Mr. Harper, and the Foreign Minister, they say it clearly, they are with Israel to the end. This made the relations lukewarm, but it’s not a bad relationship. Now I don’t know what Canada’s decision is based on. Is it because they are allied with the United States? I always see a resemblance between American declarations on Syria and Canadian declarations on Syria since the beginning of the crisis. Instead of taking such a negative stand on Syria, we expected [Canada] to try to help Syria, and try and help the government and the opposition sit and talk.”
There have been protesters outside your door here. There have been complaints from some that they’re being watched, or their names are being sent back to Syria. One woman, for example, says her neighbours in Syria have been asked questions by Syrian security.
“We have been through this for months. The majority of Syrian-Canadians are pro-President al-Assad. This is something Canadian police and government know very well because police accompanied all the demonstrations which were loyal to President al-Assad or against him. And they know the difference [in size of protest] between the protests loyal to the country and the opposition protests. When pro-Assad demonstrators go to the streets, the smallest demonstration is 500, 600 people … [but] when five or 10 people from the opposition have a demonstration, you find all Canadian media coming and interviewing them.”
What about the substance? Is it true what they say, that names are being sent back to Syria?
“No. … I used to live with my wife and my little daughter in Canada, and I have my mother and two elder daughters in Damascus, they are studying in universities. After a while, a friend of my wife said to her, ‘Did you see the demonstration of May 9’ – because they do the demonstration and put it on YouTube. My wife said no. She gave her the site, and my wife looked at it. There was someone holding the megaphone – he thought I was inside the embassy – and he said, ambassador, we know your mother and two daughters are in Damascus. When my wife saw that, she fainted. She took my little Julia, she’s seven years old, and she went back to Damascus to stay with her girls, and I’m now alone for five months. We had threats.
“On the CBC, there was one lady who went to them and told them that she was threatened by someone related to the embassy – she would not give his name, she would not give his telephone number, she would not give anything because she was afraid that Syrian intelligence would threaten her family. Prime Minister Harper was asked about this by a journalist, and he said, ‘I have no idea about that but if there is something like that we will take measures.’ Many other journalists called to ask me about this. We told them, we are a small embassy, we are not the CIA. We are not the KGB. We are a little country, we don’t have intelligence agents knocking on their doors and threatening them. Then I told them – I mean the opposition – if you have something, really, in your hands, why don’t you go to the police and the police will close our embassy.”
They’re asking now for you to be expelled from Canada. Do you think that will happen?
“I don’t know. This is a matter related completely to the Canadian government. I hope this will not take place. After all, we are an embassy here, our job is to try to improve Canadian-Syrian relations, whatever is happening now.”
How will this situation end globally? The protests in Syria, the demonstrations, the international pressure and Canadian complaints?
“I will tell you how. Many times we have invited the Syrian opposition to come to a national dialogue conference. So we all sit together, the government, the independents, the internal opposition and those outside opposition.”
Do you think that’s likely?
“Dialogue is always the civilized way to get out of a problem. The opposition does not represent all of the Syrian people. They represent maybe, in my opinion, 10 to 15 per cent maximum. … President al-Assad still enjoys the support of not less than 70 per cent.”
Do you think there will be Western or outside military intervention in Syria?
“All is possible. I think what has been done now by the Arab League is another [case] of the Libyan model. They – not all Arab countries, because there is a very big division in the Arab League – they are doing this to give NATO or any foreign intervention the green light to go ahead. But Syria is not Libya.
“Secondly, the Syrian National Council is dominated by Muslim Brothers. They brought one figure, a professor from France called Burhan Ghalioun, as a leader. He’s a puppet leader, so they can say, ‘Look, we are not Muslim Brothers, our leader is a liberal.’ They brought some Christians, some Alawites, to say ‘Look, the National Council includes all elements of Syria.’ And this is not true. The National Council was created in Turkey by Turkish hands and it’s completely dominated by the Muslim Brothers.
“Would Canada really like to support the Muslim Brothers taking over in Syria, like what’s happening now in Tunis and Libya, and God forbid, in Egypt? They know what the results will be. How come we are fighting al-Qaeda and Islamic fundamentalists in Canada and the United States and in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and we are supporting them in the Middle East?”
November 20th, 2011, 5:05 pm
ss said:
“308. Amir in Tel Aviv said: Leave children out of this mess. Let them enjoy their childhood”
MB do not understand that, they would teach their children early on so by the time they are 18 or 20 they go and explode themselves somewhere
November 20th, 2011, 5:08 pm
bronco said:
Egyptians refuse to go the Turkey way: a progressive democracy chaperoned by the army. They want an instant democracy. It may work in Tunisia, would it work in Egypt or Syria?
“Friday’s protest in Tahrir Square focused on the SCAF’s attempt to impose “super-constitutional principles”, with an initial draft including provisions to give the military an exemption from parliamentary oversight, as well as powers to appoint the future constituent assembly’s members and, if necessary, dismiss it. ”
Role of the military in the political life of Turkey
“From Turkey’s founding, the military assumed responsibility for guaranteeing the republic’s constitution. Article 35 of the Turkish Armed Service Internal Service Code of 1961 declared that the “duty of the armed forces is to protect and safeguard Turkish territory and the Turkish Republic as stipulated by the constitution.”[2] Indeed, such an interpretation had its roots in the constitution. Turkey’s first constitution was written in 1921, and since the formal proclamation of the republic, the country has had three additional constitutions—in 1924, 1961, and 1982. Until the constitutional amendments of 2001, each placed responsibility in the military’s hands for the protection of the Turkish state from both external and internal challenges. The constitution of 1982, for example, prohibited contestation or constitutional review of the laws or decrees passed by the military when the republic was under its rule from 1980 until 1983.”
Turkey’s path to democracy
“Successive governments of Turkey wisely did not attempt to introduce full democracy all at once, but instead went through successive phases of limited democracy, laying the foundation for further development, and, at the same time, encouraging the rise of civil society.”
“In Turkey, that was accomplished by Atatürk in a series of radical measures, including the disestablishment of Islam, the virtual repeal of the Sacred Law (Shari’a), and the enactment in their place of civil and criminal codes of a nonreligious character. Most other states in the Islamic world either have Islam in some form of words enshrined in their constitutions or else claim that Islam itself is their constitution, and that they need no other.”
Why Turkey Is the only Muslim Democracy
http://www.meforum.org/216/why-turkey-is-the-only-muslim-democracy
by Bernard Lewis
Middle East Quarterly
March 1994, pp. 41-49
http://www.thenational.ae/thenationalconversation/comment/egypts-dangerous-run-up-to-elections-is-a-necessary-risk
http://www.meforum.org/2160/turkey-military-catalyst-for-reform
November 20th, 2011, 5:09 pm
ss said:
“306. Khalid Tlass said:
FSA is winning, and they are still victorious in Homs”
Wining what?????
I hope you are not delusional. Where we are now is way better than when we were 7 months ago. If you tell me 7 months ago I would say the situation was indeed bad, and scary. Now it is much better and for those who say Homs is not stable. Well I have to blame the regime on this one, they left Homs to be an example of the MB terror. UNfortunately this is it. I mean to withdraw the army to satisfy the AL request hass lead to killing in Homs and the goverment would benifit from this propoganda. The goverment should not do that and we are asking them to step up and ignore the voices from AL. Presendent Assad stated yesterday to a UK journal that he would not allow free syrian army or any other terrorist groups to act. I hope he put the army back in Homs and crack down on these islamic terrorist once and for all. I am sure if the army was heavily involved it would not take more than one week to bring order to the city. Unfortunately, the events in Homs had been broadcasted to show the evil; but people died for that.
November 20th, 2011, 5:16 pm
jna said:
312. annsaid:
A conversation with Syria’s acting envoy to Canada – Nov. 18, 2011
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/a-conversation-with-syrias-acting-envoy-to-canada/article2240698/
An excellent interview and statement of the government’s position. Thanks Ann.
November 20th, 2011, 5:23 pm
zoo said:
Syrian Muslim Brotherhood denies calling for military intervention
20/11/2011
“but if the Syrian regime did not stop the killing then we would not have any objection to Turkish intervention and no-fly zone, but without this meaning a military intervention.” Tayfur told Asharq Al-Awsat”
http://www.asharq-e.com/news.asp?section=1&id=27376
November 20th, 2011, 5:31 pm
ss said:
Free Syrian Army is a big joke. There will not be a civil war. I hope the army would show its iron fist in Homs. The army left these thugs there.
There will not be even an internation war.
1. No one wants MB period. US know them, ISrael knows them, the west knows them. MBs have no future whatsoever in Syria
2. Russia will never allow an increasing Turkish influence.
3. US wants to cut some deals from Syria. It appears that Hillary Clinton last week was threatening of civil war and he speech sort of “Approve our demands; get peace, or stay where you are and deal with our pressure”. It looks like Assad did not give them what they want, they are not able to conduct war, but sure enough they can attempt to put oil on fire.
4. Iran, Lebanon, Syria, and soon Iraq (by December when the US army leaves) would be a huge geopolitical pressure. These 4 countries are going to shape the middle east.
5.Both Assad and Mualem stated in their speech that the war will destabilize the region and many countries will get affected, it will be a disaster but they are ready to fight .
All the cities in syria are in peace except Homs, Edlib, 3erbeen,Da3el and other weired names that i have not even heared of them.
Overall the current situation is very positive and we are in a better place now compared to 7 months ago.
November 20th, 2011, 5:32 pm
bronco said:
#312 Ann
A coherent and clear interview, thanks for posting it.
November 20th, 2011, 5:33 pm
SS said:
Khalid Tlass,
You have been lately watching your words and avoiding being angry. You have been convincing your alikes example Tara that you have changed. The thing that I do not understand; how you cheer for children less than 10 years old holding AK-47. You are so pleased to see that and I hope other people will take a notice.
Can you imagin someone cheering for kids holding AK-47???Hay anyone with mind; would you approve that guys????
Well you need to understand that this is part of the MB civilization. I hope Madam Clinton would see the clip placed out by Tlass and I hope she takes some notes. I hope no one from the opposition will step up and start defending Tlass and his video. There is no logic to it. Its a total disaster
November 20th, 2011, 5:40 pm
jad said:
Are these troubles in Egypt going to affect the Qatar-Egypt relations since Aljazeera is obviously exploiting the situation:
وزارة الصحة المصرية: مقتل 10 وإصابة 1800 شخص والسويس تعلن إسقاط المشير
نقل موفد “روسيا اليوم” أشرف الصباغ أن وحدات من الجيش وقوات الأمن مدعومة بأفراد يرتدون زيا مدنيا قامت بمحاولة مفاجئة لاقتحام ميدان التحرير من ناحية ميدان باب اللوق. وأكد شهود عيان أن إطلاقا كثيفا للرصاص المطاطي والقنابل المسيلة للدموع يجري بشكل غير مسبوق لم يحدث حتى في محاولة الاقتحام الأولى بعد ظهر يوم الأحد 20 نوفمبر الجاري، والتي أودت بحياة 10 أشخاص على الأقل وإصابة أكثر من 1800 آخرين بجراح، وفقا للتصريحات الرسمية لوزارة الصحة المصرية. وتجري في ميدان التحرير في الدقائق الأولى من صباح الاثنين 21 نوفمبر 2011 عمليات مطاردة واسعة النطاق للمعتصمين.
وكان عشرات الآلاف من المعتصمين في ميدان التحرير شرعوا مع حلول مساء الأحد، عقب فشل المحاولة الأولى لقوات الجيش والأمن المركزي اقتحام ميدان التحرير، إقامة المتاريس على جميع مداخل الميدان لحماية المعتصمين من أي إجراءات غير متوقعة قد تتخذها قوات الجيش أو الأمن المركزي. هذا في الوقت الذي أعلن فيه المتظاهرون في مدينة السويس أنهم سيطروا على المدينة وأسقطوا سلطة المشير. ما يذكر بوضع تلك المدينة أثناء ثورة 25 يناير، حيث كانت أول مدينة مصرية تعلن إسقاط سلطة النظام السابق. وجاء هذا الإعلان بعد اشتباكات عنيفة بين المتظاهرين وقوات الأمن وحصار قسم الأربعين لساعات طويلة، اضطرت قوات من الجيش الثالث الميداني للنزول إلى منطقة الأربعين. غير أن الأنباء الواردة من مدينة السويس تؤكد سيطرة المتظاهرين.
وفي محافظة قنا أكدت مصادر من بين المتظاهرين لموفد “روسيا اليوم” أنه تم اختطاف الناشط السياسي حسام ربيع على أيدي قوات الأمن أثناء التظاهرات العارمة في تلك المحافظة الجنوبية. هذا في الوقت الذي فتحت فيه قوات الأمن النار على المتظاهرين أمام مديرية أمن الإسكندرية
November 20th, 2011, 5:54 pm
Hans said:
PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS
In spite of what is said here through many different posts, I don’t see many people who don’t agree about the brutality of the regime in the last decades ( taken in consideration that all the ME regimes are brutal regardless of the country maybe the exception is Lebanon). There is the group which is labeled as pro regime which many of its members many times have expressed their frustration with the corruption of the regime and the need for change to a free and equal, democracy. I don’t see many people who post here who I can consider are part of or could be working for the regime.
The second group is the opposition which is divided into two parts some who are angry at the regime and their main goal here is to throw out the rest of Syrians, these are the reasons the first group is not pleased if the country slip into the hands of these people and subsequently Syria will follow path of the radicals in Egypt.
the other part of the opposition; are more reasoning and although they feel the need for throwing out the regime still understand that Syria is for all Syrians and democracy is for all with dignity to individual.
I have been to other blogs on Syria and mostly the tone I’ve seen is the one who is radical.
I am happy to say that in spite of different views on SC but still a constructive and logical conversation is alive within the group. Although, few individuals resort to less than educated dialogue to try to prove their points in an attempts to make the others surrender to their ideological way of life or beliefs.
it is very unfortunate when I read other blogs on Syria how some individuals reference SC as being a pro regime club with inappropriate name calling individuals who post here. It makes me feel that some individuals in spite of their level of high education resort to language is below the level of a common person or acting as we are didn’t enter the third millenum. It is hard to believe that democracy can enter the ME if people don’t respect other opinion in spite of disagreement.
People talk about corruption and brutality of the Syrian regime which is basically true characters, but every one fails to remind us that the whole ME is a brutal region, no one can deny the brutality of the GSC.
The most democratic west is corrupt as well… we all know the financial and moral corruption in the westernized countries is at very high level; one scandal in the west is much more expensive than the budgets of many Arabs countries.
Obviously, democracy still survived within this environment
I do believe having the first group, helps to have a balance check on the last group the question is the middle group the one who is going to join the first group or slip and join the the last group!
Egypt is slipping into the hands of the radicals and it is unknown if the Egyptian movement will survive the hijacking of the radicals.
Is Syria going to follow or Syrians are wiser…
It is unfortunate that too many foreign powers hijacked the Syrian revolution under totally different colored veils, starting with the Turks who their goal is to have the MB take the power in Syria and turn it into an extension or a follower of Turkey.
The second Superpower is USA and its allies who are trying to topple the regime at any price innocent people may pay with their blood to achieve its interest of eliminating the Shiaa crescent which was forming between, Iran, Iraq and Syria even it causes the destruction of Syria as a country or as a best fabric of society the ME ever knew.
The last group is the Arab countries who are dummies moved by the above groups and my wish for the new year that Syrian winter turns into a spring and the suadi summer turns into a winter.
Hola.
November 20th, 2011, 6:13 pm
jna said:
This article is relevant to the issue of the presence of Arab League observers in Syria. This could well be a damned if you do, damned if you don’t, situation.
Serri: Iran’s UN Inspectors are Repeating the Iraq Mistakes
http://www.juancole.com/2011/11/serri-irans-un-inspectors-are-repeating-the-iraq-mistakes.html
“The United Nations was an undeniable engine behind the Iraq war in 2003. For 12 years the United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM) and UNMOVIC fueled tensions by producing reports riddled with accusations that later on were proved baseless. They kept complaining about the ‘knowledge-gaps’ in Iraq story and requested more and more access to Iraq.”
“The inspectors’ requests were limitless. They inspected “industrial sites, ammunition depots, research centers, universities, presidential sites, mobile laboratories, private houses, missile production facilities, military camps and agricultural sites” but the problems were not solved. So they said they needed aerial surveillance. They used U-2 and Mirage IV medium- altitude surveillance planes along with eight helicopters but their alleged knowledge gaps remained! ( Twelfth Quarterly Report February 28, 2003.)”
“They also based their reports on unsourced or poorly sourced foreign intelligence reports and asked Iraq for explanations.”
November 20th, 2011, 6:16 pm
Tara said:
Amir
Are you on line?
November 20th, 2011, 6:24 pm
Tara said:
Abdullah al Senussi of Libya looks physically like Asef Shawkat of Syria.
November 20th, 2011, 6:37 pm
ann said:
Tension in Jordan after Syria arms sale suspect dies – November 20, 2011
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2011/Nov-20/154636-tension-in-jordan-after-syria-arms-sale-suspect-dies.ashx
AMMAN: Angry relatives of a Jordanian who died in detention last week blocked a road to neighbouring Syria on Sunday, accusing authorities of killing him after he allegedly helped Syrians buy arms.
“We blocked the international road from (the border town) Ramtha to Syria to protest against an autopsy report and to demand a trial for the killers,” Fathi Zubi, brother of Najem, 20-year-old taxi driver, who died in prison on Wednesday night, told AFP.
“We will continue our protests until the the killers are identified,” said Zubi, whose family belongs to one of the largest tribes in northern Jordan.
Zubi said his uncle, who is a physician, “attended the autopsy and said the cause of death was asphyxiation.”
“According to my uncle, by brother was strangled. He did not hang himself as the report claimed,” he added.
Residents in Ramtha, a town north of Amman, confirmed to AFP that the road has been blocked by large rocks and burning tyres.
Police spokesman Mohammad Khatib played down the incident, saying, “around 30 people blocked road.”
“The situation is currently being addressed by MPs, senators and others who are in talks with Zubi’s family,” Khatib said.
On Thursday, protesters in Ramtha torched the governor’s offices, the courthouse and a police car before a riot squad broke up the demonstration using tear gas.
A Jordanian official, on condition of anonymity, said that day: “Najem took two Syrians, who had arrived in Jordan a few days earlier, to an arms dealer.
His mother insisted on Sunday “my son Najem had a clean record.”
“He was supposed to get a new job in the Civil Defence Department later this week. I do not understand why he was arrested,” she told AFP.
Meanwhile, the Jordan Football Association decided to hold a national league match in Amman instead of Ramtha, “for security reasons.”
Several residents of Ramtha, which lies across the border from the restive Syrian city of Daraa, often smuggle clothes, food and other goods across the frontier.
But border controls have been stepped up since the outbreak of a deadly anti-regime revolt in Syria in March.
November 20th, 2011, 6:51 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
Russia has just delivered S 300 missiles to Syria, these missles have a combat fight of 100 Km they are anti cruise and anti balistic missiles, the new ones can detect Balistic missles that fly at low range (25 meter high),these missiles can be assembled in five minutes,and require no maintenance, the problem with these missiles are three
1- they are not able to detect stealth missles.
2- they have not been tested yet in a major conflicts.
3- F35 fighters can outsmart these missles.and F22 which is better than F35 definitely outsmart those missles.
Syria also have dummi missles.
S 400 can detect stealth missles, Syria do not have any of them.
I suspect that Russia wants to test S 300 in combat.if they failed Russia will abandon Assad.
November 20th, 2011, 6:52 pm
ann said:
The opening of Turkey’s Syria venture – Sunday, November 20, 2011
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=the-opening-of-turkey8217s-syria-venture-2011-11-20
Turkey seems to be ready to lead the mission in Syria. The government has hesitated to take a stand against Assad, when the opposition rallies first started last spring in Syria. At the time, most of the ex-Islamist writers opposed to the idea of confrontation with Syria and defined it as a trap of the imperialists to “divide and rule” the Muslim world.
Until recently, Ali Bulaç (Zaman) kept criticizing those who support the idea of Turkey’s engagement in Syria as a risky game which would lead not only to sectarian civil war, but more importantly would lead to regional war along sectarian lines between Sunnis and Shiites. Nevertheless, the conservative criticism came to an abrupt end when it is understood that the government is determined to engage. Moreover, now Islamist/conservative media shares the same enthusiasm concerning the encouragement of the government to engage.
The ex-Islamists and conservatives have always proved to be very “pragmatic” in their discourse and policy towards West. Whenever they realize that it is in the interest of their government to be on the side of Western policies they tend to forget their ever alive “skepticism” of the West and become arch supporters. Nevertheless, not only skepticism towards the West remains firm, but rightwing political imagination remains to be defined by stories of Western conspiracy.
In fact, I do not know if this attitude can be defined only as “pragmatism” as Western observers of the Turkish politics wish it to be. The conservatives are “pragmatic” in many ways because they are power hungry. They tended to be flexible and pragmatic as long as they needed the support of liberal intellectuals, but did not hesitate to turn their back when they felt strong enough. Likewise, Turkish foreign policy proves to be flexible enough since the Western support has ultimate importance not only concerning the ambitions of the AKP government in regional politics but also in domestic politics.
By being the darling ally of the West, who will take the prime responsibility of the Western politics in Syria? Erdoğan feels free to put iron fist on his internal opponents and critics, moreover tends to crush the Kurdish political circles without facing any criticism. His calculations work well so far, since Turkey has never been so free of the criticism of “the international community” while there are so many problems concerning democratic freedoms. On the contrary, not one day passes without this or that Western politician or observer cherishing Erdoğan and the AKP model. The last example is that the “good news” about Erdoğan is going to be the cover of the coming Time magazine. Thank goodness the subtitle is not “the commander of Syria” yet!
November 20th, 2011, 7:04 pm
bronco said:
#303 Mjabali
“Change should come through the FAST establishment of parties and having elections as soon as possible to let the Syrian citizens say what they really want and whom they want to represent them. Let al-Baath run and see how much they would get?”
How do you expect the FAST establishment of parties?
If you give me a plausible scenario leading to elections, I’ll follow you as it was never my intention to give the country back to the Baath. It has to compete with the others, but how to get to the election?
Who will ensure the security of the country, the peaceful transition? The army? some imported leaders like Ghalioun that no one will accept ? a foreign state like it was done in Iraq?
In both Egypt and Tunisia, the army was neutral, so after the departure of the president it could garantee at least the security, but in Egypt it wants more and you have a second revolution going: presidential elections in 2013.
In Tunisia, the army was neutral too, they were able to have peaceful election, and an islamic party took over whose direction is yet unknown. Tunisia does not have multiple ethnicity and religion, it is a coherent country, no bad neighbors and historically peaceful.
In Libya, it’s the chaos, no one knows when they will have elections.
In Syria, the army is inherent part of the regime, all the institutions are part of the regime, therefore realistically speaking, I see no other way than to let the current regime implement the reforms in conjunction with the willing opposition, reforms that may lead to its depature at the next election. ( That has been Russia and China plan for the least 8 months, anyway)
Give me another possible alternative, if you have one.
November 20th, 2011, 7:16 pm
Darryl said:
258. HANS said:
“Question to reasonable people i.e Norman, Jad, Darryl!
what is your prediction if there is a free democratic election in Syria, sponsored by international organization Carter’s etc…
would Bashar has a chance, against crooks like Ghalioun and others!”
Han, sorry for the late reply to your question above. My gut feeling is that Bashar will not resign now until he establishes the foundations for democratic reforms and he will not run in the next elections. As stated by Murphy’s laws “friends come and go but enemies accumulate” and given it has been a very tough 10 years and he has accumulated many enemies.
The Irony is that I know many people who strongly dis-liked his father but like him and give him many credits to getting Syria to a good status before the uprising. Many SSNP members that I know also like him since he permitted the party to operate freely and off course there are a number of Ministers who are SSNP members supposedly including the Mufti Hassoun.
Personally I think he is paying for the sins he committed against other countries to keep Lebanon in Syria’ sphere of influence, countries like:
1. Israel who would have loved to take over Lebanon with all its water, natural beauty and resources and off course to be a constant thorn in Syria’s backside.
2. Qatar; the Emir of Qatar and Moza would have loved to run around naked under the majestic cedars of Lebanon all on their own.
3. The Saudi’s who would have loved to turn Lebanon into a network of brothels and gambling casinos under the watchful eye of Emir Hariri.
4. France who now have zero influence in Levant.
5. US who always wanted a navy base in the Levant.
6. Even Sultan Erdogan was trying to do something with Lebanon.
November 20th, 2011, 7:23 pm
zoo said:
Democracy is not a given in aftermath of Arab uprisings
Paul Salem
Nov 20, 2011
Just as last December’s revolt in Tunisia sparked revolutions in other Arab countries, so too will the success or failure of one Arab country’s transition affect the prospects for transition in another.
The successful elections in Tunisia should have a positive effect on the upcoming elections in Egypt; the success or failure of transition in Libya will affect calculations toward Syria and Yemen; and the negotiation for a managed transition in Yemen or Syria could also have effects elsewhere. The fast-moving seasons of the Arab uprisings show that events in the Arab world are deeply interconnected.
The elections in Tunisia are of great significance. They are the first scene of the second act of the Arab Spring, which is moving from popular revolutions to organising democratic elections. The successful management of Tunisia’s elections is a major achievement that Egypt and other countries can learn from.
In terms of political content, the elections confirmed two new realities.
First, political pluralism is a clear part of the new landscape. While the Islamist Ennahda party got 41 per cent of the vote, 59 per cent went to other parties, including secularists, nationalists, leftists, other Islamists and others. This pluralism will likely be echoed in the Egyptian elections and sends a strong signal to political leaders and parties in Libya, Syria, Yemen and elsewhere.
Second, moderate Islamists are the major players in the new political space. It is important that the leaders of the Ennahda party stated their preference for governing by coalition and for political moderation. Ennahda leader Rachid Ghannouchi has said clearly that Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) is his party’s model.
This clarity is important for Tunisia and should also send strong messages to the Muslim Brotherhood of Egypt, who have a generally positive view of the AKP experience but have clashed with Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on his definition of a secular state.
Many in the region and around the world are also watching the Libyan transition closely and linking it to events in Syria and Yemen. If Libya manages to maintain unity, restore security and successfully achieve a transition to effective and democratic government, this will encourage those who argue that revolution – and foreign military intervention – can have a positive outcome even in countries with precarious national unity and weak state institutions.
In particular, Russia and China are closely following Libya. If the country succeeds the Chinese and Russians lose some credibility in their argument against intervention and revolution in Syria; if it stumbles, they will be vindicated in their warnings to the international community that Syria (and Yemen) is not like Tunisia and Egypt, and that in some countries regime survival is the lesser of two evils.
Consistent with the interconnectedness of the Arab Spring, the fate of the proposed negotiated settlements in Yemen and Syria might have a significant effect on one another.
So far, the Syrian regime sees only two models: countries in which the uprisings were crushed (Iran in 2009, for example); and countries where the uprisings succeeded and led to the imprisonment, flight or death of the autocratic ruler (Egypt, Tunisia and Libya, respectively).
There has yet to be a country with a successful negotiated political outcome.
Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh has so far refused to sign the deal proposed by the Gulf Cooperation Council. There are heavy doubts about the Syrian government’s commitment to the deal agreed to with the Arab League (the League has already suspended Syria, and set a deadline of early this morning for Damascus to end its bloody crackdown). If either Yemen or Syria actually implements a negotiated agreement, it will put significant pressure on the other country to respond in a similar fashion.
As the Arab Spring enters its 11th month, developments continue to be highly interconnected. This perhaps should not be surprising. Democratisation in other parts of the world also happened in sudden regional waves: Central and Eastern Europe after the fall of the Berlin Wall; Latin America in the 1970s and 80s; and Western Europe after the Second World War. Societies and political systems do not develop in a vacuum, and events in one country have a strong demonstration effect in another.
The regional and international community needs to focus intensely on helping the first transitions succeed to ensure that others follow along a positive path. Many revolutions in the past have collapsed into a renewal of dictatorship or spiralled into civil war. There is nothing guaranteed about transitions to democracy. We need to build success one firm step at a time.
Paul Salem is director of the Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut.
November 20th, 2011, 7:31 pm
ann said:
Assad: Western intervention in Syria would ‘shake M.East’
11/21/2011
Army defectors hit Ba’ath Party building in Damascus; Turkey said to have contingency plans if violence goes on.
http://www.jpost.com/VideoArticles/Video/Article.aspx?id=246328
Military intervention in Syria would “shake the entire Middle East,” President Bashar Assad said on Saturday in his first interview with Western media since the start of a popular uprising challenging his authoritarian rule.
On Sunday, two rocket-propelled grenades struck a building of Assad’s Ba’ath Party in Damascus, a sign, analysts say, that the eight-month revolt may be taking on a more violent hue. The Syrian Free Army, comprising army defectors and based in neighboring Turkey, claimed responsibility for the strike.
Andrew Tabler, a fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said the attack does not necessarily mark a turn toward civil war, but it does reflect a shift in antiregime strategy.
“While peaceful protests have not made it into the main squares of Damascus [the environs are a different story], violent attacks now have,” Tabler said by e-mail. “Are we at civil war? No. But we are now at a crossroads where two parallel forms of resistance are apparent: peaceful protests and general strikes on one side, and violence on the other.
“I think the Arab League finally understands that Assad is not going to reform his way out of this, which will open the door to other pressures,” he said. “The question is to what degree will the Arabs lift cover on Syria, exposing the Russian and Chinese vetos of UN Security Council measures.
And what do the Turks do now? Will it just be sanctions, or something more? In any case, it’s yet another last chance for Assad, and he’s failed the test.”
Yoram Meital, chairman of Ben-Gurion University’s Chaim Herzog Center for Middle East Studies and Diplomacy, said the rising tide of army defections makes a peaceful resolution of the Syria crisis almost impossible.
“Today it is too late for the Arab League initiative to defuse the tension there,” he said by phone from Boston. “It seems more likely that Syria will go toward a scenario like the one we’ve seen in Yemen, where units of the army are taking sides with the civilian protesters.
This will lead Syria into a much more violent stage, such as attacks on military targets.
“The question is when and how the regime collapses – not if. I don’t see a realistic scenario in which this fighting is defused politically between these adversaries,” Meital said.
From Israel’s perspective, he added, “This instability in Egypt and continued rebellion in Syria make the whole strategic situation extremely difficult.”
Sunday’s RPG attack in Damascus was the first violent antigovernment attack in the capital since protests began in March.
The attack came hours after Assad ignored an Arab League deadline to halt repression of protesters, and after the bloc said it had rebuffed Syria’s request to amend plans for a 500-strong monitoring mission to the country.
“The conflict will continue and the pressure to subjugate Syria will continue. Syria will not bow down,” Assad told Britain’s Sunday Times newspaper in an interview published late on Saturday.
Western military intervention, he said, would destabilize an already unstable Middle East reeling from the fallout of popular uprisings in the Arab Spring.
Assad attributed widespread reports of torture and abuse by security forces as “mistakes,” and said he regrets the violence.
By a UN account, some 3,500 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in the unrest.
“Each spilt drop of blood concerns me personally,” he said, reiterating the official line that the bloodshed is the result of armed terrorist activity.
Assad, speaking after his forces killed 17 more protesters on Saturday, signaled no retreat from his iron fist policy.
“The only way is to search for the armed people, chase the armed gangs, prevent the entry of arms and weapons from neighboring countries, prevent sabotage and enforce law and order,” he said in video footage on the Sunday Times website.
Assad said there would be elections in February or March when Syrians would vote for a parliament to create a new constitution and that would include provision for a presidential ballot.
Tabler – author of the new book In the Lion’s Den: An Eyewitness Account of Washington’s Battle with Syria – said Assad’s apparent calm could be misleading.
“Only someone who is completely in denial would be so confident. Even if he thinks he will hold on, these can’t be carefree days in the presidential palace,” he said.
In a letter to Syria’s foreign minister, Arab League Secretary- General Nabil Elaraby rejected Assad’s attempts to alter a plan for the fact-finding mission, which would include military personnel and human rights experts.
The Cairo-based League had given Damascus three days from a meeting on November 16 to abide by a deal to withdraw military forces from restive cities, start talks between the government and opposition, and pave the way for an observer team.
Foreign Minister Walid al- Moualem told reporters in the Syrian capital the proposed mission has “pervasive jurisdiction that reaches the level of violating Syrian sovereignty,” and said he would send the Arab League a letter with questions about its role.
“We will reply to the Arab League secretary-general by responsibly presenting a number of queries,” Moualem said.
“The protocol is three pages that completely ignores the role of the Syrian state. On one hand the Syrian state is responsible for the security of this mission, and on the other hand they ignore even coordinating with it.”
It was not immediately clear what action the Arab League would take after the deadline passed unheeded by Damascus.
The pan-Arab body had threatened sanctions for noncompliance, and it suspended Syria’s membership in a surprise move last week.
Sunday’s RPG attack was the second hit on a high-profile target in a week, underscoring a growing opposition challenge to Assad from a nascent insurgency alongside mostly peaceful protests that have persisted despite the intensifying crackdown.
The Syrian Free Army said the attack was a response to the refusal of Damascus to release tens of thousands of political prisoners and return troops to barracks.
Turkey, once an ally of Assad, is also taking an increasingly tough attitude to Damascus.
Turkish newspapers said on Saturday that Ankara had contingency plans to create no-fly or buffer zones to protect civilians in Syria if the bloodshed worsens.
“It’s almost certain that Bashar Assad’s regime is going down; all the assessments are made based on this assumption. Foreign Ministry sources say the sooner the regime goes down, the better for Turkey,” one Turkish paper reported.
Meanwhile, dissident Col. Riad al-Asaad, organizing defectors in Syria from his new base in southern Turkey, denied government allegations that adjacent states were allowing arms smuggling into Syria.
“Not a single bullet” had been smuggled from abroad, he told Al Jazeera television.
Weapons were brought by defectors, obtained in raids on the regular army or bought from arms dealers inside Syria, he said. Asaad said no foreign military intervention was needed other than providing a no-fly zone and weapons supplies, and that more deserters would swell his Free Syrian Army’s ranks if there were protected zones to which they could flee.
“Soldiers and officers in the army are just waiting for the right opportunity,” he said.
November 20th, 2011, 7:38 pm
Hans said:
BTW
If anyone thinks that Bashar is acting or moving any step in any direction without the permission and approval of the Russian, must be naive in politics.
Bashar is doing exactly what the Russians are telling him to do and if anyone has a proof of any different opinion please post it here.
November 20th, 2011, 7:52 pm
Ghufran said:
لقطات نادره من حفل زفاف العجوز القرضاوي من فتاة عمرها ١٦ عاما اسمها اسماء
November 20th, 2011, 7:58 pm
Norman said:
Bronco, Mjabali, Darryl,Hans,
I personally think that the Baath party will lose the next election, if for anything it is that people want to try something different, what i also believe that the Baath party if it stays legal will have a strong come back after getting rid of the corrupt that joined the party for economical gains, and after the educated and the nationalist joined it as they see that it become as they always wanted, a party that represent their aspirations, the problem that i see is that the opposition seems to know that therefore they are trying hard to take over the government and not just have equal right to represent the Syrian people they know that if the Syrian people left to their wishes, they might vote them but will vote them out after they find out that they are not as good as they say or as the Baath party is,
what i want the president and the government need to do is to push fast for free election nationwide and allow all parties to join, the opposition will have the chance to run and if Iraq any example i think they will boycott the election to the benefit of the Syrian people and as long as the elections are free the results will be certified and recognized by the world, president Assad will declare that he will not be running in the next presidential election as he is a president under the current constitution that allows only two terms, he will ask the new parliament to write a new constitution, secular and for all people who live in Syria that define them as equal with equal rights and responsibility, where people can practice their religion but do not have the right to impose their believes or customs on others,
All countries if they want peace in Syria should push for this solution,
November 20th, 2011, 7:59 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
http://www.aawsat.com//details.asp?section=4&article=650816&issueno=12046
The shabbiha are assasins,they get paid to kill.
November 20th, 2011, 8:00 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
The time for enthusiasim for arabic nationality is gone,the time for Baath to returm is not possible at all, the population increase is the co factor in this revolution, when population increase ,dictatorship is not possible to survive, Assad will not be able to run again because I am not sure he will be alive,look at what happen to Gaddafi,and his family.
November 20th, 2011, 8:09 pm
Ghufran said:
Who is lying,the FSA or major Na’eemi?
اتهم الرائد مظلي ماهر المتحدث الرسمي باسم المجلس العسكري السوري ماهر النعيمي النظام السوري بانه هو من استهدف مقر حزب البعث في العاصمة دمشق.
Albaath must be allowed to run like any other party in free and fair elections.
If elections are held in February,less than 30% of the people will vote for Baathists but no party will win a clear majority,this is Syria,every three Syrians can form four political parties.
An internal document that was leaked more than 10 years ago claimed that one third of Baathists are pro Islamists.
November 20th, 2011, 8:24 pm
Tara said:
Majed
Up until I read the interview Bashar gave yesterday, I had a glimpse of hope that with profound economic sanctions and increasing political isolation, Bashar will eventually agree to an exit strategy to save his country and his family. I was mistaken. He is so awfully detached from reality that can be defined as a mental illness. I am sure that he genuinely believes he is fighting “terrorists” and “armed elements”. He genuinely believes that Syrians love him and this is all a conspiracy. He is not going to step-down. He is not going in self exile. He is going to rule until.. his arrest or death. It does appear that army defection is the only way out…The best scenario is for massive defection in short period of time rather than a slow gradual defection that will kill more people in a this low intensity civil war.
November 20th, 2011, 8:27 pm
jad said:
تيار بناء الدولة السورية يشارك في لقاء للمعارضة السورية مع مسؤولين من الخارجية البريطانية
by تيار بناء الدولة السورية Building The Syrian State
عقد في باريس، في مقر إقامة السفير البريطاني بتاريخ 18/11/2011، اجتماعا دعت إليه الخارجية البريطانية عددا من شخصيات المعارضة السورية، من المستقلين ومن تيار بناء الدولة السورية ومن هيئة التنسيق.
وقد حضر الاجتماع فرانسيس غاي، مبعوثة الخارجية البريطانية المكلفة بالتواصل مع المعارضة السورية، إضافة إلى مسؤولين آخرين من الخارجية البريطانية.
من بين من مثّل التيار في هذا الاجتماع حسن كامل وريم تركماني، عضوي لجنة العمل في التيار. وقد نقل وفدنا وجهة نظر التيار في الوضع الراهن في سوريا. وأكد أن تعنت السلطة ونكرانها حقيقة الصراع الدائر هو المشكلة الرئيسية التي تعيق جميع محاولات حل الأزمة السورية، ولذلك من الضروري الضغط على النظام لتنفيذ بنود المبادرة العربية وإدخال مراقبين عرب إلى جميع مناطق البلاد، وتنفيذ برنامج وطني لحماية المدنيين.
كما أكد وفد التيار على أهمية أن تأخذ جميع الأطراف المعنية بالوضع السوري توجهات الرأي العام السوري قبل اتخاذ أي قرار. هذا الرأي الذي أصبح الآن غائبا عن التمثيل والظهور في الفضاء الإعلامي، فلا يجوز اختزال اللوحة السياسية في سوريا بإعلام السلطة أو أخبار الانتفاضة السورية.
وأوضح الوفد أن السلطة السورية تجر البلاد بنهجها العنفي إلى حرب أهلية بدأت بوادرها الآن في حمص وريف حماه وريف إدلب.
ومن ناحية ثانية فقد نوّه الوفد إلى أن أغلب الأطراف المعنية الآن لا تأخذ مشكلة الحرب الأهلية بعين الاعتبار. وهذا أمر يساهم في تفاقم هذه الحالة وليس في كبحها. وهذا نابع من أن السلطة وبعض أطراف أو شخصيات المعارضة الخارجية لا تراعي المصلحة العامة السورية في صراعها تجاه بعضها البعض، بل تسيطر الرغبة في إيذاء الخصم على المصلحة الوطنية.
لهذا فقد نوّه الوفد على ضرورة سعي الجميع لتفادي المزيد من الانقسامات التي تزيد من احتمالات الحرب الأهلية.
وفي الختام أكد الوفد على أن المستقبل السوري يجب أن يرسمه السوريون وليس أي جهة أخرى .
November 20th, 2011, 8:32 pm
Norman said:
Ghufran
I would not be surprised that the Baath party has in their membership islamists, with the system that Syria has and the single party system, The Baath party is a refuge for many kinds of opportunists, including islamists,
The Baath or any other party should not have set aside or qoutas but they have to fight for the love and the affection of the Syrian people.
November 20th, 2011, 8:33 pm
Tara said:
http://www.zcommunications.org/syria-militarization-military-intervention-and-the-absence-of-strategy-by-gilbert-achcar
…………
The strategic task of winning the Syrian soldiers over to the side of the revolution should not contradict the popular demonstrations and their non-violent nature. Here again, the Syrian case combines elements of the Egyptian and Libyan experiences, i.e. crowds of peaceful demonstrators alongside military confrontations. The non-violence of popular demonstrations was, and still is, a basic component of the movement’s momentum and of its massive character, including female participation. This momentum is itself a decisive factor in inciting the soldiers to rebel against the regime.
Thus, the greatest strategic predicament in Syria is how to combine the peaceful mass mobilization with the expansion of the military opposition and the armed confrontation without which the regime’s forces will never be defeated and it will never fall…
….
November 20th, 2011, 8:39 pm
Norman said:
It is clear that the US wants to downfull of president Assad,
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/20/condoleezza-rice-syria-assad_n_1103732.html
November 20th, 2011, 8:49 pm
Tara said:
No place for ‘authoritarian regimes,’ Turkey tells Syria
Sunday, November 20, 2011
LONDON – Agence France-Presse
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=no-place-for-authoritarian-regimes-turkey-tells-syria-2011-11-20
Turkish President Abdullah Gül said there was “no place for authoritarian regimes” in the Mediterranean region, heaping more pressure on the embattled Syrian regime, in comments published today.
“I strongly believe that there is no place any more for authoritarian regimes – single party systems that do not have accountability or transparency – on the shores of the Mediterranean,” he told Britain’s Sunday Telegraph newspaper.
“As someone who has studied in the United Kingdom, lived in the United Kingdom, has this world view, President [Bashar al-] Assad should be able to understand this.”
Gül was to arrive in Britain later in the day, where he will be undertaking a three-day state visit next week.
His comments, made before the expiry of an Arab League deadline at midnight Saturday (2200 GMT) for the Syrian government to halt a deadly crackdown on protesters, was the latest criticism of Assad’s regime by Turkey.
Turkey, once a close ally of Syria, has already announced a halt to joint oil exploration with Syria and has threatened to cut electricity exports to its neighbour.
But despite Ankara’s protests and the Arab League ultimatum, violence in Syria has shown no sign of abating and Assad has defiantly vowed to fight and die for his country if faced with foreign intervention.
In today’s interview, Gül said he had been encouraging his Syrian counterpart to embark on democratic reforms before the uprising.
“We strongly advised him to hurry up and accelerate the pace of reforms,” he said.
“Otherwise, if he was not the leader of the change himself, then things would turn out to be too bad, we said to him.”
…..
November 20th, 2011, 8:52 pm
Ghufran said:
Tara,
It is either an armed and violent uprising or a peaceful one. Since direct military invasion is unlikely,the focus by Qatar and Turkey,or NATO to be more direct,is to ignite an internal war,this is why many silent Syrians,seculars and minorities will not join in. Only a political compromise will save Syria,this means welcoming pro regime citizens who do not have a violent and corrupt history,we have to admit that we can not exclude millions of Syrians from the political process just because they like Bashar or they refused to support the uprising.
November 20th, 2011, 8:59 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
Normam
There will be days when people will be afraid to say they are baathi,40 years is enough,they failed to accomplish anything of what they say,they will be remembered by corruption,and dictatorship.
Tara
Expect that the number of FSA will increase,they will be able to take over one city, possible Damascus.I would not count on Europe or USA, I would not count on Turkey, at the end it is the Syrian people who will win,while I would not set a date, I believe it will be soon,and you will be able to tell some on SC ,you see I told you so.
November 20th, 2011, 9:08 pm
Norman said:
Majed,
The Baath party did many good things in Syria with what they have with lack of resources, they still managed to educate all the people that wanted to be educated and did that for free, so the poor have the same access as the rich, all have access to health care as good as available, for free if you can not afford it , my Dad was on dialysis for 4 years in Syria and had no debt from that, Syria has no foreign debt so even if some people had no bid contracts and some in the government got bribes but at least they did not borrow in the name of Syria and pocketed the money like Lebanon and other countries,
so yes the Baath party will not win the next election but i am confident that it will win the following one after the people see that the opposition have no plan or vision for better Syria.
November 20th, 2011, 9:20 pm
Ghufran said:
Security and order are required for elections,it is not enough to topple a regime,countries in transition need preparation to become democratic. Thinking that a country that lived under oppression and dictatorship will turn democratic,western-style,in few months or few years is not realistic but those countries need to start,and the time is NOW.
Egypt’s revolution entered a dangerous phase of confrontation on Sunday after the army attacked thousands of anti-junta protesters in Cairo, putting the viability of imminent parliamentary elections in serious doubt.
Several political parties and individual candidates said they were suspending their electoral campaigns after a weekend in which at least five people were killed and almost a thousand injured in some of the fiercest clashes seen since the heady days of February when Hosni Mubarak was ejected from power.
Protesters later retook Tahrir Square, in central Cairo, and vowed to stay put until the military authorities are removed. Many said they were ready to die for the revolution, which began in late January as an anti-Mubarak movement, but is now targeting the army generals of the Supreme Council of Armed Forces (Scaf) who replaced him.
Amid calls for a national government of salvation to be set up to face down the junta, the opposition figurehead, Mohamed ElBaradei, said he was ready to do “whatever it takes” to save Egypt from deepening crisis.
“I think what we’ve seen today is an excessive use of force, bordering on a slaughterhouse, against innocent civilians exercising their inalienable right to demonstrate,” ElBaradei told the Guardian.
But the interim authorities merely stated that the elections, due to start on 28 November, would go ahead as planned – and thanked officers for “self-restraint in dealing with the events”.
ElBaradei said: “It’s yet another indication that Scaf and the current government are failing to govern and I fully sympathise with the increasing calls coming from different quarters, including Tahrir, for a new government of national salvation that represents all shades of Egyptian society, one with full power.
“I will do anything to save the country from falling apart and what we are seeing right now is the country going down. People are calling on me to present this government, and I will do whatever it takes to save our country from falling apart.”
As Egypt’s interim cabinet gathered for an emergency meeting, several political parties and individual candidates announced they were suspending their electoral campaigns.
Critics say the elections will be meaningless if they are not accompanied by the retreat of Scaf and a return to civilian rule. So far the generals have refused to set a date for presidential elections, and say they will continue ruling until after a new constitution is created.
November 20th, 2011, 9:25 pm
ann said:
Neighbors Planning Isolation Of Syria – August 23, 1957
UK, US Decide Against Open Intervention
http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=apQhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=epkFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6215,3825982&dq=syria&hl=en
November 20th, 2011, 9:35 pm
Tara said:
Dead at 15-
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/journalists/richard-spencer/8901733/Dead-at-15-the-schoolboy-whose-murder-shows-how-Syrias-cycle-of-violence-is-spinning-out-of-control.html
Dead at 15 – the schoolboy whose murder shows how Syria’s cycle of violence is spinning out of control
8:00AM GMT 20 Nov 2011
In the dusty frontier city of Deir al-Zour, they have renamed his street after him: it is now Mohammed Mulla Eissa Street.
His end is recorded in poetic tributes. “He left home as Mohammed Mulla Eissa; he returned as Martyr Mohammed,” reads one. “He left as a student in a top school; now he is a headmaster of the battle.
“He left for school; now he is a school unto himself.”
Mohammed, a 15-year-old Syrian: just another of the hundreds of young symbols of this year’s struggles to get rid of Arab dictators. According to activists, 282 children have died in Syria alone.
He was killed in his home town near the Iraqi border in a demonstration against the rule of President Bashar al-Assad, one of almost 4,000 victims of this grinding, slow-paced revolution – at least nine more added to that grim toll in the course of Saturday.
But the nature of his death last Sunday, and its apparent vindictiveness, has marked a new phase in that revolution, a phase that has seen strife turn to an open civil war that both sides as well as independent analysts see taking a decidedly Libyan shape.
Mohammed was an academically successful and thoughtfully rebellious student, his classmates say. He was once suspended from Ali Ibrahim, the “pioneer” or selective school he attended, after challenging the patriotic narrative of his history books, with their slant in favour of the Assad family’s Arab Socialist Ba’ath Party.
When the soldiers and shabiha – militia – came to recruit pupils for a pro-Assad rally, he led the resistance. Standing in front of his form, he refused to go.
What happened next is disputed. According to initial reports, he was shot on the spot, in the chest, under the right wish-bone, in front of his friends. As he bled, he was beaten with batons, and then, seeing he was still alive, the commander issued a direct command: “Shoot him again to make sure he dies.”
Later reports suggest this story has been condensed for effect, but the alternative is perhaps more sinister. On his refusal, the soldiers left, but pursued their vendetta in cold blood. They sought and found the boy who had dared to challenge them, later that morning in an anti-Assad demonstration on Takaya Street – and that was where they carried out their retribution.
For his family, the desolate video recordings of his body, bleeding from the chest, make the distinction moot. The 20,000 people who attended his funeral may have provided some consolation.
In some ways the story is just another tale of brutality. Nevertheless, while the cries of the opposition may be the same, there has been a change of mood in the last month in those still trying to uphold the regime.
The Syrian leader himself lacks Col Gaddafi’s quirks, the manic narcissism and violence of expression. But his thugs have begun to exhibit some of the same casual mania that Gaddafi’s khatibas developed as his regime crumbled in early summer.
Syria’s first grainy, leaked videos, camera-filmed furtively from trouser pockets, showed troops firing into crowds. Now troops are filming each other engaging in brutal acts, without a hint of shame. One clip circulated last week, clearly shot with the awareness of participants, showed a man being beaten on his feet.
The troops carrying this out seem concerned only with finding the best position for holding the man, identified as the mayor of the town of Kafarnabel, in northern Idlib province. As a soldier whips him, the others shout at him until an officer in a frenzy starts beating him hysterically and he passes out.
In another – one of the longest clips yet seen – a group of soldiers film each other as they arrest two men from a house. They force the pair, half naked, on to the ground, and then over the space of 10 minutes, while appearing only to half concentrate as they talk and josh each other, gradually kick and beat them to a pulp.
At an organised level, too, the regime’s tactics have become more openly those of an army fighting an internecine conflict. On Thursday, two Idlib villages of Tal Minnij and Maarshamsheh were surrounded by tanks and heavy mortars and shelled for three hours, the most sustained use of artillery in the uprising.
“It is a war zone now, there is no doubt,” one woman, a mother who had just fled the city of Homs, also under shell-fire, told The Sunday Telegraph. “There are tanks on the streets, and gunfire can be heard everywhere.”
“They are beginning to use tanks. They are ratcheting it up,” said Joshua Landis, a leading American analyst with extended family in the country. “The situation is getting desperate.”
The established view until now has been that Syria and Libya could not be compared. Libya was marginal, if rich, with a homogenous population of Sunni Muslims, the only “minority” being the mountain Berbers. Syria was a hotchpotch of creeds – Sunni, Shia, Alawite, Christian, Druze — and hub of the Arab world for centuries.
The revolution in Syria provided no simple focus for international intervention, as the rebel enclaves of Benghazi and Misurata did in Libya.
The armed opposition, the Free Syrian Army, a mixture of defectors and refugees based in Turkey, has no territory under its own control. It has a different view of its purpose.
“Our revolution was peaceful from the beginning,” Ahmed al-Arabi, an FSA co-ordinator, said. “The FSA is here to protect the demonstrations and the city. This is why it is different from the Libyan scenario.”
But that too is starting to change, most notably following the Arab League decision to suspend Syria – as it did Col Gaddafi previously – and the growing belligerence of Turkey, whose defection from the Gaddafi camp was crucial to his fate.
Turkey’s foreign minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, last week met the Syrian National Council, the opposition umbrella group formally launched in Istanbul, and is providing cover to the FSA. France and Britain, too, in beginning formal contacts with the SNC – Frances Guy, Britain’s former ambassador to Lebanon, was made liaison officer on Friday, and William Hague, the foreign secretary, will meet opposition figures this week – are playing the same vanguard role as they did in North Africa.
This support, the threat of sanctions by Arab countries if the League’s terms were not met by Saturday night, and the undivided attention of the world’s media has emboldened the opposition. The Syrian National Council, once proud of its peaceful revolution, is consulting the FSA. Supporters have moved from calling for “international protection” for civilians to demanding a no-fly zone or a buffer zone inside the Syrian border.
This latter plan, which is being discussed by the Turkish authorities though they deny it is imminent, would notionally be a safe haven for refugees, but it could easily become the first staging post of a “Free Syria”.
Mr al-Arabi claims to have 17,000 men inside Syria. That may be an exaggeration – the Syrian authorities claim just 1,500 soldiers have defected – but as in the early phases of the Libyan campaign, support may in any case be hard to define. In Libya, soldiers who went on to defect by the tens of thousands started by deliberately firing to miss, activists said.
One witness in a Tripoli hospital in March saw soldiers with bullet injuries to their feet – the age-old self-inflicted injury used to get out of fighting. Likewise, in Syria, some soldiers under threat of being shot for desertion also try to avoid killing.
“I spoke to a sniper who said he would fire at walls, trees, the sky when ordered to shoot at demonstrations – anything not to kill civilians, and to save his own life,” an FSA defector from Deraa said.
One report, citing a participant in last week’s attack on an Air Force intelligence barracks in Damascus, which killed 20 men and was claimed by the FSA, said it was carried out by Air Force troops who were trying to free comrades held prisoner there.
The regime insists on the differences from Libya. They are right: but, as supporters sometimes add, Syria is only different from Libya in ways that make it more like Iraq, hardly a reassuring prospect for its ruling clique. Mr Assad has relied on his minority Alawite community, along an enriched sub-class of Sunni notables, to bolster his forces.
“There are now 16 and 17-year olds who have changed their Facebook pictures to show themselves proudly holding their guns and vowing to die in defence of Bashar,” said one man, who asked to remain anonymous.
……
November 20th, 2011, 9:36 pm
irritated said:
#344. Tara
“No place for ‘authoritarian regimes,’ Turkey tells Syria”
Funny that he does not dare say that to Iran..
November 20th, 2011, 9:37 pm
Pirouz said:
Evidence of FSyA formations beyond squad level are relatively rare, but there are a couple of YouTube videos depicting platoon strength. Their elements show a hodgepodge of different uniforms. I’ve yet to see evidence of whole unit defections at the company level or higher. Can anybody point to video or photo evidence of such?
Here’s a video uploaded of a SyA deployment, on the move. Note these soldiers latest issue assault rifles and LMGs. They also seem to be in a high state of morale:
There are a couple of videos purported to be FSyA using what appear to be ATGMs or RPGs, one in a successful strike against a SyA AFV:
Anybody know the source(s) of supply and funding for these armed groups or FSyA?
November 20th, 2011, 9:39 pm
Dale Andersen said:
Memo To: NORMAN
RE: “…It is clear that the US wants the downfall of President Assad…”
So does everyone else, Dude. If you haven’t figured that out by now, you have some serious internal malfunctions….
November 20th, 2011, 9:41 pm
irritated said:
Dale Andersen #353
“everyone else, Dude”
Now Russia, China, Venezuela, Brazil, India etc.. is everyone.
Check your neurones, dude
November 20th, 2011, 9:53 pm
sheila said:
Dear Revlon @176,
As much as I understand and share your rage and frustration, I have to vehemently disagree with you on this one. Yes, there are many Alawis in the regime, yes, there are many Alawis in the Shabeeha and yes, there are many Alawis cheering the regime on, but there are also many Sunnis in the regime, the Shabeeha and cheering the regime on. Grant it, the percentage is 80-20 in the Alawi community, versus 20-80 in the Sunni community, but don’t you agree that one innocent killed is too many? Don’t you agree that people, like Fadwa Suleiman, should be treated like heroes and do not deserve to be discriminated against?
Yes, the SNC has to support the revolution, but it also has the moral responsibility to be the voice of reason. The people in Homs are literally living in hell on earth. They are having knee-jerk reactions to so many horrendous attacks from the regime. The SNC has the responsibility to call for restraint. As hard as this may sound, we have to maintain the moral high ground. I say that with my full recognition that I am not the one suffering on the ground.
November 20th, 2011, 9:56 pm
zoo said:
Tit for Tat , Iraq and Turkey over landing planes
Iraq bans Turkish planes over oil debt owed
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=iraq-bans-turkish-planes-over-oil-debt-owed-2011-11-20
Baghdad banned Turkish aircraft from landing at Iraqi airports yesterday in reaction to a Turkish court’s requisition order on Iraqi state planes landing in Turkey due to Iraq’s oil debt.
Iraqi companies owe more than 3 million dollars to Turkish companies, a Turkish official told the Hürriyet Daily News yesterday.
“The minister ordered that Turkish airplanes be forbidden from landing in Iraqi airports starting tomorrow [Sunday],” Karim al-Nuri, the media adviser to Iraqi Transport Minister Hadi al-Ameri, told Agence France-Presse on Nov. 19, adding that this included the autonomous Kurdistan region in north Iraq.
“This is a response to a Turkish decision to stop Iraqi airplanes from landing in Turkish airports,” Nuri said.
November 20th, 2011, 9:58 pm
Tara said:
Irritated@ 351
Agree with you. All are hypocrite.
Also, funny that all Arab islamophobes (aka sunniophobes) love Shiaa and Iran.
Almost every person I know lies to ownself and others. Hatred under a shell of charm and sophistication. There are no beautiful people left… except in fairy tales. I pity myself and the world!
November 20th, 2011, 10:00 pm
zoo said:
‘Sharia Law – potential outcome of Cairo revolution’
Published: 21 November, 2011, 04:15
There’s growing belief among some commentators that the Muslim Brotherhood may be behind the new protests in Cairo. Jerusalem Post author and correspondent Yaakov Lappin says that there is a chance that Islamists could eventually take power in Egypt.
“Unlike the first round, the first time that Egypt blew up with this kind of anti-regime violence, the Muslim Brotherhood is now leading these demonstrations, this civil unrest,” he told RT.
“The Muslim Brotherhood has gone from being a low-profile stealthy player to being very much a higher-profile one, because it senses that its time has come.”
The biggest threat coming from the movement’s potential victory, Lappin pointed out, are the views it promotes.
“If you look just at some of the statements that have been coming out of the Muslim Brotherhood movement and its new party, the Freedom and Justice Party, they are saying that nobody in Egypt would dare even question the notion that Islamic law, Sharia, should be the law of the land, which is, I’m sure, a statement that a lot of factions in Egypt would disagree with,” he explained.
According to the journalist, other leaders in Egypt are already saying that those who question the idea that Sharia should be the law of the land, are being described as adulterers, alcoholics, and drug addicts.
“This process of demonizing anybody who is opposed to this fundamentalist view is already underway,” he said, also adding that up until now, the Muslim Brotherhood’s vision for Egypt has not been a moderate one.
“It’s a vision where a fanatical interpretation of the Koran would be the law of the land,” Lappin concluded.
http://rt.com/news/sharia-egypt-muslim-brotherhood-791/
November 20th, 2011, 10:01 pm
zoo said:
Egyptian elections, a labyrinth for the voters.
Question: How many women are candidate for the Egyptian elections among 6,700 candidate?
Answer : 2
“During Egypt’s last round of parliamentary elections in 2010, 64 seats (out of 166) were reserved for female candidates. However, that quota has since been canceled. According to the new rules, party lists are required to field at least one female candidate, but her name can be placed anywhere on the list, giving women no chance to be elected.”
http://rt.com/news/blogs/turmoil-certainty-relations-international/egypt-election-voting-system/
November 20th, 2011, 10:08 pm
zoo said:
Syrian Opposition warn of a “trap set for the country by foreign powers”?
“Syrian opposition on Sunday called for an immediate halt of all violent acts in the country in case of “the trap set for the country by foreign powers.”
A statement signed by around two dozens of opposition figures, including economist Aref Dalila, writer Michel Kilo, Fayez Sarah, Hussein Oudat, and Hazem Nahhar, said “due to the worrisome and dangerous news” emerging from the central province of Homs “we appeal for persevering the unity of our people and homeland.”
They called for the halt of all violent acts which “would harm all of you without exceptions and will undermine… our national unity.”
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-11/21/c_122309381.htm
November 20th, 2011, 10:18 pm
Ghufran said:
مظفر النواب
يا حامل وحي الغسق الغامض في الشرق
على ظلمة أيامي
أحمل لبلادي
حين ينام الناس سلامي
للخط الكوفي يتم صلاة الصبح
بإفريز جوامعها
لشوارعها
للصبر
لعلي يتوضأ بالسيف قبيل الفجر
أنبيك علياً
ما زلنا نتوضأ بالذل
ونمسح بالخرقة حد السيف
وما زلنا نتحجج بالبرد وحر الصيف
ما زالت عورة عمرو بن العاص معاصرةً
وتقبح وجه التاريخ
ما زال كتاب الله يعلق بالرمح العربية
ما زال أبو سفيان بلحيته الصفراء ،
يؤلب باسم اللات
العصبيات القبلية
ما زالت شورى التجار، ترى عثمان خليفتها
وتراك زعيم السوقية
لو جئت اليوم
لحاربك الداعون إليك
وسموك شيوعا
November 20th, 2011, 10:19 pm
ann said:
Syria: Arab League used as a tool by West – November 21, 2011
Syria brushes off threat of civil war, sanctions
http://www.emirates247.com/news/region/syria-arab-league-used-as-a-tool-by-west-2011-11-21-1.429239
Syria on Sunday brushed off the threat of a civil war and looming Arab League sanctions after a deadline for the regime to stop its lethal crackdown on protesters expired with 24 more people killed.
Upping the ante, however, the Arab League called new crisis talks on Syria and said it rejected amendments proposed by President Bashar al-Assad’s regime on sending a 500-strong delegation to monitor the violence in the country.
And Turkish President Abdullah Gul said there was “no place for authoritarian regimes” in the Mediterranean region.
But Syria’s Foreign Minister Walid Muallem dismissed as “wishful thinking” a warning by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that his country risked a descent into civil war.
“When Mrs Clinton says the opposition is well-armed… it is, as they say in English, ‘wishful thinking’,” Muallem told a news conference.
Clinton had warned on Friday that Syria was at risk of a civil war following a daring attack on an air force intelligence base near Damascus by mutinous troops who call themselves the Free Syria Army.
Muallem also dismissed as “totally unfounded” reports that the offices of the ruling Baath party in Damascus had been hit by several rocket-propelled grenades early on Sunday.
The reports came from rights groups and activists, but an AFP reporter who went to the area found no trace of an attack while local residents denied there had been explosions.
The minister also waved off the significance of Arab League sanctions and slammed some states he accused of “using the Arab League as a tool to reach the (UN) Security Council.”
The Arab League said its foreign ministers would hold crisis talks over Syria on Thursday, after it rejected changes proposed by Damascus to its proposal to send an observer mission to the country.
Muallem said he would pursue talks with Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi over the observers, but insisted Arab proposals were “unbalanced” and undermined Syria’s sovereignty.
“We in Syria do not consider that the deadline is the important issue. The content is the important issue, and to reach an agreement with the Arab League is what counts.
“We will seek every window of opportunity (to work with the Arab League) until the Arabs tell us we don’t want you in the Arab League.”
Muallem’s comments came after Assad, who has ruled Syria with an iron fist for 11 years, vowed to fight and die if necessary, in an interview published in London’s Sunday Times.
The minister also confirmed the regime’s defiant stance, saying: “If the battle is imposed on us, we will fight it.”
At least 24 more people were reported to have been killed at the weekend, adding to the UN figure of the more than 3,500 deaths since mid-March in the Syrian crackdown on protests.
Among the dead were four intelligence agents killed as gunmen raked their car with gunfire and two mutinous soldiers who died in clashes with regular troops in the central town of Shayzar, rights campaigners said.
With rebel troops inflicting mounting losses on the regular army, Turkey and the United States have both raised the spectre of civil war.
But in the interview conducted before the Arab deadline lapsed at midnight (2200 GMT) on Saturday, Assad said he was “definitely” prepared to fight and die for Syria if faced with foreign intervention.
He said he felt sorrow for each drop of Syrian blood spilled but insisted that Damascus must go after armed rebel gangs and enforce law and order.
“The conflict will continue and the pressure to subjugate Syria will continue,” Assad said. “I assure you that Syria will not bow down and that it will continue to resist the pressure being imposed on it.”
But international pressure mounted on Syria, with Turkey’s president saying “there is no place any more for authoritarian regimes, single party systems that do not have accountability or transparency, on the shores of the Mediterranean.”
“As someone who has studied in the United Kingdom, lived in the United Kingdom, has this world view, President Assad should be able to understand this,” he told Britain’s Sunday Telegraph newspaper.
Italian Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi di Sant’Agata and his German counterpart Guido Westerwelle, meanwhile, expressed “deep concern for the escalation of violence” in Syria and support for the Arab plan to end it, a joint statement said.
The Arab League said it had rejected Syria’s request for changes to a proposal to send observers to Damascus to help implement the peace deal agreed earlier this month.
“It was agreed that the amendments and appendices proposed by the Syrian side affect the core of the document and would radically change the nature of the mission which is to oversee the implementation of the Arab plan to end the crisis in Syria and protect Syrian civilians,” a statement said.
The Arab League has already suspended Syria from the 22-member bloc and saw its deadline expire with no compliance from Assad’s security forces.
Russia, which has staunchly resisted any attempt to invoke international involvement in the crisis, fearing it could clear the way for a Libya-style military campaign under a UN mandate, meanwhile called for restraint.
Nato on Sunday said action in Syria was not on the table.
“There is no discussion of a Nato role with regard to Syria,” James Appathurai, Nato deputy assistant secretary general for political affairs and security policy, told a defence summit in Canada.
“Responsibility to protect doesn’t automatically translate into a Nato operation.”
November 20th, 2011, 10:45 pm
Norman said:
This is what the Russian are saying, the question , would they blink when the time comes,
http://www.alquds.co.uk
الاسد يرفض ‘الرضوخ للضغوط’ وبوارج روسية تصل المنطقة وقذائف آر بي جي تصيب فرع حزب البعث في دمشق
لندن ـ نيقوسيا ـ وكالات: دمشق ـ ‘القدس العربي’ ـ من كامل صقر: حسب آخر التسريبات فإن البوارج الحربية الروسية التي كانت قد توجهت إلى السواحل السورية دخلت المياه الإقليمية السورية قبالة شواطئ القاعدة العسكرية الروسية في مدينة طرطوس، وأخذت مواقعها دون الدخول للميناء. وتقول المعلومات المتوافرة أن عددها ثلاث وأن مهامها تتجاوز التزود بالوقود أو الغذاء لتطال مهمات لوجستية واستخباراتية بالاتفاق مع الجانب السوري.
تسريبات السفارة السورية في موسكو تفيد بأن قيادة الجيش الروسي حسمت أمرها بخصوص الملف السوري وألقت بثقلها على الكرملين بأن دمشق خط أحمر بالنسبة للمصالح والعلاقات مع روسيا من جهة وللتحالف مع نظام الرئيس بشار الأسد بالتحديد من جهة أخرى، وتُضيف المعلومات بهذا الشأن أن نشاطاً تنسيقياً محموماً قد جرى بوتيرة عالية بين الجيش السوري ونظيره الروسي برغبة كبيرة من الأخير.
في السياق العسكري ذاته، ترجح التقديرات في سورية أن تكون دمشق قد حصلت فعلاً على دفعات من صواريخ إس 300 الروسية المتطورة، وبذلك تكون سورية قد استكملت تماماً منظومة دفاع جوي متطورة وفتاكة، لا بل أن الترجيحات تفيد بأن صواريخ إس 300 الروسية تلك قد أصبحت في الخدمة ومن المحتمل أن يكون خبراء عسكريون روس قد أشرفوا على تشغيلها وتدريب الطرف السوري على إطلاقها وقد انتهوا من مهمتهم الآن، وبالتالي فإن الأهداف العسكرية في تل أبيب وفي قاعدة إنجرليك التركية ستكون في المرمى السهل لنظام الدفاع السوري.
ويعتبر نظام أس – 300 من الأنظمة القديرة في العالم في ميادين الدفاع الجوي فهو فضلا عن قدرته على صد وتدمير الصواريخ البالستية فإنه مجهز برادارات قادرة على تتبع 100 هدف والاشتباك مع 12 هدفا في نفس الوقت والنظام يحتاج 5 دقائق فقط ليكون جاهزا للإطلاق وصواريخه لا تحتاج لاية صيانة على مدى الحياة.
وصعدت سورية من لهجتها امس تجاه اطراف عربية وواشنطن وتركيا وذلك بعد رفض الجامعة العربية للتعديلات التي اقترحت بإدخالها على خطط ارسال بعثة مراقبين إلى دمشق، حيث اتهم وزير الخارجية السوري وليد المعلم الاحد ‘اطرافا عربية’ باستخدام الجامعة العربية كاداة لنقل الازمة السورية الى مجلس الامن الدولي، واعتبر ان كلام واشنطن وانقرة عن احتمال وقوع حرب اهلية في سورية هو بمثابة ‘تمنيات’ من قبلهما، مستبعدا وقوعها.
جاء ذلك في الوقت الذي صعدت المعارضة السورية من هجماتها على مراكز النظام حيث تعرض فرع حزب البعث الحاكم في حي المزرعة وسط العاصمة الأحد لهجوم بقذائف ‘آر بي جي’ فأصابت الجدار الخارجي للمقر. وأعلن المرصد السوري لحقوق الإنسان ‘فجر اليوم (امس) ألقى مجهولون قنبلة صوتية في حي الميسات بدمشق قرب مقر جهاز امني وبعدها بحوالى ساعة استهدف مجهولون على متن دراجات نارية مقر حزب البعث العربي الاشتراكي في حي المزرعة بقذيفة اربي جي فأصابت الجدار الخارجي للمقر وقبل أن تصل قوات الأمن إلى المكان، اطلق المهاجمون قذيفتين أخريين لم تصيبا المبنى ولاذوا بالفرار’. يأتي هذا الهجوم بعد ساعات من تعهد الرئيس السوري بشار الأسد باستمرار الحملة التي تشنها القوات السورية لقمع الاضطرابات المناهضة لحكمه على الرغم من الضغوط التي تمارسها عليه الجامعة العربية لوضع حد لقمع المتظاهرين.
وقال الرئيس السوري في مقابلة نشرتها صحيفة ‘صنداي تايمز’ الاحد ان بلاده ‘لن ترضخ’ لاي ضغوط دولية متزايدة لوضع حد للقمع الذي تتعرض له المعارضة.
وبالتزامن مع تصريحات الاسد صرح نظيره التركي عبد الله غول في مقابلة مع الصحافة البريطانية قبل وصوله مساء الاحد الى لندن في زيارة دولة الى بريطانيا، انه لم ‘يعد هناك مكان لانظمة استبدادية’ مثل النظام السوري على ضفاف المتوسط.
وافادت منظمة حقوقية الاحد ان سبعة مدنيين بينهم طفل قتلوا برصاص القوات السورية بعيد انتهاء المهلة التي حددتها الجامعة العربية لوقف اعمال العنف في سورية.
من جهتها، اعلنت الامانة العامة للجامعة العربية في بيان الاحد ان التعديلات والاضافات التي طلبت سورية ادخالها على مشروع البروتوكول المتعلق بمركز ومهام المراقبين الذين تنوي الجامعة ارسالهم الى سورية ‘تمس جوهر الوثيقة’ و’تغير جذريا طبيعة مهمة البعثة’.
ويعقد وزراء الخارجية العرب اجتماعا طارئا الخميس لبحث تطورات الوضع في سورية، حسبما اعلن الاحد نائب الامين العام للجامعة العربية السفير احمد بن حلي، الذي قال ان هذا الاجتماع هو ‘لتدارس الوضع على الساحة السورية في ضوء انتهاء المهلة التي حددها المجلس في الاجتماع الوزاري الأخير في الرباط وعدم توقيع الحكومة السورية على الوثيقة الخاصة ببروتوكول بعثة مراقبي الجامعة العربية الى سورية وعدم وقف العنف’.
November 20th, 2011, 10:50 pm
ann said:
Pro-government rally held in Damascus
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/photo/2011-11/21/c_131259240.htm
November 20th, 2011, 10:54 pm
jad said:
Dear Sheila,
You are a true Syrian and I respect you so very much, Thank you!
Dear Zoo,
Thank you for the good news in #360, finally reason are prevailing over the madness of radicals, criminals and terrorists who are trying with all force to destroy our Syria.
November 20th, 2011, 11:05 pm
jad said:
Something I was waiting for too long to read, I know who will comment on this.
عبد الله الدردري: حصان طروادة السوري
مع الشهر الثامن من الحمل السوري، بعيداً عن هرطقات الإعلام، لم ينقطع نَفَس يساريي المعارضة وشيوعييها القدامى. يهتفون أنها ثورة الريف. أرض الغضب المحقة آتية من الاقتصاد. جذور اقتصادية ظهرت في الاحتجاجات التي تركزت في الريف المقهور، ثم تطورت بنكهة طائفية إقليمية لتلبس لبوس «المؤامرة»، التي قد تكون بدأت مع عبد الله الدردري
غدي فرنسيس
درعا وداريا والمعضمية ودوما وحرستا والتل وسقبا والرستن وتلبيسة… ريف. حتى المدن حمص وحماه تصح تسميتها المدن الريفية… لا غبار على النظرية الاقتصادية، رغم كل أشكال تصنيف الحراك باعتباره سياسياً أو طائفياً، مدنياً أو مسلحاً… هؤلاء البشر الذين أصبحوا فتيل «المؤامرة» في سوريا لهم حقوق مهدورة، ولهم ظلم يومي جعل واحدهم يمشي إلى الموت غير حافل بالغد. لهم قصة فض بكارة الاقتصاد السوري في عهد ربيع دمشق. قصة عن كيف أصبح جارهم غنياً وكيف اجتاحت بيوتهم البطالة المقنعة. لهم قصة قطاع زراعي وصناعي عملاق تلقى حربة في حلقه. قصة مشروع أتى على سوريا مع الألفية الجديدة والرئيس الجديد، في ملف يحمله موظف دمشقي دولي يدعى عبد الله الدردري. تليق بالدردري نظرية المؤامرة الاقتصادية. تلبسه ويلبسها.
يزهو فوقه لقب «حصان طروادة» لضرب البلاد. هو قائد المرحلة الماضية التي صنعت أرضية المرحلة الحالية من عمر سوريا. هو المتدين الدمشقي المعتدل كما يحبه أصدقاؤه الأتراك، ابن العائلة العريقة. والده من أبطال حرب تشرين، وأعمامه من عواميد العلم في دمشق القديمة. عمل الأب مستشاراً للرئيس الراحل حافظ الأسد، ثم نقل ولاءه للعمل في جامعة الدول العربية. كبر الابن بين سوريا ومصر وتونس. تلقّى تعليمه مع أبناء الرؤساء، وصافح الحكام مع والده. انتقل إلى لندن للدراسة الجامعية. وبدأ يختمر عنقوده.
من صحيفة «الحياة» في لندن إلى العمل مع برنامج الأمم المتحدة للتنمية والبنك الدولي، إلى التدرب على التخطيط الاقتصادي مع الأوروبيين. من قيادة مكاتب الأمم المتحدة في سوريا إلى العمل على يمين الرئيس في «الإصلاح»… هكذا، جلبه النظام إلى الأحضان ليقود التغيير بيديه. هو يعدّ الأوراق، والرئيس يوقّع. هو يعدّ البلد المستضيف، والرئيس يزور… هو أول من أدخل ظاهرة «جمعيات المجتمع المدني» إلى سوريا، وأول من أمّن مظلة تحمي ميشال كيلو وأمثاله من المطر البعثي. عبد الله الدردري من مقاس الموظف العالمي، ليس على قياس النظام السوري وحسب. هو دخل السلطة كالمراسل العالمي الحر، تخطى كل البيروقراطية السورية، قفز فوق الضباط والعائلة والطائفة والحزب، وتسلّم الدفة، وبدأ يحوك المقلب الكبير، بقصد أو بغير قصد!
في عام 2003 أصبح في الواجهة كأداة لمّاعة للشغل على سوريا. أعطي صلاحيات وفتحت أمامه الأبواب. عمل في المنظومة الحاكمة وتفاصيلها ومناكفاتها ومشاداتها 9 سنوات. ثم حين بدأت الأزمة السورية، حفظ رأسه متملّصاً من كل النظام، وعاد مع مطلع تموز الماضي إلى صفته القديمة من جديد، موظف في الأمم المتحدة مرة أخرى.
هذه المرة، بعد كل تلك الأعوام، أصبح للدردري ثقل وظيفي إقليمي يخوّله أن يدير مكتب العولمة والتنمية الاقتصادية في منظمة الأمم المتحدة في بيروت، ويكون له دور كبير مترقّب في مؤتمرها المقبل في كانون الثاني 2012، وموضوعه «الانتقال إلى الديموقراطية». ماذا سيؤدي الدردري بعد كل أدواره السابقة؟ وماذا يقول عن قدرة الاقتصاد السوري على الصمود؟ وعن العلاقات مع الأتراك والأوروبيين التي كان هو خيطها؟ ما موقفه السياسي الجديد؟ هذا «الإسلامي المعتدل» في أثوابه العالمية، أي دور سيرسم من مبنى الأمم المتحدة إلى سوريا؟
كلها أسئلة لم تخطر ببال الكثيرين. فهو لعب بصمت، وخرج بصمت من دون ملفات سرقة أو اختلاس. الرجل يعمل في نطاق آخر، على حلبة أكبر. كان يعمل على تدويل الشخصية الاقتصادية الاجتماعية في سوريا، من باب «تحريرها». طبّق التنمية التي تعلّمها عند الأمم المتحدة على سوريا. وتركها تتقلب في أزمتها. يقول الدردري إنه «فخور بإنجازاته التي نقلت أو أقلّه حاولت أن تنقل سوريا إلى التطور»، فيرد عليه الشعب السوري وقيادته: «تطويرك فتح خاصرة البلاد وضرب بنية الاقتصاد».
أبرز خطاياه
كانت خطة الدردري مدروسة كاستدراج الفتاة لتعمل في بيع الهوى. درّت الخطة أموالاً على سوريا بطبيعة الحال مع النهضة الاستثمارية، إلا انها حولت تلك النهضة إلى خاصرة مفتوحة لزيادة قدرة التأثير على سوريا، كما أدت إلى إنماء متطرف في عدم توازنه. فوصلت الهواتف إلى السويداء مثلاً وكذلك الإنترنت، قبل أن تصل مياه الري.
القطاع المصرفي والخدماتي والسياحي بشكله الحالي، ليس إلا نتيجة لخطة تحرير الاقتصاد التي بناها الدردري سنوات وسنوات. رامي مخلوف بكل احتكاره، ليس سوى أحد تجليات خطة الدردري ومشروعه. بعد الحدود اللبنانية السورية بقليل، تحديداً في منطقة الصبورة، حين تظهر استثمارات العرب يميناً ويساراً، كويتية وقطرية وإماراتية، تكون في مملكة الدردري. حين يرتفع صراخ الناس بسبب أزمة المازوت، تلك من شيم خطة الدردري. حين تصرخ سقبا بسبب كساد سوقها لصالح المفروشات التركية، تلك من شيم خطة الدردري. حين يستذكر أهل القمح الحوراني أيام الزراعة التي تقترب من الموت ببطء، تلك من شيم خطة الدردري. حين يصرخ الريف بسبب حاله ووضعه، فتلك أصلها وفصلها خطة الدردري.
في مكتبه الجديد في بيروت، يستذكر قصائد المتنبي «وينام ملء جفونه»، معتزاً بتنميته ويبرر لنفسه. يرى أنه ليس مذنباً إن لم يتمم النظام السوري إصلاحاته السياسية ليواكب إصلاحاته الاقتصادية. فهو كان يردد قرب الأسد دائماً أن «تحرير الاقتصاد لا يكتمل دون التحرير السياسي»، متناسياً أن أخطاء وثُغر المفرقعات النارية الاقتصادية أججت الفجوة الاجتماعية بين الفقراء والأغنياء. وفتّحت دروب الغرب على سوريا.
كانت الخطة العشرية التي قدمها قشرة موز للبلد. فكيف يتعايش المجتمع السوري نفسه، الذي واكب خنقة الثمانينات مع واقع جديد يقول إن في العاصمة وكالات ومحالّ ومقاهي وشركات عالمية؟ ضاعت الشخصية الاقتصادية السورية دون تأمين البديل. بين أيادي من تتوزع الامتيازات الجديدة؟ أيّ دور تؤديه جمعيات المجتمع المدني بتمويلاتها العالمية وعلاقاتها بالسفارات؟ أيّ دور يؤديه آلاف الطلاب الأجانب الذين يأتون إلى دمشق بمنح من حكوماتهم ليتعلموا ويقدموا أبحاثهم ومعلوماتهم؟ أي إفادة في أن تصبح حلب مستهلكاً للأتراك، بعدما كانت تصدّر إليهم؟ أي إفادة لسوريا أن تفتح قطاعاً مصرفياً وخدماتياً على حساب القطاعات الرئيسية؟ أي قطاع خدماتي سينمو في ظل دولة البعث؟ كأنه كان مقرراً أن تخرج خطة الدردري معوقة. كأنه كان مقرراً له أن يبرز الفجوة ما بين الدولة والشعب في المكان الاقتصادي ليكبر العفن بتجلياته. فكيف ستتناغم الدولة السورية بعقليتها ومفاصلها وخصوصياتها وشخصيتها الأمنية البعثية الاستبدادية مع انفتاح منفلت؟ رغم النهضة الاقتصادية التي رعاها الأسد، تداخلت مناكفات جسم النهضة لتعبث بالمنتج. ضاعت خطة النهوض بين مصالح الدكاكين في السلطة. كل الألوان مجتمعة أتلفت اللوحة السورية، وكشفت عورات توزيع الثروات، وزادت من النقمة الريفية.
حين استُقدم الدردري لأداء دوره في الاقتصاد، كان موظفاً دولياً استعان به بشار الأسد بنصيحة مستشاره نبراس الفاضل… وبالمناسبة، هل هي صدفة بحتة أن يكون الفاضل أول من انقلب على الأسد من فريقه، وانضم إلى المجلس الوطني؟ وهل الأسد والسلطات السورية لم تكن تعرف ولاء الدردري الدولي وفكره وغاياته؟
شخصيته
شعر أبيض ملون بالبنّي. شارب أبيض مشقر خفيف تحت أنف النظارات، وعينان دائمتا الحراك. في حديثه العام، يدرك السامع طائفته وتدينه وصومه وصلاته. يكره قدري جميل. يسوّق نفسه كإسلامي معتدل. مشكلته مع الشيوعيين في المعارضة رفضهم للإسلاميين. ثم يعقب أن الإسلام السوري صوفي وليس خطيراً، وأن في إقصائه خطيئة قد تدفعه نحو التطرف. في توصيف الأزمة السورية لا يخجل الدردري، الذي كان يملك أن يغير المعادلات الاقتصادية، أن يتذرع بمشكلات اقتصادية تبرر معارضته. يقول في مجالسه إن توزيع الوظائف على نحو غير عادل مرده محسوبيات ضباط الأمن. في مكتبه في دار الأمم المتحدة، ما عاد بإمكانه أن يتكلم مع الإعلام من دون إذن رسمي من قياداته… لكن ذلك لا يمنعه من التحدث على نحو عام عن الأزمة السورية والوضع الراهن مع زواره. أحياناً، يعدّ نفسه شريكاً في الخطأ وأحياناً يفخر بأنه أتى فاتحاً باسم التنمية على سوريا… يثير من حوله التساؤل. في مبنى الإسكوا يتهامسون بحثاً عن الدور الذي أتى ليؤديه هذا السوري، دوائر القرار السوري تتهامس ملقية بكل الأزمة على كاهله. وهو كما هو، بعلاقاته الدولية وخبراته السورية، في موقعه الجديد، يسخّرها لموظفه الجديد… ولقناعاته الدينية وصداقاته الإقليمية.
تميز الدردري في العقد الماضي. كان رجل العلاقات العامة على المستوى الدولي، ينسق مع الأتراك والأوروبيين. بحسب المصادر الاقتصادية الألمانية، هو رمز إصلاحي. منذ أول دخوله إلى الدولة حل ليؤدي دور منسق العهد الجديد، الذي عرف بربيع دمشق لاحقاً. بطل استحداث القطاع المصرفي، وبطل تحرير التجارة السورية، وفتح المعابر التي كانت مغلقة. علاقاته وقدرته على تدوير الزوايا والإقناع أخرجته منتصراً على خصومه. كانت مناكفات الحكومة تنتهي إلى اقتناع الجميع بنظريات الدردري. ما تجرأ أحد سواه على طرح موضوع «فلش» الاقتصاد السوري للغرب أمام القيادة القطرية لحزب البعث عام 2003. وأقنعها. يقول أحد الوزراء السابقين «كنا نقول لا تأتوا بالدردري ليشرح المشروع الذي نعارضه، وإلا فسوف يقنعنا».
مهما كانت الملاحظات على ولاءاته وتبدلاتها، وعلى دوره وانسحابه من المصيبة التي كان مسؤولاً عنها ربما، لا بد من رفع القبعة لرجل استطاع أن يلعب بنظافة ويمرر مبتغاه. أعدّ مقلباً كاملاً دون شوائب، أقنع الجميع بالمضي على مركب واحد، ثم خرج بقارب إنقاذ أزرق ليعود إلى بر الأمان في مؤسسته الأم مردداً: «أنا ابن الأمم المتحدة». اليوم، يرى الدردري المنقلب أن الحراك الشعبي السوري ليس طائفياً، لكنه بنكهة طائفية. بعد ذلك يفصّل أن «جزمة ابن الريف العسكرية» ما عاد بإمكانها أن تقود «ابن المدينة».
وتهمس أوساط الدردري أن الأميركيين سيصبرون على الأسد ليقوم بما يشبه «الهبوط السليم»، ويغيّر سوريا تدريجياً ليرحل بعد انتخابات في عام 2014. أما في صمود الاقتصاد السوري، فالرجل الذي حفظ تفاصيل الاقتصاد يبشر بأنه قادر على الصمود طويلاً. العقوبات ستؤثّر، يقول، لكن كم ستشتد؟ ويسأل، هل يستطيع العرب أن يغلقوا على أنفسهم الترانزيت التركي في سوريا؟
دردري اليوم، بفضل غطائه الجديد وشخصيته الجديدة، قادر على أن يتكلم بلسان المتمرد المعارض، وقادر على أن يقول إنه من أول «الثائرين» في معيار الثورة المتعارف عليه، لكن في المعيار المنطقي الوطني، لا يجوز أن تقل النقمة على الدردري إعلامياً وثورياً ومطلبياً عن النقمة على مخلوف أو على الأسد. في نهاية الأمر، مخلوف كيس أموال. أما الدردري، فهو صانعه وصانع أمثاله. وهو أيضاً من النادي الحاكم في عهد بشار الأسد. هنا تنتشر نظرية المؤامرة طائفياً ودولياً واقتصادياً، التي بدأت من قلب النظام قبل صراخ درعا البطل بسنوات.
دردري ــ مخلوف
ما بين الدردري ورامي مخلوف علاقة حب أفلاطونية. فالدردري خطا الخطوة الأولى التي فتحت أمام مخلوف إمبراطورية الاستثمار والصفقات، لكن مخلوف استطاع أن يصبح حالة منفصلة عن علاقات الدردري في بعض الأماكن. بقي التعاون قائماً حتى انفجرت سوريا، فأصبح عداءً علنياً.
وتنقل أوساط الدردري اليوم عنه نقمته على مخلوف وقطاع الاتصالات، فهو المكان الوحيد حيث احتمى مال الحكم، بعيداً عن الانفتاح الاقتصادي الدردري.
ثم إن الدردري الذي فتّح الاستثمارات، أراد أن يعمم قطاع الاتصالات بالطريقة المتبعة، هذا فضلاً عن أن مخلوف، الذي نسج علاقات اقتصادية مع العرب والأميركيين، بقي بعيداً عن الاستثمار في تركيا، ومرد ذلك بحسب المصادر، إلى ضغط الدردري في تركيا.
رجال أعمال سوريون «في بيروت» يصفون الشبكتين الاقتصاديتين:
كان للدردري محوره ولمخلوف محوره الآخر. إلا أن ذلك لا يمنع من تواصلهما الدائم. فمخلوف كان بحاجة إلى وظيفة الدردري الدولية، وموقعه الموضوعي كان يسمّع الرئيس أكثر.
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/26114
November 20th, 2011, 11:13 pm
Ghufran said:
Russia’s ambassador to Lebanon,Alexander Zasypkin,was on MTV Lebanon,talking about the crisis in Syria. The man speaks very good Arabic and makes perfect sense.
I compared him to the Goat Princes and started to get nauseated.
Russian ambassador to Lebanon, Alexander Zasypkin said on Sunday during an interview with MTV that although the Syrian situation might be discussed again at the UN Security Council, Moscow’s stance on this issue “is still the same”.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in October called on embattled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to accept reforms or resign, but Russia has nevertheless opposed UN sanctions against Syria, insisting on the need for dialogue instead.
The Russian ambassador said on Sunday that Russia “is against foreign intervention in Syrian affairs and it calls for dialogue between the opposition and the [Syrian] regime.”
“The Western proposal [regarding the Syrian situation] is based on imposing sanctions on Syria, while Russian’s plan is founded on dialogue especially that the Libyan experience was bad and non-humanitarian and should not be repeated in Syria,” Zasypkin told MTV.
He added that Moscow “welcomed at the beginning [the initiative] taken by the Arab League, [but it later turned out] that pressures were being exerted on one part.”
On November 13, the Arab League suspended Syria’s membership in the organization until Assad implements an Arab deal to end violence against protesters, and called for sanctions and transition talks with the opposition.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday condemned Syria’s suspension from the Arab League over its lethal crackdown on protests, saying the move was “incorrect.”
Zasypkin called on the Arab League “to maintain its efforts in order to reach a solution [for the Syrian crisis], and hold contacts with all [Syrian] factions.”
The Russian ambassador said that his country calls on “all factions in Syria to halt violence,” and told his interviewer that Russia “is holding talks with the Syrian regime and also with the opposition which visited Moscow recently.”
He added that Russia asked the opposition “to be a political opposition in order to resolve [Syrian situation] away from any [means of] violence,” but that “difficulties exist especially with the [Syrian opposition located outside Syria], which is calling for negotiations over handing over authority as a priori condition.”
Zasypkin also acknowledged that Russians fear the possibility of civil war erupting in Syria. However, he added, “We hope [that civil war] would not take place, although there has been news recently about the dangerous situation in Syria.”
“Russia is making efforts and does not seek to protect the Syrian regime” Zasypkin said. He added that his country supports “the future of Syrian people.”
November 20th, 2011, 11:15 pm
Norman said:
Jad,
The mistake that Dardary made was not to have a fair tax System in place when he started his economic reform, The rich brought this on themselves by not taking care of the poor and thinking only of themselves.
November 20th, 2011, 11:30 pm
Ghufran said:
Thanks,jad
I always thought Dardari is a political prostitute.
Where is Dardari now?
خاص الحقول / تردد بعض صالونات السياسة في العاصمة اللبنانية معلومات مكتومة عن “لجوء” نائب رئيس الوزراء السوري للشؤون الإقتصادية عبدالله الدردري إلى بيروت. وتقول إنه وصل قبل نحو شهر ونصف من دون ضجة ولا صخب إعلامي، بذريعة “قبول دعوة للمشاركة في اجتماع خبراء اقتصاديين نظمته إحدى وكالات الأمم المتحدة” في بيت الأمم المتحدة بالوسط التجاري.
ونقلا عن مشاركين في هذا الإجتماع، فإن “عبد الله الدردري الذي خسر منصبه الرسمي في التغيير الوزاري الأخير، لفت أنظار المشاركين من العرب والأجانب بالنكات والخبريات الساخرة من أجهزة الأمن السورية ومقدار غبائها وقمعها للشعب وكرهه لها”.
وبعد أقل من أسبوعين على هذه المشاركة المفاجئة، اكتشف بعض “المعنيين” في بيروت أن المسؤول السوري السابق المذكور، قد شارك في اجتماع الخبراء المشار إليه للتغطية على الهدف الأساسي ألا وهو التوقيع على اتفاقية تعاقد للعمل كموظف في صندوق النقد الدولي، مقيم في بيروت، وأن رئيس الحكومة اللبناني السابق فؤاد السنيورة دعمه للحصول على المنصب “الدولي” الجديد.
وقد درس الدردري العلوم الإقتصادية في لندن، ويعتبر “مهندس” السياسات النيوليبرالية في سوريا. وكان كاتبا في جريدة سعودية، ثم صار موظفا في برنامج الأمم المتحدة الإنمائي. وثمة من يرى أن إسناد هذه “الوظيفة الدولية” إلى الدردري تعد مكافأة له، على “التزامه” بتطبيق برامج صندوق النقد في الإقتصاد السوري طيلة السنوات الماضية، الأمر الذي خلق أساسا ماديا للأحداث الإجتماعية والسياسية الحالية.
وكان لوحظ أنه أثناء انعقاد “اللقاء التشاوري للحوار الوطني” برئاسة السيد فاروق الشرع نائب الرئيس السوري، اتهم مشاركون كلا من رئيس الحكومة السابق ناجي العطري ووزير الاقتصاد في حكومته عبدالله الدردري بأنهما قد “ضلّلا القيادة السورية على مدى سبع سنوات بقولهما ان نسبة النمو هي 7,5 في المئة خلافاً للواقع”.
November 20th, 2011, 11:30 pm
jad said:
Dear Norman,
In my opinion, the untested economical policies/tries of Dardari are one the reasons that we are at today, he treated Syria as a guinea pig of these policies and almost all of them failed miserably not because they are bad but because he implement them without taking people’s opinion, I know that the political dictatorial system is the reason behind that but he had the chance to make people part of his policies but he didn’t, he lived in the planer world of the 50th where a ‘Planner’ is god and nobody can argue with his/her plans and policies, he didn;t understand that planners’ role is to be a mediator a manager a translator of what technocrat say to the average Abouahmad, he lived in his old tower of thoughts for too long until he became another dictator we add to our Syrian collection, he blow it big time, and what surprised me the most that during all this horrendous 8 months nobody mentioned him or his policies or his plans in good or in bad inside or outside Syria, he was treated as the untouchable for too long and I think that after Ghady’s article he will be torn into pieces by everybody.
November 20th, 2011, 11:51 pm
jad said:
Ghufran (I enjoy writing your name, it reminds me of what can really help Syrians move forward)
I think Aldardari is more of a ‘financial’ whore than a political prostitute 🙂
He suddenly disappeared from the news front page the moment the uprising started because he knew that his policies were part of the loud collapse of the unbalanced social welfare in Syria, the economy of Syria during his era was going against the social program Syrians used to for so long, and he was doing the changes too fast that very few people took advantage of it while the majority of Syrians didn’t hence the growing gap between the poor and the rich we start seeing.
Syrians usually like to do the changes very slow, even this uprising with all the mess, the tragedies and the danger linked to it is so slow, 8months getting in the 9th, it wont move forward until the majority of Syrians are convinced and they are not there yet, from what I see this uprising is actually going in the wrong direction and its taking the whole country and the Syrians hostage in its destructive path.
Aldardari was too fast for Syrians.
November 21st, 2011, 12:10 am
Hans said:
It is clear that Obama’s administration is in a lost time in regards to Syria’s situation, although many of the Republican pushing Obama for a military intervention but the calculation of the hawks in Syria didn’t pan out as it was suppose to.
Having the GCC champion the american cause caused the street to react in more anger toward the GCC and the AL.
Although, the western media trying to have it both ways in reporting that the protesters are peaceful but they are showing opposition with medium and heavy weapons smuggled from the neighboring countries.
It is a dangerous situation for the opposition showing kids and teenagers carrying AK 47 and RBG’s on Video taps then blaming the regime for these young people death.
The FSA is a total joke and it is well known that it can’t protects one small park in Damascus, not to mention that the defection being reported in all the news proved to be another propaganda of the media and no such major defection ever happened in the army where there is thousands and thousands of Sunni.
Having the Jordanian king on TV by the order of CIA to ask Bashar to resign, fired back at Jordan and Syrians feel Jordan is another tool of the devil who is trying to serve Israel purpose.
The only way for the Americans to topple Assad and prevent the ramification of his removal is by land invasion similar to Iraq which is no wise person will ever dream of happening therefore the administration is in a loss time and paralyzed by analysis in regards to what to do with Syria, given the fabricated opposition SNC proven to be not worth engaging in real reform in Syria where many of the inside Syria rejected them for different reasons.
ALl this making the USA losing the ground in Syria, add to it that Russia is not letting USA pulling the Syrian rug under its feet, makes the military option is out of question, Russia made Syria as a red line for USA and the former is not giving up Syria for what ever price the USA pays for it, Putin is not Obama, he is a stubborn and will get what he wants, Putin is happy that Bashar killing the radicals and probably in secret ordered him to kill more every day if possible therefore bashar didn’t withdraw and continued to attack Homs without bothering about the AL barking dummies, even with the watchful eyes of the USA… we all know there are lots of secrets negotiation are underway all the time between the superpowers never come out to light but decades later and I am sure this is case at the current time.
The only answer for the USA is going to be dealing with Bashar as he is meanwhile Bashar continues to attack the Radicals he feels they are the reason for his trouble although the revolution was never radicals until they champion it with the help of the Americans.
it is going to be a very long cold winter for the Syrians adding to it that Syria is not Lebanon, Libya, Egypt or Tunisia therefore, the Syrian street said to the USA administration; we seen you in Iraq, we know you from Israel and we will not have you as our guests in old Damascus.
PS: I yet to find one Idiot American anchor on the news who pronounces Bashar name correct, I have heard it as Bashir, or as Bashour, but never as Bashar. Tells you the Americans are dumb as they are called by their counterparts Europeans…
November 21st, 2011, 12:18 am
jad said:
الاصلاحات ممكنة .. قناة *ا ر د* تستلم الدعاية الاعلامية الكاذبة
حلف الناتو يسدد على المرمى السوري
ترجمة هناء الأسمر
http://hinter-der-fichte.blogspot.com/2011/11/syrien-reformen-sind-moglich-ard.html
بعد مقتل القذافي ظن البعض أن مشكلة ليبيا قد تم حلها و توجهت بندقية حلف الناتو على سوريا بشكل مركز، ففي التلفزيون الألماني يتم التركيز على الوضع السوري بشكل خطير من دون أخذ الحقيقة بعين الاعتبار، مع العلم أن الوضع في القسم الأكبر من البلاد هادئ، و لكن جماعة الحروب النفسية من إعلام الناتو يحاولون جاهدين أن يظهروا و كأن هناك حرباً اهلية في سوريا..و لذلك يوجد العديد من السوريين الذين يشعرون بالإحباط لأنهم لم يعودوا يفهمون الوضع و السياسات الحالية، و هم يحاولون الحياة بشكل طبيعي كالعادة و أيامهم تمر بشكل اعتيادي و يتفائلون أن الوضع الحالي سينتهي قريباً. و أما إن كان هذا سيحدث حقاً فمن الصعب الحكم به الحكم به..و أما العقوبات فهي تطال الشعب أكثر من الحكومة و كأن المقصود فعلاً أن تتم معاقبة الشعب حتى يشعر بأنه غير قادر على تحمل هذا الوضع و يغير موقفه تجاه الحكومة و يحمل السلاح ضدها..ما يقود إلى فوضى في البلاد. هناك الكثير من السوريين فقدوا أعمالهم و بالتالي قد يقفوا مع الجماعات المسلحة ضد الحكومة و قد وزعت أموال واسلحة لشراء الثوار و جعل الحالة الامنية صعبة..حيث مازال هناك مناطق في سوريا منعدمة الأمان و خطرة منها حمص و درعا و حماة. و بينما تنقل أخبارنا هنا في ألمانيا عن موت بعض المتظاهرين السلميينيتم في سوريا الإعلان عن وجود مجموعات مسلحة تخرج بعد غياب الشمس في الطرقات لتنشر الخوف و الرعب.. و ما يزال الشعب في حمص ينتظر الجيش و يتمنى حمايته لهم من تلك الجماعات
أخبار طازجة و صور من سوريا
هناك الكثير من الصور الواضحة كوضوح الزجاج النقي و فيديوهات مصورة جيداً ليست كما الفيديوهات الرجاجة التي تعرضها *ا ر د* عن سوريا فعدنما نشاهد الصور و الفيديوهات من ليبيا و إيران و سوريا نخال للوهلة الأولى و كأن كاميرات الفيديو انقرضت في العالم، لكنها بالتأكيد موجودة، أما صور و فيديوهات هذه الكميرات فلا تناسب إعلامهم الذي يقف ضد الاسد، و لذلك تأتي الاخبار الى المشاهدين المجبرين على متابعة أخبارهم المغرضة .و يبدو أن هناك من يهتم فعلاً بأن يشعل نار الكره ضد حكم الأسد في سوريا و جر الأوروبيين الى الاعتقاد بأن الحرب قادمة
هذا ما يقوله الثوار>
هذه الجملة بدأت في الحرب الليبية حيث أن أخبار قنوات ألمانيا *ا ر د* و* تسد دي اف* قد بدأتها بالإعلام المضلل إلى درجة أنهم لم يرفضوا أو يتراجعوا عن أي خبر كاذب أما الحرب الحامية ضد سوريا فقد كانت جملتهم هي *و علىحد قول معارضي النظام* و هذا التعبير المخصص تبدأ فيه أخبار 25-10-2011
http://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/syrien806.html
اقتباس
تستخدم الحكومة السورية في المدن الكبرى ملاعباً تستخدم كثكنات و سجون من أجل قمع مظاهرات المعارضة تبعاً لقول معارضي النظام
رضوان زيادة من مركز دمشق لحقوق الانسان, قال لنيويورك تايم أن ملعب الفيحاء في دمشق يستخدم كسجن لآلاف المعتقلين
انتهى الاقتباس
ا ر د تستنسخ الكذب
كون هذا الكلام هو كذبة من كذبات معارضي النظام هو ما تظهر الصور في ملعب الفيحاء يوم 25-10-2011 على أنه و في الملعب المذكور يوجد مباراة كرة قدم و أيضا يوجد لاعبو تنس .و ها هي الصور لديك..تفضلي..
إن “معارضة النظام” هذه و كما في الاخبار الكاذبة المذكورة سابقا هم مجهولو الهوية أو يتواجدون في عواصم بلدان الناتو و يصنعهم الغرب على غرار نموذج الدمى الليبية المصطنعة *ان تي سي* (المجلس الوطني الانتقالي)، و يسمي الغرب المجلس الوطني السوري و هو التوأم لـ*ان تي سي* في اسطنبول،و لهذا تكون معلومات القناة خاطئة لأن ليس لهم أحد على أرض سوريا لنقل الحقيقة، مع العلم أنه يمكن الاتصال بألمان يعيشون هناك و لاسيما حين يتعلق الأمر بمثل تلك الاكاذيب كبيرة الحجم عن وجود مساجين في ملاعب كرة القدم و هذا غير مقبول لأننا ندفع المال لتلك القنوات و هي تنشر أخبار غير موثوقة
الدعاية الاعلامية لمعارضي النظام تلغي النسبة العظمى من السوريين
أما الناتو فهو يدعم معارضة النظام في الخارج و يلغي رأي الغالبية العظمى من السوريين الذين يقفون مع الأسد و يريدون أن يبدؤوا معه هو فقط عملية الإصلاح. و حتى قول مفتي الجمهورية السيد حسون أن الاسد سيتخلى عن الرئاسة هي فكرة موجودة لدى السوريين فلا أحد يعتقد أن الرئيس سيبقى إلى نهاية حياته رئيساً لكنهم كلهم أمل أن الرئيس سيخرج سوريا من الأزمة الحالية و سيوصلها إلى بر الأمان. الكثير من السوريين ينتقدون الحكومة الحالية و لكنهم لا يريدون هذا المجلس السوري الوطني في اسطنبول كممثل لهم لأنه عندهم غير موثوق به و لا يلبي طموحاتهم و أمانهم , و لا يريدون أن يخربوا وطنهم على يد خارجية بل يريدون المضي مع الأسد بالإصلاحات و تصحيح الأخطاء
الغرب يرفض الإصلاحات و خطة السلام
بعد زيارة اللجنة العربية الى سوريا تم الاتفاق على سحب الجيش من المدن..و كان على الطرف الآخر وقف أعمال إجرام المجموعات المسلحة و إخراج المساجين، و هذا ما حدث في 6-11-2011 حيث خرج 500 مسجون. و مع أن الأمر حصل، إلا أنهم لا يعترفون بصحته حيث قالت الحكومة أن من يلقِ السلاح سوف يعفى عنه، و لكن هنا تدخلت أميركا و الدول الغربية المعادية لسوريا و طلبت من المسلحين أن لا يصغوا للحكومة، ما يعني أنهم لا يريدون وضعاً آمناً لسوريا. طلب الأسد حواراً مع المعارضة و معه مهلة أسبوعين،. نجاح الموضوع لا يناسب تطلعات الغرب. إذن؟ كيف يقوم الاسد بالحوار و الغرب لا يريدله أن يفعل!! و المعارضون هم في معظمهم من الإسلاميين في المجلس السوري في إسطنبول
http://english.pravda.ru/world/asia/11-11-2011/119590-syria_opposition-0/
و لا يُعرف منه أحد، و مع ذلك رفضوا الحوار و طالبوا مجدداً بإسقاط النظام
الحقيقة انه يوجد سوريتان…..سوريا الإعلام..و سوريا الحقيقة..
السؤال هو الى متى يمكن لسوريا الواقع أن تصمد ضد هذا الإعلام المغرض ضدها؟؟ حيث الاقتصاد أصبح ضعيفاً و فقد الكثير من السوريين أعمالهم و ارتفعت الأسعار بشكل كبير،و لاسيما مع إشعال خط انبوب الغاز من شمال سوريا حيث بدأت أزمة بنزين و تقف الناس طوابير على محطات البنزين وهو ما زاد الاحباط لديهم…
إن كون من يرد الديمقراطية و الحرية لهذا البلد يعرف ما معناها الحقيقي أو أن لديه أدنى فكرة عن كيف هي في أوروبا هو محط سؤال فعلاً.. هذه المعارضة تقوم بتهديد من يعارضها بالموت اذا فتحت أفواهها. فإذا كان هذا هو ما سيكون عليه مستقبل سوريا فإننا لا يمكن إلا أن نتمنى أن تتجاوز الحكومة هذه الأزمة و تتعلم من أخطاءها و لا سيما أن عملية الاصلاح قد بدأت فعلاً و يجب أن تتسارع حتى و لو لم يكن ذلك سهلاً.
إن ما يسمى بالمجلس الوطني في اسطنبول ليس له في سورية أية شعبية إلا في إدعاءاته و هو لا يمثل سوى نفسه و غالبية أعضاءه هم رهن الدوائر الغربية وبعض أعضاءه لهم اتصالات مع وكالات الاستخبارات الغربية التي توجه أفعالهم بطريقة معينة..
Pravda.ru
ترجمة المقالة: هناء الأسمر
فيديو مصور عن المقالة بالألمانية
November 21st, 2011, 12:20 am
Dale Andersen said:
Memo To: HANS
RE: “…I yet to find one Idiot American anchor on the news who pronounces Bashar name correct…”
Speaking of idiots. You write in English, yet you can’t write a simple English sentence without at least three errors. You embarrass yourself, Hans, and you insult the language. My advice is, stick to German. Or do what Spammie Annie does. Cut and paste other people’s English. That way people like me won’t be calling you out as an idiot, capish?
November 21st, 2011, 12:36 am
Hans said:
@374 Daily Branson
I may have some typo here and there and I may have some grammar mistakes but I still speak and write in four languages. you must been eating too much fool to the point you can’t speak or write one language. you must been a fool otherwise you won’t use a fool language in all writing here, stop being fool, you are fool and at the end I am asking Alex to fool you out of here.
November 21st, 2011, 1:10 am
OFF THE WALL said:
Norman,
I would not be surprised that the Baath party has in their membership islamists, with the system that Syria has and the single party system, The Baath party is a refuge for many kinds of opportunists, including islamists,
Very perceptive and True. Agree 100%.
November 21st, 2011, 1:47 am
OFF THE WALL said:
Dear MJABALI @303
I have to say that I for one appreciate your candor and ability to maintain cool-headed view of things.
I do agree with most of your comment 303. But I think the mismanagement, which was inevitable, of this crisis pushed Syria beyond the stage where fast election will solve the issue.
There is no point, in my opinion, of election or of any reform unless the omnipresence of security apparatus is completely obliterated. What is the value of an elected official who receives a call from a security thug telling her/him how to vote and that is the direction of the “qiada”. Despite of all the show and tell about the Baath party monopoly, the party apparatus is merely the public extension of these security agencies. At local levels, results of party elections are always pre-determined by a phone call from the local security chief (sometimes it is the political security directorate, sometimes it is the military security, or whoever has the upper hand in that region). High ranking officials can not take any promotion action without receiving the loyalty approval from the security, and in most cases, these were in fact orders to promote someone even if there is no post to promote that someone to.
Wherever you look around you, you will see the presence of this cancer. It controls the party, the professional associations, the unions, and even business deals be they legitimate of illegitimate. And this is the Assads’ legacy. A decrepit party of opportunists who have been turned into cheap agents of multi-layered security fiefdoms, a cadre of managers who have, despite of their good intentions, been turned into enforcers of security chiefs whims, and a corrupted society, whose values have been turned upside down in search of survival as these security agencies took over even the role of normal police, financial auditors, and public prosecution. Mukhabarat, as politicized as it is, became the sole investigative authority even for normal crimes, rendering normal law enforcement into a joke. What a disgusting legacy.
My point is, Bashar Al-Assad could be gone tomorrow, but given a sufficient period of time, these cancerous agencies will come up with a new royal family, around which they will flock, primarily to ensure that when they fight among each others for turf, there will be someone to arbitrate, and there will be a lightning rod for the public to hate. Do you think Bashar is the one ordering his pictures plastered around him… He is made into the fool dictator he is. That off course does not absolve him from the responsibility, after all, he likes it and he seem to enjoy thinking that he is the thinker, the savior, and the protector of Syria. What a delusion.
But if these are gone, it will now be near impossible for Bashar Al-Assad, or anyone else to recreate them. It is a catch 22, making the obliteration of both a necessity for progress in Syria.
November 21st, 2011, 2:15 am
Juergen said:
@Hans 322
What happend? A resonable tone, an opinion which seems more or less one of your own, i am impressed.
November 21st, 2011, 2:57 am
Dale Andersen said:
Memo To: OFF THE WALL
RE: “…My point is, Bashar Al-Assad could be gone tomorrow, but given a sufficient period of time, these cancerous agencies (i.e., the security apparatus) will come up with a new royal family…”
You have a point. I think that is why the USA decided on a de-Baathification policy for Iraq. It was an extreme solution, but it was the only way to rid Iraq of kings like Saddam. Now you have an Iraq which is safe for Shi’ites and Kurds. As for the others, well, they have a harder road.
Unless you want more Assad-like mafia rule after Besho is dead, you’ll have to do the same in Syria. That means get rid of the old military and all the security entities. They are corrupt through and through and beholden to Czar Besho and no one else. And they’re not about to change.
Of course, the new military and police will take years to train and deploy. And, in the meantime, the old guard will not go quietly. Many of them will have to be killed. But then, that’s the price you pay for permitting a 40-year mafia to oppress you. You can’t expect those turds to put on suits and go interview for legitimate work after Besho has walked the plank.
http://playwrighter.blogspot.com/2011/04/arab-news-fox-news-style.html
November 21st, 2011, 2:57 am
OFF THE WALL said:
Dale @379
I have to disagree very strongly. In my opinion, and i hope I am not offending anyone, De-baathification was the most stupid, sinister and shortsighted action by Bremmer for whom I hold no respect whatsoever. His actions are the primary reason for the mess Iraq had to go through for years and I am afraid that the impacts of his criminal actions will be felt for at least a generation.
I can understand how one could interpret my comment as call for something similar in Syria, I am to blame, for in my haste to finish my comment, I used words like obliterate. I think that was wrong.
What I want obliterated is not the people, but the connections and power these people have. The most effective way of destroying the power of security apparatus is to have a strong independent press and independent judiciary. If I can sue the bones out of a security thug who interferes in my running of my agency, if I can give a full account of all calls to pressure me in taking decision and have the press simply look into the story, interview people who have been affected and follow the thugs everywhere with protection from Judiciary, then their power is gone to no return.
It is easy for someone who does not know Syrian society to come up with radical and extreme solutions, which may even seem to be expedient, and it is this type of solutions that scares people who have seen the chaos in Iraq as a result of Bremmer’s decrees. Syrians on the other hand will have to come up with different mechanisms, a combination of accountability and reconciliation, and there is no other way that will protect Syria from descending into chaos far more than it is in now.
There are many competent people who joined the Baath Party, and given the fact that over the years, party membership was the only way both good and bad people survive, dismissing them and turning them into bitter people will do nothing to solve the problem. It will rob the state, which most of us want to preserve and reform, from talents, stability, and may even turn things more sectarian than they are.
I am for dissolving the party, confiscating all of its properties until what belongs to the party (from dues) is separated from what belongs to the state. I would also argue that the same thing should be implemented for all the parties in the fraudulent national Progressive Front , with a period of at least 2 or three election cycle through which the upper echelon of the leadership of all of these parties being prevented from running for any public office (that if they don’t end up in jail after fair trials) and thorough investigation. But for the rank and file, it would be the dumbest thing to alienate them, we in fact want to liberate them from their corrupt leadership.
November 21st, 2011, 4:30 am
Dale Andersen said:
Memo To: OFF THE WALL
RE: “…I am for dissolving the party, confiscating all of its properties until what belongs to the party (from dues) is separated from what belongs to the state. I would also argue that the same thing should be implemented for all the parties in the fraudulent national Progressive Front…”
If you do this, you will have the same shit storm that Bremer had in Iraq. Dissolve and confiscate? Do you think they’re going to let you do that without a fight? Do you think they won’t kill anyone who tries? You’re talking about a mafia, not a reading society.
Bremer knew exactly what he was up against. And he knew he would be hated for what he did. When you dissolve and confiscate, you will be hated, Dude.
People like you, Offy, put people like me down for “not knowing Syrian society.” Shit man, I know it better than you pretend to.
November 21st, 2011, 5:16 am
ann said:
*** PAPER TIGER WARMONGERING FUELING THE RUN ON THE BANKS IN TURKEY
Turkey Set to Sell More Dollars After Lira Weakened, HSBC Says
Nov 21, 2011
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-11-21/turkey-set-to-sell-more-dollars-after-lira-weakened-hsbc-says.html
Turkey’s central bank will probably increase its activity in the currency market as global conditions have worsened and inflation is set to accelerate, according to HSBC Holdings Plc.
HSBC maintained its three-month lira forecast of 1.70-1.75 per dollar, said Murat Toprak, chief emerging market currency strategist for the region, said in e-mailed comments.
The central bank sold $30 million in the first three days of last week in daily auctions, $50 million on Nov. 17 and $70 million on Nov. 18.
“The external environment remains adverse and forthcoming inflation data are likely to be high,” Toprak said.
The lira fell 0.5 percent to 1.8389 per dollar at 10:21 a.m., the lowest level in a month.
November 21st, 2011, 5:29 am
ann said:
Assad’s Defiance in Syria Spurs U.S., Allies to Discuss Steps as 12 Dead
Nov 21, 2011
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-11-20/syria-won-t-bow-down-as-forces-kill-24-before-deadline-ends.html
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s declaration that he won’t “bow down” to international pressure is leading the U.S. and its allies to weigh their next steps amid reports that security forces killed 12 more protesters.
Arizona Senator John McCain, the top Republican on the U.S. Senate’s Armed Services Committee, said continued bloodshed in Syria will mean military action by other nations “will receive some kind of serious consideration.”
“I see it as more of a consideration than I did a few months ago,” McCain said on Canadian Television yesterday while attending an international security conference in Halifax, Nova Scotia. “At this point in time, I do not see military action.”
The Arab League on Nov. 16 gave Syria three days to end bloodshed and allow observers in or face economic sanctions. Canadian National Defense Minister Peter MacKay said Assad’s flouting of the Arab League’s ultimatum will require “further action.” Canadian leaders are working with those in the region “as Canada and other countries contemplate our next step,” MacKay said during a press conference at the conclusion of the Halifax forum.
The Cairo-based Arab League refused to negotiate with Assad’s government to change plans on sending about 500 monitors to Syria, Egypt’s state-run Middle East News Agency reported yesterday. The league informed the Syrian government the previous day that the adjustments they proposed “radically changes” the nature of the mission, MENA said. The league reiterated a call for “immediate measures” to stop the bloodshed, the news agency said, citing a statement.
‘Bow Down’
Assad said in an interview with the Sunday Times that “‘Syria will not bow down and that it will continue to resist the pressure being imposed on it.”
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem said in a televised press conference yesterday that the Arab League measures infringe on Syria’s sovereignty and aim to pave the way for foreign intervention in the country. Arab foreign ministers will meet on Nov. 24 to discuss Syria, MENA reported.
Turkish President Abdullah Gul said Syria’s government is on a “dead-end road” of increasing isolation. Turkey will “strongly support” the decisions of the Arab League, Gul said in televised remarks in Ankara yesterday before departing for an official visit to the U.K.
Buses carrying Turkish Muslim pilgrims traveling from Saudi Arabia through Syria were fired on, injuring two, Istanbul-based NTV news reported today, without saying where it got the information.
Armed Opposition
While the opposition in Syria is becoming an armed resistance, any outside military intervention would be pitted against a “really modern air force,” said Anthony Cordesman, a military analyst at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.
“They know how to use their surface-to-air missiles,” and can draw on an experienced army with thousands of tanks, Cordesman said. “Talking about a casual use of force, something like the no-fly zone we had inside Libya, simply isn’t tenable.”
The eight-month revolt against Assad’s rule has begun to splinter the army, squeeze the economy and weaken support among erstwhile backers. Jordan’s King Abdullah has said that Assad should step down. In the past week, defectors launched a rocket- propelled grenade assault on a military security building in Damascus.
Mideast ‘Earthquake’
Assad said military action against Syria would create an “earthquake” across the Middle East.
“The repercussions are very dire,” Assad told the Sunday Times. “Military intervention will destabilize the region as a whole, and all countries will be affected.”
Syrian state forces, and not army defectors belonging to the Free Syrian Army, staged an attack yesterday on an empty Baath Party building in Damascus “to stoke civil strife,” Captain Ammar al-Wawi, a leader of the FSA that aims to topple Assad, said in a telephone interview from Turkey.
Wawi said 100 buses carrying members of the anti-U.S. Iraqi Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr’s militia as well as members of the Shiite Hezbollah movement in Lebanon backed by the Syrian and Iranian governments crossed into Syria a few days ago to help the Assad government quell protests.
Security Forces
Assad’s security forces killed more than 20 people on Nov. 19 in Homs, the suburbs of Damascus and in Hama, Mahmoud Merei, head of the Arab Organization for Human Rights, said in a phone interview. Yesterday, security forces killed 12 protesters in Homs and Idlib, al-Arabiya television reported, citing activists.
The central city of Homs has witnessed sectarian fighting with people being kidnapped or killed according to their ethnic religious background after their identification cards were checked, Merei said.
About 60 percent of the Homs population is Sunni Muslim, with a small Christian minority, and about 30 percent of the remaining portion Alawite, an offshoot of Shiite Islam and the group from which Assad comes.
To contact the reporters on this story: Massoud A. Derhally in Dubai at mderhally@bloomberg.net; Viola Gienger in Washington at vgienger@bloomberg.net.
November 21st, 2011, 5:37 am
ann said:
*** MORE ON THE RUN ON THE BANKS IN PAPER TIGER LAND ***
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-11-21/lira-weakens-sixth-day-to-one-month-low-on-u-s-budget-impasse.html
Nov. 21 (Bloomberg) — The lira weakened for a sixth day to its lowest level in a month, extending its longest losing streak since June as an impasse over U.S. budget cuts curbed appetite for riskier assets.
The lira dropped 0.3 percent to 1.8342 per dollar at 9:38 a.m. in Istanbul, making it the worst-performer among more than 20 emerging market currencies tracked by Bloomberg over the past five days. Yields on two-year benchmark debt increased 5 basis points, or 0.05 percentage points, to 10.54 percent, a Turk Ekonomi Bankasi index of the securities showed.
The U.S.’s deficit-cutting congressional super-committee is expected to say today that it failed to reach agreement on at least $1.2 trillion in federal budget savings, a Democratic aide said.
“Problems abroad are cutting risk appetite,” Emir Baruh, a currency trader at Akbank TAS in Istanbul, said in e-mailed comments.
The central bank sold $70 million on Friday, the most since selling $350 million on Oct. 24, raising total sales since Aug. 5 to around $8.8 billion to bolster the lira and control inflation. The Ankara-based bank will announce its dollar sale offer for today at 11:00 a.m. Istanbul time.
November 21st, 2011, 5:43 am
Uzair8 said:
@380 OFF THE WALL.
Interesting post. It made me reflect.
I realised my feelings were partly driven by the desire for vengeance (in response to the decades of horrific crimes – esp. the recent ones).
I remembered how the Prophet (S) conquered Mecca and forgave the inhabitants.
I was wanting to see the regime and all associated with it pay a heavy price. Perhaps its enough to overthrow the regime and take the measures as suggested in your last paragraph rather than take extreme or radical measures.
I will have to review my position on the Arab spring and look at my motivations. We have to be wise.
November 21st, 2011, 5:58 am
Ya Mara Ghalba said:
Newspapers in Jordan can get authorization from Syrian regulators to send reporters into Syria. But they haven’t done it. Instead they’ve been buying highly unverified reports from Reuters, AFP, etc. Thus Jordanian newspapers don’t have brains or knowledge of their own about Syria and, worse, they aren’t even trying to develop any. The largest-circulating Jordanian daily newspaper is “Al-Ra’i”, originally founded and still largely owned by the government — http://alrai.com/section/international . Another large-circulating daily paper that’s partially owned by the Jordanian government is “Al-Dustour” — http://www.addustour.com/Section.aspx?sec=2 . Another Jordanian daily is “Al-Ghad” — http://www.alghad.com/index.php/portal/arab-w-alam Two other Jordanian daily newspapers are http://www.alarabalyawm.net/index_section.php?section_id=3 and http://www.alanbat.net/ In all of those Arabic-language newspapers, all the reports about Syria that I saw at their websites are credited to Reuters, AFP and “Agencies”. The Jordanian newspapers aren’t producing substantive news reports of their own about Syria. I see some of them have published opinion pieces by individual chatterers about Syria, which I haven’t read, and which I confidently presume are not worth reading because nobody can have worthwhile opinion from such an impoverished knowledge base.
To repeat, the newspaper readers in Amman are not getting better quality information about Syria than their counterparts in Hicksville or Brisbane. They’re getting the same info, from the same agencies. That is deplorable and pathetic.
The ongoing big disconnect between what is real and what is being reported by the non-Syrian news outlets is a serious problem. The public who read the newspapers in Jordan and around the world have little choice other than to believe what they read about Syria in their presumably responsible and earnest newspapers, and the politicians who are in control of the governments have little choice other than to go along with public opinion, no matter what the real truth may be. Plus, the politicians with few exceptions don’t have the time to plumb the depths of what the real truth may be. So the ongoing reports of security forces atrocities, sourced predominantly from a few vindictive news agencies such as Reuters and AFP, re-inforced in the Arabic countries by Al-Jazeera TV and Al-Arabiya TV, make it politically difficult for most governments–including most Arabic governments–to take a stance other than “authorities in Damascus have lost legitimacy and should resign”. Russia’s Minister Lavrov, one of the exceptions, says: “If the international community promotes the theory that “You are so bad you cannot make any Huwarmek and you should leave government office no matter what the consequences”, of course, that would be incitement to violence and unrest.”
News 20 Nov 2011 — Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Jordan are advising against trade sanctions against Syria: (1) President of the Jordan Chamber of Commerce Nael Kabariti said Syria is a strategic market for the Kingdom of Jordan, and is also a gateway to Turkish, Lebanese and European markets. If Arab countries decide to endorse economic sanctions against Syria, Kabariti voiced hope that Jordan will not implement such penalties, pointing to a high amount of commercial activities between residents of cities on the borders of both countries. Between 400 to 500 cargo trucks from Jordan enter Syria per day, he said. (2) Nazzal Armouti, deputy chairperson of the Jordan Chamber of Industry, also warned that any sanctions on Syria will negatively affect the industrial sector in the Kingdom, because on the one hand Syria is a key market for local chemical, agricultural and engineering products and on the other hand Armouti said the industrial sector also imports a large portion of its production inputs from Syria. (3) Zuhair Jweihan, chairperson of the Jordan Exporters and Producers Association for Fruits and Vegetables, said the expected Arab sanctions will not only cost losing an important market in Syria itself but will also put increased shipment costs on exporters who will be forced to use other transportation routes to reach markets in Europe, Lebanon and Turkey. http://www.jordantimes.com/index.php?news=43505 Despite the opposition of the business people in Jordan, I expect the government of Jordan to impose trade sanctions on Syria because of what I said above about what’s in the daily newspapers of Jordan.
November 21st, 2011, 6:03 am
Ya Mara Ghalba said:
I’ve read and fervently hope it’s true that there’s not going to be another would-be “agreement” with the Arab League countries. Good! But the Arab League countries are still cordially invited to send professional military and police men to Syria to observe the policies and practices of the Syrian security forces. Those men being professionals (not journalists), their observations would help to inform the world beyond Syria that Syria’s security policies and practices are virtuous. If the Arab League countries refuse this invitation, I’d read that as malice on their part.
November 21st, 2011, 6:31 am
Ya Mara Ghalba said:
Thought for the day: “They’re all a bunch of lying dogs. Thank god we still got someone real like Bashar al Assad.”
On 19 nov 2011 Bashar did a videotaped interview in English language with a reporter from the London Times newspaper. A section of it of four or five minutes appeared at the website of the London Times and subsequently at youtube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=-7TMPjH5SiE#t=74s
November 21st, 2011, 6:45 am
ann said:
American spies outed, CIA suffers in Lebanon – 2 hrs 23 mins ago
http://news.yahoo.com/american-spies-outed-cia-suffers-lebanon-092325694.html
WASHINGTON (AP) — The CIA’s operations in Lebanon have been badly damaged after Hezbollah identified and captured a number of U.S. spies recently, current and former U.S. officials told The Associated Press. The intelligence debacle is particularly troubling because the CIA saw it coming.
Hezbollah’s longtime leader, Sheik Hassan Nasrallah, boasted on television in June that he had rooted out at least two CIA spies who had infiltrated the ranks of Hezbollah, which the U.S. considers a terrorist group closely allied with Iran. Though the U.S. Embassy in Lebanon officially denied the accusation, current and former officials concede that it happened and the damage has spread even further.
In recent months, CIA officials have secretly been scrambling to protect their remaining spies — foreign assets or agents working for the agency — before Hezbollah can find them.
To be sure, some deaths are to be expected in shadowy spy wars. It’s an extremely risky business and people get killed. But the damage to the agency’s spy network in Lebanon has been greater than usual, several former and current U.S. officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about security matters.
The Lebanon crisis is the latest mishap involving CIA counterintelligence, the undermining or manipulating of the enemy’s ability to gather information. Former CIA officials have said that once-essential skill has been eroded as the agency shifted from outmaneuvering rival spy agencies to fighting terrorists. In the rush for immediate results, former officers say, tradecraft has suffered.
The most recent high-profile example was the suicide bomber who posed as an informant and killed seven CIA employees and wounded six others in Khost, Afghanistan in December 2009.
Last year, then-CIA director Leon Panetta said the agency had to maintain “a greater awareness of counterintelligence.” But eight months later, Nasrallah let the world know he had bested the CIA, demonstrating that the agency still struggles with this critical aspect of spying and sending a message to those who would betray Hezbollah.
The CIA was well aware the spies were vulnerable in Lebanon. CIA officials were warned, including the chief of the unit that supervises Hezbollah operations from CIA headquarters in Langley, Va., and the head of counterintelligence. It remains unclear whether anyone has been or will be held accountable in the wake of this counterintelligence disaster or whether the incident will affect the CIA’s ability to recruit assets in Lebanon.
In response to AP’s questions about what happened in Lebanon, a U.S. official said Hezbollah is recognized as a complicated enemy responsible for killing more Americans than any other terrorist group before September 2001. The agency does not underestimate the organization, the official said.
The CIA’s toughest adversaries, like Hezbollah and Iran, have for years been improving their ability to hunt spies, relying on patience and guile to exploit counterintelligence holes.
In 2007, for instance, when Ali-Reza Asgari, a brigadier general in the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps of Iran, disappeared in Turkey, it was assumed that he was either killed or defected. In response, the Iranian government began a painstaking review of foreign travel by its citizens, particularly to places like Turkey where Iranians don’t need a visa and could meet with foreign intelligence services.
It didn’t take long, a Western intelligence official told the AP, before the U.S., Britain and Israel began losing contact with some of their Iranian spies.
The State Department last year described Hezbollah as “the most technically capable terrorist group in the world,” and the Defense Department estimates it receives between $100 million and $200 million per year in funding from Iran.
Backed by Iran, Hezbollah has built a professional counterintelligence apparatus that Nasrallah — whom the U.S. government designated an international terrorist a decade ago — proudly describes as the “spy combat unit.” U.S. intelligence officials believe the unit, which is considered formidable and ruthless, went operational in about 2004.
Using the latest commercial software, Nasrallah’s spy-hunters unit began methodically searching for spies in Hezbollah’s midst. To find them, U.S. officials said, Hezbollah examined cellphone data looking for anomalies. The analysis identified cellphones that, for instance, were used rarely or always from specific locations and only for a short period of time. Then it came down to old-fashioned, shoe-leather detective work: Who in that area had information that might be worth selling to the enemy?
The effort took years but eventually Hezbollah, and later the Lebanese government, began making arrests. By one estimate, 100 Israeli assets were apprehended as the news made headlines across the region in 2009. Some of those suspected Israeli spies worked for telecommunications companies and served in the military.
Back at CIA headquarters, the arrests alarmed senior officials. The agency prepared a study on its own vulnerabilities, U.S. officials said, and the results proved to be prescient.
The analysis concluded that the CIA was susceptible to the same analysis that had compromised the Israelis, the officials said.
CIA managers were instructed to be extra careful about handling sources in Lebanon. A U.S. official said recommendations were issued to counter the potential problem.
But it’s unclear what preventive measures were taken by the Hezbollah unit chief or the officer in charge of the Beirut station. Former officials say the Hezbollah unit chief is no stranger to the necessity of counterintelligence and knew the risks. The unit chief has worked overseas in hostile environments like Afghanistan and played an important role in the capture of a top terrorist while stationed in the Persian Gulf region after the attacks of 9/11.
“We’ve lost a lot of people in Beirut over the years, so everyone should know the drill,” said a former Middle East case officer familiar with the situation.
But whatever actions the CIA took, they were not enough. Like the Israelis, bad tradecraft doomed these CIA assets and the agency ultimately failed to protect them, an official said. In some instances, CIA officers fell into predictable patterns when meeting their sources, the official said.
This allowed Hezbollah to identify assets and case officers and unravel at least part of the CIA’s spy network in Lebanon. There was also a reluctance to share cases and some files were put in “restricted handling.” The designation severely limits the number of people who know the identity of the source but also reduces the number of experts who could spot problems that might lead to their discovery, officials said.
Nasrallah’s televised announcement in June was followed by finger-pointing among departments inside the CIA as the spy agency tried figure out what went wrong and contain the damage.
The fate of these CIA assets is unknown. Hezbollah treats spies differently, said Matthew Levitt, a counterterrorism and intelligence expert at the Washington Institute for Near East Studies who’s writing a book about the terrorist organization
“It all depends on who these guys were and what they have to say,” Levitt said. “Hezbollah has disappeared people before. Others they have kept around.”
Who’s responsible for the mess in Lebanon? It’s not clear. The chief of Hezbollah operations at CIA headquarters continues to run the unit that also focuses on Iranians and Palestinians. The CIA’s top counterintelligence officer, who was one of the most senior women in the clandestine service, recently retired after approximately five years in the job. She is credited with some important cases, including the recent arrests of Russian spies who had been living in the U.S. for years.
Officials said the woman was succeeded by a more experienced operations officer. That officer has held important posts in Moscow, Southeast Asia, Europe and the Balkans, important frontlines of the agency’s spy wars with foreign intelligence services and terrorist organizations.
November 21st, 2011, 6:50 am
majedkhaldoun said:
One wonders why Syrian security forces attack turkish bus today,this will sure is intended to worsen things
November 21st, 2011, 6:58 am
Volk said:
West provokes Syrian opposition – Russia’s FM
The West’s statements urging Syria’s opposition not to agree on a dialogue with the government are politically provocative, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters in Moscow on Monday.
He doesn’t see peaceful protests in shelling and attacking government buildings carried out by the demonstrators.
Lavrov also noted that violence can be stopped by a ceasefire between Assad’s government and the opposition.
http://english.ruvr.ru/2011/11/21/60763031.html
November 21st, 2011, 7:03 am
OFF THE WALL said:
Dale @ 381
Good points. Then, someone smarter than me must come up with a solution whose objective is not to be punitive but not to allow the parties that enjoyed monopoly to access an unfair and undeserved advantage in the first few cycles of election. I know it will take longer, and it may be risky (as we see in Egypt where Mubarak is ruling from his jail-cell), but I just am not ready to punish 3 million Syrians and turn them into proto-terrorists after having been thugs for decades.
And BTW, sorry if you were offended. I can see that you do know about Syrian society, and perhaps more than I do, but I had Bremmer in mind. But again, prepackaged solutions will not work. I still don’t believe that Bremmer’s solution worked in Iraq.
UZAIR8
I am glad that you are reflecting. I have never been for vengeance. I am for justice but also for reconciliation. Off course after removing impediments to reconciliation. In my opinion, the Assad family are an impediment to reconciliation.
That said, i have been and will remain a staunch opponent of death penalty and I am not willing to make an exception.
November 21st, 2011, 7:04 am
Uzair8 said:
The SNC should announce that those who have not paid their taxes/bills or repaid loans to banks during the revolution will be excused by the next government.
The economy is the weak point. Im tempted to want the fall of this regime to be speeded up by attacks on the sensitive economic targets such as oil pipelines.
November 21st, 2011, 7:19 am
N.Z. said:
The shabeeha’s indiscriminate love towards their idol is going to hasten junior’s fall from power. Either he is stupid, or he has lost control to his “insecurity forces”.
Turkish bus attacked in Syria. Turkish butchers upon ending their pilgrimage, were ambushed by Assad’s men.
November 21st, 2011, 7:42 am
Norman said:
How do you know that The bus was not attacked by the FSA to blame it on the government and give Turkey an excuse to attack Syria,
November 21st, 2011, 7:49 am
N.Z. said:
Who attacked the embassies in Damascus?
November 21st, 2011, 7:55 am
Amir in Tel Aviv said:
Tara,
I come and go. Just leave me a comment and I’ll respond.
.
November 21st, 2011, 8:23 am
majedkhaldoun said:
The bullets came from Bab Al Hawa ,there is no FSA in that area.
November 21st, 2011, 8:36 am
irritated said:
#374 Dale Andersen is our new American slang language supervisor.
Watch it folks
If you make any mistake in this ‘universal’ languages , you’ll be banned for one week, capisch ( sorry for the mistype , it is an italian word from our cospomolitan supervisor).
He’ll teach good US-Israeli street language: “Dude”, ‘shit’ (381), “capisch” etc.. He’s a pupil of Abboud.
He is a better teacher in his mother language than a commenter on Syria that he never visited.
November 21st, 2011, 10:07 am
Mina said:
The only reason the AL has set its next meeting to Thursday is thanks to the poors and the youth in Tahrir who are ready to die for the country to move forward. Nothing has changed, the fat cats holding the newspapers are still here, Egypt is still a tool in the hands of KSA and worse of all, the wages have been lowered in many companies and public institutions “because of the slowdown of tourism and the economic crisis”! So instead of al Jazeera’s slogans in March “Egypt: soon equality for all, every body eating meat and brioche”, it is exactly the opposite.
Add to this that most police officers are now visible in the police cars ans “boxes” BUT in plain clothes because they are afraid of being beaten (like the army in Syria, basically).
Add to this that many people have been able to buy weapons smuggled from Lybia and are not even hiding it, since there is no police or checkpoint anywere on the country’s roads except to protect a few touristic areas…
So the amazingly courageous AL leaders are too afraid to take their cars from the Sheraton and the Semiramis to reach the AL in Tahrir. Jaban of those people is without end! And they want to teach lessons to who??
November 21st, 2011, 10:13 am
ann said:
Syria blasts Israel; most other Arabs moderate – November 21, 2011
http://www.boston.com/news/world/europe/articles/2011/11/21/syria_blasts_israel_most_other_arabs_moderate/
VIENNA—Syria accused Israel of posing a “grave and serious threat” through its undeclared atomic arsenal Monday, at a session between the Jewish state and its Arab neighbors meant to narrow differences on creating a Mideast nuclear weapon-free zone, officials said.
Aside from Iran, which is boycotting the meeting, Syria is Israel’s bitterest Mideast rival, and Syrian delegate Bassam al-Sabbagh voiced rhetoric similar to standard Arab criticism of Israel. But officials reporting on the closed meeting said that except for Syria and Lebanon, its lockstep ally, other Arab nations speaking at the meeting were lower-key than usual in chastising the Jewish state for refusing to open its nuclear program to U.N. perusal.
Israel did not speak at the morning session. But one of the officials — who asked for anonymity to report on the International Atomic Energy Agency meeting — said the atmosphere was “much less confrontational, much less hostile” than at other IAEA gatherings focused on the Middle East, which traditionally see Muslim nations speaking with one strongly critical voice about Israel’s nuclear capabilities.
Wide chasms separate the two sides. Israel says peace must be established in the Mideast before talks on a nuclear weapons-free zone can be concretely discussed. The Arabs say the two topics are independent.
In toning down their comments, most Mideast participants at the 97-nation meeting appeared to be heeding an appeal by IAEA chief Yukiya Amano. In opening remarks made available to reporters, Amano urged Mideast nations to focus on “fresh thinking,” adding he hoped they would be able to move “beyond simply restating long-established positions.”
Officials and participants warned against high expectations at the gathering, which is hearing presentations on already established nuclear-free zones elsewhere as a way of stimulating discussion on the Middle East and is not meant to reach any decisions.
A decision last year by the 189 members of the Nuclear Nonproliferation treaty to convene a U.N.-sponsored conference on establishing a Middle East nuclear-free zone in 2012 was an incentive for most of the region’s Muslim nations to meet this year with Israel for the exploratory Vienna talks.
Arab countries and Iran are aware of the potential of using the 2012 U.N. conference as a platform to pressure Israel to fulfill their long-standing demands: joining the Nonproliferation Treaty, acknowledging that it has nuclear weapons and allowing IAEA inspectors to probe their atomic activities.
Israel is unlikely to do any of that. It remains unclear whether it will even attend the 2012 talks and is at the Vienna meeting only under the stipulation that it remain a nonbinding give-and-take on the issue of nuclear free zones in general.
The official said that early discussions Monday touched on a main point of division between Israel and the Arabs — whether the Jewish state needs to join the treaty as a prerequisite to creation of such a zone.
He said that presenters for Argentina and South Africa, talking about their own regional zones, suggested that based on the experience of their own regions treaty membership was not needed to begin talks.
Israel is commonly considered to be the only Middle East nation with atomic weapons — and its secretive nuclear program has long been a heated subject with Arab neighbors.
The Arabs have urged Israel to open up to international inspection. Israel in turn says that Iran is the greatest threat to the region through its refusal to heed U.N. Security Council resolutions demanding it stop activities that could be used to make nuclear weapons and suspected research and development of such capabilities. Tehran denies any interest in such arms.
November 21st, 2011, 10:54 am
Revlon said:
355. Dear Sheila,
((Dear Revlon @176,
As much as I understand and share your rage and frustration, I have to vehemently disagree with you on this one. Yes, there are many Alawis in the regime, yes, there are many Alawis in the Shabeeha and yes, there are many Alawis cheering the regime on, but there are also many Sunnis in the regime, the Shabeeha and cheering the regime on. Grant it, the percentage is 80-20 in the Alawi community, versus 20-80 in the Sunni community, but don’t you agree that one innocent killed is too many? Don’t you agree that people, like Fadwa Suleiman, should be treated like heroes and do not deserve to be discriminated against?)).
There is nothing in my quoted comment that contradicted this statement; We are in full agreement on this one.
((Yes, the SNC has to support the revolution, but it also has the moral responsibility to be the voice of reason))
First, The SNC comprises disparate blocks of opposition that were united around one goal; becoming the political advocate of the Syrian revolution before the wide world.
Every single statement or action by an advocate should serve the interests of the client. Under no condition, the advocate’s actions or statements should undermine the client’s interests or cause.
Second: voice of reason
((وأتوجه بشكل خاص إلى أحرار حمص وثوارها الأبطال من كل الفئات والمذاهب، وادعوهم إلى تغليب حسهم الوطني، ووقف الاعتداءات وعمليات الخطف والانتقام والترفع عن الاحقاد والالتفاف حول ثورتهم الجامعة وأحثهم على ضبط النفس ورفض الانجرار وراء ممارسات بغيضة تزكي الحقد بدل المودة والألفة وتكرس الانقسام بدل الوحدة))
A voice of reason and prudent advocacy are not mutually exclusive.
The statement made by the SNC president was not prudent.
It has undermined the revolution’s hard earned “high moral ground”
It was vague and general. It did not refer to verified events.
It was hopelessly idealistic in calling to advance national sentiments over own or families lives.
It depicted activists/demonstrators as aggressors!
It implied that activists and demonstrators are committing acts of “revenge and kidnapping” without any reference to specific events.
A prudent, voice of reason should have communicated a different message, backed by facts and served the interests of the revolution.
An initial communiqué could have been issued to raise concern about “allegations” and intention of investigation and later follow up.
The index events could have been thoroughly investigated by the SNC.
A full report of what happened, with documenting written or video evidence, together with plan for restoration and future preventive measures could have been obtained from witnessing activists on the ground
SNC could after all of that issue the final report that reflect the facts and the caveats and make necessary recommendations.
November 21st, 2011, 10:56 am
irritated said:
@400. Mina
Maybe Syria was right is asking the AL to hold the “dialog” in Damascus.
It is safer than Cairo.
November 21st, 2011, 10:58 am
Revlon said:
Annoncement and the taking of Oath of Hurriya Phalange of the FSA
أوغاريت تشكيل كتيبة الحرية بقيادة نقيب ابراهيم منير 20 11 2011
November 21st, 2011, 11:04 am
annie said:
Please SpamAnn is not SpamAnnie, I am Annie without spam, although here are a few references lifted from Walls
TRUE | November 20, 2011 at 7:38 pm
“Syria faces new Arab League pressure” (Alice Fordham, washingtonpost)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/syria-faces-new-arab-league-pressure/2011/11/20/gIQAhG73eN_story.html
“No place for ‘authoritarian regimes’, Turkey tells Syria” (AFP, france24)
http://www.france24.com/en/20111120-no-place-authoritarian-regimes-turkey-tells-syria
“Libya, Egypt and Syria all face an uncertain future” (Ian Black, guardian)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/nov/20/libya-syria-egypt-arab-uprisings?newsfeed=true
“Canada ready to assist in Syria, MacKay says” (The Canadian Press)
http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Canada/20111120/mackay-middle-east-111120/
“Violence as Syrian demonstrators demand change” (telegraph)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/8902483/Violence-as-Syrian-demonstrators-demand-change.html
“Grenade blasts bring violence to Syrian capital” (ZEINA KARAM, newsday)
http://www.newsday.com/news/grenade-blasts-bring-violence-to-syrian-capital-1.3334943
November 21st, 2011, 11:06 am
Revlon said:
د. محمد احمد جميعان : انهيار مفاجئ للنظام في سورية
The Sudden collapse of the System in Syria
2011/11/21
http://www.sooryoon.net/?p=38712
د. محمد احمد جميعان
Dr Mohammad Ahmad Jmaiaan
هذا ما يمكن توقعه في الايام القادمة، ومرتكزات هذا التوقع تعود لما آل اليه النظام الان من اعتماد كلي على القوة العسكرية فقط وما يترتب عليها من بطش ودماء بريئة في دعم بقائه وديمومة حكمه العضود، بعد ان فقد كل مقومات حكمه وشرعيته التاريخية والنضالية والمحلية والاقليمية والدولية.
واستعراض مبسط لتلك المقومات يظهر لنا مدى فقدانه لكل المقومات:
1- التاريخية التي اعتمدت على القومية وافكار البعث والحزب الواحد
التي تفككت اصلا منذ الانشقاق مرورا بوقوف النظام عسكريا في حفر الباطن الى جانب الغرب ضد العراق الذي كان يتقاسم معه الفكر والفكرة والقومية والحزب رغم انه منشق اصلا، واصبحت الحزبية البعثية ديكورا لا اكثر في حين ان الحكم لشخض الاسد وعائلته الصغيرة.
2- النضالية التي اعتمدت على فكرة الممانعة ودعم المقاومة وهذه سقطت بمجرد ان قال الشعب السوري والعربي وهم اهل الممانعة ورافعة المقاومة كلمته بان الحرية ورفع الظلم والاستبداد لها اولوية وان هذا المقوم النضالي اساسا سوف يعظم ويقوى مع زوال النظام لان النظام اصلا كان حارسا لحدوده مع اسرائيل.
3- المحلية الشعبية من خلال احتجاج كل مكونات شعبه ومحافظاته ونحن نرى حجما وتنوعا وتوسعا وامتدادا جغرافيا وسكانيا للاحجتجات فاق كل الساحات الاخرى.
4- العربية والتي اتخذت مبادرة اصلاحية للخروج من الازمة، تظاهر النظام في قبولها ولكنه مارس خلاف عنها، مما دفع الجامعة العربية الى الدعوة الى اجتماع طارئ يوم السبت القادم، من المتوقع اعلان مقاطعة سياسية وربما اقتصادية، مع الاشارة الى ان هذا الاجتماع وهذا الاجراء غير المسبوق نابع من حجم الدماء المسالة.
5- واقليمية متمثلة في تركيا وموقفها الحازم في هذا الاتجاه والتهديد الذي وجهه اوردغان واضحا وسوف يكون له ترجمة سيما مع تواجد اعداد كبيرة من النازحين السوريين، ومع حجم تضييق الخناق العربي والاقليمي والدولي مما يدعم اتخاذ تركيا اجراءات قوية ومؤثرة في دعم الشعب السوري ضد نظامه القمعي.
6- والدولية التي لن تستطع ان تقف وهي ترى الدماء تسيل دون رادع ووازع من رحمة خصوصا بعد الاجماع الدولي تقريبا وما سيصدر لاحقا بعد الاجتماع الطارئ للجامعة العربية السبت القادم.
7- واخيرا القوة العسكرية للنظام تعاني من انشقاقات كبيرة ويومية ناهيك عن الانهاك والاستنزاف وحجم الدماء والضحايا مما يفقدها أي دافع للادامة القتالية مع ضياع العقيدة القتالية ومقومات الاستمرار سيما مع المزيد من الضغوط العربية والاقليمية والدولية..
ان التهديد باستخدام القوة الدولية بتوافق عربي وطلب شعبي لردع النظام من هدر مزيد من الدماء، واستخدام القوة فعلا ان لم يرتدع من خلال ضربة جوية لشل مراكز القيادة والسيطرة سوف يؤدي الى حدوث انهيار مفاجئ لن يستطع معها النظام ان يصمد اكثر من بضعة ايام او ربما ساعات ولن يكون هناك من يدافع عن النظام كما حدث في ليبيا لان الطبيعة القبلية والاعتماد على المرتزقة للنظام الليبي هو من ابقى النظام مدة اطول.
بقي السؤال الاخير هنا للبعض الذين ما زالوا يقفون مع النظام هناك: ما موقفكم حين يسقط هذا النظام ويذهب الى زوال؟! وما موقف الشعب منكم حين يرى انكم تقفون مع الجزارين والطغاة وعبدة الكراسي؟!
November 21st, 2011, 11:11 am
Tara said:
Turkey is great in rhetoric. Where are the sanctions?
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=turkish-prime-minister-warns-assad-his-days-are-numbered-2011-11-21
Turkish Prime Minister warns Assad his days are numbered
Monday, November 21, 2011
ANKARA – Agence France-Presse
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan warned Syrian President Bashar al-Assad Monday that his days as leader were numbered and he cannot remain in power indefinitely through military force.
“You can remain in power with tanks and cannons only up to a certain point. The day will come when you’ll also leave,” Erdoğan told a meeting in Istanbul.
“Someone shows up and says ‘I’ll fight and die. Against whom will you fight? Will you fight against your Muslim brothers you rule in your country?” said Erdoğan.
He was referring to an interview with Assad published in London’s Sunday Times in which the embattled leader vowed to fight and die for Syria if faced with foreign intervention.
Erdogan denounced the use of military force “against those in Syria who demand a decent life.” “We never and never consider humane” the killing of Syrian people with tanks and cannons, said Erdoğan.
…..
November 21st, 2011, 11:13 am
ann said:
toothless paper tiger hehehehehehe
November 21st, 2011, 11:21 am
ann said:
*** OOPS! *** hehehehehe
William Hague: Syrian opposition must develop a ‘common platform’
The Foreign Secretary has reiterated his calls for an end to President Assad’s regime following a meeting with Syrian opposition leaders.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/william-hague/8904482/William-Hague-Syrian-opposition-must-develop-a-common-platform.html
William Hague urged Syrian opposition groups to develop a “common platform” when they met him for talks in London.
The Foreign Secretary also stressed his view that the Assad regime relinquishing power would be “the best thing for the future of Syria”.
More than 3,500 Syrians have been killed in a brutal crackdown since the start of a popular uprising against president Bashar al-Assad’s regime in March, the United Nations believes.
But the UK has not felt able to grant formal recognition as it did to Libyan rebel forces because there is not a single, unified movement against the regime.
Speaking after the meetings, Mr Hague said: “I urged Syrian opposition groups today to come together peacefully and agree a common platform for the future of Syria.
“At an extreme moment in their nation’s history, it is important for opposition groups to be able to put aside their own differences and come to a united view of the way forward.”
There are fears that Syria could descend into civil war if the regime is toppled without a cohesive alternative opposition to fill the vacuum.
One element is the Free Syrian Army, which claims to have recruited 15,000 dissidents from the regular forces but is controversial with protesters wanting a peaceful uprising.
Mr Hague emphasised “the importance of retaining international support in this situation through non-violent protest” and the need to respect minority interests in any transition.
He has appointed an “ambassador-designate” to lead liaison efforts. The groups also met with Downing Street officials ahead of the talks with Mr Hague.
November 21st, 2011, 11:33 am
Revlon said:
A demonstration in Baba Amr neighbourhood, Homs:
The people want a no-fly-zone
باباعمرو 20-11-2011 مسلئية – سوريا – أموي
November 21st, 2011, 11:35 am
zoo said:
Turkish tourists near Homs?
Government says a bus of Turkish (pilgrims) came under attack in Syria.
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=ankara-turkey-2011-11-21
Turkey’s foreign ministry says a bus carrying Turks has come under armed attack in Syria.
The foreign ministry said Monday that according to initial reports the attack occurred near the central city of Homs, where Syrian activists reported at least nine people killed by security forces on Sunday.
The daily Vatan newspaper’s website, without citing sources, says the bus was carrying pilgrims.
IHA news agency says the driver of the bus was injured in the attack but it managed to reach the Turkish border.
Monday, November 21, 2011
November 21st, 2011, 11:38 am
Revlon said:
Demonstration in Traimseh village, Hama Governorate, tdoday
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UW6E5uTotc&feature=player_embedded
حماة – التريمسة – مظاهرة حاشدة – الاثنين – 21-11
November 21st, 2011, 11:43 am
jad said:
Bronco,
SOLD!?
هيئة التنسيق المعارضة: مساع لتشكيل “تنظيم موحد” يضم الهيئة و”المجلس الوطني” المعارض
“وفد من الهيئة سيزور لندن اليوم بناء على طلب الخارجية البريطانية”
أعلن قيادي بارز في هيئة التنسيق الوطنية المعارضة، عن مساع لتشكيل “تنظيم موحد” يضم الهيئة و”المجلس الوطني” السوري المعارض، مشيرا إلى انعقاد اجتماع مشترك بينهما في مدة “أقصاها أسبوع” في القاهرة لهذا الغرض برعاية الجامعة العربية، فيما اشار الى أن وفدا من الهيئة سيزور لندن يوم الاثنين، بناء على طلب الخارجية البريطانية.
ونقلت صحيفة الوطن المحلية, في عددها الصادر الاثنين, عن الناطق الرسمي باسم الهيئة حسين العودات، قوله إن “لجنة تحضيرية من الهيئة والمجلس الوطني تضم 4 أو 5 أعضاء من كل جانب ستجتمع خلال مدة أقصاها أسبوع لتضع الأساس لمؤتمر موحد للمعارضة يتم خلاله تحديد أهدافها وأساليب عملها الموحدة، ودراسة اقتراحات بتشكيل تنظيم معين يضم طرفي المعارضة يكون بمثابة هيئة مشتركة وموحدة تنطق باسمها”.
وتضم هيئة التنسيق الوطنية، التي أعلن عن تأسيسها أواخر حزيران الماضي، 15 حزباً معارضاً بينها أحزاب التجمع الوطني الديمقراطي الستة و3 أحزاب كردية وشخصيات غير حزبية، فيما يضم المجلس الوطني الذي تأسس أوائل الشهر الماضي، في مدينة اسطنبول التركية، ممثلين عن إعلان دمشق وجماعة الإخوان المسلمين وليبراليين..
وأوضح العودات أن “هذه المبادرة تأتي بطلب من الجامعة العربية، وتمهيداً لعقد مؤتمر للمعارضة السورية برعايتها، بهدف توحيد قوى المعارضة وأطيافها”.
وحول إمكانية إيجاد توافق بين مواقف هيئة التنسيق الرافضة للتدخل العسكري الخارجي بالمطلق، وبين مواقف المجلس الوطني الذي أعلن عدم رفضه لمثل هذا التدخل، قال العودات إن “الذين طالبوا بمثل هذا التدخل هم بعض أعضاء المجلس فقط وفي الأسبوع الأخير تراجعوا عن هذا الشعار وأصبحوا يرفضونه ولا يرغبون فيه”.
وكان “المجلس الوطني السوري ناشد مؤخرا، الجامعة العربية والأمم المتحدة بضرورة حماية المدنيين في سورية, وذلك عبر اتخاذ قرارات ملزمة بإرسال مراقبين دوليين, رافضا في الوقت ذاته إجراء أي حوار مع النظام السوري بشكل قطعي.
وبين العودات أنهم “تراجعوا عن فكرة التدخل العسكري من أجل استمرار الحوار بيننا، ولأن مسألة التدخل العسكري بغاية التعقيد، بعض أعضاء المجلس طرحوا الشعار مستسهلين الأمر وأكدوا فيما بعد أن المسألة أكثر تعقيداً وخطورة”.
وتلقى هيئة التنسيق قبولاً لدى السلطات السورية أكثر من “المجلس الوطني”، وخاصة لجهة رفض الهيئة للتدخل العسكري، بحسب مراقبين.
وقال الناطق الرسمي باسم الهيئة، إننا “لا نأخذ مشروعيتنا من النظام بل من الشعب، قد يقول النظام إننا معارضة وطنية لكنه يتصرف عكس ذلك، ووسائل الإعلام التابعة له اتهمتنا بقبض أموال من الخارج لتدمير البلد”.
ونشر التلفزيون السوري ووكالة الأنباء الرسمية “سانا”، أواخر الشهر الماضي نقلاً عن الشبكة السورية لحقوق الإنسان لائحة بأسماء 29 شخصاً بينهم العودات وأمين سر هيئة التنسيق رجاء الناصر، قالت الشبكة إنهم تلقوا أموالاً للعمل على خراب ودمار الوطن بدلاً من العمل على بنائه، مؤكدة امتلاكها وثائق ومستندات تدينهم.
ونبه العودات من “وجود رغبة لدى البعض دون تسميته في عدم حدوث أي تقارب بين المجلس والهيئة وسيحاولون ألا تتم هذه المحاولات”، لافتا إلى أن “توحيد المعارضة فائدة للجميع ليكون لديها ثوابت واضحة ضد العنف وضد التدخل العسكري”.
واتهم البعض عبر وسائل الإعلام، “المجلس الوطني” بالوقوف وراء الاعتداء بالضرب والرشق بالبيض والبندورة الذي تعرض له بعض أعضاء هيئة التنسيق قبل نحو عشرة أيام حينما كانوا في زيارة إلى مقر الجامعة العربية في القاهرة للقاء أمينها العام نبيل العربي.
لكن العودات، قال إن “المجلس الوطني تبرأ باتصاله معنا من الذين قاموا بالاعتداء، وأكد أنهم لا يمتون إليه بصلة وهم أفراد متهورون ورئيس المجلس برهان غليون أصدر بياناً تبرأ فيه منهم ومن هذا العمل”.
وكان معارضون سوريون أشاروا، باجتماع بالقاهرة اختتم يوم السبت، إلى وجود شقاق في وجهات النظر، داخل المعارضة، ودعوا إلى طرح مبادرة لتوحيد صفوفها ردا على “الإقصاء والتهميش” في تشكيل “المجلس الوطني السوري”، مبينين انه إذا لم يتجاوب المجلس مع دعوة لقاء المعارضة، فسيكون هناك موقف آخر، وسنكون أمام خيارات كثيرة.
وشدد بيان للمجلس الوطني صدر يوم الأحد، أعلن فيه برنامجه السياسي، على ضرورة الحفاظ على الثورة السلمية الشعبية وحمايتها وتطويرها، مؤكدا أنه يسعى إلى توحيد جهود الحراك الثوري والمعارضة السياسية.
وفي سياق آخر، أوضح العودات أنه “هناك زيارة إلى لندن تأتي بناء على دعوة تلقتها الهيئة من وزارة الخارجية البريطانية، بعد أن قام السفير البريطاني بدمشق بزيارة مكتب المنسق العام لهيئة التنسيق حسن عبد العظيم بدمشق قبل أسبوعين”.
ويجري وزير الخارجية البريطاني وليام هيغ يوم الاثنين، في لندن محادثات مع وفد من هيئة التنسيق، الذي سيلتقون كذلك مسؤولين في مكتب رئيس الحكومة ديفيد كاميرون.
ويضم وفد الهيئة أعضاءها في الخارج هيثم مناع وممثل الهيئة في أوروبا خالد عيسى، وربما يشارك مدير المرصد السوري لحقوق الإنسان رامي عبد الرحمن، وفق العودات.
وقال العوادت إن “وفد الهيئة سيجدد خلال مباحثاته مع المسؤولين البريطانيين مواقفها المعروفة، التي تؤكد ضرورة إيقاف العنف وسحب الجيش من المدن والأحياء إلى ثكناته وإطلاق سراح المعتقلين والسماح بالتظاهر السلمي وقدوم مراقبين عرب وآخرين وصحافة عربية وغيرها وتقديم المساعدة لحماية المدنيين على ألا تكون عسكرية أو بصيغة تدخل عسكري ولا أي إجراء يؤدي إلى ذلك”.
وأوضح أن”هذا الأمر يتم عبر مراقبين دوليين ومنظمات إنسانية عربية وضغوط متعددة ومتنوعة على النظام لوقف العنف ضد المتظاهرين”.
وطالب العودات بـ”تطبيق المبادرة العربية ليتراجع النظام عن سياسته المتمثلة بالحل الأمني وأن العنف سيحل الأزمة”.
وتنص المبادرة التي أقرتها الجامعة العربية اوائل الشهر الجاري على وقف أعمال العنف من كل الأطراف حماية لأرواح المواطنين السوريين، والإفراج عن المعتقلين على خلفية الأحداث، وسحب كل المظاهر المسلحة من المدن، والسماح لمنظمات الجامعة العربية ووسائل الإعلام الدولية بدخول سورية، وإجراء حوار مع المعارضة.
وظهر الانقسام في صفوف المعارضة في أكثر من موقف، حيث رحبت أطياف من المعارضة الداخلية، بـ”المبادرة العربية” التي تتضمن من بين بنودها إجراء حوار مع المعارضة، إلا أن المجلس السوري رفض التفاوض مع الحكومة السورية، بسبب ما اسماه “دماء الضحايا والشهداء”.
وكان وزراء الخارجية العرب قرروا في اجتماعهم السبت قبل الماضي في القاهرة تعليق مشاركة سوريا في اجتماعات الجامعة وتوفير حماية للمدنيين السوريين بالتعاون مع المنظمات العربية المعنية، وفرض عقوبات اقتصادية وسياسية على سورية ودعت دولها إلى سحب سفرائها من دمشق وهددت بالاعتراف بالمعارضة السورية.
وتشهد عدة مدن سورية منذ 8 أشهر تظاهرات ترافقت بسقوط مئات الشهداء من المدنيين والجيش وقوى الأمن، حيث تقدر الأمم المتحدة عدد ضحايا الاحتجاجات في سورية بنحو 3500، شخصا، فيما تقول مصادر رسمية سورية أن عدد ضحايا الجيش والأمن تجاوز 1100 شخص، وتحمل “الجماعات المسلحة” مسؤولية ذلك.
سيريانيوز
November 21st, 2011, 11:43 am
irritated said:
#407 Tara
“the killing of Syrian people with tanks and cannons, said Erdoğan”.
Killing Kurdish Moslem brothers who “want a decent life” with planes is OK.
November 21st, 2011, 11:44 am
Revlon said:
Large demonstration in Nahta village, Horan Governorate, today
21 11 2011 Nahta, Daraa أوغاريت ناحتة حوران , مظاهرة تطالب بإسقاط النظام وتطالب بطرد سفراءه
November 21st, 2011, 11:48 am
norman said:
Turkish pilgrims in Syria, Shea , Ala vi,?
could explain the attack .
November 21st, 2011, 11:53 am
jna said:
ICRC seeks Syrian prison access on its terms
Wed, Nov 2 2011
By Stephanie Nebehay
GENEVA (Reuters) – The Red Cross is pressing Syrian authorities for wider access to thousands of detainees arrested in pro-democracy protests, while insisting that its own strict terms be met, its president said Wednesday.
In an interview with Reuters, Jakob Kellenberger, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), said that the independent humanitarian agency would assess its role after an upcoming visit to a detention centre in Aleppo.
Syria opened its prisons for the first time in September, allowing ICRC officials to visit Damascus central prison which has 6,000 inmates, but that is the only facility the Red Cross has seen. Activists say 30,000 people have been arrested in the seven-month uprising against President Bashar al-Assad’s rule.
“I have always made clear, also when I was (there) again in September with President Assad that yes, that this is the test phase, a first phase, but after that we want to go further,” Kellenberger said in an interview in his Geneva office.
“I would like to see now how the next visit will go, that would be Aleppo, in order to see a little bit if we have understood each other well,” he added.
He declined to reveal specifics, but said that there were unresolved issues with Syrian authorities over the terms of ICRC visits. The agreed initial phase of visits was limited to Damascus and Aleppo, he said.
“We will certainly have a thorough examination internally after this first phase on the merits of our visits,” Kellenberger said.
“I have to say that the first visit has shown still that we need to talk to each other in much more detail” about the terms of the visits, he said.
“Nobody has such (high) standards as we have,” he said.
Under its standard terms worldwide, the ICRC demands full access to all detention centres, the right to interview prisoners of its choosing in private and to make follow-up visits.
Syria has agreed to withdraw its military presence from cities and residential areas and to releasing prisoners as part of an Arab initiative to end violence, the Arab League said in a statement Wednesday.
It was not immediately clear how many prisoners might be affected by the move or the timetable of the release.
The United Nations says 3,000 people have been killed in what it calls “ruthless repression” of anti-government protesters that could drive the country into full-blown civil war.
Syrian army deserters killed seven soldiers and eight members of the security forces and gunmen loyal to President Assad in an apparent response to the killing of 11 villagers earlier Wednesday, an activist group said.
Activists say people have been rounded up and are being held in makeshift detention centres including schools.
“We have big concerns. But I meant the fact is we are the only ones who are in a position, who are accepted to do this work,” Kellenberger said. “The big challenge is to try to see these people.”
“I am aware that there will be places where it would be even more urgent that we can go than the places where we go now,” he added.
Kellenberger also said that those wounded in the violence do not appear to have full access to medical treatment, as required under international humanitarian law.
The ICRC has previously said it had reports of doctors, ambulance workers and other health-care workers being prevented from performing their life-saving tasks of evacuating the wounded and providing first aid and medical care.
“One of the main reasons I went in September to see President Assad was to make clear that every person is entitled to access to medical care. It was a major concern, in fact it was one of the elements triggering the visit,” Kellenberger said.
“We have even talked about certain measures that have to be taken to make this access easier.
“But from the news I have, I do not have the impression that the problem is solved, unfortunately…Everything indicates it remains a big problem,” he said.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/11/02/uk-syria-kellenberger-idUKTRE7A182120111102
November 21st, 2011, 11:53 am
ann said:
You need to watch the video embedded in the article since the print version omits what William Hague said about respecting the rights of minorities and reaching out to Syria’s minorities.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/william-hague/8904482/William-Hague-Syrian-opposition-must-develop-a-common-platform.html
November 21st, 2011, 11:54 am
Revlon said:
More than 50 soldiers defect from Asad army in Rastan town, Hama Governorate, today.
http://www.facebook.com/UgaritNEWS
21/11/2011
37 minutes ago
Ugarit News | أوغاريت الإخبارية
أوغاريت || اﻟﺮﺳﺘﻦ حمص:: ﺗحليق ﻃﯿﺮان ﺑﺸﻜﻞ ﻛﺒﯿﺮ ﻓﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻋﻠﻮ ﻣﻨﺨﻔﺾ ﺑﻌﺪ اﻧﺸﻘﺎق ﻋﺪد ﻛﺒﯿﺮ ﻣﻦ ﺟﻨﻮد ﯾﺘﺠﺎوز اﻟﻌﺪد أﻛﺜﺮ ﻣﻦ 50 ﻋﻨﺼﺮ ﻗﺒﻞ ﯾﻮم ﺗﺮاﻓﻖ ذﻟﻚ ﻣﻊ ﺣﻤﻠﺔ اﻋﺘﻘﺎﻻت ﻛﺒﯿﺮة ﻓﻲ اﻟﻤﺰارع واﻟﻀﯿﻊ اﻟﻤﺠﺎورة اﻟﻰ المدينة ﺧﻮﻓﺎ ﻣﻦ ﻟﺠﻮء اﻟﻌﻨﺎﺻﺮ اﻟﻰ اﻷﻫﺎﻟﻲ ﻓﻲ ﻣﺤﯿﻂ اﻟﻤﺪﯾﻨﺔ واﻟﻀﯿﻊ اﻟﻤﺠﺎورة
November 21st, 2011, 11:56 am
Revlon said:
Opinion of “Youth Syria For Freedom” website of SNC president’s statement on current recent developments in Syria and Homs in particular
أموي مباشر – Omawi Live shared حركة سوريا شباب من أجل الحرية
عذرا برهان غليون // هل انت مع الثوار وتتكلم باسمهم ؟ بدأنا نشك !!
كلنا قرأنا ما كتبه برهان غليون وتناقلته وسائل الاعلام وكلامه عن ان الثوار ينجرون للقتل والاختطاف والطائفية محذرا من حرب اهلية ( هذا الكلام جاء ردا على عملية الجيش الحر التي قام بها وضرب مقر سجن الاستخبارات الجوية في حرستا )
انها جريمة كبرى يرتكبها برهان غليون بحق الثورة , بتصريحاته غير المسئولة بل والمخزية , لأسباب ::
– لم يفرق في كلامه من يقصد بكلمة ( الثوار ) هل المتظاهرين ام الجيش الحر
فإن لم يحدد فهو يقصد الاثنين معا , اي المتظاهرين والجيش الحر
– يتهم المتظاهرين بانهم يقتلون , بدون ان يقدم دليل واحد
– يتهم المتظاهرين بأنهم يختطفون بدون ان يقدم دليل واحد ولو حتى مثال
– يتهم الثوار بالانجرار للطائفية , بدون ان يقدم دليل واحد
اننا ومن منطلق اننا نحترم حرية الرأي والتعبير , والتي نطالب بها كثوار
لكن نرفض الاتهامات بدون ادلة , ونرفض ان تكون من موقع مسئول يمثل الثوار
لو كان برهان غليون بدون منصب و معارض عادي , لما اعرنا لتصريحاته اي اهتمام يذكر
لكنه حاليا يشغل رئيس مجلس وطني للثوار , ومحاسب على كل كلمة يقولها
ومن هنا نرجو من المجلس الوطني السوري ان يصدر بيان يفند به اتهامات برهان غليون للثوار , ويعتبرها مجرد رأي شخصي له ولا ادلة عليه ودعوته الى ان يكون اكثر مسئولة في تصريحاته
By: حركة سوريا شباب من أجل الحرية Youth Syria For Freedom.
Saturday 20/11/2011at 2:00pm
November 21st, 2011, 12:03 pm
Mango said:
Russia gets rid of the American bonds
Russia within a year dumps state bonds of the USA and, now, their volume was reduced, practically, twice – from 176,3 billion dollars to 94,6 billion. Only for September the volume American трежерей was reduced on 2,5 billion dollars.
The largest holders of the American securities are China, Great Britain and Japan. So, Beijing has increased volume трежерей on 11,3 billion dollars, having finished their total volume to 1,148 trillion dollars. Actively buy up the American papers Japan, in September the added 20,2 billion dale. (A total sum of bonds on 956,8 billion dale.) and Great Britain which has got in September of 24,4 billion a dale. (Total amount of papers of 421,6 billion dollars). Russia now is on 10 place on volume of possession of the American securities.
Meanwhile, as has informed the Treasury Department of the US, the general inflow of the capital in September has made 57,4 billion dollars, and the state debt has passed for a record mark in 15 trillion dollars, closely having come nearer to the size of gross national product.
==================================================================
Tragedy in the Mediterranean – the NATO has denied assistance to refugees?
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Italy demands from NATO command to investigate circumstances of refusal in realization of search and rescue operation on boats with the Libyan refugees. The drama in the Mediterranean proceeds.
Only after the first profits which have escaped from the Libyan ship to island of Lampedusa also have given the first evidences, scales of humanitarian accident in the heart of the Mediterranean were found out. Their boat some days drifted in the high sea as the engine has refused. About hundred persons, first of all women, have starved, one of the escaped has told. Their bodies simply dumped in the sea. Employees of the Italian coast guard cannot confirm this data, however, as one of employees has told, on a water surface clothes subjects were visible.
The speaker of Italian of service of a coast guard, captain Vittorio Alessandro, has told: “It was heavy operation. On the one hand because the boat was on distance of 160 kilometers from Lampedusa. Besides, this boat a progressive tense drifted in the sea”. The majority of the rescued had dehydration of an organism and were in a state of shock. Throughout several days of drift in the sea they had no access to potable water and food. 50 fugitives have been taken to hospital on Lampedusa. Two from are rescued were in especially grave condition, by their helicopter have forwarded to hospital in Palermo.
Appeals to investigation
Delivery are rescued in hospital
Meanwhile, the Italian press argues on, whether it was possible to prevent this tragedy. According to some information, from a boat requests for rescue arrived and even has been started the alarm rocket. According to Italian news agencies ANSA, the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Rome has informed the ship of the NATO which takes part in operation in Libya on the distress signal, and was near to an accident place. However, the NATO, speak in the ministry, has not responded to the request of the help in rescue operation realization. Hence the coast guard of Italy was engaged in it. Its ships needed a lot of time to reach a scene. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Italy insists on that in NATO command in Naples investigated circumstances of refusal in carrying out of search and rescue operation. Meanwhile, the representative of agency of refugees of the United Nations in Italy Laury Boldrini urges to throw light on all circumstances of this incident.“ Since March at least 1500 Libyans have gone to a way but so never and have not got to other coast of Mediterranean sea ”, – she speaks.
Initially revolts in Libya more than 45 thousand refugees have left the country by boats. The majority of them tries to reach the most southern point of Italy – islands Lampedusas. Its territory makes only 20 square kilometers.
November 21st, 2011, 12:23 pm
zoo said:
Norman #416
The only pilgrims that are still coming to Syria are Shia or Christians.
November 21st, 2011, 12:25 pm
mjabali said:
Mr. Bronco Comment # 329
You asked me about a “plausible scenario” and doubted the immediacy of getting into elections.
There is an immediacy and urgency. We need fast plans and not wait and see what suits who and in the meantime the country is going in flames with no one able to control the violence that keeps on harvesting the lives of Syrians.
We have to look at what is going on in Syria today first and foremost. We all need to call for halting the violence, and in order to do this WE need to see who the representatives who can control things to talk in the names of the masses who are demonstrating. We all know who represent the government and al-Baath. People, who do not want to be in al-Baath and want to have their ideas heard, have to start shaping up in political parties with agendas and representatives and numbers of who is behind them. It is the game of numbers as you see.
The scenario I am talking about is not a miracle solution, but, it stands on the most important principle of them all : The march of the thousand miles always starts with one step in the right direction of course.
As for the Army and the police and other agencies, you need those to maintain peace and order and make sure this whole transition takes place. Order should be the norm and you need the tools to implement it according to the law.
November 21st, 2011, 12:25 pm
mjabali said:
Mr. Norman comment # 335
You said:
“what i want the president and the government need to do is to push fast for free election nationwide and allow all parties to join”
Well said, this is a great way to get us out of this bloody mess.
You also said: “the new parliament to write a new constitution, secular and for all people who live in Syria that define them as equal with equal rights and responsibility, where people can practice their religion but do not have the right to impose their believes or customs on others”
Well said again, I wish that I will live to see that day.
November 21st, 2011, 12:30 pm
ann said:
To recap what William Hague said:
1. United platform and a unified body.
2. NON VIOLENT PROTEST.
3. Respecting the rights of minorities.
4. Democracy means not only holding elections in the future but
entrenching human rights including the rights of minorities
in Syria. That will give reassurance both within Syria and
to people who wish the Syrian people well all over the world.
November 21st, 2011, 12:32 pm
zoo said:
Gradual democracy
By JPOST EDITORIAL
11/20/2011 22:32
The transition from dictatorship to civilian rule is an admirable goal. But rushing into elections might make Egypt’s first free vote its last.
http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Editorials/Article.aspx?id=246309
November 21st, 2011, 12:45 pm
Mango said:
http://rt.com/news/syria-terrorism-cia-destabilization-863/
‘CIA, MI6 and Mossad: Together against Syria’
Published: 21 November, 2011, 21:12
The West is doing its best to destabilize the situation in Syria, author and journalist Webster Tarpley told RT. According to him, civilians have to deal with death squads and blind terrorism, which is typical of the CIA.
“What average Syrians of all ethnic groups say about this is that they are being shot at by snipers. People complained that there are terrorist snipers who are shooting at civilians, blind terrorism simply for the purpose of destabilizing the country. I would not call this civil war – it is a very misleading term. What you are dealing with here are death squads, you are dealing with terror commandos; this is a typical CIA method. In this case it’s a joint production of CIA, MI6, Mossad, it’s got money coming from Saudi Arabia, The United Arab Emirates and Qatar,” he explained.
He added that Syrian society is the most tolerant society in the Middle East, the one place where all kinds of people live together in remarkable harmony, Muslims and Christians of all kinds.
“This is a model of a peaceful coexistence of various ethnic groups. The US policy right now is to smash the Middle East according to ethnic lines,” he added.
Assad’s rule is increasingly being called illegitimate. But the US and Europe do not seem concerned that getting rid of the Syrian president could cause even more violence, as was seen in Egypt, believes Tarpley.
“After Libya becoming a bloodbath with 150.000 dead and now with Egypt showing what it was all along – there was no revolution there, it was a complete failure and now people are beginning to understand that. Still, Mrs Clinton and Ms Rice (sic) continue to push this bankrupt model of the colour revolution, backed up by terrorist troops – people from Al-Qaeda and the Muslim Brotherhood. There is a growing movement inside the Islamic community, which says ‘We want reconciliation, we want law and order, and we want legality’,” he said.
November 21st, 2011, 12:47 pm
bronco said:
#425 Ann
I would add to Hague “tap on the back”:
5. Come back only when you are unified
November 21st, 2011, 12:48 pm
Mango said:
http://rt.com/usa/news/cia-iran-lebanon-hezbollah-861/
CIA spy ring busted in Iran and Lebanon
Get short URL email story to a friend print version
Published: 21 November, 2011, 20:51
United States officials are saying that shortcuts, unaccountability, laziness and general mismanagement are to blame for the compromising of several CIA informants in Iran and Lebanon who are now feared dead.
A CIA-led program in the Middle East is up in the air after officials confirmed to news organizations today that paid informants in Iran and Lebanon working for the US government have disappeared while attempting to infiltrate Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed military organization considered a terrorist group by the US.
Iranian intelligence minister Heidar Mosleh announced in May that more than 30 US and Israeli spies had been discovered and he quickly took to Iranian television to broadcast information explaining the methods of online communication that the agents would use to trade intel. Only a month later, Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah announced that two high-ranking officers within his own organization had been identified as CIA spies. Just now, however, does the US government confirm that not only is this information true, but they believe that the rest of their Hezbollah-targeted operations in the Middle East have been compromised.
According to some within the agency, all of this could have been prevented.
Speaking to ABC News, one former US senior intelligence official speaking without accreditation says that CIA agents were warned to avoid using the same Lebanon hub for secret meet-ups — a Beirut Pizza Hut restaurant — though spies continue to use the location for countless meet-ups with a wide range of informants.
“We were lazy and the CIA is now flying blind against Hezbollah,” the former official tells ABC.
According to several US officials speaking to the press, the CIA used the codeword “PIZZA” to arrange for would-be clandestine meetings at the restaurant. To ABC, however, a current CIA officer denied the allegations that the entire operations evaporated at the eatery
Others within the agency, but currently and formerly, say that outside of the Pizza Hut sting, the revealing of the online communication conducted between the CIA and informants in Iran led to “dozens” of assets being compromised. Officials have confirmed that the websites that Intel Ministero Mosleh showed an Iranian television audience were indeed used by the CIA in their secret web chats.
“We’ve lost the tradition of espionage,” one former intelligence official tells ABC. “Officers take short cuts and no one is held accountable.”
Another anonymous official tells the Associated Press that the CIA was warned by Hezbollah’s Nasrallah that they were cracking down on American spies, but the US pressed on despite the consequences.
Prior to the September 11 terrorist attacks, the Hezbollah organization was believed to be responsible for the most terrorism-related deaths of Americans ever. Last year the State Department described the militants as “the most technically capable terrorist group in the world” and a government probe linked the group to hundreds of millions of dollars in funding out of Iran. A 2009 crackdown by Hezbollah aimed at Israeli spies led to the arrest of roughly 100, and a CIA investigation that followed revealed that the United States’ own agents would be just as susceptible to similar strikes.
While the fate of the CIA agents remains uncertain — and the final toll kept under wraps — what is known is that for the American intelligence community, not much good can come from this.
“Hezbollah has disappeared people before. Others they have kept around,” counterterrorism expert Matthew Levitt tells the AP.
“If they were genuine spies, spying against Hezbollah, I don’t think we’ll ever see them again,” former CIA officer Robert Baer tells ABC. “These guys are very, very vicious and unforgiving.”
November 21st, 2011, 12:50 pm
irritated said:
#424 Mjabali
“Well said again, I wish that I will live to see that day.”
Sorry to hear that. How much time did the doctor give you?
November 21st, 2011, 12:52 pm
ann said:
428. bronco said:
#425 Ann
I would add to Hague “tap on the back”:
5. Come back only when you are unified
A DEATH BLOW TO THE KILLERS OF THE ISLAMIST TERRORIST BOTHERS.
hehehehehehe
November 21st, 2011, 12:52 pm
mjabali said:
Mr. Off The Wall comment # 377
Thank you for the nice words and you know it is always a pleasure discussing matters with an open minded human like you.
I agree with you about the destructive role of the security apparatuses in Syria. But, how to change their role and change the system? I think this will be done when you have elected officials that will force this and force the judiciary system that should rule the country. This is the best way to ensure a safe transfer of these dangerous institutions that should be turned, in my humble opinion into regular police and one national security unit and that is it. Civilians sometimes should be appointed to run these agencies. All of this should come through elected official and hence comes the importance of elections.
I also agree with you about the need for change but how? We need to ensure a safe transition period and this could be done again if the country starts gearing itself into political activism and organizing themselves and ideas.
Salam
November 21st, 2011, 12:57 pm
bronco said:
#423 Mjabali
Your scenario need some clarifications:
– Who is “WE” that you seem to consider as the driving force?
– Who will lead the “WEs”? the SNC, The NCC, the AL?
– Give me some names of potential leaders among the “WE’s who can lead that ‘urgency’
– What actions will be taken by the “WE’s” to stop the violence?
– Are you sure that the army will spontaneously join the “WEs’?
…..
November 21st, 2011, 12:59 pm
Mango said:
http://inotv.rt.com/2011-11-18/Rossiya-protiv-primeneniya-dvojnih-standartov
http://inotv.rt.com/2011-11-17/Liga-arabskih-gosudarstv-idet-na
November 21st, 2011, 1:03 pm
zoo said:
UK cuts entire Iran’s banking sector
http://rt.com/news/iran-sanctions-us-847/
“The sanctions were put in action at 15:00 GMT on Monday with all UK credit and financial institutions to cease all transactions with banks, including the Central Bank of Iran.Britain’s Treasury chief George Osborne has said that this is the first time the British government has cut an entire country’s banking sector off from the UK’s financial sector using powers created by the Counter-Terrorism Act of 2008.”
November 21st, 2011, 1:06 pm
zoo said:
35 dead in police violence in Cairo
Published: 21 November, 2011, 13:03
http://rt.com/news/egypt-protesters-disperse-bullets-813/
“There are very few women there, most of the people are young men, extremely angry and incredibly frustrated. Many are walking around with bandaged wounds after Sunday’s violence. An Egyptian morgue official says in the last three days, 24 people have been killed and more than a thousand injured. Other reports claim that 35 people have been killed since Saturday.”
November 21st, 2011, 1:11 pm
zoo said:
Saleh to hand power to military if he quits
Sunday, November 20, 2011
SANAA – Agence France-Presse
Yemen’s embattled President Ali Abdullah Saleh said Nov. 19 he would hand the country over to the military if he were to step down as demanded by the opposition. “We… are ready to make sacrifices for the country. But you will always be there, even if we step down,” Saleh told loyalist troops, in statements carried by the official Saba news agency.
November 21st, 2011, 1:14 pm
zoo said:
CNN-Turk reports about the bus attack.
The two people were wounded when “Syrian soldiers” attacked the Turks travelling by bus back from the Muslim hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia after taking a wrong turn near Homs, said the private CNN-Turk television station.
“We confirm that an attack took place in Syria,” a Turkish foreign ministry official told AFP, without elaborating.
http://news.yahoo.com/turkish-pilgrims-attacked-syria-report-103923574.html
November 21st, 2011, 1:29 pm
Mina said:
Zoo,
This is exactly what I saw around Tahrir and the university these days. Some injured young men, with nothing to lose in a 80 millions inhabitants country with endemic unemployment.
The Egyptian newspapers try to see as “creative” the fact they have started to put their phone number on their arm. I see it as the proof they are ready to die.
http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/517094
The MB were not in the clashes, contrarily to what has been written, and they and the salafis have hijacked the last friday demo a few days before, again to transform it in a “live broadcast electoral platform” since the elections for Cairo governorate are next monday.
http://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2011/11/21/la-machine-des-freres-musulmans-tourne-a-plein-regime_1606936_3212.html
Some reproached them to ignore the clashes in their electoral meetings last weekend:
http://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2011/11/21/la-machine-des-freres-musulmans-tourne-a-plein-regime_1606936_3212.html
November 21st, 2011, 1:47 pm
zoo said:
More and contradictory reports of the Turkish pilgrims bus convoy attack
“Mr Karli said: The convoy of eight or nine buses was stopped by four people travelling in a red car…. He said he did not know who the attackers were.”
“One of the bus drivers, Erhan Surmeli, also said soldiers carried out the attack. He told the Associated Press that “Syrian soldiers emerged from behind sandbags and cursed Erdogan when we told them we were Turks. Then they suddenly opened fire at the bus.”
As Mr Erdogan spoke, a group of Turkish pilgrims travelling home from Mecca said their buses had come under attack in Syria. “There is an incident. We are looking into it,” a Turkish foreign ministry source told The National.
Turkish media quoted the ministry as saying the attack had occurred at a check point in Syria, a fact that could point to an involvement of security forces, but there was no official statement on the issue.
One of the bus drivers, Erhan Surmeli, also said soldiers carried out the attack. He told the Associated Press that “Syrian soldiers emerged from behind sandbags and cursed Erdogan when we told them we were Turks. Then they suddenly opened fire at the bus.”
An opposition umbrella group, the Local Coordination Committees (LCC), said in a statement that two buses had come under fire. The group published a video online showing the aftermath of the attack, the AFP news agency reported.
The LCC said Syrian “military and security forces” had carried out the attack.
One of the pilgrims, Cemil Karli, told the Turkish Anadolu news agency that the convoy of eight or nine buses was stopped by four people travelling in a red car. “They opened fire, and when they saw we were trying to go on, another four emerged and opened fire as well,” Mr Karli said: He said he did not know who the attackers were.
Mr Karli and a bus driver were injured in the attack between the Syrian cities of Hama and Homs. Mr Karli said the driver of the bus he was travelling in stepped on the gas and that the vehicle passed through the row of assailants, reaching Turkey without another stop.
http://www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide/middle-east/tensions-rise-as-syrian-soldiers-fire-on-turkish-pilgrims
November 21st, 2011, 1:51 pm
zoo said:
Mina,
The time is playing against the MB. This is why they want this election to happen now in order not to give any chance to secular groups to organize themselves. They know that they are the only ‘visible’ ones in the complexity of the election lists.
They will deal with the army’s request when they’ll get the country under their control.
The only fight back possible from the seculars is to prevent this premature election to happen.
November 21st, 2011, 2:09 pm
ann said:
*** MORE GOOD NEWS FOR THE ISLAMIST TERRORISTS hehehehehehe ***
US delays planned return of envoy to Syria – 21 Nov 2011
http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/us-delays-planned-return-of-envoy-to-syria
WASHINGTON, Nov 21 (Reuters) – The U.S. ambassador to Syria will not return to Damascus this week as previously planned but is expected to go back there by the end of the year, State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said on Monday.
Ambassador Robert Ford had been due to return to the Syrian capital by Thursday’s U.S. Thanksgiving holiday.
Nuland told reporters that several factors played into the decision for Ford not to return now. These included: events on the ground in Syria, where a lethal government crackdown against protesters continues; the decision of other nations to bring their ambassadors home; and the question of whether he could be effective and move around upon his return, Nuland said.
She said that as of now, it is expected that Ford will return to Damascus by the end if this year.
The United States last month pulled Ford out of Syria, citing threats to his safety. Ford had antagonized Syria’s government with his high-profile support for demonstrators trying to end 41 years of Assad family rule. Assad supporters had attacked the U.S. embassy and Ford’s convoy in recent months.
November 21st, 2011, 2:13 pm
zoo said:
Leave Syria’s fate up to its own people- Lavrov
Nov 21, 2011 20:55 Moscow Time
“However, experts think that they (the opposition) have no constructive program except for the resignation of the current president. Thus Syria’s protesters repeat the Arab Spring scenario – get rid of the current government and then play it by ear. The aftermaths of such mottos can be seen in Egypt which is gripped by unrest again, and in the Libyan tragedy.”
http://english.ruvr.ru/2011/11/21/60787570.html
November 21st, 2011, 2:15 pm
ann said:
Violence by armed groups affects civilians in Syria – Nov. 21, 2011
http://presstv.com/detail/211367.html
The Syrian city of Homs has been the focal point of violence since the unrest began percolating in mid-March.
Terrorists have spread across the city targeting, killing more than 1100 civilians and army and security forces.
Armed thugs have chosen their targets on sectarian basis in an attempt to launch a civil war. Recently, they have been focusing on the Shia community in Homs.
According to local reports, more than 115 Shias have been killed in the city in the past few months.
The violence has forced many families to flee the area and seek refuge in other cities. Some families made it to damascus countryside. They claim they were the main target of terrorists who forced them out of their homes.
Terrorists have destroyed and set ablaze dozens of Shia-owned homes, businesses, and vehicles. Most Shia families who escaped to damascus have relatives killed by the armed men.
Most of the expelled shia families left Homs with only their clothes and now search for jobs, seeking a financial source to pay the house rents.
Shia families are now seeking refuge in damascus as a result of terrorist attacks. They also demanded that the government put an end to armed groups harming security in Homs city and terrorizing its people.
November 21st, 2011, 2:20 pm
irritated said:
$442 Ann
Except from France and the US, all the non-arab ambassadors are still in Damascus, including the Turkish ambassadors
November 21st, 2011, 2:21 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
Norman said
Turkish pilgrims in Syria, Shea , Ala vi,?
could explain the attack .
Zoo add, are they christians.
This is very funny,as if christians go to mecca for Haj,or does the Alawis go to Haj,may be someone else will say they were jewish.
November 21st, 2011, 2:23 pm
zoo said:
The Christian Science Monitor’s View
Of riots and rights in Egypt and beyond
Protests in Cairo since Friday reveal the grab for dominance by the military and Muslim Brotherhood in coming elections. Civilian, secular authority is needed for a clean transition to democracy.
By the Monitor’s Editorial Board / November 21, 2011
http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/the-monitors-view/2011/1121/Of-riots-and-rights-in-Egypt-and-beyond?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+feeds%2Fcsm+%28Christian+Science+Monitor+|+All+Stories%29&utm_content=Google+International
November 21st, 2011, 2:28 pm
ann said:
*** THEY ARE ASKING FOR 18 MONTHS BUT WHEN IT COMES TO THE SYRIAN
*** GOVERNMENT DOING IT THEY WANT IT FINISHED IN ONE DAY hehehehehehe
“”Syria‘s main opposition group, the Syrian National Council, said that in the event of Assad’s overthrow, it envisaged a transitional period lasting up to 18 months for a new constitution to be agreed and a parliamentary election to be held.””
DREAM ON
November 21st, 2011, 2:32 pm
zoo said:
#446 Majedalkhaldoon
Iran and Turk Shia pilgrims have been and are still visiting Damascus shrines regularly and Christian pilgrims visit Seyednaya and Maalula regularly too.
Obviously you haven’t been to Damascus for years.
In this particular case, the Turkish media announced that there were a convoy of 8 buses of moslem turkish pilgrims returning from Saudi Arabia.
The identity of attackers has not yet been identified and the Turks are investigating.
November 21st, 2011, 2:37 pm
irritated said:
$448 Ann
Just when the presidential term of Bashar al Assad finishes.. Great timing..
November 21st, 2011, 2:40 pm
Humanist said:
Re. 414 irritated:
Actually, most Kurds in Turkey voted for Erdogan. Ask them!
And PKK aren’t really “Moslem brothers”, they are communists and therefore atheists, who of course constitute only a very little part of the Kurdish population in Turkey.
You better don’t talk about things you obviously have no idea about….
BTW: those hadjis attacked in Syria could very probably be kurds themselves
November 21st, 2011, 2:41 pm
ghufran said:
(the regime waited 11 years to do this and did it under pressure not by free choice)
كشف عضو لجنة إعداد الدستور الجديد في سورية، المحامي محمد خير العكّام أن أعضاء اللجنة اتفقوا على إلغاء المادة الثامنة من الدستور السوري، ما يعني إلغاء الدور الاحتكاري لحزب البعث العربي الاشتراكي في قيادة العمل السياسي، مشيرا إلى أن الدستور الجديد سينص على أن سورية دولة مدنية ديمقراطية، رافضا نظام المحاصصة الطائفية في توزيع المناصب الكبرى.
وقال العكّام في حديث لـ “أنباء موسكو” إن “أعضاء اللجنة المصغرة لإعداد مشروع الدستور، حسموا مسألة الحزب القائد في آخر جلسة عقدوها الخميس الماضي”.
وتنص المادة 8 على أن حزب البعث العربي الاشتراكي هو الحزب القائد في المجتمع والدولة ويقود جبهة وطنية تقدمية تعمل على توحيد طاقات جماهير الشعب ووضعها في خدمة أهداف الأمة العربية.
وتعتبر هذه المادة من أبرز مواد الدستور التي تطالب المعارضة السورية بإلغائها، كي تنهي سيطرة حزب البعث على مفاصل السلطة في سورية.
وبين العكام “توصلنا إلى اتفاق على إلغاء المادة الثامنة كليا، وإيجاد صيغة جديدة، لاعلاقة لها بصيغة المادة الثامنة كليا، تلغي الدور الاحتكاري لحزب البعث العربي الاشتراكي في قيادة العمل السياسي في سورية، بمعنى أنه سيصبح حزبا شأنه شأن بقية الأحزاب الأخرى الموجودة حاليا، والتي ستظهر مستقبلا بموجب قانون الأحزاب”.
وفي سياق آخر، أشار إلى أن “منصب رئيس الحكومة السورية لن يبقى محصورا بحزب البعث، بل سينتقل إلى الحزب الفائز بنتيجة الانتخابات العامة”.
ولفت العكام إلى أن “اللجنة الدستورية لم تناقش بعد موضوع الولاية الدستورية لرئيس الجمهورية”، مؤكدا أن “اختيار رئيس الجمهورية سيتم عبر الانتخاب لا الاستفتاء، كما هو حاصل الآن”.
وقال إنه “طالما ستظهر في البلاد حياة حزبية متنوعة، فلا بد للأحزاب الأخرى أن تطرح مرشحيها للرئاسة ولا بد أن تكون هناك شروط للترشيح، ما يعني أن تنافسا سيظهر على منصب رئيس الجمهورية أي سنتحول بالتأكيد من نظام الاستفتاء إلى نظام الانتخاب، وهذا الأمر محسوم”.
وحول دين رئيس الدولة، بين العكام أنه “هناك توجهان في اللجنة، الأول يقضي بمنع حصر دين رئيس الجهورية العربية السورية بالإسلام، والثاني مع أن يبقى دينه هو دين الإسلام”.
وأشار إلى أنه “يؤيد التوجه الثاني احتراما للديمقراطية والأكثرية، نظرا لأن 80% من السوريين مسلمون، وبالتالي من الضروري بالمفهوم الديمقراطي أن نحترم هذه الأكثرية، لكن لا ضير أن يكون مسيحي رئيسا للجمهورية، لأن أي مسيحي في سورية ليس أقل وطنية من أية مسلم فيها”.
وأكد العكّام أن “الدستور الجديد سينص على أن سورية دولة مدنية ديمقراطية”، رافضا “نظام المحاصصة الطائفية في توزيع المناصب الكبرى في سورية” ولفت إلى أن “هذا يعني أننا أصبحنا دولة مبنية على أساس طائفي وهذا أمر لا نقبل به
November 21st, 2011, 2:51 pm
zoo said:
Sarkozy involved in an explosive corruption investigation
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/nov/18/sarkozy-kickbacks-pakistan-arms-sales
“Nicolas Sarkozy was today urged to break his silence over the most potentially damaging corruption scandal of his career: an inquiry into whether he authorised illegal kickbacks from arms sales to Pakistan to fund a political campaign.
L’affaire Karachi is the most explosive corruption investigation in recent French history and the biggest scandal to personally threaten Sarkozy.”
November 21st, 2011, 2:57 pm
Mina said:
Ghufran
Great news!! Apart from agriculture policy they failed nearly everything else (especially education, and even as for secularism, the failed education paved the way for the Homsis and Idlebis to exist). Of course, I speak as a non-specialist, but it is nice to see in Syria the fields around Aleppo, buy the pomegranate juice in the north, read the prices of cotton, olives, etc in the newspapers… And you can find Syrian apples in Egypt almost all year long.
Let’s try to hope we’re going to see a light at the end of the tunnel. Now that Egypt’s government has resigned this evening, there is no way the fat cats of the AL are ever going to be able to reach any meeting!
November 21st, 2011, 2:59 pm
SYRIAN HAMSTER said:
I bet Putin is squeeeeeeeeeeeky clean
November 21st, 2011, 3:03 pm
irritated said:
$51 humanist
Thanks for the information. PKK as not moslems, they constitute a little part of the Kurdish population, so why are they such a huge problem for Erdogan?
Why is the PKK getting such growing support in the Eastern cities than Erdogan felt he needed to lecture the young kurds about the evil of the PKK. Why is the PKK in Iraq so powerful than Turkey needed to use planes to crush them, who is financing them?
You seem to know more, so please enlighten us.
November 21st, 2011, 3:07 pm
Uzair8 said:
A user called Alimohamad40 on Shiachat writing some sensible posts.
Read several posts of his on the following thread:
http://www.shiachat.com/forum/index.php?/topic/234996076-is-iran-for-or-against-the-syrian-government/page__view__findpost__p__2301050
November 21st, 2011, 3:52 pm
Humanist said:
Irritated:
It is well known since long ago that Israel supports “PKK” (or at least similar Kurdish militant groups) in Iraq since Turkey turned against Israel.
Earlier Syria helped PKK and their leader because of the Hatay issue.
The truth is all countries in the middle east always used and use “the kurdish issue” (by supporting PKK and similar groups) to fight each others – of course NOT because they “love” kurds.
“The enemy of my enemy is my friend”, they think…
November 21st, 2011, 3:56 pm
Dale Andersen said:
Memo To: MINA
RE: “…of course, I speak as a non-specialist…”
Of course…
http://playwrighter.blogspot.com/2011/04/arab-news-fox-news-style.html
November 21st, 2011, 4:14 pm
Majed97 said:
Coordination with the Russians speaks volumes…
مصادر: السلطات السورية اعتبرت بعض فقرات بروتوكول إرسال مراقبين “مهينا” .. وسربت نسخة إلى روسيا
“روسيا ردت بالوقوف إلى جانب السلطات السورية، وسربت نبأ إرسال بوارج كنوع من التضامن الملموس”
نقلت وكالة الأنباء الألمانية ( د ب أ) عن مصادر سورية، لم تسمها، قولها إن “السلطات السورية اعتبرت بروتوكول جامعة الدول العربية الخاص بإرسال مراقبين مهينا في بعض فقراته”، مبينة أن “السلطات أرسلت نسخة منه إلى روسيا التي استغربت لهجته وردت بالوقوف إلى جانب السلطات السورية، وسربت نبأ إرسال ست بوارج إلى الساحل السوري كنوع من التضامن الملموس”.
وأوضحت المصادر أن “السلطات في دمشق مستاءة جدا من بروتوكول جامعة الدول العربية الخاص بإرسال 500 من المراقبين لتقصي الحقائق في كافة أنحاء البلاد لأنه كان مهينا في بعض فقراته”.
وأردفت أن “دمشق رأت أن البروتوكول حمل استعلاء وتجاهلا في لغته بشكل شبه كامل للسلطات السورية، لا بل إنه كان مهينا في بعض فقراته وماساّ بالسيادة الرسمية”.
وتأتي هذه التصريحات بعد يوم من رفض الجامعة العربية، التعديلات التي اقترحتها دمشق بشان مهمة المراقبين في سورية لأنها تمس جوهر المهمة على حد تعبيرها، داعية دمشق إلى وقف إراقة الدماء, فيما أعلن وزير الخارجية وليد المعلم أن برتوكول إرسال مراقبين إلى سورية يتجاهل بشكل تام دور الدولة السورية.
وكان وزراء الخارجية العرب أقروا يوم الأربعاء الماضي مشروع بروتوكول خاص بإرسال مراقبين إلى سوريا، تكون مهمتهم التحقق من تنفيذ بنود الخطة العربية لحل الأزمة السورية وتوفير الحماية للمدنيين السوريين، ومنحوا دمشق 3 أيام لوقف ما اسموه “العنف”, والتوقيع على البروتوكول.
إلى ذلك، أوضحت المصادر أن “دمشق سارعت إلى إرسال نسخة منه إلى روسيا، حليفتها الأبرز في هذه الأزمة، التي استغربت لهجة البروتوكول العربي وردت بالوقوف إلى جانب السلطات السورية، وسربت نبأ إرسال ست بوارج إلى الساحل السوري كنوع من التضامن الملموس والتشجيع لدمشق على أخذ موقف متصلب اتجاه ذلك البروتوكول”.
وكانت وسائل إعلام تناقلت نبأ وصول بوراج روسية إلى البحر المتوسط في طريقها إلى الساحل السوري، بيد أن السلطات الرسمية في سورية وروسيا لم تؤكد أو تنف الخبر، لا سيما أن لروسيا قاعدة بحرية في ميناء طرطوس تستخدم للإصلاح أو للتزود بالوقود.
وتعد روسيا من أكثر الدول المؤيدة والداعمة للمواقف السورية وللمشاريع الإصلاحية , رافضة أي تدخل خارجي في شؤون سورية أو أي مشروع قرار يؤدي إلى فرض مزيد من العقوبات عليها, كما شددت في أكثر مناسبة على أهمية التوصل لتسوية بين جماعات المعارضة والسلطة من اجل إنهاء الأزمة السورية.
وبينت المصادر أن “وجهتي نظر موسكو ودمشق رأتا أن البروتوكول حمل الكثير من الإهانة والتجاهل للسلطات السورية، وهذا ما أشار له وزير الخارجية السورية وليد المعلم في مؤتمره الصحفي الأخير”، وفق تقديراتها.
ولفتت إلى أن “السلطات السورية تراجعت عن نشر نصوص البروتوكول العربي في وسائل الإعلام، خشية ردات الفعل من مناصريها في الداخل أولا، ولاعتبارات خارجية ثانيا تتعلق بسلوك علاقات البلدان”.
وطلبت دمشق من الأمين العام للجامعة نبيل العربي تعديلات على مشروع البروتوكول المتعلق بمركز ومهام المراقبين الذين تنوي الجامعة إرسالهم إلى سوريا، مشترطة أن يكون المراقبون من جنسيات عربية فقط، وألا تتعدى مهمتهم سيادة الدولة السورية.
وأعلن الجانب السوري انه مستعد للتوقيع فورا على الورقة المعدلة التي تطالب بدرجة أكبر من التنسيق مع الحكومة السورية، بحسب تسريبات إعلامية.
ويعقد وزراء الخارجية العرب اجتماعا طارئا الخميس لبحث تطورات الوضع في سوريا في ضوء انتهاء المهلة التي حددها المجلس في الاجتماع الوزاري الأخير في الرباط وعدم توقيع الحكومة السورية على الوثيقة الخاصة ببروتوكول بعثة مراقبي الجامعة العربية إلى سوريا وعدم وقف العنف.
وتشهد عدة مدن سورية منذ 8 أشهر تظاهرات ترافقت بسقوط مئات الشهداء من المدنيين والجيش وقوى الأمن، حيث تقدر الأمم المتحدة عدد ضحايا الاحتجاجات في سورية بنحو 3500، شخصا، فيما تقول مصادر رسمية سورية أن عدد ضحايا الجيش والأمن تجاوز 1100 شخص، وتحمل “الجماعات المسلحة” مسؤولية ذلك.
http://syria-news.com/readnews.php?sy_seq=140296
November 21st, 2011, 4:35 pm
Khalid Tlass said:
The Salafis will rule over you for the next 1000 years !! A new world order is awaiting us, a Salafi Order – and it will achieved under a horizon of blazing fire and a wave of blood. We will make you suck our boots.
Your time is uo Murtadeen of the Middle East. You will be hunted down, from Morocoo to UAE, from Syria to Yemen, Labbaik ya Ameer !!!
November 21st, 2011, 4:46 pm
Syrian Nationalist Party said:
“”Syria‘s main opposition group, the Syrian National Council, said that in the event of Assad’s overthrow, it envisaged a transitional period lasting up to 18 months for a new constitution to be agreed and a parliamentary election to be held.””
How about this SNC small group comes down from planet Shangri-la, and start pressing for something more real, attainable in our life time, something we all can bank on, like focusing on getting Assad to scrap that worthless Party Law he decreed recently and push for one we all can be represented by it first. Once we are on the ground, then we can fairly compete under new constitution when it passes. It is not that Bashar is so adamant on being President for life, he did not want the job in the first place and none of SNP 287 members including me personally have an interest in it as well. It is no brainer why is the case, it is a lot, lot of work to hold that job. SNP believe that should a new constitution installed in Syria by referendum, one as being touted now, it will offer a solid base for political future in Syria and preserving whatever viable institutions needed, scrapping slowly those not needed as political life ensue in the country and make those decisions. All other theatrical performances are a waste of time and loss of serious opportunities that can actually materialize out of this mayhem in Syria. GET REAL PLEASE. STOP BEING PUPPETS.
November 21st, 2011, 4:46 pm
Tara said:
U.S. says ambassador won’t return to Syria before Thanksgiving
English.news.cn 2011-11-22 04:34:03
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-11/22/c_122315021.htm
WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) — The U.S. State Department said on Monday that its ambassador to Syria will not be able to meet the original schedule of returning to Damascus before the Thanksgiving holiday, which is due on Thursday.
The statement came after U.S. State Secretary Hillary Clinton on Friday said publicly for the first time that a civil war in Syria is possible.
Victoria Nuland, the State Department spokesperson, cited the ongoing violence on the ground in Syria and other countries’ decisions to withdraw ambassadors from Damascus as reasons for delaying the return of Robert Ford, the U.S. ambassador to Syria.
She also said Washington doubted if Ford can effectively carry out his mission if he returns under the current circumstance, pushing back his new possible return date to the end of this year.
Ford left Syria last month, and the State Department insisted that he was asked to go home for consultations but not withdrawn or recalled.
The envoy had paid controversial visits to many restive areas in Syria in a show of support to anti-government protesters, as the Arab nation has been plagued by unrest since mid-March when protests erupted against Assad’s government. He was hit several times with eggs and tomatoes.
The U.S., its European allies and the Arab countries have ratcheted up the pressure on Syria. At its meeting in Morocco’s capital of Rabat on Wednesday, the Arab League formally suspended Syria’s membership, and gave President Bashar Assad’s government three days to implement a peace plan brokered by the bloc to halt the violence and allow in observers from the organization, or face economic sanctions.
International community is divided on how to settle the crisis in Syria. During her visit to Moscow on Thursday, EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton called for pressure on the Syrian government to stop the violence in the country, while Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov believed that external forces are seeking to deteriorate the situation in Syria in order to justify their interference in Syria’s internal political affairs.
November 21st, 2011, 5:20 pm
irritated said:
Humanist #458
It does change the fact that Erdogan feels free to crush with violence his own Kurdish citizens because they resort to the military option through the PKK to obtain basic rights that the democracy of Erdogan keeps refusing them.
“Like the EU, the US lists the PKK as a terrorist organisation, a categorisation passionately disputed by the main Kurdish national party, the BDP, which describes it as a “resistance” group.
“the BDP’s woefully under-reported congress in Ankara earlier this month produced an eight-point protocol or “road map” for what it called a democratic resolution; and it proposed resumed talks as a matter of urgency. “All identities, cultures, languages and religions must be protected by the constitution. As a basic principle there must be a constitutional nationality that is not founded on ethnicity,” it said.
“The right to speak in the mother tongue – including in public – must be universally protected by the constitution. Education in the mother tongue language must be recognised as a fundamental right … There must be a transition to a decentralised administration. With regards to autonomy, local, provincial and regional councils must have more powers,” a BDP summary of the protocol said.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/sep/21/erdogan-palestinian-kurds-abbas
November 21st, 2011, 5:20 pm
irritated said:
#461
“Your time is uo Murtadeen of the Middle East. You will be hunted down, from Morocoo to UAE, from Syria to Yemen, Labbaik ya Ameer !!!”
A prophet is born! Prophet Tlass
November 21st, 2011, 5:21 pm
amal said:
does anyone know where our little islamist jihadist haytham khoury went?
maybe he can make some calls and stop the sheding of inoccent blood in Egypt
November 21st, 2011, 5:31 pm
Tara said:
Khaled
This time I will not retract and I will offer no apology. I am certain that you are a shabeeh and an infiltrator. You can deny all you want..And no matter how much you deny, it will not change the fact apparent to every anti-regime in SC and on Heetan. Take my word for it. Nice try though..
November 21st, 2011, 5:31 pm
Khalid Tlass said:
467. TARA said:
“Khaled
This time I will not retract and I will offer no apology. I am certain that you are a shabeeh and an infiltrator. You can deny all you want..And no matter how much you deny, it will not change the fact apparent to every anti-regime in SC and on Heetan. Take my word for it. Nice try though..”
TARA, I say Allah is my witness. He knows what I am and what I am not, Alhamdulillah. What some people think does not bother me, be free to make your own assumptions. But I assure you I am on the side of the revolution, and I am on the side of a new order for the Middle East, the same order which Prophet Muhammad (saw) wanted. But since you do not know much abt religion, you will not understand my rhetoric. I am getting angry at the events of Egypt where hidden powers are trying to prevent the Salafis from gaining an election victory, hecne my anger at secular Arabs.
November 21st, 2011, 5:37 pm
amal said:
mon petit con kalid. la mome elle n’ait pas musulman, et elle n’ait meme pas arab conard 😀
November 21st, 2011, 5:41 pm
zoo said:
The FSA changes its mind: we did not attack the Baath headquarter in Damascus
“On Sunday, the commander of a group of Syrian army defectors retracted earlier claims that his followers launched an unprecedented attack inside the capital, Damascus, in an embarrassing turnaround for the armed movement.
Riad al-Asaad, a Turkey-based air force colonel who heads the Free Syrian Army, said in a video posted on the group’s Facebook page Sunday evening that Assad’s government was trying to tarnish the image of the revolution.
“We did not target the party building in Damascus and we will not target any civilian installation,” said al-Asaad, who was wearing his military uniform.”
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5htsI6Sl3oiaguRsuluG4EwU5FxNg?docId=42af4ca3e5f14be1ae4339c15fb672cc
November 21st, 2011, 5:46 pm
Humanist said:
464. irritated
But it is also a fact that Kurdish rights greatly improved under AKP rule .
Much left of course , but still Turkish Kurds have much more “freedom” than those living in neightbooring countries (except Northern Iraq for obvious reasons ).
Kurds in Turkey now have their own TV and radio-channels, even their own nationalist party as you can see.
Do Syrian Kurds have anything of these things?
November 21st, 2011, 5:47 pm
Tara said:
Khaled
Sorry Khaled. You are not pro-revolution. Although I do not practice much, I do know what needs to be known about Islam. You forgot what I told you about my family? It is exactly why I think you are a shabbeeh….There is no point of argument. This is my opinion and I consider the conversation closed.
November 21st, 2011, 5:50 pm
amal said:
FSA as fu@&!n stupid a$$h@ls 😀
November 21st, 2011, 5:50 pm
Tara said:
Khaled,
One last thing before closing this conversation Khaled, I wouldn’t be surprised if you and AMAL are the same person… And I must admit that you are very smart.
Now the conversation is closed for good!
November 21st, 2011, 5:55 pm
irritated said:
Humanist
Don’t you think ithat if Syria, Turkey and Iran give the Kurds more autonomy, more rights there will be a risk that all Kurds would then want to secede and reunite in the great Kurdistan?
Therefore countries are cautious in giving them rights that could embold them as they don’t want to loose part of their national land.
Yet Syria never had military operation against the ‘secessionists’ while Iraq did it and Iran and Turkey have not stopped doing it.
November 21st, 2011, 6:04 pm
zoo said:
Erdogan ask Bahsar to go to the polls and let the Syrian people decide.
Bashar al-Assad’s days are numbered: Erdoğan
Monday, November 21, 2011
ISTANBUL
Erdoğan warns Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad that he cannot continue oppressing people with ‘tanks and guns,’ saying that his days are numbered and calling on him to go to the polls and let the Syrian people decide.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan warned Syrian President Bashar al-Assad yesterday that his days as leader were numbered and he could not remain in power indefinitely through military force.
Erdoğan said his one-time ally’s defiant refusal to end a bloody crackdown on protesters had increased the prospects of foreign intervention.
“You can remain in power with tanks and cannons only up to a certain point. The day will come when you’ll also leave,” Erdoğan told a meeting in Istanbul.
“Someone shows up and says, ‘I’ll fight and die.’ Against whom will you fight? Will you fight against your Muslim brothers you rule in your country?” said Erdoğan.
“If you trust yourself, go to the polls and let your people decide. If the polls lead you to power, then you may rule. But otherwise your office is only temporary,” he said.
The prime minister was referring to an interview with Assad published in London’s Sunday Times in which the Syrian leader vowed to fight and die for his position if faced with foreign intervention.
“Why do you open the way for outside interference?” asked Erdoğan. “Why don’t you handle your own problems within yourself, without opening the way for any outside interference?” Erdoğan also denounced the use of military force “against those in Syria who demand a decent life.”
Turkey has become increasingly vocal in its criticism of Assad’s bloody crackdown on protests against his regime. “The day will come for you to leave. Because those chairs are not permanent, we have mentioned this many times before. But Syrian President Bashar did not understand this,” said Erdoğan. Erdoğan accused Assad of deluding the Muslims in Syria by taking pictures with Muslim clerics. Killing Muslims with tanks and guns does not comply with Islam, said Erdoğan. Erdoğan also accused foreign powers who have financial interests in Libya, saying that Turkey only wants Libya to develop and does not have any other interest.
Turkey’s diplomatic missions came under attack by pro-government demonstrators in several Syrian cities earlier this month after Ankara voiced support for the Arab League’s decisioc to suspend Syria from the group.
After the attacks, Turkey demanded a formal apology from Syria, warning its citizens not to travel there unless absolutely necessary. Turkey last week announced a halt in joint oil exploration and threatened to cut electricity exports.
It also joined the Arab League at a meeting in Morocco in calling on the Assad regime “to stop the bloodshed and to spare Syrian citizens from new acts of violence and killing.”
November 21st, 2011, 6:35 pm
sheila said:
Dear OFF THE WALL @377
No one could have described the situation in Syria better than that. I hope each one of us who lived in Syria, can read your post and remember how it was, maybe it will help us understand why we are here today.
November 21st, 2011, 7:09 pm
Tara said:
Zoo@476
See #407. Jealous?
November 21st, 2011, 7:32 pm
sheila said:
Dear Revlon,
I absolutely am in awe of your very well organized and methodical thought process. However, I still have to disagree with you. Here is my reasoning:
Syria today is in a state of total chaos. Horrible things are happening and it is almost impossible to verify who is doing what. I disagree with the pack mentality. I would like to follow the prophet Mohammad on this one: help my brother when he is oppressed, but also help him when he is the oppressor, by stopping him from doing so.
As precise as your method of verification is, you have to admit that it is impossible to carry out in the current conditions on the ground, Ghalioun can not possibly verify anything on the ground in a scientific way. Yet, he has the moral obligation to remind us all to be patient and eschew vengeance. I disagree with your premise that the SNC are serving their client: the opposition and that “Every single statement or action by an advocate should serve the interests of the client. Under no condition, the advocate’s actions or statements should undermine the client’s interests or cause”. I would like to contend that the SNC’s client is Syria. They represent all the Syrian people and that includes the army, the pro-regime crowd and the bystanders. They have to defend the country from the regime Mafia. The day they start acting like puppets, following a set script, is the day that they should loose our respect.
Ghalioun’s statement was a voice of reason and prudent advocacy. He is acknowledging the difficulties that the people on the ground are encountering and allowing them to be human, while calling on them to exercise restraint. Even though we believe in “an eye for an eye“, but we also believe that forgiveness is at its most noble, when you have the ability to inflict pain on your enemy (borrowing from the Quran).
I hope you can see my point of view. I definitely, understand yours.
November 21st, 2011, 9:23 pm
Khalid Tlass said:
74. Tara said:
“Khaled,
One last thing before closing this conversation Khaled, I wouldn’t be surprised if you and AMAL are the same person… And I must admit that you are very smart.
Now the conversation is closed for good!”
Good heavens !!! Some people think I’m Aboud, while some think I’m Amal. TARA, as I said, Allah knows who I really am.
November 22nd, 2011, 4:25 am
Khalid Tlass said:
TARA, the problem is that I look upon this revolution, and in fact , on the whole Arab spring, from a religious viewppoint. It is a religious concern for me, and we have our own interests. Total weakening of the Syrian, Lebanese, Iraqi and other Iran-allied regimes, further strenghthening of the Saudi and allied regimes, if possible, total destruction of Iraqi regime and re-imposing Baathist rule in Iraq under followers of Saddam; strengthening of March 14 in Lebanon, TOTAL destruction of Syrian regime and large scale killing of all regime figures, sympathizers and officials; absolute mastery of Sunnis in Syria and Iraq. I have my own agenda, unfortuately you don;t understand that and think I;m a Shabbih.
November 22nd, 2011, 4:32 am
Jason Rocklin said:
Dear President Obama or somone: Please do something about ending the bloodshed in Syria and ending the fightint in Caira and get the Syrians to have a cease-fire in Syria and get the U.N. Army to get U.N. Army planes to come to Syria and Egypt to get the poor Syrian and Egyptian civilions to flee from sectarianviolence and or bloodshed to safer refugee countries like Canada and all other safer countries.
November 24th, 2011, 3:22 pm
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